Gillian was called to the Ontario Bar in 1993 and worked in private practice for 19 years with a focus on corporate/commercial, M&A, wills and estates, and employment law before joining The Empire Life Insurance Company in 2012 as Senior Legal Counsel. Gillian became Director, Legal Services in 2018, Vice-President, Legal Services in 2019, Associate General Counsel in 2021 and General Counsel in 2024.

As General Counsel, Gillian is responsible for overseeing all legal affairs of Empire Life and provides legal counsel to Empire Life’s Board, executives and management on various legal issues including corporate governance, regulatory changes, third-party arrangements, acquisitions, financing, and litigation. In addition, Gillian provides legal advice and support to the individual Life and Health Insurance and Group Benefits lines of business with a focus on individual life and health insurance products and systems, distribution contracts, litigation oversight and management, as well as strategic corporate initiatives.

Gillian lives in Kingston, Ontario and, in the past, was a member of the board of directors of the Hotel Dieu Hospital, and legal counsel to the Community Foundation for Kingston & Area and Gilda’s Club (Kingston). Gillian has been active in the Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association as a member of the Legal & Legislative Committee, various working groups, and as part of the Legal Section Executive.