Our Team
Tony Fairfield
Partner
Tony Fairfield, founding partner of Fairfield Watson, is dedicated to continuing the development of their organization to ensure it is equipped to meet and exceed the diverse, ever changing needs of their valuable clients. Tony has been in the employee benefits business for over 25 years, starting his career with London Life upon graduating from the University of Calgary with a BA in Economics. Tony’s passion in the insurance industry stems from building long-term, meaningful client relationships built on trust, honesty and integrity. His superior service has resulted in an exceptional record of customer loyalty.
Ian Watson
Partner
Ian Watson, founding partner of Fairfield Watson, believes it all comes down to providing value to clients, their employees and families. And to do so, the Fairfield Watson team needs to build quality in depth relationships with clients, their employees and the partnered insurance companies. Ian thrives on leading the diverse and committed Fairfield Watson team as they challenge conventional thought to find opportunities to provide more value to clients through innovation and focus. Ian holds a BA from the University of Western Ontario and has over 30 years of experience in the insurance industry in senior management.
Scott Guest
Chief Operating Officer
Scott Guest, Chief Operating Officer, has been providing advice to the Fairfield Watson team for over 10 years with a focus on enhancing the client experience through people development, process improvement and strategic input that is consistent with the values of the organization. He works to help creat an environment for business and personal growth driving out practical steps that uses Fairfield Watsons intellectual capital to move to the next level. Scott has an Honours Business Degree from Wilfrid Laurier University, has held senior management roles in the insurance industry and has been consulting in the financial service industry since 2006. The leadership and teamwork of Fairfield Watson truly does deliver a unique and meaningful client experience that Scott finds exciting to be a part of.
Carolyn Begin
Director of Client Service & Operations
Carolyn Begin, the Director of Client Service & Operations, has been with Fairfield Watson since 2005. Carolyn believes that quality service and expertise is the key to success in the insurance and customer service industries. She is fully committed to being an integral part of the growth and success of Fairfield Watson and the clients. By developing strong relationships and providing loyalty, her goal is to help the clients align their group benefit program with their corporate objectives. Carolyn utilizes her diverse skills to deliver clients with relevant data and comprehensive creative solutions to help control their healthcare costs while ensuring the clients’ benefit programs are competitive with other employers.
Darren Radies,
GBA, CHS, BBA
Employee Benefits Consultant
Darren Radies, a Fairfield Watson Employee Benefits Consultant, believes that the work done at Fairfield Watson truly impacts an organization’s culture and bottom line. He takes pride in providing clients with very responsive support and advice. Darren is passionate about helping people and adding value to employers and their employees as their trusted benefits partner. Darren has been in the insurance industry since 2002, specializing in Employee and Executive benefits. His previous experience in the various facets of the group benefits business allows him to better serve his clients at Fairfield Watson.
Mary Coulter
Employee Benefits Consultant
Mary Coulter, an Employee Benefits Consultant, joined the Fairfield Watson team in 2010. Mary’s ability to provide her clients with the tools they need to make their jobs easier is something she values and works towards on a daily basis. Her knowledge and experience from the provider’s perspective of the insurance industry, as well as the employees claims perspective, aids significantly in the trust that is built in her client relationships. Mary has been working in the insurance industry for over 20 years and her vast experience includes Project Management, Office Management – implementing HR guidelines, policies and procedures, client services and sales.
Geoff Maisey
Employee Benefits Consultant
Geoff Maisey, an Employee Benefits Consultant with Fairfield Watson, believes that success begins with the client. Only when he has exceeded a client’s expectations and becomes a trusted advisor can he consider his work as a success. With over 20 years of professional sales and general management experience, Geoff’s ability to understand the challenges businesses have through growth, acquisition and right sizing gives him a valuable skill set Fairfield Watson clients benefit from. Geoff started his professional career with a major Canadian insurance company 25 years ago subsequently working in the Oil & Gas Industry where he gained experience managing key business functions including Human Resources, Finance, Manufacturing and Sales. His in depth working knowledge of the energy sector is a great asset to the Fairfield Watson team and to our many clients working in this sector.
Brent Wisby,
CHS, B.MGMT
Employee Benefits Consultant
Brent Wisby, an Employee Benefits Consultant, fulfils his role at Fairfield Watson by providing financial knowledge and strategies to clients. His past accomplishments and experiences have led him to find his passion as an educator. Informing individuals and corporations on how they can protect their financial livelihood through specific strategies is one of Brent’s valuable skills. He aims to continue to work with clients to provide financial peace of mind while also building long-lasting relationships. Brent graduated from the University of Lethbridge with a Bachelor of Management, majoring in finance as well as he holds a Chartered Health Specialist (CHS) designation.
Karen Douris
Senior Client Manager
Karen Douris, a Senior Client Service Specialist at Fairfield Watson, primarily focuses to ensure success based on client satisfaction and the development of strong relationships. Karen has over 20 years of experience in customer service, sales team support and employee benefits allow her to understand the clients’ needs and advocate on their behalf, ensuring they feel valued. Her vast knowledge in the insurance industry gives her great insight when providing support for clients and their employees. Karen received an Office Systems Technology Certificate from Notre-Dame College in Montreal, QC. She has experience working for various insurance carriers, benefit consultants and as a benefits administrator.
