Laureates of Canadian Insurance Hall of Fame

Bruce Etherington

Laureate of the Canadian Insurance Hall of Fame®

A fully accredited financial planner with a specialty in life insurance, Bruce holds the CLU, CHFC and CFP designations. His firm, Bruce Etherington & Associates, specializes in “Family Harmony and Philanthropy” and achieved the objective of creating $1 billion for charities and not-for- profits in the first decade of this century.

A renowned speaker, Bruce has spoken to virtually every major insurance and financial planning organization in the world. He has appeared 25 times on the program of the Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT), which is considered by many to be the preeminent sales organization in the insurance and financial planning industry. His books “See The People” and “Reflect & Prepare” are international bestsellers, as are his CDs, which continue to change the lives of salespeople around the world.

Born in Purley, Surrey, England, Bruce came to Canada at the age of two. He graduated from the University of Western Ontario in 1965 with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and entered the life insurance business with London Life. He subsequently obtained his Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU), Chartered Financial Consultant (CHFC) and Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designations.

Bruce resides in Mississauga, Ontario with his wife of 56 years, Karen who was his ‘first date’ and high school sweetheart. Bruce and Karen have four grown children and 5 grandchildren. Bruce enjoys golfing, pickle ball, fishing, cycling, reading, music, speaking, writing and selling!

George Sigurdson

Laureate of the Canadian Insurance Hall of Fame®

George Sigurdson from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada started in the Life Insurance Business with London Life in 1970 after graduating from the University of Manitoba.

George quickly became a success in the business and has consistently been one of the top 25 representatives with the company for over 54 years.

With over 50 years of experience, he has built a successful business including over 3000 clients and over 250 million in individual and pension assets. His business has been built with the John Savage philosophy in mind of “serve the masses, eat with the classes….serve only the classes and you may go broke.”

George is a 50 year member of MDRT, 43 year member of Court of the Table and 23 year member of Top of the Table. He continues to be active in the industry serving on various MDRT committees and speaking at meetings across North America.

As a huge supporter of the Winnipeg community, George serves on various boards and community groups. George and his wife Pam love to travel and have visited over 76 countries. They have 4 children and 5 grandchildren between them.

Marc Silverman

Laureate of the Canadian Insurance Hall of Fame®

Allow me to introduce Marc Silverman CLU, ChFC. He is from Toronto Canada and currently resides in Miami Florida. He is happily married to Patti for the past 38 years and they have 1 daughter who lives in New York City.

Marc entered the financial services business in 1983. He qualified for the million Dollar around table his first full year in the business and each year thereafter. He has qualified for the top Of the table for the past 23 years.

He has spoken all over the world in trying to help advisors get to the next level. He has authored 2 books, 1 for the public and 1 for financial advisors. He is a past chair of the top of the table and past president of the MDRT foundation.

His hobbies include piloting his twin engine plane, golf and 600 gall saltwater aquarium and travel.

Alphonso Franco

Laureate of the Canadian Insurance Hall of Fame®

Alphonso Franco is a Jesuit educated linguist with the ability to speak 11 languages, he is the 2006 Top of the Table Chairman and MCC Chairman of 2011 and has achieved 26 Top of the Table Honours and 27 Court of the Table Honours. The 1st person to speak on the Main Platform of both Million Dollar Round Table and the Top of the Table on Critical Illness Insurance.

Author of the best-selling book “99 Critical Ideas for Insurance Professionals” and author of the Critical Vision System TM written 30 years ago. It is still being used around the world. Creator of the World Critical Illness Insurance Conferences and the Financial Hall of Fame, Alphonso is well known as one of the best cricket managers in the world cricket and one of the most popular managers.

A former National level track and field as well martial arts teacher became accidentally a cricket hero after a car accident.

He has been managing the Canadian Men’s National Cricket Team including the 2024 T 20 World Cup held in the US and West Indies.

Alphonso arrived 49 years ago as a teenager in this very city not knowing anyone and made a life for himself. This independent and fierce Canadian always gives credit to God’s Grace first and foremost.

Pascale Cauchi

Laureate of the Canadian Insurance Hall of Fame®

Pascale Cauchi is the President and Founder of Pascale Cauchi Inc. and Santé Fiscal Inc.

With over 36 years of experience in the financial sector, Pascale is a seasoned professional known for her strategic insight and dedication to personalised client service. Her leadership has helped individuals and families navigate complex financial decisions with confidence and clarity.

Through her work, Pascale continues to provide expert guidance in wealth management, financial planning, and insurance solutions, always supported by a strong and capable team. She is committed to staying current, innovative, and focused on the evolving needs of her clients.

Diane McCurdy

Laureate of the Canadian Insurance Hall of Fame®

With over 50 years in financial services, Diane McCurdy has broken barriers, mentored future leaders, and shaped the industry. As CEO and Founder of one of Canada’s largest independent firms, she set a high standard for financial planning.

Diane was Canada’s first female Top of the Table MDRT member and first woman to chair CALU. She founded Canada’s first women’s financial study group and coined the term “Financial Planning” in 1977, naming her firm McCurdy Financial Planning long before the concept was widely recognized.

