Greatway Financial Inc. successfully hosted its first-ever Leadership Conference from April 12-13, 2025 at the Calgary BMO Centre. Hundreds of agents, Greatway members, providers, staff, family, and guests attended the two-day event, making it a landmark gathering in the company's history.
This year's conference was designed as an enriching experience focused on leadership development, innovation strategies, and business growth techniques. Attendees gained valuable insights on habit building, compliance requirements, risk management, and effective communication while participating in dynamic workshops and panel discussions aimed at elevating their leadership capabilities and business success.
The event also marked a significant milestone with the introduction of Danica Antonio-Pagcaliwagan as Greatway's new CEO, representing a generational shift in leadership for the family business.
Marlon Antonio delivered an impactful presentation emphasizing that business growth is directly dependent on client growth. He encouraged agents to focus on helping existing clients improve their financial situations through comprehensive reviews, appropriate product recommendations, and long-term relationship building.
Marlon stressed that success requires continuous personal development, knowledge sharing, and adapting to change. His presentation highlighted specific strategies and solutions that evolve as clients' needs change.
At just 30 years old, Danica was introduced as Greatway's new CEO, marking a generational shift in the family business as the daughter of founder Marlon Antonio and one of three siblings, alongside Shaelyn Antonio and Marc Antonio. Supported by her husband Ron Pagcaliwagan, Danica outlined a leadership philosophy built on alignment, intentionality, and hope.
Danica focused on streamlining operations, enhancing speed, and improving existing systems. She described sales leaders as "culture carriers," emphasizing that "when everything shakes, your team doesn't look to the one making noise. They look to the team member who doesn't shake." She concluded by sharing her personal commitments, tying together her operational focus with a steady, values-driven leadership approach.
Executive Sales Leader, Pearl Rebollos delivered an engaging workshop encouraging participants to refine their communication styles for greater clarity and impact. The session provided practical techniques for effective communication in both personal and professional settings, emphasizing how intentional communication can significantly enhance leadership effectiveness and client relationships.
Matthew Calderoni, Co-Founder of Molliteum delivered a powerful keynote focused on habit building, emphasizing how small daily actions can lead to significant long-term success. His presentation provided attendees with practical tools to enhance both personal and professional productivity.
Kelly Macdonald, Vice President of National Innovation and Growth Strategy at BFL CANADA, presented impactful risk management strategies for insurance agents, sharing actionable approaches to mitigate potential risks and protect growing businesses.
RAD Potentials CEO & Founder, Rob Dougan captivated the audience by demonstrating how psychometric assessments and data analytics can revolutionize talent selection and retention in the financial services industry. His insights provided valuable strategies for building stronger, more effective teams.
The Compliance Panel, hosted by Executive Sales Leader Pearl Rebollos, featured Matthew Hallett (Interim CCO), John Okpo (Senior Compliance Officer), and Eufemio "Jay-R" Simtim Jr. (Compliance Officer). The panel addressed key regulatory challenges and offered practical guidance for navigating compliance in the financial services industry. Attendees engaged actively in the Q&A session, gaining valuable insights into protecting both their businesses and clients through proper compliance practices.
The CRM Success Panel, led by CRM Specialist Mylene Marasigan, featured Joey Amor and Geraldine Camposano Santos. The discussion highlighted real-world examples of how effective CRM implementation has driven growth and efficiency across organizations. Panelists shared practical strategies for leveraging CRM tools to strengthen client relationships, streamline workflows, and enhance overall business outcomes.
We extend our heartfelt appreciation to all the sponsors who made the Leadership Conference 2025 possible:
Lunch Break Sponsor: ivari
Coffee Break Sponsor: Co-Operators
Your generous support played a crucial role in creating this transformative experience for all attendees.
Greatway Financial extends its sincere thanks to all attendees, sponsors, partners, hosts, panel facilitators, workshop facilitators, organizers, staff, and volunteers who made this event a resounding success. We can’t wait to bring you more valuable experiences in the future!
