Patti Kernaghan, a well-known and respected professional in the Canadian insurance property and casualty industry, is the chief executive officer of Kernaghan Adjusters. Patti is recognized in her industry as a distinguished and exceptional leader, and as a perceptive entrepreneur.

The Insurance Institute of Canada granted Patti their Award of Merit in 2002. Her peers in the industry named her the Insurance Person of the Year for BC in 2006.  In 2018 the CIAA granted her the distinction of Fellow of the Canadian Independent Adjusters Association (FCIAA).  These industry recognitions have helped set Kernaghan Adjusters apart as a firm with strong leadership at the helm.

Patti studied International Relations at UBC and soon afterwards embarked upon a career in banking.   After ten years of various management positions at the Bank of Montreal, she joined her father, Stan Kernaghan, and began her insurance claims career. Patti started as a junior adjuster and ultimately held several management positions before being named President and CEO in 1993. Since then she has focused her attention on the vision and direction of the firm’s position within the adjusting services market.

Contributing to the professionalism of the industry comes naturally to Patti.  She has served as President of several associations: Canadian Independent Adjusters Association, International Federation of Adjusting Associations, The Insurance Institute of BC, and the Canadian Professionals of Vancouver.  She was also a founding member of several boards: Chair for the National Insurance Industry Advisory Board to the CIAA, the BCIT Advisory Board for Insurance and Risk Management, and the Steering Committee for WICC (Women in Insurance Cancer Crusade BC).  She served as the Western Chair for the Insurance Institute of Canada, and was a member of the Insurance and Risk Management Advisory Board for the University of Calgary.  She has also served on the Academic Council for IIC, the Education Committee for IIC, and on the Advisory Board of the Kinsmen Rehabilitation Foundation of BC. Patti is a Fellow Charter Insurance Professional under seal of Insurance Institutes of Canada and holds a Canadian Risk Management Diploma.

Patti has a strong record of developing and maintaining critical business relationships.  She is an effective leader who upholds the interests of her staff at the forefront of everything that is done at Kernaghan Adjusters.  Her collaborative work style helps set Kernaghan Adjusters apart in the independent adjusting market in Canada.

Scott Hughes has over 25 years of financial experience. He has worked in a variety of roles that include, CFO and Controller for a chemical manufacturing firm in Calgary, and Controller for an engineering firm in Vancouver. His experience includes managing accounting and financial departments, IT departments and overseeing HR program administration and implementing accounting systems in both large and mid-sized firms. He has worked in Canada and Australia.

Scott believes that a strong, cohesive team is the key to a successful accounting department. He embraces change and is open to learning new practices. Education and continuous learning are important to Scott. He has a Certified Management Accountant designation and a BA majoring in Economics.

Scott joined Kernaghan Adjusters in August 2018 as Director of Finance. His collaborative and open approach has made him an essential member of Kernaghan Adjusters Head Office and Senior Management Team.

Owen began his career in the insurance industry in 2005 as a claims examiner, handling a variety of claims from minor property damage losses to multi-million-dollar fires. In 2012, Owen moved to London, England where he gained invaluable Lloyd’s experience at QBE where he worked alongside International Property, Casualty and Marine and Energy departments to manage a global portfolio of third party administrators and coverholders.

Owen joined Kernaghan Adjusters Head Office in 2017 fulfilling our need for a London Services Manager. Owen holds a Bachelor of Science degree from McGill university, a CIP designation and an Award in London Market Insurance from the Chartered Insurance Institute (London, UK). He is responsible for growing, developing and managing London market business both nationally and internationally.

Rosario Ray began her career in the insurance industry in 2008 at one of Canada’s top five largest property/casualty insurers. As an Examiner, Rosario’s expertise included a variety of personal and commercial property and personal liability claims, including the 2013 Catastrophic Flooding in Alberta. Before moving to Canada from the Philippines in 2001, Rosario led an IBM ISV Support Center where she managed 12 multilingual administrators in 9 countries located in the Asian Pacific Region

In April 2014, Rosario decided to leave the insurer side and venture into the independent adjusting world. Kernaghan Adjusters were lucky to welcome Rosario to our Calgary office. An incredibly fast learner, she quickly earned a reputation amongst KA clients as a talented adjuster.  Rosario expertly handled many large loss files including, the high- profile Canmore Explosion in June of 2015, and the 2016 Catastrophic Wildfires in Fort McMurray and areas.

