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The Donald M. Stuart award is widely recognized as Canada’s highest honour within the risk management field.  The Fred H. Bossons Award honours the risk management professional who earns the highest average mark on the three examinations required to attain the CRM designation.

Toronto (December 14, 2020) — RIMS Ontario Chapter (ORIMS) presented the Donald M. Stuart Award to Elizabeth “Betty” Clarke, Manager, Corporate Risk and Recovery for the City of St. John’s. The Donald M. Stuart award is widely recognized as Canada’s highest honour within the risk management field and, since 1979, has celebrated Canadians who have made outstanding contributions to the profession.   

“Risk management continues to be a unifying force at the City of St. John’s, bringing different government agencies together to provide a safe, clean and entrepreneurial environment for residents and local businesses,” said Ms. Clarke. “It has been a privilege to share my experiences with Canada’s risk management community. I want to thank ORIMS for this honour, as well as all of the volunteers at the Newfoundland and Labrador RIMS Chapter for their support.”

For the last 16 years, Ms. Clarke has led the City of St. John’s risk management function, developing a cross-departmental, risk-aware culture that has enabled the growing municipality to effectively address evolving and emerging risks. She continues to successfully manage the City’s risk financing program that includes a blend of insurance and self-insured retention strategies. And, as a member of the St. John’s Emergency Operations Centre, she played an integral role in designing the City’s Business Continuity Plan and continues to conduct assessments, inspections and treatment recommendations for affected sties.

“Recent events have emphasized the unquestionable value of risk management,” said ORIMS President Tanya Diedrick.  “We continue to be amazed by the remarkable professionals who generously share best practices, challenges and solutions for those challenges with the RIMS community. Betty Clarke is a true leader in this regard, who continues to demonstrate her unmatched dedication and passion for advancing the profession. We cannot thank her enough for all of her contributions.”

Ms. Clarke continues to volunteer her time and experience to advance the risk management profession, especially in the Newfoundland and Labrador region. She has served as a director with Newfoundland and Labrador Chapter of RIMS (NALRIMS) for the last 15 years, occupying various portfolios and executive positions including president from 2005 – 2007.  Ms. Clarke has also served at the national level, chairing RIMS Canada Council in 2012 and 2013, and as the RIMS Canada Conference co-chair in 2009 and 2018.

A strong believer in continuing education, Ms. Clarke holds a CIP and FCIP designation from the Insurance Institute of Canada and a CRM and RF designation from Global Risk Management Institute (GRMI). In addition, she has completed the ICS I-300 in Emergency Management/Business Continuity.

Fred H. Bossons Award

The Fred H. Bossons Award honours the risk management professional who earns the highest average mark on the three examinations required to attain the Canadian Risk Management (CRM) designation. This year’s winner is Carolyn Exelby, Enterprise Risk Manager for Flight Centre Travel Group.

The CRM designation provides risk professionals a foundation of knowledge and skills needed to identify, assess, monitor and limit risks. The award is recognized by RIMS and awarded by GRMI.

About RIMS Canada Council

The RIMS Canada Council (RCC) is a standing committee of the Risk and Insurance Management Society, Inc. (RIMS).  The RCC addresses the strategic initiatives of RIMS and risk management issues in Canada.