MR. JOHNNY FANSHER

For more than thirty years, Johnny has worked in the retail financial service industry in London and Toronto ON, and Vancouver BC. For the past twenty plus years, he has operated a private financial practice in London where he is a Responsible Investment Specialist (RIS) and representative of Investia Financial Services Inc. and PPI. Johnny received a BA in Economics from Kings University College at The University of Western Ontario (1986-90).  

An outspoken advocate of sustainability and responsible investment, Johnny has been a committed member of Canada’s Responsible Investment Association (RIA) since 2004 and has been a highly engaged member of the organization’s board of directors since 2018. 

 Johnny has continuously belonged to and advanced the work of cooperatives for more than 30 years. He was a resident and Orientation Committee member of CityPark Housing Coop in Toronto circa 1992-1994; a credit union member since 1994; a director on the board of Vancouver’s Cooperative Auto Network (known today as Modo) 1997-1999; a mutual insurance policyholder since 2010; an elected Owner Representative with Libro Credit Union 2015-2017; a director with Middlesex Mutual from 2018-22, and since 2021 has been involved with advancing the relationship between the Ontario Mutual Insurance Association (OMIA) and the Directors Forum (formerly known as the Credit Union Directors Forum). 

Johnny’s prior mutual governance experience included a wide variety of committee work in Community Relations, Investment, Audit & Conduct Review, Governance, and Nominations.  He was deeply engaged in Legislative Affairs work in partnership with OMIA and the Canadian Association of Mutual Insurance Companies (CAMIC) where he developed new relationships with provincial and federal elected representatives inviting them to take part in annual mutual insurance lobby day events at Queens Park and in Ottawa.  

A believer in governance renewal and an advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion, last year Johnny set his sights on joining the Nova Mutual board of directors because he believes the organization stands out as a leader in Ontario’s mutual insurance community and is well positioned to succeed for the long-term. 

Over the past twenty-five years, Johnny has been a member of many nonprofit boards of directors including Friend for Life Society in Vancouver, Heritage London Foundation, the Kings University College Alumni Association, Middlesex Condo Corp 086, the Canadian Association of Gift Planners, and the London Arts Council. He is especially proud of being co-founder of Innovation Works in London – a shared space for socially-minded nonprofits and social entrepreneurs. 

Outside of his professional life, Johnny enjoys spending time with friends and family and is actively engaged as a member of the YMCA, where he participates almost daily in group fitness classes and where he is a volunteer aquafit instructor.  

 Nearly twenty years ago, Johnny declared a mission to inspire socially conscious actions by individuals, organizations, and communities. He leads a purpose-driven life and is looking forward to giving his best and his all for the policyholder members of Nova Mutual.