Rosario has been most recently employed with a Specialist Insurer, where she controls numerous large programs,  as well as non-program property losses in the provinces of BC, AB, MB, SK, ON, ON, YT, NU and NWT.

Rosario is passionate about education and personal development.  She holds a Bachelor of Science in Commerce, Major in Accounting from Ateneo de Naga University. A Bachelor of Science in Information Technology from Phoenix University. She also holds a CIP with 3 awards for excellent performance from the Insurance Institute of Canada.

Kernaghan Adjusters are thrilled to welcome Rosario back to the Alberta team.  Rosario will bring an analytical and process driven management style to grow, develop and oversee our strong Alberta adjusting team.  She will also hold a place on the KA Senior Management Team.

Frederick’s Insurance career began in 2006 with one of Ghana’s most reputable insurance companies, shortly after attaining his bachelor’s from the University of Ghana. He spent three years as an Underwriter before joining another highly regarded firm in 2009. At his new company, he took the role of Branch Manager before progressing to Underwriting Manager between 2010 and 2012.

In 2013, he was appointed to Head of Claims, a role he held until October 2022. This position saw him handle auto, property, stock, casualty, and liability claims. In the Fall of 2022, Fredrick and his family relocated to Canada where he joined Kernaghan Adjusters shortly afterwards.

Throughout his career, Frederick has built a reputation on diligence, integrity, and excellent customer service. He brings with him to KA a wealth of managerial, supervisory and negotiation skills.

Frederick’s holistic knowledge of the insurance product, including policy drafting, policy interpretations, risk assessment, and claims adjudication puts him in a great position to excel in his new role with KA. He maintains a client-centric work approach, and appreciates the extent to which speed, professionalism and excellent customer service are crucial to the insurers when dealing with insureds/claimants on their behalf.

Frederick holds an MBA from Ghana and an Associateship designation with the Chartered Insurance Institute, UK. He is also working towards the CIP designation.

Dennis Schembri is a well-known and highly respected insurance professional.  Since 1980, he has gained valuable experience working for both insurers and independent adjusting firms. Dennis founded Vanler Insurance Adjusters Ltd in 1993, and soon expanded the firm’s operations to include over 70 full-time employees in six locations across Ontario. As a senior property/casualty adjuster, his wide range of claims expertise includes personal and commercial property, premises and products liability and host liquor liability.

After the sale of his firm in 2007, Dennis joined Granite Global Solutions at the senior management level in sales, marketing, and strategic direction and Managing Director, Canada.  He soon rose to the position of Executive Vice President, Client Management, for all divisions.

During his career, Dennis has built a reputation on honesty, integrity, and a commonsense approach to problem solving. He also takes pride in his ability to develop strong relationships with clients and his staff.

His professional accomplishments notwithstanding, Dennis also has a respected reputation for community involvement. He is a past executive of the OIAA and has assisted on various committees with the CIAA.  He volunteers at The Grace Salvation Army Hospital in their Palliative Care Unit, also a volunteer for the Fellows Starlight Gala Ball, a board member for the Peel Children’s Centre and has assisted in raising millions of dollars for various charities. Dennis has also coached, mentored, volunteered with, or sponsored at least 30 hockey, baseball, lacrosse, and soccer teams.

Since joining KA in 2016, Dennis’ Ontario team has benefited from his intuitive leadership qualities, adept sense of when to act on things, and ability to recognize opportunities. Dennis has also been an integral part of the National Senior Management Team. In 2021, he was recognized for his achievements by being appointed as Vice President Ontario & Atlantic Canada Operations.

