Our Benefits Team

Penmore Benefits consultants focus exclusively on their area of benefits expertise. We focus on the details and help you see the big picture.

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"Gianluca is big fan of baseball, hockey and cycling. He is in fact, pretty much a lover of all sports. While he likes to watch a good match, you can find him participating often as well. Being active is important for Gianluca, who is a fitness, health and wellness advocate. In addition to being a self-professed “Super Dad,” he regards himself to be an excellent forensic problem solver too. "

Gianluca Spirito,

Gianluca Spirito

Senior Benefits Consultant

Gianluca is big fan of baseball, hockey and cycling. He is in fact, pretty much a lover of all sports. While he likes to watch a good match, you can find him participating often as well. Being active is important for Gianluca, who is a fitness, health and wellness advocate. In addition to being a self-professed “Super Dad,” he regards himself to be an excellent forensic problem solver too.

Gianluca is an Account Manager at Penmore, responsible for not only acquiring new business but also growing and nurturing existing clients. He started in the industry in 2012 with Freedom 55 Financial and has been focused on planning on the corporate side of the business. He joined the Penmore Benefits team in 2014.

"Michael was born and raised in beautiful Vancouver, British Columbia. He attended university in North Carolina on a lacrosse scholarship and, just recently, this West Coaster decided to relocate to Ontario to pursue his career. "

Michael Pecchia,

Michael Pecchia

Benefits Consultant

Michael was born and raised in beautiful Vancouver, British Columbia. He attended university in North Carolina on a lacrosse scholarship and, just recently, this West Coaster decided to relocate to Ontario to pursue his career. Although he might be far from home, Michael has very deep ties with his family, friends, and Doberman back home (placing extra importance on getting as much quality time with them as he can). He enjoys sports and being outdoors whenever he can. You will find Michael on the ice rink in the winter and playing golf in the summer. Another one of Michael's passions is traveling - his most recent trips have been to Ecuador and the Philippines. Although at this time he is not able to travel as much as he would like, he definitely plans to do more in the future. For now, Michael is kept very busy in his current role as an Account Manager and is responsible for not only acquiring new business but also growing and nurturing existing clients.

"Cathy comes from a large, close-knit family of brothers and sisters, and recently became a grandmother. In addition to spending time with her new granddaughter and her family, Cathy enjoys music and playing the piano. She attributes her strong work ethic and dedication to every task she undertakes, to her strong family-oriented upbringing. "

Cathy McNally,

Cathy McNally

Account Coordinator/Customer Care

Cathy comes from a large, close-knit family of brothers and sisters, and recently became a grandmother. In addition to spending time with her new granddaughter and her family, Cathy enjoys music and playing the piano. She attributes her strong work ethic and dedication to every task she undertakes, to her strong family-oriented upbringing.

Cathy is an Account Coordinator and Client Service Specialist. She started her career in the insurance business with Prudential of America in 1980 and grew with the company until London Life acquired it in 1996. She continued at London Life, where she eventually met Joe and John and began working with Penmore in 1999. She obtained her life license and has remained with the company since joining. She started working on the Penmore Financial side and moved over to Penmore Benefits in 2013.

"As a mother of a daughter and son who are both teenagers, family is the most important thing for Lina. When she is at home, Lina is never truly ‘at home,’ acting as a true Soccer Mom chauffeuring her kids seven days a week to practices and games. If her kids have time for mom, than that’s who you will find Lina hanging out with. She also loves to travel, read, visit museums, and cook in the rare moments of spare time. "

Lina Marzola,

Lina Marzola

Account Coordinator & Customer Care Specialist

As a mother of a daughter and son who are both teenagers, family is the most important thing for Lina. When she is at home, Lina is never truly ‘at home,’ acting as a true Soccer Mom chauffeuring her kids seven days a week to practices and games. If her kids have time for mom, than that’s who you will find Lina hanging out with. She also loves to travel, read, visit museums, and cook in the rare moments of spare time.

Lina is an Account Coordinator and Customer Care Specialist at Penmore and has over 25 years of experience in the insurance industry. She joined Penmore in 2007 and was with Sun Life from 1994 – 2007. Lina has a Health Insurance Association of America Diploma (HIAA) and is a member of the LOMA Society.

