Julie Rochette – Positive energy
Working in the legal field soon gave her the means to realize this ambition. Julie started out in litigation and family mediation, and then moved into compliance in the early 2000s. Despite her varied roles, the common thread running through them has always been the same: finding practical solutions to complex problems.
Joining the iA family
When Julie joined iA Financial Group as Vice-President and Chief Compliance Officer in 2022, she was drawn to the company for two specific reasons:
“I was honoured to work for a prominent local company, one that holds an important place in our community. My career to that point had given me more insight into the securities field than the insurance sector. Getting to know this key component of the financial services industry gives me a 360-degree view of the sector.”/p>
And an exciting challenge awaited when she took charge of the company’s ambitious privacy program.
“I learn best and thrive when I’m in the thick of the action, so it was a fantastic experience for me to work with people across all business sectors. I viewed the project as a catalyst for building relationships and expanding my knowledge.”
Despite the hard work involved, Julie tries to keep things fun, which often involves... treats! Thanks to her, the meeting rooms are often stocked with gummy bears, not only providing a little extra brain fuel, but a boost for the team as well!
Taking time for others and oneself
In her personal life, Julie is dedicated to others. Although her children are now grown and visit less often, she still prioritizes family dinners. She also includes her two dogs in her morning routine, which includes a run and, occasionally, bit of crochet.
Despite her busy work schedule, Julie ensures that her personal time remains a priority, helping her stay balanced and positive at work.
Julie is also deeply committed to giving back to society. She has been serving on the boards of non-profit organizations since 1997. More recently, she joined the board of the Alzheimer Society of Laval, where she has been serving as chair since 2022. This cause is particularly dear to her heart. A landmark study by the Alzheimer Society of Canada estimates that, without further action, the number of people living with neurocognitive conditions will increase by 145% between 2020 and 2050.
Growth through teamwork
Julie has been Vice-President of Compliance and Risk Management for the Individual Insurance, Savings, and Retirement sector since January 2025. She is responsible for developing and implementing a robust risk management and compliance framework to support the leadership team in achieving the sector's goals.
Julie is positive about iA Financial Group’s future. In recent years, advances in compliance have grown more sophisticated and comprehensive. While compliance programs were already in place when she arrived at the company, the relationships with the heads of each sector have been strengthened, much to everyone’s benefit.
The recent initiative to develop a corporate policy on the use of artificial intelligence is a prime example of the power of collaboration.
“I had the privilege of heading the cross-functional team that brought this project to fruition. We leveraged a wide range of expertise for this initiative. We demonstrated that by working as a team, we can complete ambitious projects in a short time frame—just eight months in this case.”
As governance becomes increasingly important in corporate management, compliance and risk management will continue to grow in importance as well. And with Julie on board, iA Financial Group will continue to move forward with energy... and optimism!