Phil began his insurance career over 40 years ago in Nova Scotia, as an independent adjuster with a respected Sydney firm. In 1978 he moved to the insurer side to become a general adjuster and was eventually promoted to Claims Supervisor. Phil soon gained recognition as a highly skilled technician, serving in that capacity until November 2007. He has proven expertise in casualty claims, as well as in areas ranging from major industrial losses to criminal investigations.

Phil joined Kernaghan Adjusters in 2008 as Nova Scotia Regional Manager and became an important member of KA’s Senior Management Team. He has been a Fellow of the Chartered Insurance Professionals of Canada (FCIP) since 1993 and has acted as an instructor for numerous Chartered Insurance Professional (CIP) courses. Phil is a recognized professional and an industry veteran whose ability to serve as an experienced mentor provides a great benefit to everyone on his team.

Mobin began his career in the insurance industry in 2002 while living in Pakistan. He moved to Canada in 2013 and worked as a total loss handler. He currently specializes in material damage settlements, residential, commercial, marine, fire, auto, and transportation/cargo claims. He is fluent in English, Punjabi, Urdu and Hindi.

Mobin became a member of Kernaghan Adjusters’ Surrey branch in 2015. He has a Bachelor of Commerce degree, Industrial Engineering degree and is currently in the process of obtaining his Chartered Insurance Professional (CIP) and Canadian Risk Management (CRM) designations.

Eric’s introduction to the insurance industry dates to 1978 in a small town on the North Coast of BC. Having developed a keen understanding and interest in the claims process, four years later Eric began his career as an independent adjuster with a large claims management firm. Eric’s 39 years as an independent adjuster have provided him the opportunity to work throughout the province of British Columbia before settling in the Lower Mainland.

Over the course of his career Eric has amassed an impressive array of claims handling experience ranging from small and large residential claims to large industrial and commercial claims. Eric credits the process of building his expertise across all lines of business to his continued interest and satisfaction he gets from the role.

Eric’s strengths lie in his well-honed investigative, analytical, and interpersonal skills. A friendly, outgoing, and positive demeanor has helped him build a reputation for handling challenging situations while always driving customer satisfaction. Eric’s experience and proven adjusting skills make him an asset to the Kernaghan Adjusters BC team.

Russell was introduced to the insurance industry in 1991, after careers in both the military and law enforcement. He first joined a small adjusting firm in Port Moody, BC and was exposed to various types of claims. This included Catastrophe losses during Hurricane Andrew in Florida, 1992. His subsequent years in the industry included positions in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and British Columbia as a Multi-Line Adjuster, Branch Manager, Director of Claims Operations, and President & CEO of his own adjusting firm.

Over the course of his 30-year career in the insurance industry, Russell has amassed an impressive range of claims handling expertise.  He is considered an industry expert in handling large residential and commercial property, auto, liability, pleasure craft marine, and inland marine cargo claims.

Russell operates under the standard of fair and honest claims handling in accordance with the insurance contract. His motivation today stems from helping insureds rebuild after losses with minimal disruption to their lives. His prior experiences in law enforcement make him a valuable investigator, with the ability to calm emotional insureds, while maintaining his professionalism and personal standards of honesty, integrity, and equality.

John states his interest in Insurance began as early as his teenage years before beginning his career in the industry in 2007. His first role was as an Independent Adjuster for a national firm.  John subsequently moved to Kernaghan Adjusters on September 1st, 2023.

John is a multi-line adjuster with a wide scope of claim handling knowledge. His expertise ranges from residential and commercial property, casualty, heavy equipment, marine, transportation and cargo; he is adept in carrying out scene investigations, collateral investigations, witness investigations and trial preparation.  He relies on strong interpersonal skills to build relationships between all stakeholders to facilitate the claims process.

John is also involved in the Chartered Insurance Professional program and intends to continue working towards his CIP designation. In his free time, John enjoys walking his dogs and restoring classic cars.

Cinthia is a driven and dedicated insurance professional who started working in claims in 2016 as a telephone claims adjuster for BC’s provincial auto insurer. While working as a claims adjuster, she enjoyed learning about the rules of the road, how to determine liability and how to help people recover from challenging circumstances.

