David Nixon

Director of Human Resources

I’m David Nixon, Director of Human Resources at Axis. I oversee key HR functions across the company, including onboarding, offboarding, training and development, and other core HR responsibilities. In this role, I work closely with Lesley Woodruff, VP of HR, to shape and drive the HR strategy, ensuring it supports both the growth of our people and the success of the business.

With over 23 years of management experience in the insurance industry, focusing on finance and human resources, I’ve built a career grounded in supporting people and aligning teams with organizational objectives. I am a RIBO-licensed insurance broker (Ontario) and earned an MBA from the Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto.

My expertise lies in recruiting, hiring, and onboarding talent, shaping competitive compensation and benefits, fostering employee engagement, and guiding performance management. I also focus on understanding and applying employment law, while providing strong leadership across our organization.

At Axis, we believe risk is a catalyst for growth. I view every employee as a client and work to create opportunities for personal and professional growth that benefit both the individual and the company. By aligning HR practices with Axis’s mission, I help our teams transform risk into success every day.

Throughout my career, I’ve also been active in supporting youth sports, volunteering to help with team management and fundraising efforts — an experience that deepened my belief in teamwork, resilience, and leadership.

Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my family, traveling, golfing, skiing, and fishing. These moments help balance my life and deepen the focus I bring to supporting the growth and well‑being of the Axis team.