Empire Life Executive and Leadership Team

November, 2026

Leadership Overview

Empire Life has 4 executives leading key functions including corporate strategy, technology infrastructure, marketing initiatives, and insurance operations.

Focused on delivering financial security through innovative digital solutions, Empire Life empowers small to midsize businesses and individual clients to navigate complex financial decisions with absolute confidence and clarity.

Leadership Roles at Empire Life

  • Chief Executive Officer - Isaura Cortes
  • Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Insurance and Investments - Steve Pong
  • Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer - Christopher Volk
  • Vice President & Chief Marketing Officer - Michael Stocks
  • Isaura Cortes - Chief Executive Officer

    Isaura Cortes, the Chief Executive Officer at Empire Life, directs the overarching corporate strategy and long-term vision for the organization. Overseeing the alignment of insurance products and investment solutions, the Chief Executive Officer ensures that the company maintains a competitive edge within the Canadian market. Isaura Cortes drives the expansion of digital service platforms to better support financial advisors and individual consumers. By fostering a culture of innovation, the Chief Executive Officer guides the executive team toward achieving sustainable growth and operational excellence. This leadership role involves constant engagement with the Board to refine business objectives and enhance the value proposition for small to midsize businesses. Through rigorous oversight of market trends, the Chief Executive Officer secures the financial stability of the firm while maintaining a steadfast commitment to superior customer service standards across all regional operations.

    Steve Pong - Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Insurance and Investments

    Steve Pong, the Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Insurance and Investments at Empire Life, directs the daily execution of core insurance and investment business functions. Overseeing the administration of life insurance products and retirement savings plans, the Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Insurance and Investments ensures that operational processes remain efficient and compliant with industry regulations. Steve Pong drives the optimization of service delivery for small to midsize businesses, ensuring that group benefits are managed with precision. By coordinating with internal departments, the Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Insurance and Investments maintains high standards of service quality for all clients. This role involves managing the operational scale of the company to support long-term financial objectives. Through rigorous oversight of product performance, the Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Insurance and Investments guarantees that the firm delivers reliable and innovative financial solutions to a diverse clientele.
    Steve Pong

    Christopher Volk - Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer

    Christopher Volk, the Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer at Empire Life, architects the digital infrastructure necessary to support modern insurance and investment platforms. Managing the development of innovative software solutions, the Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer ensures that all technological systems remain secure, scalable, and user-friendly for clients. Christopher Volk drives the integration of advanced data analytics to improve decision-making processes for financial advisors and business partners. By overseeing the cybersecurity framework, the Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer protects sensitive client information across all digital channels. This role involves collaborating with other C-suite leaders to align technical capabilities with the broader corporate mission. Through the implementation of cutting-edge digital tools, the Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer enhances the overall efficiency of the company, ensuring that technological advancements directly contribute to improved customer experiences and streamlined operational workflows.

    Michael Stocks - Vice President & Chief Marketing Officer

    Michael Stocks, the Vice President & Chief Marketing Officer at Empire Life, directs all brand positioning and market outreach strategies for the organization. Overseeing the communication of life insurance and investment solutions, the Vice President & Chief Marketing Officer ensures that the company effectively reaches small to midsize businesses and individual consumers. Michael Stocks drives the development of targeted campaigns that highlight the value of retirement savings plans and group benefits. By analyzing market feedback, the Vice President & Chief Marketing Officer refines the brand narrative to maintain a strong presence within the Canadian insurance sector. This leadership role involves coordinating with sales teams to ensure consistent messaging and high-impact engagement with financial advisors. Through the strategic deployment of marketing resources, the Vice President & Chief Marketing Officer supports the company's growth objectives and strengthens the reputation of the firm as a trusted partner in financial planning.

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Empire Life Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads Empire Life?
    Empire Life is led by Isaura Cortes (Chief Executive Officer), along with executives such as Steve Pong (Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Insurance and Investments) and Christopher Volk (Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer).
    Who is part of Empire Life’s executive team?
    The executive team of Empire Life includes leaders such as Isaura Cortes (Chief Executive Officer), Steve Pong (Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Insurance and Investments), Christopher Volk (Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does Empire Life have?
    Empire Life has 4 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in Empire Life’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of Empire Life includes roles such as Chief Executive Officer, Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Insurance and Investments, Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer, Vice President & Chief Marketing Officer.