In 2017, building on her knowledge from the previous year, Cinthia decided to take a role as a claims coordinator where she gained experience handling theft claims, third-party claims and fleet claims. In 2018, she joined a well-known construction company that maintains projects across North America. It was during her time there that she gained experience handling commercial general liability, property, heavy equipment and course of construction claims. At that time, Cinthia also enrolled in her first CIP course.

Cinthia holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the Universidad de Guadalajara, Mexico and is fluent in both Spanish and English. She joined the Surrey, BC team in November 2022 and will be responsible for adjusting property and liability claims throughout the Lower Mainland.

Cam shifted his career path to insurance adjusting when he joined KA as an adjuster in 2017. He has developed expertise in the areas of liability investigations, fire and flood loss and transportation. Cam possesses a broad depth of knowledge when it comes to settling complex liability cases, having spent extensive time in courtrooms in his past career.

Cam joined the Kernaghan Adjusters BC Interior Team, opening a branch in Kamloops in 2017. He has his Bachelor of Arts degree and has also obtained his Chartered Insurance Professional (CIP) designation.

Tony began his insurance career in 1981 as an independent adjuster. Tony’s background in construction, acquired in England, has allowed him to address property losses with greater understanding. He is an expert multi line adjuster with expertise in residential and commercial property losses, transportation, construction, and complex casualty claims.

Tony joined Kernaghan Adjusters in 2012 as part of the Kelowna branch. He manages our BC Interior Operations and is an active member of our Transportation Team.

Mark began his insurance career in 1989 after completing the Insurance Administration program at Grant MacEwan College. His expertise includes handling all lines of commercial and personal insurance, with a specialization in major property losses and motor truck cargo. He is also adept at complex total loss strata claims.

Mark joined Kernaghan Adjusters in July 2013 as our Senior Adjuster in our Cranbrook branch. He holds his Chartered Insurance Professional (CIP) designation and is trained in fire investigation and hazards, control of molds and intricacies of strata corporation claims.

Prior to joining the insurance industry, Paul had an accomplished career in residential construction and heavy industrial operations. When paired with his experience in managing people and conflict resolution, Paul recognized he had already attained the fundamentals for a successful career as an insurance adjuster.

Since joining KA’s busy Cranbrook office in 2021, Paul has been exposed to a variety of weather event claim situations including water damage and sewer backup. He has also developed expertise in a range of liability, theft, and casualty losses.

Paul remains cognizant of what the claim process means to insureds. While adjusters deal with losses daily, these stressful and often catastrophic situations can have a large impact on insureds. Paul approaches even the most complex losses with confidence it can be resolved to everyone’s satisfaction. He believes that a client-centric work approach, providing excellent customer service to the insurers, as well as their customers, is crucial to adjusting claims as timely and efficiently as possible.

Paul’s outlook is honesty, integrity, and providing clear answers to complex questions to clients, insureds, and contractors alike, is the key to doing his small part to help grow Kernaghan Adjusters.

Through the tutelage of Cranbrook’s Branch Manager, Paul is quickly gaining valuable claims handling knowledge and an understanding of the adjusting side of the insurance industry. He is keenly aware of the importance of furthering his education and is working towards his Chartered Insurance Professional (CIP) designation

Glenn has over 30 years of claims adjusting experience. His prior roles have provided him with excellent time management and leadership skills. He has expertise in Property, Liability, Automobile, Transportation (Cargo), Builders’ Risk and Municipality claims. He is well versed at handling Large Liability and Property Losses for both Personal and Commercial Lines of business. Glenn also has experience handling arson and fire investigation, contractor’s equipment and structural collapse claims.

In 2017, Glenn became part of our Calgary team as a Senior Adjuster. He is a well-regarded adjuster and holds his CIP designation.

Gilbert joined KA’s Edmonton office in December 2022. He brings with him over 35 years of experience in the insurance industry. During his extensive claims career, Gilbert has developed a particular expertise for fatality losses, automobile losses, property and commercial losses, liability and personal losses and bodily injury.

