Leader’s Digest: Meet  Sheena Kelly 

Strong and resilient teams don't happen by chance. They are shaped by leaders who inspire people to grow, embrace new opportunities and contribute their best every day. At Sun Life, leadership excellence plays an important role in bringing our culture to life, helping people stay connected to our Purpose, build confidence through change and develop the skills needed to succeed in a rapidly evolving world.

Leader’s Digest shines a light on the people behind that leadership, sharing stories that reflect how Sun Life leaders show up every day to support their teams, embrace change, and lead with Purpose. In the interview below, Sheena Kelly shares her approach to leadership and the role Purpose, trust and continuous learning play in helping teams succeed.

1. What does being Purpose-driven mean to you and how does it show up in the way you lead?

Being Purpose-driven to me means understanding how the work we do supports Sun Life's Purpose. As a leader, I bring this to life by connecting my team’s day-to-day work to the broader impact they have in protecting our Clients and people. I believe leading with empathy, authenticity and emotional intelligence help create an environment where Employees feel valued, supported and inspired to do their best work. When Employees understand how their contributions make a difference, it creates a stronger sense of connection, engagement and shared accountability for delivering meaningful outcomes.

2. Which leadership behaviour has had the greatest influence on your approach to leadership?

The leadership behaviour that has had the greatest impact on how I lead is empowering others. I believe that trust is the foundation of a strong team, and empowering people to take ownership of their work helps them grow, build confidence and make informed decisions. Penetration testing requires creative thinking and problem-solving, so I give my team the space to explore different approaches while knowing I'm there to provide support and guidance when needed. By trusting my team and encouraging them to think independently, I've seen them develop both their skills and their confidence.

3. How do you create opportunities for your team members to learn, grow and build the skills they’ll need for the future?

Developing people is one of the most important responsibilities of being a leader. On our team, we value helping our team members continuously learn and grow, especially in a field where technology is constantly evolving. Through a training roadmap, we highlight the skills, training, and certifications that can help our team build their expertise and prepare for the future. We encourage continuous learning and create opportunities for people to develop, knowing that the stronger our knowledge and capabilities are as a team, the better equipped we are to protect Sun Life and our Clients.

For Sheena, leadership excellence is about more than guiding outcomes.

 It's about helping people understand the difference they make and creating the conditions for them to thrive. Her story is a reminder that some of the most meaningful leadership happens quietly, through the trust leaders build, the confidence they encourage and the purpose they help people see in their work.