State Farm has appointed Barbara Bellissimo as chief agent and senior vice president for State Farm in Canada, the property & casualty insurer said Thursday.

In her new role, she will be responsible for providing strategic leadership, and overseeing the sales and operations of State Farm in Canada.

Bellissimo joined State Farm in 1986 and has successfully managed positions of increased responsibility in Canada for underwriting, training and field sales consulting. Bellissimo has worked at State Farm’s corporate offices in Bloomington, Illinois, in various functions including agency, marketing, underwriting, IT and claims. Most recently, she o has managed State Farm’s company-wide life/health operations and served as vice president of operations in Canada prior to assuming her new role.

Bellissimo holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Western Ontario, and is a Fellow Chartered Insurance Professional. She is a board member of the International Women’s Forum, and newly appointed Board Member of the Insurance Bureau of Canada and Facility Association.

State Farm is the largest Property & Casualty insurer in North America. State Farm is the fourth largest auto insurer, and fifth largest property and casualty insurer in Canada. State Farm has been serving Canadians since 1938. State Farm’s 542 Canadian agents and over 1,400 employees currently provide

State Farm’s Canadian operations are based in Aurora, Ont.

IE