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Meghan Vallis, group sales vice president for Western Canada at Equitable, is unequivocal about her impact.
“I’m creating ripples in the conversations we’re having,” she says. “I’m challenging advisors to get outside of their comfort zones and learn about and advise their clients on what can often be sensitive health topics like men’s mental health, menopause, and how women have been left out and discriminated against in the medical system.”
Vallis sees the group benefits industry evolving in two directions at once. “The group benefits industry is dynamic, and it’s evolving to become both commoditized and more complex at the same time,” she says.
Vallis reflects on how pricing pressure has made workplace benefits conversations between advisors and clients more transactional at a time when advice is needed because employers are navigating rising healthcare costs, shifting workforce expectations, mental health challenges, chronic disease and fast-evolving drug therapies. “Topics like specialty drugs, GLP-1 medications, biosimilars, and access to care are driving important conversations about affordability, sustainability, and employee outcomes,” she adds.
Under her leadership, Equitable has become a strong partner for advisors navigating that complexity, offering a customizable, consistent benefits experience in Western Canada. “We’re not sitting back anymore, waiting to be asked to dance,” she says. “We’re throwing the party now.”
That same drive for progress shapes how Vallis leads her team. “I regularly ask if there’s a better way to complete the work, serve our partners, support the team, or deliver value to clients,” she shares.
This approach has helped Vallis create a consistent, more sustainable model for advisor partnerships across her team; one designed to endure beyond any one person or year.
Vallis sees a stronger connection forming between health benefits and financial well-being as the more lasting outcome of her work. “Health and financial security are deeply connected,” she explains. “When employees cannot access the right care, manage a chronic condition, or navigate their benefits plan effectively, the consequences can extend into absenteeism, productivity, family well-being and personal finances.” She hopes the work will contribute to more scalable sales organizations, built by developing people and connecting strategy to execution.
What Vallis ultimately wants for the industry is a broader definition of success. One measured by outcomes that matter to employers and employees, rather than by financial performance alone. “I want the work to contribute to an industry that measures the quality and durability of the outcomes we create for organizations and their employees,” she adds.
Her confidence about her recognition is just as honest and direct. “I always perform to a high standard. Why the Hot List now? I say, why not? Ultimately, the decisions we make in this industry affect advisors, employers, employees, and families.”
She says, “There’s a great responsibility that comes with that. I am also motivated by the people around me. I’m so lucky that I get to work with talented colleagues and advisors who care deeply about their clients.”
One Westmount Road North, Waterloo, ON N2J 4C7
506 645 1386
mvallis@equitable.ca
linkedin.com/in/meghanvallis
equitable.ca
Meghan Vallis
Group Sales Vice President, Western Canada
Equitable
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2006-2015
2016-2018
2018-2020
2020-Present
Present
Group Account Executive for various group benefit providers
2006-2015
Manager, Small Business team, and then Practice Leader (West), SMB Benefits Consulting at Morneau Shepell
2016-2018
Senior Vice President, Sales and Consulting at Apri Insurance Services
2018-2020
Launched the group benefits industry blog called The Group Advisor Blog
Group Sales Vice President, Western Canada at Equitable
2020-Present
Senior Vice President at Aon
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