Headquarters:
200 Bay St., Toronto, ON M5J 2J1
Year founded:
1986
Number of employees:
500
Phone:
+1 416 925 4757
Email:
kevin.west@skylaw.ca
Website:
homeequitybank.ca
LinkedIn:
linkedin.com/company/homeequitybank
Yousry Bissada
President & CEO
Sherry Dondo
Chief People and Culture Officer
Yvonne Ziomecki-Fisher
Chief Customer, Brand, and Advice Officer
Leadership
With over 30 years of leadership in mortgage, technology, and financial services, Yousry Bissada has driven innovation and growth across Canada’s evolving financial landscape. As HomeEquity Bank celebrates its 40th anniversary and surpasses $10 billion in assets, his expertise in lending and deposit-funded mortgages strengthens strategy and risk discipline. Just as importantly, Bissada’s values and people-first leadership strongly align with the company’s collaborative, purpose-driven culture. Passionate about community impact, he serves on the board of The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation and champions health-related causes. His vision, integrity, and commitment to excellence make him a natural cultural fit and an inspiring industry leader.
President & CEO
Yousry Bissada
Sherry Dondo leads the people and culture and internal communications functions at HomeEquity Bank. Since joining in 2020, she has been instrumental in crafting and implementing the company’s talent strategy. Her extensive experience in senior leadership roles at Franklin Templeton Investments, including as global head of talent development, has significantly contributed to her expertise. Dondo also serves on the board of Embark Student Corp. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Toronto and an ICD.D and is a certified professional coach recognized by the International Coach Federation (ICF).
Chief People and Culture Officer
Sherry Dondo
Yvonne Ziomecki-Fisher leads marketing, brand, and direct-to-consumer strategies that help Canadians 55+ thrive in retirement. Since joining HomeEquity Bank in 2013, she has driven record growth by building a world-class brand, expanding a high-performance sales team, and making reverse mortgage a household name. Recognized as a Woman of Influence and 2022 Strategy Marketer of the Year, Ziomecki-Fisher co-authored Home Run: The Reverse Mortgage Advantage. With leadership experience at American Express and active board roles, she combines deep expertise with a passion for shaping trusted financial brands. She holds a BA from the University of Toronto and an MBA from Schulich School of Business.
Chief Customer, Brand, and Advice Officer
Yvonne Ziomecki-Fisher
Leadership
Leadership
Rene Quercia
Senior Vice President, Broker Channel
Rene Quercia, SVP of broker channel at HomeEquity Bank, is dedicated to expanding the broker channel and positioning reverse mortgages as a key offering for Canadians 55+. With over 35 years in banking, including a decade leading TD’s mortgage sales division, he drove transformation through process re-engineering and strategic partnerships, overseeing teams responsible for most new originations. A proven leader, Quercia excels at building businesses, developing talent, and fostering inclusive, high-performing teams. Residing in Oakville, he is passionate about community engagement.
Senior Vice President, Broker Channel
Rene Quercia
Michael Lee
Lawyer
Michael Lee is a senior corporate and securities lawyer with extensive experience advising on high-profile M&A and capital markets transactions. After spending much of his career at leading international firms in London, he rejoined SkyLaw in 2022 and helps drive the growth of the firm’s corporate services offering.
Michael champions the use of legal technology to improve access and efficiency, and recently led the development of SkyLaunch, an online platform for company formations and maintenance developed in conjunction with SkyLaw and approved by the Law Society of Ontario.
Lawyer
Michael Lee
Robert W. Crowder
Business Development Executive
Kerri Layne
Group Benefits Coordinator
Lindsay Gibson
Director, Sales and Business Development, Ontario
Pam Chhabra
Manager – Residential Strata
Robert W. Crowder joined The Benefits Trust in 2017. After working in multiple roles spanning claims adjudication, account management, and underwriting, he joined the sales team in 2021. Since then, Crowder has been helping advisors and their clients design and implement creative and sustainable employee benefit plans.
He collaborates with professional insurance advisors to develop creative solutions for their clients, staying at the forefront of industry trends and regulations. His dedication to excellence and client satisfaction make him a valuable asset in the insurance industry.
Business Development Executive
Robert W. Crowder
With over 20 years of experience in group benefits, third-party administration, and the intricate processes of researching, designing, and developing both standard and non-standard benefits, Kerri Layne is a cornerstone of expertise at The Benefits Trust.
Joining the team in 2016, she has been instrumental in elevating The Benefits Trust’s offerings through her extensive technical knowledge in group life, health, and disability benefits. Her dedication and understanding continue to be invaluable assets to The Benefits Trust team.