"Lio Spagnuolo, GEBS, GBA, BA is a self-professed sports fan (especially hockey) who would rather be in the game, than watching it. This energy and passion is applicable to every facet of his life – personally and professionally. He is a dedicated family man with a strong work ethic, and can always be relied on to see the big picture. "

Lio Spagnuolo,

Lio Spagnuolo

President

Lio Spagnuolo, GEBS, GBA, BA is a self-professed sports fan (especially hockey) who would rather be in the game, than watching it. This energy and passion is applicable to every facet of his life – personally and professionally. He is a dedicated family man with a strong work ethic, and can always be relied on to see the big picture. As President of Penmore Benefits Inc., Lio is responsible for all of Penmore's employee benefits divisions (Group Benefits, Group Retirement, and Global Benefits). With a BA in Economics from Laurentian, Lio has broad experience in the employee benefits field. He started in the industry at London Life in 1995. In 1999, Lio joined with John and Joe at Penmore. He currently shares his expertise as a member of the board of the Benefits Alliance Group, member of the Advisory Board of Wealth and Estate Plan, Group London Life and member of the Advisory Group of Manulife Group.

"Bill is a passionate sports fan who roots for Toronto’s teams: Maple Leafs, Blue Jays and Raptors. He tries to fit exercise into his life and enjoys gardening. He volunteers at his local Ajax Pickering Board of Trade and is a past Director, President and Chair. He is also a past winner of the Board’s Business Excellence Award. A devoted husband and dad to two daughters, he always leads by example – a trait inherited from his hard working Greek immigrant parents. Value and respect are two driving needs that are important to Bill. "

Bill Zolis,

Bill Zolis

Senior Employee Benefits Consultant

Bill is a passionate sports fan who roots for Toronto’s teams: Maple Leafs, Blue Jays and Raptors. He tries to fit exercise into his life and enjoys gardening. He volunteers at his local Ajax Pickering Board of Trade and is a past Director, President and Chair. He is also a past winner of the Board’s Business Excellence Award. A devoted husband and dad to two daughters, he always leads by example – a trait inherited from his hard working Greek immigrant parents. Value and respect are two driving needs that are important to Bill.

He is a Senior Employee Benefits Consultant, responsible for customer care of his valued group clients and developing new relationships. With over 30 years of experience in this area, Bill started in the underwriting field and has advanced his vast industry knowledge base through ongoing seminars and various positions. He shares his expertise on committees of the Benefits Alliance Group and various Group Insurance Organizations such as Canadian Group Insurance Brokers (CGIB) and Group Insurance and Pharmaceutical Committee (GIPC).

"Penmore Wealth Management understands your personal needs and goals are not the same as anyone else. We tailor a plan and provide ongoing management. We build portfolios with consistent returns so you have the security you need over time. "

Kyle O’Brien,

Kyle O’Brien

Coming Soon

Contact:

"Coming Soon "

Don Hiltz,

Don Hiltz

VP, Sales & Marketing, SmartChoice Benefits

Coming Soon

"Hanson was raised in Toronto and moved to Hong Kong to pursue his career for over a decade. He recently returned home with his family in 2021. He had worked for several multinational financial institutions; with experience in Group Benefits, Retirement and Insurance, Hanson joined Penmore Benefits as a Group Benefits Analyst in November 2021. Hanson loves travelling, snowboarding and trying out new activities or sports with his daughter in his spare time. He is looking forward to growing with Penmore in different capacities in the years to come. "

Hanson Kam, Group Benefits Analyst & Customer Care

Hanson Kam

Group Benefits Analyst & Customer Care

Hanson was raised in Toronto and moved to Hong Kong to pursue his career for over a decade. He recently returned home with his family in 2021. He had worked for several multinational financial institutions; with experience in Group Benefits, Retirement and Insurance, Hanson joined Penmore Benefits as a Group Benefits Analyst in November 2021. Hanson loves travelling, snowboarding and trying out new activities or sports with his daughter in his spare time. He is looking forward to growing with Penmore in different capacities in the years to come.

