Josslin Insurance celebrates 50 Years by giving back

Dylan Yantzi accepts a $5,000 donation to the Mennonite Central Committee presented by Scott and Steve Wagler along with staff members from Josslin Insurance. From left are Amanda Scheerer, Daniel Schmidt, Paulette Netterfield, Scott Wagler, Dylan Yantzi (MCC), Steve Wagler, Wendy Wagler, Atousa Bastos, Kelsey Vere and Denise Koepke. Contributed photo

By Diane Danen

Josslin Insurance is celebrating 50 years of Wagler-family ownership by giving back to the communities that have supported the family-owned business over the years.

The independent insurance brokerage has a long history in the Waterloo Region. The business was originally established in 1880 and was purchased by Don and Rose Wagler from J.B. Josslin in 1975.

Today, their sons, Scott and Steve Wagler, serve as managing partners and continue the family tradition of providing insurance services to individuals, families, farms and businesses throughout southwestern Ontario.

Over the past five decades, Josslin Insurance has grown from its original location in New Hamburg to offices in Kitchener, Cambridge, Elmira, Gorrie, Listowel, Tavistock and Wellesley. The brokerage now employs more than 100 people and works with dozens of insurance partners to provide clients with a variety of insurance options.

To mark the 50th anniversary of Wagler-family ownership, Scott and Steve Wagler wanted to recognize the communities that have played an important role in the company’s success.

The brokerage donated a total of $50,000 to 10 local not-for-profit organizations. Employees were invited to nominate organizations they felt were making a difference in their communities, with each selected organization receiving a $5,000 donation.

The recipients included Woolwich Counselling Centre, Woolwich Community Services, Strong Start Charitable Organization, The Food Bank of Waterloo Region, Child Witness Centre, Cambridge Food Bank, Mennonite Central Committee’s Meat Cannery, Wilmot & Wellesley Resource Centre, Howick Optimist Club and Hope Links of the Listowel Salvation Army.

Josslin also directed additional funding toward nutrition programs at five local elementary schools including Listowel Eastdale Public School, St. Mary’s Catholic Elementary School, North Perth Westfield Elementary School, Elma Township Public School and Howick Central Public School.

Giving back extended beyond financial donations. Six organizations also benefited from members of the Josslin team volunteering.

Employees volunteered with the Mennonite Central Committee’s Meat Cannery, the Listowel Salvation Army’s Sort & Pack Program, Strong Start Charitable Organization, KW Humane Society, The Food Bank of Waterloo Region and the snack program at North Perth Westfield Elementary School.

The company’s commitment to the communities it serves was recognized earlier this summer when Josslin Insurance was named Business of the Year at the Cambridge Chamber of Commerce’s 2026 Business Excellence Awards Gala. The company’s 50th anniversary community initiatives were among the factors considered in recognizing its community impact.

“Giving back to the communities that have helped us thrive over the last 50 years is important to our family,” said Scott Wagler, brokerage partner. “Supporting the communities where we all live and work is a central value of our organization. We wouldn’t be celebrating this milestone or this award without them, so we wanted to show our thanks in the ways that would do them the most good.”

Josslin Insurance continues to offer personal, commercial, farm, life and travel insurance, along with financial services introduced in 2025. With eight offices across southwestern Ontario, the brokerage remains focused on serving the communities where its employees live and work.

As Josslin Insurance looks toward the future, the Wagler family continues to build on the foundation established by Don and Rose Wagler 50 years ago, with a focus on serving clients and supporting the communities where its employees live and work.