Get to know our Advisor Member Devon Forshner, Group Benefits & Retirement Specialist at Co-operators. Devon participates in our Insurance & Plan Sustainability Working Group at SHBA.
1. Where in Canada are you based?
Nova Scotia
2. Please introduce yourself in a few sentences.
I’m a Group Benefits Specialist working with independent Co‑operators Agency Owners to support their clients across Atlantic Canada. I have been in the industry for about 15 years. I’m a husband and proud dad to three kids. At the time of writing this, we are getting ready to head out on a two week Europe trip as a family.
3. What is your favourite part of your role?
My favourite part of my role is meeting directly with plan members and educating them on their coverage. Helping employees clearly understand what they have, how it works, and how their employer’s investment in benefits can support their own well‑being and that of their families is what makes this work meaningful to me.
4. What motivated you to join the Smart Health Benefits Association?
I was motivated to join the Smart Health Benefits Association by the opportunity to learn and collaborate with others in the industry, and to contribute to meaningful advocacy for both plan members and plan sponsors. Being part of a group that values education, thoughtful dialogue, and progress in benefits aligns closely with how I approach my work.
5. What advocacy or policy issue impacting plan sponsors or plan members matters most to you right now?
What matters most to me is advocating for fewer barriers and a more thoughtful approach to how benefit plans are designed and delivered. I like to think differently about how we can deliver benefits and be creative. Being on the Insurance Committee, we’ve already begun sharing ideas and perspectives that challenge traditional thinking and support better outcomes for both plan members and sponsors.
6. From your perspective, why is it important that plan sponsors and plan members have a direct voice in policy and industry discussions?
I believe plan sponsors and plan members must have a voice in industry discussions, because they are ultimately who our work is meant to support. Whether it’s access to care during a critical health event, income replacement, or improved well‑being, benefits should reflect real needs. As an industry, continuing to move beyond legacy coverage requires listening closely to what matters most at the sponsor and member level and using those insights to drive meaningful change.
7. How do you define success?
I define success by the moments when plan sponsors and plan members truly understand their coverage and especially during critical escalations, when a member feels supported, heard, and confident that the issue will be resolved. Knowing that someone feels taken care of during a challenging time is incredibly meaningful to me. On a personal level, success also means continuous growth. I enjoy learning, and a successful day is one where I’ve had the opportunity to deepen my knowledge, evolve my thinking, and get better at what I do.
8. Tell us how you manage work/life balance.
Work/life balance is always evolving for me. I bring my whole self to work and don’t always compartmentalize, but flexibility and trust from clients/colleagues and family make that possible in a healthy way. My kids are at an age where they think my work is “cool,” and we often talk about our days together. That perspective is important I think as it helps frame my work not as something I have to do, but something I get to do. It reinforces why the work matters and keeps me focused on showing up with intention, both professionally and personally.
9. What books/resources do you recommend that every industry advisor should check out?
A book I often recommend to others in the industry is The Trusted Advisor by David Maister, Charles Green, and Robert Galford. It’s especially valuable once you’ve learned the technical side of the business and are looking to deepen relationships with plan sponsors and plan members through trust, credibility, and meaningful advisory conversations. Another must read is Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara. While not specific to our industry, it offers powerful lessons on delivering exceptional client experiences and insights that translate directly into how we support sponsors and members during important moments.
10. If your friends/family/colleagues were to give you an award… What would it be for?
Best Baker, hands down. I love baking for my family, friends and school events, and I’m typically the designated birthday cake maker. It’s one of my favourite ways to unwind and do something creative.
11. If someone were to make a documentary about you… What would be the title?
This is tough, maybe “Reliable by Nature”?
SHBA Member Spotlights are a Get-to-Know Profile that features the passionate industry advisors that are contributing their expertise, shaping priorities, and playing a direct role in advancing meaningful change.