In this installment of our series highlighting TELUS Health team members, meet Elise Dallain, Vice President of Growth and Strategic Relations for TELUS Health Retirement and Benefits Solutions. In her role, Elise oversees pension and administration programs to ensure exceptional service to meet clients’ needs and objectives.
Interview with Elise Dallain
Q: Elise, can you share a little more about what your role as Vice President of Growth and Strategic Relations for Retirement and Benefits Solutions looks like?
A: As a Client Relationship Lead, I oversee key pension and benefits administration engagements across various service delivery models.
My role focuses on ensuring service excellence through close collaboration with implementation and service delivery teams, as well as other client relationship managers and consultants. I'm constantly assessing risks, monitoring quality, and keeping a pulse on client satisfaction.
Beyond client management, I’m also actively involved in developing new business opportunities and contributing to product development initiatives. Leveraging my broad range of experience, I often find myself offering strategic advice and acting as a sounding board for colleagues as they navigate complex situations with our major clients. It's incredibly rewarding to share insights from my journey, helping others grow in their careers, and contributing to the overall success of our team and clients.
Q: That certainly sounds rewarding to be able to help colleagues and clients. Could you tell us what inspired you to join TELUS Health? And how long have you been a part of the team?
A: I've been fortunate to be part of TELUS Health since 2012, joining through one of its predecessor organizations, Morneau Shepell - that's 12 years with this incredible organization, and I'm proud to say I've dedicated nearly three decades to the retirement and benefits industry.
What excites me about TELUS Health is how retirement and benefits solutions are core to our identity and mission; we play a crucial role in the holistic approach to wellbeing, as the financial piece of the puzzle alongside physical and mental health.
Q: What is your favourite part about your role at TELUS Health?
A: First and foremost, it's the incredible people I work with daily - both our internal teams and our diverse client base across commercial and public sectors. Even after 30 years in this industry, I'm still learning something new every day.
What makes my current role so fulfilling is that it's truly a culmination of everything I've done. Every skill I've developed - from my early days as a subject matter expert to my current leadership experience - comes into play in my daily interactions.
I have the privilege of working with a broad range of clients in my portfolio, and my passion lies in helping them achieve their objectives. I firmly believe that their success is our success - it's what drives me and our client teams every day.
Being a natural problem-solver, I thrive on strategic discussions with clients, helping them navigate challenges, and jumping into action when unexpected issues require immediate attention. That's what keeps me energized - the dynamic nature of our work and the tangible impact we make.
Q: Your role certainly sounds very dynamic and fulfilling; could you tell us a bit about your career progression?
A: My career journey has been marked by continuous growth and meaningful progression, driven by a combination of dedication and hard work, proactive engagement, and fortunate timing.
Beginning as a pension administrator fresh from university, I gained comprehensive experience in plan administration, handling everything from calculations and payments to participant inquiries and year-end processing.
What set my path apart was an insatiable appetite for learning and growth; I consistently sought opportunities beyond my immediate responsibilities. This approach, coupled with support from exceptional managers who recognized my potential, opened doors to increasingly complex assignments and client relationships.
A pivotal moment in my career came when I transitioned to the client side, managing an HR Operations team. This experience provided valuable insights into client perspectives and operational challenges. Upon returning to consulting, I leveraged this understanding to excel in Client Relationship Lead roles and various leadership positions.
Throughout my career, one of my proudest professional achievements is my ability to connect authentically across all organizational levels. I’m able to maintain my genuine self while adapting my communication style to each audience, from C-suite executives to operational teams. My diverse experience allows me to balance technical credibility with strategic thinking; this blend of expertise and adaptability has been key to building lasting relationships and achieving success throughout my career.
Q: How do you see your role or team benefitting the health of individuals?
A: I’m very passionate about our work in Retirement and Benefits Solutions; we're not just a department, we're a crucial component of the financial health pillar at TELUS Health. Our mission goes beyond simple administration - we're here to bring our clients' carefully designed programs to life for their plan members.
We don't stop at just delivering benefits, we strive to make sure plan members truly understand their entitlements. It's about empowering people with knowledge about their financial future. This understanding can have a profound impact on their overall wellbeing and life decisions.
In essence, we're not just supporting the sustainability of these programs - we're supporting the financial health of communities. That's what makes our role in Retirement and Benefits Solutions so vital and, frankly, so exciting to be a part of every day.
Q: How do TELUS’ values resonate with you, and support your personal health and wellbeing?
A: The philosophy 'We give where we live', aligns perfectly with my personal commitment to community service, especially through my role as board chair for a non-profit supporting victims of domestic violence. TELUS' emphasis on social purpose validates and supports this important work.
What I find particularly meaningful is how TELUS' values around continuous learning and embracing change mirror my own career journey. Just as I've never said no to a new challenge or opportunity to learn, TELUS creates an environment that encourages growth and development. This alignment between personal and corporate values creates a workplace where I can authentically be myself while contributing to our collective success.
Most importantly, TELUS' commitment to putting customers first resonates deeply with my client-focused approach. When I say 'if they have success - we have success,' I'm expressing a value that TELUS embodies organization-wide. This shared commitment to customer success makes it natural and energizing to come to work each day.
Q: Finally, Elise, what do you like to do in your spare time?
A: I'm an avid reader with a particular passion for thrillers - especially those set against real historical events or geo-political backdrops. It's my way of combining entertainment with learning about our world.
You can also find me on the golf course or in the kitchen - two activities I particularly cherish because they demand complete focus - no multitasking allowed. These hobbies actually provide a wonderful counterbalance to my professional life, forcing me to be fully present in the moment.
I'm also particularly proud of my role as board chair for a non-profit organization supporting female victims of domestic violence and their children. It's meaningful work that keeps me grounded and reminds me of the importance of giving back to our community.
These pursuits outside of work not only help me recharge but also bring different perspectives and skills that enhance my professional life.
Learn more about the many aspects of Elise’s role, career, and experience at TELUS Health in our webinar “Growing your retirement and benefits administration career”. Watch the recording here.
Interested in a career with TELUS Health Retirement and Benefits Solutions? View our current job postings here.