Ray Chaaya

Ray Chaaya is Vice President, Talent & Culture at Zurich Canada, where he leads the organization’s national talent strategy across talent acquisition, talent management, leadership development, employee experience, diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging, and community impact.

With nearly two decades of experience in the insurance and financial services sector, Ray is passionate about building people strategies that strengthen leadership capability, unlock employee potential, and create meaningful career pathways for the future workforce. His work focuses on connecting talent strategy to business outcomes, with a particular emphasis on succession planning, leadership readiness, inclusive talent practices, and employee experience.

Ray has played a key role in advancing Zurich Canada’s early-career and talent development agenda, including programs designed to attract, develop, and retain emerging talent in the property and casualty insurance industry. He is also a frequent speaker and panel participant on topics related to leadership, workforce transformation, inclusive talent development, and the future of work.

Prior to his career in insurance, Ray studied film production and began his professional journey in the performing arts, an unconventional path that continues to shape his approach to storytelling, leadership, and human connection.

Ray holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Film Production from Toronto Metropolitan University, with a minor in Human Behavioural Psychology. He also holds a Certificate in Diversity and Inclusion from Cornell University, an Adult Education Certification from George Brown College, and a Mini-MBA in Leadership Excellence from Harvard Square.