Group Benefits Coordinator
Kerri Layne
Lindsay Gibson has over 17 years of experience in group benefits and third-party administration and is a valued member of The Benefits Trust. Extremely passionate and driven, she is always eager to help and develop group benefit plans that provide creativity, flexibility, and sustainability. She loves to build long-lasting relationships as they are the true foundation for any successful partnership.
Gibson is a co-founder of the NGBM (National Group Benefits Meeting), one of the hosts/chairs of the monthly Advisor Breakfast Club virtual meetings (for Group Benefits Advisors) and is a proud member of the CGIB (Canadian Group Insurance Brokers).
Director, Sales and Business Development, Ontario
Lindsay Gibson
Stephen McMillan first entered the financial services Industry when he joined GE Capital as a finance analyst in 2008, from which he progressed through roles working both onshore and offshore. From there, he moved into Pacific Premium Funding as a financial planning and analysis leader in 2012 and was a key resource in the evolution of the business, first with the successful sale to Macquarie Pacific Funding and then the following progression into IQumulate Premium Funding, where he is now the commercial manager.
As commercial manager, McMillan leads a team that is responsible for commercial analysis and business support, identifying and reporting improvement initiatives, and the securitization and treasury functions of the business.
Commercial Manager
Stephen McMillan
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Adam Basaldella
Manager – Claims
Stephen McMillan first entered the financial services Industry when he joined GE Capital as a finance analyst in 2008, from which he progressed through roles working both onshore and offshore. From there, he moved into Pacific Premium Funding as a financial planning and analysis leader in 2012 and was a key resource in the evolution of the business, first with the successful sale to Macquarie Pacific Funding and then the following progression into IQumulate Premium Funding, where he is now the commercial manager.
As commercial manager, McMillan leads a team that is responsible for commercial analysis and business support, identifying and reporting improvement initiatives, and the securitization and treasury functions of the business.
Product Manager
Claire Watson
Stephen McMillan first entered the financial services Industry when he joined GE Capital as a finance analyst in 2008, from which he progressed through roles working both onshore and offshore. From there, he moved into Pacific Premium Funding as a financial planning and analysis leader in 2012 and was a key resource in the evolution of the business, first with the successful sale to Macquarie Pacific Funding and then the following progression into IQumulate Premium Funding, where he is now the commercial manager.
As commercial manager, McMillan leads a team that is responsible for commercial analysis and business support, identifying and reporting improvement initiatives, and the securitization and treasury functions of the business.
Commercial Manager
Stephen McMillan
Claire Watson
Product Manager
Stephen McMillan first entered the financial services Industry when he joined GE Capital as a finance analyst in 2008, from which he progressed through roles working both onshore and offshore. From there, he moved into Pacific Premium Funding as a financial planning and analysis leader in 2012 and was a key resource in the evolution of the business, first with the successful sale to Macquarie Pacific Funding and then the following progression into IQumulate Premium Funding, where he is now the commercial manager.
As commercial manager, McMillan leads a team that is responsible for commercial analysis and business support, identifying and reporting improvement initiatives, and the securitization and treasury functions of the business.
Product Manager
Claire Watson
Claire Watson
Product Manager
Stephen McMillan first entered the financial services Industry when he joined GE Capital as a finance analyst in 2008, from which he progressed through roles working both onshore and offshore. From there, he moved into Pacific Premium Funding as a financial planning and analysis leader in 2012 and was a key resource in the evolution of the business, first with the successful sale to Macquarie Pacific Funding and then the following progression into IQumulate Premium Funding, where he is now the commercial manager.
As commercial manager, McMillan leads a team that is responsible for commercial analysis and business support, identifying and reporting improvement initiatives, and the securitization and treasury functions of the business.
Product Manager
Claire Watson
Ivan Verescuk
Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director
Shaun O’Brien
Head of Underwriting
Emily Walker
Head of Strata and Development
Rex Oakman
Head of Operations and Risk
Sandy Newton
Head of Underwriting
Andrew Mitchell
Manager – NSW
Michael Prokopis
Manager – Southern Region
Pam Chhabra
Manager – Residential Strata
Jeffrey Valdivia
Manager – Commercial Strata
Adam Basaldella
Manager – Claims
HomeEquity Bank (HEB) is a Schedule I Bank and Canada’s original – and leading – provider of reverse mortgages. As the only federally regulated bank dedicated exclusively to serving homeowners aged 55 or older, it offers reverse mortgage solutions, including its flagship CHIP Reverse Mortgage, that provide a safe, secure way for Canadians aged 55+ to unlock the equity in their most valuable asset: their home.
The bank empowers Canadians to live retirement on their terms, supported by a strong direct-to-consumer model and a robust coast-to-coast network of distribution partners, including major banks, credit unions, mortgage brokers, and financial planning firms. With its singular focus, deep expertise, and longstanding track record, HEB is a trusted leader in the reverse mortgage industry and is well-positioned for sustained growth.
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