MaryKate Townsend
Head of Market Development
Lloyd’s Canada
Biography
MaryKate Townsend serves as Head of Market Development for Canada and Market Development Executive for the Americas, driving strategic initiatives to strengthen Lloyd’s presence and partnerships across the region. In this role, she cultivates relationships with key stakeholders—including Coverholders, Underwriters, and Brokers—while expanding access to the Lloyd’s market for insurance partners throughout Canada. MaryKate leads the delivery of Lloyd’s commercial strategy, enhancing its footprint and market position through collaborative partnerships across Canada, and the U.S.
For nearly a decade, MaryKate honed her leadership skills as Vice President for the Central Canada region at a Canadian MGA. Her career also includes experience as CEO and Principal Broker. She earned her CMGA designation, graduating as Top Graduate in the inaugural class of the Southwestern Ontario chapter of the Insurance Institute of Canada.
MaryKate is the Past-President of CAMGA, the Canadian Association of Managing General Agents. During her two-year tenure as an Executive Board Member, she championed education and advocacy for the delegated authority sector, fostering professionalism and collaboration among peers and industry partners. She has also held leadership roles with the London Insurance Brokers Association (LIBA), including President and Chair, and served as an industry ambassador with the Insurance Institute of Canada.
Known to many as MK, she enjoys spending time with her husband and three daughters. Deeply connected to her hometown community, she is the founder of the Elgin County Drowning Prevention Coalition and serves on the steering committee of the Canadian Drowning Prevention Coalition.
