Nigel Branker – Western Science Alumni Award of Achievement
Nigel Branker is the 2025 recipient of the Western Science Alumni Award of Achievement, a recognition that reflects his journey of resilience, transformation and purpose-driven leadership. Immigrating to London, Ontario to study at Western University, Nigel faced the dual challenge of adapting to a new country while simultaneously embarking on a rigorous and demanding academic path of actuarial science and mathematics.
Nigel Branker
Nigel’s path was anything but conventional. Initially drawn to the theoretical realms of mathematics and physics, he gradually felt a pull toward making a real-world impact., leading him to explore the intersection of science and business where he quickly realized that technical expertise alone wasn’t enough. As a classically trained actuary, he found his strength in translating complex data into meaningful business outcomes—a philosophy that has guided his leadership for over 25 years.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Nigel scaled a digital therapy program designed to provide accessible mental health support. Offering the same efficacy as traditional in-person counselling, but at a lower cost and without the usual barriers, the initiative met the urgent demand for virtual therapy and exemplified his ability to align innovation with social impact.
Now as Chief Executive Officer of Securian Canada, Nigel continues to drive inclusion and accessibility. Under his leadership, the company has formed partnerships with organizations like the Canadian Football League (CFL) and the Toronto Maple Leafs to reach underserved communities. His commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion is personal, rooted in his understanding of the importance of representation and advocacy. He remains passionate about creating space for diverse voices in leadership, ensuring that business strategies reflect the needs of all communities.
As a leader, Nigel’s style is deeply human-centric. He leads with empathy, encourages people to be themselves and helps them play to their strengths. He believes in understanding what drives individuals and aligning those motivations with business goals. He credits Western for being the leader he is today – a place where he always felt safe and empowered to be his authentic self, supported by his faculty and his community of friends.
Reflecting on his career, Nigel is most proud of his ability to combine business success with social impact. He believes that being a strong business leader and a good person are not mutually exclusive. His mission is to grow and develop other leaders, to pay forward the lessons he’s learned and to create an environment where people feel safe, valued and inspired to be their authentic self.
His advice to students is: “You don’t need a perfect plan but take the step that is ahead of you. Be true to yourself in each step, and trust that in the fullness of time, it will be okay.” He believes that authenticity is the key to long-term success and fulfillment, and that the courage to be yourself is the most powerful step you can take.
