Tessa Gilmor obtained an honours degree in Political Science and History from McGill University in 1989, and her law degree from the University of British Columbia in 1993. She was called to the Manitoba bar in 1995 and worked for a private law firm in Winnipeg for 3 years prior to joining the Law Department of Great-West Life in 1997. She was subsequently called to the bar of British Columbia in 1999 and the bar of Nova Scotia in 2006. Tessa represents Canada Life in litigation brought in British Columbia and Nova Scotia and provides legal advice to all business units including group, living benefits, individual insurance, creditor, human rights, and other areas as required.