"Melanie has worked in the insurance and underwriting industries for almost ten years. She obtained her Bachelor's Degree from York University and a HRM postgraduate certificate from Seneca College. Melanie currently works as a Group Benefits Analyst for SmartChoice. When she is not working, she loves to travel to different cities and try diverse vegan cuisine. She is also extremely passionate about rescue animals and volunteering in her spare time. "

Melanie Cheng, Group Benefits Analyst & Customer Care

Melanie Cheng

Group Benefits Analyst & Customer Care

Melanie has worked in the insurance and underwriting industries for almost ten years. She obtained her Bachelor's Degree from York University and a HRM postgraduate certificate from Seneca College. Melanie currently works as a Group Benefits Analyst for SmartChoice. When she is not working, she loves to travel to different cities and try diverse vegan cuisine. She is also extremely passionate about rescue animals and volunteering in her spare time.

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Zeke Oudeh,

Zeke Oudeh

Founder, SmartChoice Benefits

Coming Soon

"Coming Soon "

Neeli Moses, Client Relationship & TPA Manager

Neeli Moses

Client Relationship & TPA Manager

Coming Soon

"Born and raised near the Himalayan province in India, Sachin has been inspired to travel and explore the mountains. He enjoys walking and playing games with his friends and family. Being an enthusiastic music lover, he loves to listen to different genres (recommended by his friends and cousins). In his free time, he loves watching Cricket, Soccer and reading mythology-related books. "

Sachin Bhatt, Group Benefits Analyst & Customer Care Specialist

Sachin Bhatt

Group Benefits Analyst

Born and raised near the Himalayan province in India, Sachin has been inspired to travel and explore the mountains. He enjoys walking and playing games with his friends and family. Being an enthusiastic music lover, he loves to listen to different genres (recommended by his friends and cousins). In his free time, he loves watching Cricket, Soccer and reading mythology-related books. Sachin is a Group Benefits Analyst and Customer Care Specialist at Penmore and has over five years of experience in the Insurance industry. He has an MBA in Healthcare Management and has worked for one of the largest insurance brokers in the world and one of the best third-party administrators in South Asia before joining Penmore.

"Shannon is passionate about mental health advocacy, animal rescue, being a devoted friend, and, most importantly, being a mom. She loves spending her free time at the family cottage, gardening or hiking with her two dogs. Shannon also sits on the Board of Directors for Heartache2Hope, a Halton-based not-for-profit organization. "

Shannon McShane-Reed,

Shannon McShane-Reed

Senior Vice President, Group Benefits

Shannon is passionate about mental health advocacy, animal rescue, being a devoted friend, and, most importantly, being a mom. She loves spending her free time at the family cottage, gardening or hiking with her two dogs. Shannon also sits on the Board of Directors for Heartache2Hope, a Halton-based not-for-profit organization. Shannon has three decades of experience in the health and dental industry, with some of Canada’s largest public and private companies leading national blocks of business at over $100 million in revenue. She previously held executive growth-focused roles at Express Scripts Canada/Cigna and Symbility Health, where she was elevated to President after a successful tenure as VP, Sales, Marketing and Client Service. Shannon is client-focused and known for leading cross-functional teams by empowering and elevating everyone around her. She is also a Certified Agile Leader and Scrum Product Owner, using her extensive experience to help organizations drive greater efficiency and unlock growth opportunities.

"Addie is a multi-faceted individual driven by a love for learning, entrepreneurship, travel, and creating cherished memories with family. With an unwavering commitment to personal and professional growth, she embraces new opportunities and strives to make a positive impact along the way. "

Addie Smith, Benefits Consultant

Addie Smith

International Sales & Group Benefits Consultant

Addie is a multi-faceted individual driven by a love for learning, entrepreneurship, travel, and creating cherished memories with family. With an unwavering commitment to personal and professional growth, she embraces new opportunities and strives to make a positive impact along the way. With over ten years of extensive insurance experience, Addie has honed her expertise in developing and implementing comprehensive employee benefit programs for multinational organizations in an ever-evolving international landscape. She excels at crafting customized benefit strategies that align with clients' strategic objectives, providing education and building trusting relationships as the driving force behind her work. Proudly serving as a Benefits Consultant with International Benefits at Penmore, Addie combines her in-depth knowledge of insurance, dedication to client satisfaction, and passion for international business to deliver exceptional results. With her expertise and unwavering commitment, Addie is a trusted partner for multinational organizations looking to optimize their employee benefits and drive their success in the global marketplace.