A dedicated mentor, she has guided professionals through organizations like the International Women’s Forum and GroYourBiz. As a bestselling author of How Much Is Enough?, her insights have been featured in the New York Times, Globe and Mail, and National Post. A sought-after speaker, she has addressed global conferences and appeared on BNN, CTV, and Global TV.

Her contributions have earned her recognition as one of Canada’s Most Powerful Women (Top 100), the Bank of Montreal Celebrating Women Award, and an appointment as Honorary Colonel of the Canadian Air Force 442 Search and Rescue Squadron. She continues to influence the industry as a Board Member of the National Arts Centre Ottawa and advisor to GroYourBiz.

Diane remains committed to inspiring and empowering the next generation of financial advisors, ensuring a more secure financial future for all.

George Goulet

Laureate of the Canadian Insurance Hall of Fame®

George Goulet is from Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

He entered the life insurance industry in 1985 and is the President of United Benefits Group Ltd. which serves business owners in Alberta and British Columbia.

George is a Registered Trust & Estate Practitioner, a Fellow of the Life Management Institute, a Chartered Financial Services Broker and a Registered Financial Consultant.

George is a Lifetime Member of the Million Dollar Round Table with 28 consecutive Top of the Table Honours.

He is a Member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioner’s and the International Association of Registered Financial Consultants.

From 2020 - 2025 he has received the Consumers Choice Award for Business Excellence being voted Best Life & Health Insurance Advisor for Business Owners in Alberta.

He has spoken internationally as a subject matter expert on practice management and the MDRT Whole Life Concept.

George is the Founder and Director of the Access Foundation Fund which is a Donor Director Fund of the Calgary Foundation and has been responsible for over $1,000,000 in community charitable contributions.

George’s greatest joy is his family. He has a blended family with his wife Polena of 6 kids ranging in age from 15-31 with 3 of the kids being 15 and one being 16.

Michael Evers

Laureate of the Canadian Insurance Hall of Fame®

Michael Evers is the co-founder and VP of The Canadian Estate Planners Inc., a boutique firm which specializes in doing high-end planning for Canadians with significant USA property and/or with private corporations.

Mike graduated Summa Cum Laude from McMaster University in 1974.

He has been in the life insurance and financial services industry since 1983. In his has 39 years of MDRT Membership, he served 2 terms as Zone Chair for Canada, served on many Boards, Committees and Task Forces.

He has served as President of many organizations, including The Canadian MDRT Foundation, his local Chamber of Commerce, the Estate Planners’ Council of Hamilton ON, Sun Life’s Agents Council, etc. etc.

He has been a member of the Gryphin Advantage Hall of Fame for 10 years. Mike also spent many years on the Board of Advocis, Hamilton, the Hamilton Regional Cancer Centre, the Caledonia BIA, etc. etc.

While a career agent at Sun life, he was a perennial leading agent, including #1 in Canada and #3 in the world one year.

Mike and his bride Kathy will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary later this spring. They have 2 adult sons.

In his precious little spare time, Mike has enjoyed automobile racing off and on since 1973 – having won well over 40 races in his Honda Prelude.

Amy Tong

Laureate of the Canadian Insurance Hall of Fame®

Amy Tong, a Bachelor of Commerce graduate from the University of Toronto, specializing in tax and accounting, is a distinguished financial planner with over 25 years of experience in working with health care professionals. As a Lifetime Top of the Table member, Amy’s unparalleled expertise in financial and estate planning has helped countless clients optimize their financial structures, maximize after-tax income, and secure tax-efficient estate payouts.

At our firm, we are proud to have a team of seasoned professionals holding a wide range of designations, including MBA in Finance, CFP (Certified Financial Planner), CIM (Chartered Investment Manager), CLU (Chartered Life Underwriter), CHS (Certified Health Insurance Specialist), TEP (Trust and Estate Practitioner), CH.F.C (Chartered Financial Consultant), and RCIS (Registered Critical Illness Specialist). This diverse skill set ensures that we provide comprehensive, high-level financial and tax planning services that are precisely tailored to meet the unique needs of our clients.

As a Managing General Agent (MGA), Amy is committed to mentoring and guiding the next generation of financial professionals. By cultivating the skills and knowledge of our agents, Amy ensures that we uphold the highest standards of service in both insurance and investment planning. Her focus on intergenerational wealth transfer strategies helps clients preserve and grow their financial legacies for future generations.

Laureates of Canadian Insurance Hall of Fame®

Bruce Etherington

Bruce Etherington

Laureate of the Canadian Insurance Hall of Fame®

George Sigurdson

George Sigurdson

Laureate of the Canadian Insurance Hall of Fame®

Marc Silverman

Marc Silverman

Laureate of the Canadian Insurance Hall of Fame®

Alphonso Franco

Alphonso Franco

Laureate of the Canadian Insurance Hall of Fame®

Pascale Cauchi

Pascale Cauchi

Laureate of the Canadian Insurance Hall of Fame®

Diane McCurdy

Diane McCurdy

Laureate of the Canadian Insurance Hall of Fame®

George Goulet

George Goulet

Laureate of the Canadian Insurance Hall of Fame®

Michael Evers

Michael Evers

Laureate of the Canadian Insurance Hall of Fame®

Amy Tong

Amy Tong

Laureate of the Canadian Insurance Hall of Fame®

Mark J. Hanna

Founder - CLU, ChFC, AIF