WINNIPEG, April 7, 2016 /CNW/ - The Co-operators welcomed two new directors to its board as the Canadian-owned insurance and financial services co-operative wrapped up its Annual General Meeting today in Winnipeg. Hazel Corcoran and Bob Petryk, both from Alberta, are the newest members of the organization's board of directors, replacing retiring directors Dave Abel and Albert De Boer.

A lawyer by training, Ms. Corcoran is the executive director of the Canadian Worker Co-operative Federation, a member of The Co-operators, and also of the CoopZone Developers' Network. She served as a delegate to The Co-operators representing the Federation since 2008 and is now a director at-large. In 2013, she was chosen to serve on the founding board of the newly created organization Co-operatives and Mutuals Canada, where she was then elected vice president in 2014.

Mr. Petryk has degrees in Commerce and Law as well as an M.B.A. He has been the managing director of Petwin Bancorp Inc. for 15 years, and serves on the board of Credit Union Central of Alberta, a member of The Co-operators. Mr. Petryk was a delegate to The Co-operators representing Credit Union Central of Alberta since 2013, and served most recently as Alberta regional committee chairperson. He is a director representing both Credit Union Central of Alberta and Credit Union Central of Manitoba.

"We are very pleased to welcome the newest members of our board of directors, who each bring with them an abundance of experience and a commitment to co-operative values and the co-operative business model," said John Harvie, chairperson of the board of directors. "The board plays important governance and oversight roles for the organization, and we look forward to working with our newest directors and benefiting from their knowledge and passion."  

As a co-operative, The Co-operators Group Limited is governed on a democratic basis by its 43 members, which include Canadian co-operatives and credit union centrals. Members appoint representatives to regional committees, who nominate the 22 members of the board of directors.

About The Co-operators:
The Co-operators Group Limited is a Canadian-owned co-operative with more than $40 billion in assets under administration. Through its group of companies it offers home, auto, life, group, travel, commercial and farm insurance, as well as investment products. The Co-operators is well known for its community involvement and its commitment to sustainability. The Co-operators is listed among the Best Employers in Canada by Aon; Corporate Knights' Best 50 Corporate Citizens in Canada; and the Top 50 Socially Responsible Corporations in Canada by Sustainalytics and Maclean's magazine. For more information visit www.cooperators.ca.

SOURCE The Co-operators