The monthly member spotlight is an opportunity to learn more about a leader at one of our member companies and showcase the work they are doing. This month we spotlight Marcus Morson, VP Manufacturing & Technology at Cowan Insurance Group. Learn more about Cowan Insurance in our Member Directory.
Name: Marcus Morson
Title: VP Manufacturing & Technology
Company: Cowan Insurance Group
A preeminent Canadian owned and operated insurance brokerage and consulting operation, Cowan Insurance Group represents leading national and international insurance companies. Cowan specializes in property and casualty insurance, providing the best value to businesses, organizations and individuals for their insurance and risk management needs. The organization also advises and creates retirement, group benefits, disability management and international benefits programs for employee groups and offers wealth management, financial planning and succession planning services to individuals through its wholly owned financial services subsidiary.
Cowan Insurance Group has an outstanding reputation for delivering unique capability to each and every client and has built that reputation serving local, regional, national and international markets. Knowledgeable practice leaders deliver consultation and advice in support of specialized customer segments. This strategy enables the organization to execute leading edge industry programs, provide dedicated support to associations, and know its customers better than the competition. Multi product line capability for commercial lines, personal lines, group benefits and wealth management alongside strong relationship management skills empowers Cowan Insurance Group to deliver value and provide thought leadership to its customer base.
What is your role and what is the favourite part of your job?
My role is VP of Technology, Manufacturing and Trade Credit. The best part about my job is the ability to learn about different businesses, meet interesting people and travel to different parts of Canada and the world.
If you could have a coffee with any business leader or industry expert who would you choose and why?
I think my answer would be the same as a lot of people: Elon Musk. Not only is Tesla changing the auto sector, but at the same time there seems to be a lens on the future of the planet and what that could look like if we make investments now for clean energy. Plus the fact that they want to put people on mars at some point next decade would be an amazing landmark accomplishment that could change our future.
What is the number one business book or blog you would recommend?
https://www.entrepreneur.com/
Looking at your companies future what are you most enthusiastic about?
It is the endless opportunities that we have to help our community and clients.
What excites you most about the local tech community?
It is so vibrant and varied. There are some ground breaking companies growing here which will continue to put Canada and this community as a global leader in the tech space.
What causes or community activities is your company involved in?
A company’s success is tightly linked to the communities in which it operates and grows. At Cowan Insurance Group, community involvement is not just something we talk about. We know that active involvement greatly enriches community life, and we are committed to improving the quality of life in the communities where our employees live and work. We fulfill that commitment primarily through the following programs and events.
Community Volunteer Program
We support our employees’ volunteer commitments. The Community Volunteer Program distributes funds every year to charities selected by our employee volunteers and their families.
Cowan Charity Classic
Since 2002, our annual golf tournament has raised funds for a variety of charities in the communities where we do business. We’re grateful for the generous contributions of our partners, community associates and clients—matched dollar-for-dollar by The Cowan Foundation. Over the past 16 years the Cowan Charity Classic has raised over $1.3 million for community organizations, including the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, iSisters Technology Mentoring in Ottawa, House of Friendship in Waterloo Region, Woodstock & District Developmental Services, and the Hamilton Children’s Developmental Rehabilitation Program.
Read-a-thon Program
Through this initiative, employees have the opportunity to participate in the distribution of funds through The Cowan Foundation by engaging the children in their lives in a summer reading program.