"Silvija is a fitness lover who enjoys getting outdoors and keeping active with her husband and two young children. She loves spending time with her family in Muskoka and, whether it’s ice fishing in the winter, or a boat cruise in the summer, being out on the water is her happy place. Silvija graduated from McMaster University in 2005, with a Bachelors in Kinesiology. She joined Penmore in October 2023 bringing with her over 10 years of experience in the health and dental industry, including over 5 years at TELUS Health, managing multi-million dollar, national account portfolios. She seeks to understand the needs of her clients and provide support and guidance to build and maintain strong relationships. "

Silvija Richards,

Silvija Richards

Senior Benefits Consultant

Silvija is a fitness lover who enjoys getting outdoors and keeping active with her husband and two young children. She loves spending time with her family in Muskoka and, whether it’s ice fishing in the winter, or a boat cruise in the summer, being out on the water is her happy place.

Silvija graduated from McMaster University in 2005, with a Bachelors in Kinesiology. She joined Penmore in October 2023 bringing with her over 10 years of experience in the health and dental industry, including over 5 years at TELUS Health, managing multi-million dollar, national account portfolios. She seeks to understand the needs of her clients and provide support and guidance to build and maintain strong relationships.

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Jarrar Ahmed,

Jarrar Ahmed

Group Benefits Consultant

When not strategizing solutions, Jarrar is balancing his professional expertise with personal fulfillment, most often on the golf course. Advocating for an active lifestyle, mental health, and community engagement, Jarrar embodies our commitment to holistic well-being. Additionally, he cherishes his family especially his role as a new Dad.

Jarrar Ahmed, an Employee Benefits Consultant at Penmore since 2023, brings nearly a decade of experience in the benefits and healthcare field. With a background in Actuarial Science from the University of Toronto and certifications in LLQP and GBA, he offers strong analytical skills and industry knowledge. Jarrar's ongoing pursuit of professional development through programs reflects his dedication to delivering exceptional value to clients and fostering new relationships.

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Madhulika Rawat,

Madhulika Rawat

Group Benefits & Customer Care Representative

Madhulika believes in the ideology of “You only live once, so enjoy the ride”. Recently, she rediscovered her old passion for acrylic painting, a creative endeavor she adores sharing with her friends and family through heartfelt gifts. In her leisure hours, she enjoys listening to music, engaging in yoga practice, and maintaining her physical fitness. She hails from a large, tightly knit family with whom she enjoys discussing various aspects of life.

Madhulika holds the role of Group Benefits Analyst and Customer Care Specialist at Penmore, bringing more than five years of experience in the healthcare industry which includes working in Third-Party Administration and Pharmaceutical Consulting firms. She holds an MBA with a specialization in Healthcare Management and is presently working towards earning her GBA designation.

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Daren Ali,

Daren Ali

Senior Benefits Consultant

What’s New

How to Talk to Your Doctor

A doctor’s ability to provide care depends a lot on the information the patient provides  By: Bill Zolis I’ve read that the first 30 seconds of our conversation with a doctor are the most important, and that what happens then – or doesn’t happen – pretty much...

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Should Financial Planning be Seen as a Core Benefit?

Providing access to financial planning can play an outsize role in employee wellness By: Bill Zolis I think the two questions I get asked most often when I sit down with clients to go over the benefits packages they provide for their employees are, “Do we have all the...

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How Will Government Dental Plan Impact Benefits?

New Canadian Dental Care Plan is no match for existing dental benefits plans By: Bill Zolis When we first heard that the government was going to start a dental care program for people who do not have dental coverage at work, I think a lot of people assumed that some...

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