During his first tenure at Kernaghan Adjusters between 2003 – 2009, Gilbert built a reputation as a skilled adjuster that operates with tact and consideration. His wealth of knowledge and experience translates as a calming influence on the claim procedure for insurers and claimants alike.

Gilbert is a highly motivated and capable businessman and tutor. He has opened and operated successful businesses in the past. Gilbert has completed his CIP designation and has previously been an instructor for CIP courses. He tutored the IIC Auto course with a 97% success rate amongst his students.

Brenda Elliott began her career in insurance as a member of our Calgary, Alberta branch in 1980.  During her initial tenure at KA, Brenda investigated and settled automobile, transportation/cargo, bodily injury, liability and property claims.

In 1982 Brenda joined a major insurance company, working in their adjusting and appraisal subsidiary. She broadened her claims experience to include complex legal matters often requiring court appearances. In 1987, Brenda relocated to Montreal, taking on a claims-related position with a large brokerage firm.  In this period, she gained valuable experience and expertise in the analysis of professional Liability claims.

Brenda returned to our Calgary office for five years in the 1990’s, and resumed service with KA again in 2006.  As a senior member of the Calgary branch, she is an integral part of the Kernaghan Alberta team. Brenda has successfully acquired her Chartered Insurance Professional (CIP) designation, as well as completing numerous courses in Business Administration. Her proven expertise lies in thorough investigations and effective interviewing techniques.

Widely acknowledged as a leading professional in the Calgary market, Brenda Elliott has a reputation for delivering quality adjustment in a timely manner.

Elizabeth began working with Kernaghan Adjusters in 2012 as an Administrative Assistant, having acquired strong organizational skills as a legal secretary and valuable general knowledge about the insurance industry and the operations of the claims adjusting sector. During this period of administrative support work with KA, Elizabeth studied for her Adjuster license, and obtained that qualification in 2014.

Elizabeth is currently serving as an Adjuster, maintaining a strong focus on Bodily Injury and Accident Benefits specialization while also handling various other types of claims. Adjusting requires strong interpersonal and communicative skills, a strict adherence to procedure and detail, and a willingness to always put the client first.  In this regard, Elizabeth is among our most thorough claims adjusters.

Elizabeth believes in the importance of continued learning and the expansion of professional skills, and is currently working towards her Chartered Insurance Professional (CIP) designation.

Cassie began her career in the insurance industry as an Administrative Assistant in Kernaghan Adjusters’ Flin Flon branch. Mentored by a Senior Adjuster who provided her with valuable claims handling knowledge, Cassie quickly gained an understanding of the adjusting side of the business.

Cassie is licensed in Manitoba and Saskatchewan. In her an ongoing commitment to industry education, she is currently working towards her Chartered Insurance Professional (CIP) designation.

Toni began her insurance career in 2015. She brings a wealth of firsthand knowledge of construction, estimations, repair and customer service gained while working as a Property Manager. This experience has helped further her expertise in handling personal property, commercial liability as well as condo property assessment claims.

Toni joined Kernaghan Adjusters in 2015 as an Adjuster in our Thompson branch. She is currently working towards her Chartered Insurance Professional (CIP) designation and is an accredited Residential Manager.

John became an Independent Adjuster 15 years ago immediately after graduating from Centennial College. He initially specialized in accident benefits and bodily injury claims, including fraud investigation, and has since expanded his repertoire to include commercial and residential property, and casualty claims including large loss environmental claims. John has also handled several catastrophe claims throughout Canada.

John is a valued member of the Toronto team. He is an active member of the Ontario Insurance Adjuster Association (OIAA) and the Insurance Institute of Ontario working to complete his CIP designation.

Since Gautam began his insurance career in 2011, he has gained a diverse and extensive range of experience. He is well-versed in handling property, commercial, auto and engineering claims. His strengths lie in settlement negotiation, damage evaluation, loss estimation, appraisals, and fraud identification. He brings a proven track record of providing exceptional client service and impeccable attention to detail to KA’s Toronto outfit.

