Empower Her: Sun Life’s global commitment to women’s empowerment
International Women’s Day is a moment to recognize the achievements of women, reflect on the barriers that remain, and recommit to progress. At Sun Life, it’s also a time to reaffirm what empowerment looks like in action — supporting women’s health, financial security, and career growth at every stage of life.
Empower Her
As part of this year’s recognition, we’re sharing our Empower Her video, featuring Sun Life leaders from across the globe reflecting on what it means to empower women, and how doing so opens the door to possibility, progress, and lasting impact.
Empower Her reflects our belief that women shouldn’t have to choose. When women are supported holistically, the possibilities are endless.
[Music begins]
[Laura enters in an interview room, then appears with her arms crossed]
[Sun Life logo]
[Manjit walks into an office, then appears with his arms crossed]
[Helena sits in front of the camera, then appears smiling]
[David appears and smiles, then adjusts a small microphone on his jacket and appears smiling]
[Jessica appears smiling then walks into an office]
[Jessica Tan EVP & President, Sun Life Canada]
Jessica: Empower her to achieve her health, wealth, and protection goals.
[Jessica sits down at a chair in front of a microphone]
[Manjit Singh President, Sun Life Asia]
Manjit: Empower her to protect her family’s financial future.
[Manjit gazes at the camera and smiles]
[David Healy President, Sun Life US]
David: Empower her to make an impact.
[David gazes out of an office window and smiles]
[Helena Pagano EVP, Chief People & Culture Officer]
Helena: Empower her to take a career leap.
[Helena is sitting on a couch, looks towards the camera and smiles]
[Laura Money EVP, Chief Information & Technology Innovation Officer]
Laura: Empower her to innovate.
[Laura sits on a chair in front of a microphone]
Jessica: When we empower her...
[A woman seated on the bed using a laptop]
[A woman sitting with a little girl on her lap]
David: Families thrive.
[A woman looking through the window while holding a little girl]
Manjit: Communities thrive.
[A woman walking through tall, green crops]
[People doing yoga in a yoga studio]
Helena: Workplaces thrive.
[Three people working and looking at a laptop in an office environment]
[A businesswoman walking on street looking up]
Super: She thrives
Super: Happy International Women’s Day
Laura: Happy International Women’s Day.
[A mosaic of our leaders and women in different scenarios]
Super: #EmpowerHer
[Sun Life logo]
[Music fades out]
“Empower her to achieve her health, wealth, and protection goals.”
“Empower her to protect her family’s financial future.”
Helena Pagano
“Empower her to take a career leap.”
Laura Money
“Empower her to innovate.”
Empowerment in action
Empowering women means taking meaningful action — investing in programs, resources, and workplace practices that help women thrive. From health and well-being to financial security and career development, our approach is grounded in a simple idea: when women are supported, families, communities and societies are stronger.
Empower her to live her healthiest life
Women’s health is complex and continually evolving. Physical health, mental well-being, and caregiving often intersect with career and family life. In a recent study, Sun Life found that 60% of working women in Canada believed that health issues around menstruation, menopause and reproductive health could impact their career advancement but only one-third (37%) felt their employer provided adequate support for their health.
The gender health gap
At Sun Life, we’re working to build understanding, reduce stigma, and create environments where women feel supported and informed at every life stage.
Our efforts include advancing awareness of women’s health topics, such as menopause, through education, personalized care, and open dialogue. We also focus on fostering inclusive workplaces where health conversations are normalized; leaders are equipped to respond with empathy, and flexible work environments help support balance, well‑being, and long‑term success.
Empower her to achieve lifetime financial security
Financial security is a powerful driver of empowerment. When women have access to financial guidance, opportunity, and protection, they’re better positioned to build stability for themselves, their families, and their communities.
Advancing financial confidence and inclusion for women is reflected in both the solutions we offer and the opportunities we create. Within our advisor salesforce in Canada, women represent 36% of advisors, nearly double the industry standard, demonstrating our commitment to supporting women in building meaningful, long‑term careers in financial services.
Beyond our workforce, we’re working to expand access to inclusive financial protection in communities where barriers persist.
Bridges Initiative
Through our Bridges Initiative in the Philippines, Sun Life is helping provide affordable insurance coverage to more than 120,000 low-income women and their families, supporting resilience and financial security where it’s needed most.
Empower her to reach her career goals
A supportive and flexible workplace plays a powerful role in helping women build skills, step into leadership, and pursue new opportunities at every stage of their careers. Globally, Sun Life is advancing women in their careers, with women representing:
42%
of our Board of Directors
41%
of our Executive Team
36%
of leaders at the VP level and above.
Through initiatives focused on communication, mentorship, and storytelling, we amplify women’s voices, support professional development, and foster a culture where women are encouraged to lead authentically and pursue their ambitions.
Our commitment, for today and beyond
International Women’s Day is both a celebration and a call to action. At Sun Life, we remain committed to advancing empowerment for women — through thoughtful leadership, inclusive practices, and continued investment in health, wealth, and career growth.
Empower Her is more than a theme. It reflects how we show up, the choices we make, and our vision for a brighter tomorrow.
Happy International Women’s Day!
