Meet some of the members of the Park team below.
To view contact information for the complete Park team, please visit our Staff Directory.
Bryan Fitzpatrick
President & CEO
As a young man Bryan was instrumental in helping make Park Insurance what it is today. As President of this second generation family-owned company, Bryan has experience in every aspect of the insurance industry. In fact, Bryan was licensed to sell insurance before he was licensed to drive! He has always been an active member of several insurance associations and is committed to ensuring high professional standards for independent brokers. Bryan served as President of the Insurance Brokers Association of B.C. (IBABC).
“Park Insurance has been a family-owned independent broker since 1950. I prefer to maintain our family business roots and go the extra step to make people happy. We can also serve our customers much better as an independent broker, and give them personalized attention and the greatest value for their money.”
Chelsea Fitzpatrick, CAIB, AA
Vice President of Operations & COO
Following in the footsteps of her grandfather and father, Chelsea proudly carries forward the Fitzpatrick family legacy as an insurance broker, currently serving as the Chief Operating Officer for Park Insurance.
In addition to earning her Associate of Arts degree, Chelsea has pursued various professional certifications, including her CAIB designation, completion of Northbridge’s Producer Development Program, and attainment of the Certificate of Advanced Leadership from the UBC Sauder School of Business.
Chelsea’s remarkable skills and dedication have not gone unnoticed. She was honored as the Rising Star in 2017, named the IBABC Young Broker of the Year in 2018, and named one of 2020 Insurance Business Canada’s Elite Female Leaders – a testament to her exceptional contributions and impact within the industry.
Deeply committed to serving her community, Chelsea actively engages in philanthropic endeavors. She founded the annual Month of Caring, for Blue Goose’s BC Pond, a charity dedicated to connecting insurance industry professionals with volunteer opportunities in local soup kitchens, shelters, and support centers.
In addition to her philanthropic work, Chelsea serves as a passionate board member for The Burnaby Board of Trade, Scleroderma Association of Canada, and Blue Goose BC Pond. Her multifaceted involvement showcases her commitment to various causes, ranging from local business development to health advocacy and community engagement.
Beyond her professional and philanthropic endeavors, Chelsea thrives on adventure and exploration. Whether diving into Dungeons and Dragons campaigns or scaling the heights of the O2 Arena in London, she revels in the exhilaration found at the intersection of discomfort and thrill. Her insatiable curiosity and willingness to embrace new challenges embody her adventurous spirit, constantly seeking out novel experiences to enrich her life.
Chris Westrop, CIP
Vice President of Commercial Lines
Areas of Expertise:
Medium to large business, manufacturing, professional liability, risk management.
With 30 years of experience in the commercial insurance business, Chris is able to provide the best advice to help clients make informed, knowledgeable choices for insuring their businesses. Chris is also a Chartered Insurance Professional with the Insurance Institute of Canada.
Prior to joining Park Insurance in 2001, Chris was a commercial lines marketer for one of the largest brokers in the world. With this depth of experience, Chris helps companies identify and eliminate liability risks, as well as help ensure clients can continue to operate after a business loss—whether big or small.
In recent years, Chris has excelled at servicing the insurance needs of the Real Estate Investment Network (REIN) earning their coveted Real Estate Professional of the Year award in both 2016 and 2017. He and his wife Angela are kept busy with their active family including seven children and three grandchildren. In addition, Chris enjoys giving back to his community as a volunteer fire fighter with the Chilliwack River Valley Fire Department.
“We understand the challenges and the unpredictability of running a business. And insurance is about peace of mind. So, I’ll work with you to identify potential risks, help you minimize them, and then negotiate with insurers to secure the most cost effective and absolute best protection from any losses. I make sure you have exactly the insurance you need and the peace of mind that comes with it.”
Sean Walker, CAIB
Manager of Personal Lines & CPO
We were thrilled to have Sean join our team in 2015! Sean has over 25 years of experience working in a variety of positions within the insurance industry – from a small family brokerage to a large downtown insurance firm where he managed five different divisions. Since joining the Park team, Sean has worked in all 3 Park offices, and is a key advisor to our entire Personal Lines Department.
Sean excels at making the complicated seem simple. His patience and sincere interest in others shines through whether he is assisting a client or supporting a colleague. He holds a Level 3 Insurance License with a CAIB (Canadian Accredited Insurance Broker) designation and has completed an Integrated Management Program at the UBC Sauder School of Business. His vast insurance knowledge, coupled with his kind and approachable demeanor, make him the perfect resource for our growing Personal Lines team.
When he is not working, you will likely find Sean at the soccer pitch. Over the years, he has devoted many hours to youth sports – as a coach, in club operations and as a dad! He currently coaches two soccer teams, and still finds time to support his son when he is refereeing a local game. In recognition of his dedication to youth sports, he was awarded the Port Coquitlam Sports Award of Excellence for volunteer service.
Can’t find Sean at the soccer pitch? He is also a huge live music fan – you’ll find him up front, stage right!
Natasha Purnell
Chief Culture Officer
Natasha Purnell, Park Insurance’s Chief Culture Officer, is a seasoned professional with over 20 years of entrepreneurial, leadership, and management experience. Armed with a CAIB designation and management certificates from BCIT in Marketing Management and Professional Sales, she has meticulously crafted strategies for nurturing a positive workplace culture. Natasha’s goal is to ensure our employees are happy every day. She is tasked with ensuring that every decision we make aligns with our core values of Passion, Innovation, Teamwork and Happiness.
Natasha’s contributions have not only helped Park Insurance earn distinctions like the Healthy Workplace Award and Small Business of the Year Award but also earned her the prestigious 2023 Business Person of the Year accolade from the Burnaby Business Excellence Awards and the 2024 Insurance Business Magazine Elite Women list. Natasha is a keynote speaker on positive workplace culture, recently presenting at the insurance institute’s symposium.
Meet Our New Business Team
Leah Mailhot, CAIB, CIP
New Business Team Lead
When Leah joined the Park Insurance team in 2016, she brought with her nearly 25 years of experience in the insurance industry.
Leah started in the insurance industry as a file clerk in the 1990s, following her first year of college. She had intended to work just two hours a day as a second job. However, after just the first week, it became a full-time job and so began her insurance career. She has continued her education over the years, obtaining both her CAIB (Canadian Accredited Insurance Broker) and CIP (Chartered Insurance Professional) designations.
Leah’s willingness to go the extra mile to help clients find the best coverage for their unique needs is deeply appreciated. She notes that insurance has its own language, and helping people navigate it to get the right coverage is very rewarding. Leah generously shares her experience with clients and colleagues alike. A true team player, she is always happy to lend her colleagues a hand.
When she is not working, Leah enjoys travelling, reading, and camping. She loves exploring new places both internationally and throughout our beautiful province of BC. But, during the football season you will likely find her closer to home on a Sunday afternoon, in front of the TV, cheering on her favourite team the New Orleans Saints!
To view contact information for the complete Park team, please visit our Staff Directory.