Profile
“No matter how many clients I have, I make sure to call each one personally every quarter. It’s a chance to not only update them on their portfolio, but also check on how they’re doing personally”
Kelvin Rampersad,
Carte Wealth Management
Christine Griffin’s journey into the realm of health benefits was an unexpected yet serendipitous path. As a University of Toronto student deeply immersed in biological studies and anthropology, she envisioned a future within the medical sciences field. However, a student position at the Express Scripts Canada (ESC) Call Center opened her eyes to a new and intriguing industry she had not previously considered.
After graduation, Christine took time off her studies to travel, and upon return, joined the workforce, leading to a full-time position within the Call Center, where she spearheaded training initiatives. She then progressed to roles in client services, eventually leading the sales and account management team, and taking on more expansive roles.
Today, as head of payer services at ESC, Christine oversees health benefits management services for private and public sector clients across Canada.
“My career always started with the desire to help and make a difference in the health of Canadians,” she says. “Through chance opportunities, great mentors, and hard work, I’ve impacted millions of people by providing access to affordable and sustainable benefits and care.”
Christine’s field constantly evolves with new regulations, shifting workforce expectations, and rapid technological advancements, creating an environment for continuous learning and growth. One of her biggest challenges is balancing long-term transformation with immediate results.
On a personal level, she admits that maintaining a healthy balance between the demands of work, home, and personal well-being can be challenging.
“I’ve learned the importance of prioritizing self-care and family alongside professional goals,” she says.
Her greatest achievement, beyond being a mom to her 18-year-old son, is continuing to learn and grow as a professional woman and leader.
For Christine, leadership is about building diverse teams where people feel valued and heard. She focuses on creating an environment where different perspectives lead to better solutions. She credits much of her growth to authenticity, active listening, resilience, and humility – skills she continues to refine.
“This was not always the case, and it took a lot of investment to understand who I am, define my values, and decide how I want to show up every day,” she says.
She acknowledges that women in leadership still face barriers, from systemic biases and unequal access to opportunities to underrepresentation in leadership roles.
Christine considers herself lucky to have had mentors, both men and women, who helped her see her potential and create opportunities for growth.
“Someone believed in me and created space for me to step forward,” she says.
That experience shaped her commitment to mentoring future leaders and ensuring that more women get the same opportunities she had.
Being named one of BPM’s Elite Woman 2025 is an honour, and Christine sees it as part of something bigger.
“I am honoured to be named an Elite Woman out of the countless extraordinary women making significant contributions to their field,” she reflects. “This recognition is not just a personal milestone, but a reflection of the inspiring community of trailblazing women across the country, who continue to break barriers, lead with purpose, and create opportunities for others.”
5770 Hurontario Street, 10th Floor, Mississauga, ON L5R 3G5
905 580 6796
Christine.Griffin@express-scripts.com
linkedin.com/in/christine-griffin-certified-agile-leader-h-bsc-78625513
express-scripts.ca
Christine Griffin
Head of Payer Services
Express Scripts Canada
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“I strongly believe in working smarter, not harder. I think it’s one of the keys to living a great life, and I want to share that with as many people as possible”
Kelvin Rampersad,
Carte Wealth Management
1996
1999
2003
2015
2019–present
Began working at ESC part-time as a student at the call center
1996
Moved into the client services team
1999
Progressed to account management
2003
Became director, customer services, leading sales, account management, and client services nationally
2015
2019: Transitioned to head of strategic accounts and client relations
2021: Appointed as board member to Mississauga Arts Council and Southern Connection Dog Rescue
Present: Head of payer services, responsible for health benefit management and adjudication services associated with public and private payers in Canada
2019–
present
Milestones
Milestones
ELITE WOMEN 2024 JUDGE
· Advising multiple employers on defined benefit pension de-risking initiatives through annuity buy-in and buy-out transactions, including a series of transactions where over $2 billion of defined benefit liabilities were transferred to Canadian insurance companies in 2023 and 2024.
· Acting as counsel to a number of large employers in respect of their Canadian pension and savings plans, including governance, compliance and regulatory matters, plan consolidations, and mergers and acquisitions related activities.
· Advising multiple employers on the conversion of their single-employer plans into a jointly sponsored pension plan, including the transfer of legacy defined benefit liabilities.