Natasha Sharpe recognized for achievements in business, academics, and community service

TORONTO, April 28 /PRNewswire/ - Sun Life Financial Inc. (TSX: SLF) (NYSE: SLF) announced today that its Chief Credit Risk Officer, Natasha Sharpe, has been named to Canada's Top 40 Under 40 list for 2010.

"Natasha is responsible for Sun Life's credit risk management program and plays a fundamental role in the success of our $110 billion investment portfolio," said Donald A. Stewart, Chief Executive Officer, Sun Life Financial. "Her work supports our ability to meet our obligations and deliver financial security for our millions of customers in Canada and around the world."

Canada's Top 40 Under 40 is a prestigious national award program, which annually honours 40 Canadians in the private, public, and not-for-profit sectors under the age of 40. The program, now in its 16th year, is managed by founding sponsor, The Caldwell Partners.

An independent Advisory Board of business and community leaders from across Canada selected Sharpe from over 1,000 nominees, basing its decision on five key criteria: vision and leadership; innovation and achievement; impact; strategy for growth and development; and community involvement and contribution.

"Playing a part in providing security for others, in their financial lives and for their health care, is tremendously rewarding," Sharpe said. "I am honoured to be recognized, along with such talented recipients from across Canada in business, academia, and health services. Their dedication to their organizations and communities is truly inspiring."

Sharpe combines her academic training and professional abilities to be an innovator and leader in her two passions: international finance and community health care. As a long-time director and now chair of the Kensington Health Centre, Sharpe has been a driving force in the creation, expansion, and financial sustainability of this vibrant facility in the heart of Toronto.

"Natasha's two PhDs in Epidemiology and Community Health, combined with an MBA, are not the typical background for a financial services professional, but they show an individual with an impressive range of talents and interests," says Stewart. "She is a highly respected leader at Sun Life and very deserving of the Top 40 recognition for her many accomplishments."

About Sun Life Financial

Sun Life Financial is a leading international financial services organization providing a diverse range of protection and wealth accumulation products and services to individuals and corporate customers. Chartered in 1865, Sun Life Financial and its partners today have operations in key markets worldwide, including Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Japan, Indonesia, India, China and Bermuda. As of December 31, 2010, the Sun Life Financial group of companies had total assets under management of $464 billion. For more information please visit www.sunlife.com.

Sun Life Financial Inc. trades on the Toronto (TSX), New York (NYSE) and Philippine (PSE) stock exchanges under the ticker symbol SLF.

Note to Editors: All figures in Canadian dollars.

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SOURCE Sun Life Financial Inc.