SASKATCHEWAN — After more than four decades at SGI, president and CEO Penny McCune is retiring effective Oct. 15, closing one of the most remarkable executive careers in Saskatchewan business history.
McCune joined SGI in 1985 as a temporary junior clerk in the Auto Fund. Within a year, she had already moved into a supervisory role, beginning a rise through nearly every level of the organization before becoming SGI’s first female president and CEO in 2022.
Over 41 years, McCune helped shape some of the corporation’s most significant transformations, from customer service modernization and claims reform to SGI Canada's expansion beyond Saskatchewan into Alberta and other provinces. She also served as interim chief operating officer of Ontario-based Coachman Insurance during her career.
As president and CEO, McCune oversaw major modernization efforts aimed at improving digital services and customer experience while strengthening relationships with brokers, employees, business partners and Indigenous communities.
Her leadership also extended beyond insurance operations. SGI partnered with Wanuskewin Heritage Park and YWCA Regina to support the healing lodge at the kikaskihtânaw Centre for Women and Families in Regina, a culturally grounded facility focused on healing and support for women and families facing violence and crisis.
“I’d like to thank Penny for an impressive four decades of dedicated service to SGI and the people of Saskatchewan,” said Minister Responsible for SGI Jeremy Harrison. “Penny’s deep understanding of the insurance industry, strong relationships with partners, and care for customers and employees have greatly contributed to SGI’s success and position the company well for future success.”
SGI board chair Gary Vidal credited McCune’s leadership style and long-term vision for helping guide the Crown corporation through years of change.
“We greatly appreciate Penny’s strategic vision and her focus on delivering value for customers, stakeholders and partners in Saskatchewan and beyond,” Vidal stated.
McCune’s rise from temporary employee to CEO became widely recognized as a Saskatchewan leadership success story. In 2022, shortly after taking the top role, she described her career as “growing up at SGI” and said she believed deeply in protecting the corporation’s value to the province.
Her career also became an example for women in leadership across Saskatchewan. A Women in Leadership Saskatchewan event in 2022 highlighted her “journey from temporary employee to president,” calling it an inspiring path for future generations of leaders.
Born, raised and educated in Saskatchewan, McCune earned a Bachelor of Administration degree from the University of Regina and obtained her Chartered Insurance Professional designation through the Insurance Institute of Canada.
SGI’s board of directors said it is now considering next steps ahead of McCune’s retirement in October 2026.