Gautam is a Mechanical Engineer graduate from the University of Pune, India. There he gained an understanding and passion for tech driven infrastructure and machines. Upon graduating, Gautam entered the insurance industry as a staff adjuster. While still in India he had risen to the roll of Claims Supervisor before moving to Canada in 2021. Since moving to Canada, Gautam has graduated from the Insurance and Risk Management program at Fanshawe College in London, Ontario.

Throughout his claims career, Gautam has maintained that documenting each conversation and activity is paramount in avoiding disputes. His knowledge of industrial risk assessment techniques and qualitative assessment of a workflow has played an important role in loss minimization.

Gautam’s eagerness to learn and team player characteristics make him a strong addition to the Ontario team. His understanding of the importance of urgent response and prompt settlement fits with the team’s ideals. Always seeking to progress himself, Gautam is currently working towards his CRM designation, having already acquired his CIP only eight months after enrolling.

Marie began her insurance career over three decades ago in administrative management, handling claims bordereaux and processing Lloyd’s of London claims. She quickly became fully licensed in all lines of general insurance and focused on commercial and personal auto, and commercial liability claims.

Marie joined Kernaghan Adjusters in 2015 as the St. Catharine’s branch Manager. She served as a past President of both the OIAA (2006-2007) and the CIAA (2013-2014). Marie currently maintains a FCIP designation, as well as various certifications and awards from Vale Technical, The Insurance Institute of Canada, The Global Risk Management Institute Inc., the International Association of Arson Investigators, CIAA and OIAA.

Ian entered the insurance adjustment industry in 1989. He has extensive experience in commercial and personal property, multi-million dollar fire and water related losses, as well as specialized expertise in private and commercial aviation claims. His aviation expertise includes major hull losses, mid-air collision, hanger fires, passenger hazard exposures and fatalities. He has also been involved in the unique area of claims involving entertainment and the media exposure associated with celebrities.

Ian has been an integral member of Kernaghan Adjusters’ St. Catharine’s branch since 2015. He is actively involved in the industry, serving as past President of the Ontario Insurance Adjusters Association (OIAA) and maintaining his Chartered Insurance Professional (CIP) designation.

Shanti Kumar began her career in the insurance industry in 1998 adjusting short term disabilities claims. She quickly advanced in her role and was offered a full-time position in the Death & Dismemberment claims department. In the following years she transitioned into Home and Auto Insurance working as a junior auto adjuster and eventually rising to the role of senior adjuster for the companies Property Unit.

Shanti continued to expand her expertise working on accident benefits claims for the next 10 years.  As a multi-line adjuster, Shanti specializes in handling various Property, Commercial and Residential claims, Auto and Liability losses.

Throughout her career she has been involved in committees working on various projects to improve work flow, build moral and increase cohesiveness. Shanti worked extensively with TD’s Friend of the Environment Program where her efforts allowed the charity to reach several of their key environmental goals.

She successfully obtained her FLMI designation and is continuing to work towards obtaining her CIP designation.

Shanti joined Kernaghan Adjuster’s Toronto branch in February 2019, and after a short leave, rejoined the team in December 2021. Her drive and desire to deliver customer service excellence make her a great addition to Kernaghan Adjusters’ Ontario Operation.

Junior embarked on his insurance career in 2010, initially working as a licensed insurance broker. He excelled in this role through developing a detailed understanding of the insurance product and his ability to quickly understand the needs of his clients. During his tenure as a Broker, Junior realized his true interest was in the claims industry.

Junior’s journey led him to become a Property Damage Claims Adjuster at a large Canadian insurer, where he honed his skills in evaluating and managing claims with precision. Junior was quickly promoted to the role of Residential Claims Adjuster where he received multiple awards in customer service for his ability to empathize with homeowners facing difficult situations and navigate the intricacies of property-related claims.

Junior went on to become a Senior Hybrid Claims Adjuster leading a team specializing in multi-line catastrophe claims. His experience in property damage and residential claims in combination with a deep understanding of complex insurance scenarios makes Junior a key member of the Ontario team.

Junior is currently working towards his CIP designation. He completed a Bachelor of Honors degree at York University, with a focus on business and law. This educational foundation enriches his ability to navigate the world of insurance with finesse and expertise.