As part of Toronto Climate Week, the Centre for Social Innovation is co-hosting The AfterGlow on June 5 to celebrate the people and organizations helping move climate action forward in meaningful, community-driven ways. We’re proud to welcome Gore Mutual as a lead sponsor for this year’s event.
Built on a foundation of financial strength for more than 180 years, Gore Mutual is one of Canada’s oldest property and casualty mutual insurers. Every decision and investment they make is anchored in the long-term benefits to customers, members, and communities — “insurance that does good” is at the core of their purpose. Effective January 1, 2026, Gore joined Beneva, the country’s largest mutual insurance company, positioning them to continue leading with purpose and shaping the future of insurance in Canada.
Ahead of The AfterGlow, we spoke with Gabriela Polanco-Sorto, Vice President of Purpose, Sustainability & Office of the CEO, at Gore Mutual about climate resilience, purpose-driven leadership, and the people inspiring them most in the sustainability space today.
Q: Gore Mutual has been doubling down on purpose-driven leadership. What’s one shift you’ve made internally that you think more companies should be doing to accelerate real climate impact?
A: I think the one shift that we made, is that Purpose is owned by everyone in the organization. By reporting directly to the CEO with dotted line to the Board, it allows for all senior leaders to be part of the learning and decision making on topics that span climate change, DEI, sustainability among others. This has allowed our organization to make bold decisions and action creative solutions because we have the right decision makers at the table to help us drive a true purpose-driven organization.
Q: Insurance plays a unique role in climate resilience. From your perspective, what makes Gore Mutual’s approach to Climate and how you shows up for communities different than others?
A: I think the first thing is that climate is not a stand-alone issue, it really is an amplifier of other risks our communities are facing, such as access to affordable housing, food insecurity, health etc. So we have engaged with community partners across the country, through the Gore Mutual Foundation, by understanding how climate is impacting the issues of these organizations and helping them look for local, community-based and owned solutions to mitigate those risks. We have worked on projects that include everything from community-led disaster preparedness to investing in the scale of cooling vests for vulnerable immobile individuals during heat waves – the solutions are out there, what the need is funding and support to scale!
Q: The AfterGlow is all about celebrating the people moving climate action forward. Who or what is inspiring you most right now in the sustainability space — and why does it matter for the work ahead?
A: I am inspired by all the people that get up every morning wanting to make their communities better. The work we do is not easy, and there are certainly ever growing bolders we need to face, but the energy, passion, grit and commitment that individuals bring every day is inspiring. I am also inspired by young leaders that are coming up in the sustianbility space, backing us ‘verterans’ up and being there to take on the batton – investing in those that are coming next will be really important if we want to ensure our work continues!
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Join us on June 5 at the Centre for Social Innovation for an evening of music, sustainable food and drink, and celebration alongside Toronto’s climate community. Get your tickets for The AfterGlow here!
The AfterGlow is presented by the Centre for Social Innovation, Daisley for Good, and the Climate Communications Alliance.