Shelley Fleming
Client Manager and HSA Coordinator
Shelley Fleming is a Client Service Specialist who works in the area of claims and office administration. Shelley believes that a good health and work balance is important to success in this industry. Shelley’s passion is to see people utilize their health benefits to reduce stress and ultimately allow them to thrive in their workplace.
Chelsey Verbeek
Client Manager & Wellness Coordinator
Chelsey Verbeek, a Client Manager and Wellness Coordinator, chose to pursue a profession in the insurance industry because it aligns with her passion for health and wellness. Her Bachelor of Physical and Health Education from Queen’s University and her experience working in the health and wellness industry have led her to want to explore a career in helping others live a healthy life. Chelsey believes that success is defined by going above and beyond what is asked of her to ensure client satisfaction.
Andrea Holmberg,
CPA, CGA
Controller
Andrea Holmberg, an Accountant at Fairfield Watson, brings a valued skill set to the Fairfield Watson team. The challenge of solving problems and returning to a balance, both in life and accounting is one of her primary measures of success. Andrea has assisted in the development of procedures and processes for administration, accounting support, logistics and global customer service for a number of offices. Andrea obtained her National Public Accounting degree from the University of Buenos Aires in Argentina. After relocating to Canada, she received her Chartered Professional Accountant designation.
Alex Gowda
Employee Benefits Consultant
Alex Gowda, an Employee Benefits Consultant, joined the Fairfield Watson team in 2019. Alex graduated from the University of Victoria with a Bachelor of Science in Economics. Alex’s education, along with his past experiences working with entrepreneurial businesses and a national insurance carrier, affords him a unique, empathetic perspective when assisting and analyzing client scenarios. Alex believes that taking a high-integrity, consultative approach is the best way to develop successful, long term relationships with clients.
Ryan Ledene
Employee Benefits consultant & Group Underwriter
Ryan Ledene, Employee Benefits Consultant & Group Underwriter, joined the Fairfield Watson team in 2018. Ryan’s mandate is to ensure his clients are always his top priority. By building strong relationships and constantly learning from his skilled colleagues, he consistently makes his clients happy. He graduated from Lethbridge Community College in 1997 from the Professional Golf Management program. After a successful career in the golf business, he decided to pursue a new path. He completed his Group Benefits Associate (GBA) certificate and worked with businesses such as Sun Life Financial and Calgary Group Office Business Development for over 12 years. Ryan’s vast experience allows him to provide quality work and satisfaction to his clients.
Karee MacKay
Senior Group Retirement Specialist
Karee MacKay, a Senior Group Retirement Specialist, is dedicated to working with clients directly on the needs of their retirement plans. Her personalized approach to the analysis and development of client-specific governance standards and best practices works optimally when being fully engaged with the company’s philosophy and principles.
Karee has obtained her Human Resource degree through BCIT along with a Registered Plan Associate designation through the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans and has over 15 years of experience in the retirement arena, most recently having worked with Manulife for over 7 years.
Masi Marjamaki
Employee Benefits Consultant
Masi Marjamaki, an Employee Benefits Consultant with Fairfield Watson, aims to foster long-lasting relationships while adding continuous value to their business. He has had the opportunity to work with great individuals throughout his professional career in hockey, which showed him how disciplined everyday work leads to success. Masi graduated from Cardiff in Wales with a Master of Business and Administration degree.
Sharon Tenney
Client Service Manager
Sharon Tenney, a Client Service Manager with Fairfield Watson, is committed to working with clients and ensuring they have a good experience and find a proper solution. It is her mission to keep clients up to date and happy. Sharon graduated from Holland College in PEI with her Office Administration certification.
Vicki Blais
Client Service Manager
Vicki Blais, a Client Service Manager at Fairfield Watson, is dedicated to support and help guide employers, employees and clients to build a great work-life balance. Making an impact is a key driver for Vicki. Having a sense of purpose and enjoyment gives her the energy to be enthusiastic and passionate about work at Fairfield Watson. With a background in Hospitality Management and as a Chartered Professional in Human Resources in Alberta, Vicki has developed a passion for wellness, safety, and health and the support of extended benefits for companies.
Zac Kendall
Client Administration and Underwriting Analyst
Zac Kendall, a Client Administration and Underwriting Analyst with Fairfield Watson finds passion in providing support to the Fairfield Watson team and clients to ensure complete satisfaction and understanding of the end goal. His vision is to establish trusted relationships and develop a network of likeminded professionals who aim to provide sound advice for clients. Zac completed his BA in Economics with a Business minor and Finance option at the University of Victoria.
Mark Canduro
Employee Benefits Consultant
Mark Canduro, an Employee Benefits Consultant, joined Fairfield Watson in 2021.
After graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree from Cornell University, Mark first began his career working exclusively in benefits for London Life. 30+ years later, Mark is still passionate about building long term, meaningful relationships with clients. Whether its group benefits or group retirement plans, Mark believes that the only way to tailor the right solution is by thoroughly understanding not only the needs of each client but how they want to truly look after their employees.
Mark along with Sharon Tenney are based in the Edmonton FW office.