Eckler strengthens financial wellness practice with addition of Karen Burnett
Eckler is pleased to welcome Karen Burnett as Senior Director, Financial Wellness.
Karen joins Eckler’s Financial Wellness team in a leadership role focused on supporting the firm’s growing financial wellness initiatives, service offering, client service and innovative solutions, including Guided Outcomes™. As organizations place increasing emphasis on employee financial well-being and retirement readiness, Karen’s appointment further strengthens Eckler’s ability to help clients improve outcomes for plan members across Canada.
With an extensive background spanning actuarial consulting, business development, financial wellness solutions, and retirement programs, Karen brings a unique combination of technical expertise, strategic leadership, and a deep commitment to improving member outcomes. Throughout her career, she has worked with both large and small employers on defined benefit and capital accumulation plans, helping organizations navigate complex retirement and financial well-being challenges.
Karen spent much of her career with a large multinational consulting firm, where she progressed from defined benefit consulting to leading the defined contribution advisory practice and helped develop innovative retirement-planning tools and solutions for plan members. Most recently, Karen led growth initiatives at a large multiple employer plan, helping drive the organization’s expansion strategy.
“We are thrilled to welcome Karen to Eckler,” says Ian Edelist, National Head of Employee Benefits Consulting, Canada (excluding Quebec). “Karen brings an impressive combination of skills and leadership, and a drive to improve the financial experience of Canadians. She is exceptionally well-positioned to advance our financial wellness practice and the solutions we offer. Her leadership and industry insight will be invaluable to our clients and our team.”
Karen is widely recognized for her contributions to the pension and retirement industry through her leadership and service to the profession. She currently serves as a Board Member of the Society of Actuaries and is an ACPM Council Member and former Chair. Through these roles and her ongoing involvement in industry initiatives, Karen has helped advance discussions around retirement readiness, pension innovation, and member-focused financial well-being strategies.
“I was drawn to Eckler because of its commitment to creating brighter futures,” says Karen Burnett. “I’ve always been passionate about improving retirement outcomes and helping people feel more confident about their financial future. The opportunity to combine that passion with Eckler’s purpose, innovative approach, and client-focused solutions was incredibly compelling. I’m excited to join the team and help organizations support the financial well-being of their employees.”
Welcome, Karen! Wishing you great success in your new role.