IBAS & Sandbox Make Their Mark on International Women’s Day

The Insurance Brokers Association of Saskatchewan (IBAS) is teaming up with Sandbox Mutual Insurance to commemorate 2025 International Women’s Day happening on Saturday, March 8th.

In celebration of the pivotal role women play in Saskatchewan’s property and casualty (P&C) insurance industry, IBAS and Sandbox are announcing a $10,000 joint donation to Sask Girls United (SGU). SGU was founded by five university students as a registered not-for-profit in 2021, with the goal of providing mentorship, mental wellness, and leadership development opportunities to girls aged 8 – 14 across the province.

“This is IBAS’s fifth consecutive year as a major partner of SGU, and we continue to be amazed by the work of this grassroots organization,” says IBAS Board Chair Sarah Johnston, who also serves as president and CEO of Atlas York Insurance — a certified Women-Owned Business through Women Entrepreneurs of Saskatchewan. “On a shoestring budget, SGU has been able to expand its reach well beyond the major cities and into rural and Indigenous communities. Its volunteers are making an exponential impact to inspire and empower the next generation of young leaders.”'

According to the most recent Government of Canada census, more than 60 per cent of the P&C insurance workforce is comprised of women. In fact, prior to two retirements in December 2024, four out of the five major P&C insurance carriers headquartered in Saskatchewan were headed by women CEOs.

Former Sandbox CEO & President, Shelley Willick, presenting 2024 donation to Sask Girls United.

Pictured left to right: Amy Carruthers, Director of Finance and Operations of Sask Girls United, and Shelley Willick, former President & CEO of Sandbox Mutual Insurance, presenting last year's donation.

“At Sandbox, we’re committed to strengthening the communities that our customers, broker partners, and team call home,” adds our Associate Vice President of Marketing, Rachel Kehrig. “With half of our leadership team being women, we know the importance of developing the future generations of female leaders and are so proud to partner with IBAS to support the vital work of SGU.”

GIVING BACK—SANDBOX'S ODE TO A 117-YEAR LEGACY IN THE PRAIRIES

An insurance company that donates profits? That's what Sandbox is all about. We coined it "Giving Back." It's not just a value to us, but something that defines our brand and sets us apart. Sandbox gives back all year long in four major ways:

Employee Volunteer Program

Each year, every employee at Sandbox receives two paid days to volunteer for a charity of their choice during company time.

Communities At Play

This is where Sandbox awards $25,000 to multiple playground projects across Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. In 2024, we selected five recipients and created a Ready, Set, Refer program for our broker network, awarding a grand total of $126,000 to playground organizations across the prairies.

Sandbox team members presenting $25,000 donation to 2024 Communities at Play recipient, Buena Vista School Playground in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

Emergency Response Program

When disaster strikes the communities that we operate in, we're there to support them with our Emergency Response Program. This funding is reserved for catastrophic events, disasters, and major events in our prairie provinces that took a turn for the worse. Sandbox opened the Emergency Response Program for the first time in 2024 when Jasper, Alberta, was devastated by raging wildfires and donated $5,000 to the Jasper Community Team Society to help rebuild the town and provide resources and living essentials for evacuees.

Care for Our Community

An ongoing initiative where Sandbox donates to non-profit organizations all year long for a variety of different causes and important dates. GivingTuesday, National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, Indigenous Peoples Day, International Women's Day, and Pride Month, are a few that Care for Our Community has been a proud supporter of most recently.

Sandbox sponsoring and supporting Kayak 4 KidSport event in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, in 2024.

The partnership between IBAS and Sandbox Mutual Insurance for International Women's Day 2025 is a testament to the power of community and the importance of investing in future leaders. By supporting Sask Girls United, we’re not only celebrating the contributions of women in the insurance industry but also ensuring young girls across Saskatchewan have the mentorship and opportunities they need to thrive. At Sandbox, giving back isn’t just something we do—it’s who we are. With our Care for Our Community initiative, we're building stronger communities, empowering the next generation, and leaving a lasting impact across the prairie provinces we operate in.