Our Founder

Steve Connolly grew up in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island where he received his BA in 1968 and his M.Ed in 1973. He had a successful career in the education field, where he spent 21 years as a Guidance Counsellor and Teacher. He developed a lifelong plan to divide his work years into two distinct segments. In 1983 at age 40 Steve decided to enter the business world and joined the Sun Life of Canada sales force in Charlottetown.

Steve who always had a strong desire to help people quickly found his purpose and from his early days was hugely successful and developed relationships with clients from all walks of life, especially in the Corporate market.

In 1998, Steve struck out on his own, forming Connolly Financial Group. Always thinking ahead, he was worried about succession planning and convinced his son Shayne to join him. He didn’t have to try very hard.

“My dad was instantly successful in the business and a fabulous mentor, not just to me but others too. I’d been observing him over the years so working with him was a natural progression,” Shayne said. “I learned a bucket load from him, but I also recognized the opportunity for financial stability, so it made sense for my family.”

With a focus on helping individuals, families and businesses manage risk and plan financially through insurance and benefit plans Connolly Group grew from a 25-group insurance clientele to having over 250 group clients and thousands of individual clients from coast to coast. From humble beginnings in downtown Charlottetown, Connolly Group has evolved from a one-person (local ‘icon’ Steve Connolly) office to a team of 8 professionals that make up the “work family” at Connolly Group.

Professionally Steve has had many significant accomplishments. Steve achieved Lifetime Membership in Million Dollar Round Table in 1997 following 10 consecutive years of production at this level. In 2004 Steve became the first advisor on PEI to receive the Certified Senior Advisor (C.S.A.) designation as well he is a  C.P.C.A. (Certified Professional Consultant on Aging). In 2010, Steve was inducted into the Sun Life Advisor Hall of Fame, a significant recognition and highest accomplishment in the Sun Life advisor system. Steve has also served as a member of Sun Life’s Agent Advisory Board.

Steve suffered a serious heart attack in November 2007. Complications created several near-death experiences for him. In 2013, as a grateful survivor, he documented his journey through heart disease and wrote a book intitled “They Touched my Heart”. Steve, an articulate and inspiring speaker, has been asked to share his story with Advocis, P.E.I., The Maritime Heart Center, the Heart and Stroke Foundation of P.E.I. and at the Sun Life Financial Strategic Partners conference in Provence, France.

Through over 40 years of active involvement in the business, Steve has cultivated wonderful relationships and counts many of them as close personal friends.

Steve exemplifies community spirit through his ongoing support and work with local charities and initiatives. He has volunteered countless hours with these groups which include: