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John Anderson is a 30-year infrastructure investor, responsible for Manulife’s $12 billion infrastructure equity portfolio, and their $60 billon infrastructure debt portfolio. The Manulife life insurance companies are ranked as one of the largest infrastructure investors in the world. They are an active investor in the US, Canada, Europe, Latin America and Australia, for Manulife’s life insurance companies in Canada, the US, and Asia.
John is also President of Manulife Investment Management’s $10 billion family of Infrastructure Equity Funds, and chairs the Fund investment committee.
John also chairs the Infrastructure Investor advisory group for the United Nations Principles for Responsible Investing organization.
John’s broader role at Manulife includes a $200 billion corporate lending portfolio, acting as a principal approving officer for private equity fund investments, and voting as a member of Manulife’s global investment committee.
Prior to joining Manulife through their Infrastructure Team in 2001, John worked for ten years in the New York and London offices of JP Morgan Chase, where he led teams that advised on or arranged more than $8 billion in debt financing in the infrastructure and energy industries. This work included substantial infrastructure finance work, in both developed (United States, France, Germany) and developing (Croatia, Turkey, Colombia, Russia) economies.
John holds an MBA from Georgetown University and received his BA in Economics from The University of Chicago. He speaks intermediate French, Serbo-Croatian, German, Spanish, and Russian, and would not be mistaken for a native speaker in any of these languages.
Manulife
Manulife Investment Management is the global wealth and asset management segment of Manulife.
Manulife Investment Management’s comprehensive private markets platform includes infrastructure, private equity and credit, real estate, timber, and agriculture.The Manulife life insurance companies serve customers across Canada, the US, and East Asia, and have 35,000 employees.
Executive Director with 20 years of experience. Joined Tikehau in 2018 to launch and Co-Head Tikehau Energy transition Fund. Before joining Tikehau , Pierre worked for Total for 16 years in the refining, holding and gas, and renewables and power (GRP) divisions, he was in charge of financing Total’s worldwide new energies activities before heading the business development of Total’s Gas&Power Trading in London. He has been exposed to the whole energy chain from upstream to renewables and has a deep network of relationships within on the energy space. Since 2021, Pierre is the head of Tikehau’s Climate Action Center.
Pierre holds Master Degrees from CentraleSupélec – University Paris-Saclay and IFP School, and a bachelor degree in physics from Pierre and Marie Curie University.
CFA, MBA
Tamara is the Founder of Close Group Consulting, which is a boutique ESG strategy advisory firm that uses in-depth capital markets and ESG expertise to assess, design and implement tailored end-to-end ESG integration practices across asset classes for asset managers, asset owners and corporates. She was previously the Head of ESG Integration for KKS Advisors, a global ESG Advisory firm and has over 20 years of combined experience in capital markets and ESG strategy. Tamara has held various investment management positions for the Bank of Montreal and Credit Lyonnais in the global derivatives and foreign exchange markets and was previously the head of research and risk for a start-up fixed income asset management firm in Montreal. Before founding Close Group Consulting, she spent 10 years in senior management roles within the risk and public markets investment groups of PSP Investments. She is also the founder and creator of the Sustainable Risk Assessment Framework.
Tamara holds the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) certification and is a council member of the Canadian Advocacy Council for CFA Societies Canada. She is also a Board director for CFA Montreal and Chair of the ESG Committee as well as a member of the Investment Committee for the JGH Foundation. Tamara is an Advisor to the Veristell Institute, a globally focused think-tank on ESG and Corporate Purpose, as well as PracticalESG, a source for ESG thought leadership. She earned a Bachelor in Economics from McGill University and a Master of Science degree in Finance from the John Molson School of Business. She is fluent in French and English.
Philip Coté is a Director at bfinance Canada. Philip has more than 16 years of financial services industry experience across institutional investment consulting, manager research and product development roles. Prior to joining bfinance Philip was a Director at Pavilion Alternatives Group where he led manager research and due diligence assignments in the area of private markets investment, with a focus on real estate, infrastructure and private debt. Earlier in his career Philip worked at CIBC Asset Management and National Bank. Philip is a CFA charter holder and holds the FRM designation. He completed a Bachelor of Commerce at Concordia University and a graduate certificate at McGill University.
MBA, LLB
Prakash is the Chief Investment Officer of Triovest. In this capacity he heads up the firms’ capital raising, investments, development, and asset management businesses. Prakash has over 20 years of diverse real estate experience, both in Canada and internationally. Prior to joining Triovest in 2017, Prakash worked for Lendlease in Singapore, heading up investment management, development, and leasing of a $3B master-planned office and residential precinct in partnership with ADIA. Prior to this, Prakash headed up a retail expansion strategy in the MENA region for Majid Al Futtaim, the retail leader in the Middle East. He also built the investment and development platform for the City of Toronto, led a Walmart-anchored retail expansion strategy throughout Southwestern Ontario with SmartCentres, and practised municipal law in Toronto. He holds an MBA, LLB, and BA (Politics), and sits on the executive of the ICSC as Government Relations Chair.
BIO
CFA, MBA
Amit joined IMCO in 2020 as Senior Portfolio Manager, Global Credit.
Amit has over 10 years of private debt experience where he has been responsible for syndicated, middle market and private non-sponsored deals. Before joining IMCO, he was Portfolio Manager at British Columbia Investment Management Corporation (BCI) where he helped launch the private debt strategy. Prior to that, Amit held positions at Alberta Investment Management Corporation (AIMCo) and Whitecap Advisors.
Amit holds an MBA in Finance from Texas Christian University, a Masters in Mechanical Engineering from Missouri University of Science and Technology, and is a Chartered Financial Analyst.
MBA, CFA, CAIA
Koblavi Fiagbedzi joined the CBC Pension Plan in 2018 and is currently Portfolio Manager and Head of Real Assets. The Real Assets portfolio is 14.5% of Plan AUM. In his role, Koblavi leads strategy development, investment activity, ongoing monitoring, and risk management functions of the portfolio. Real asset investment activity is executed via direct, JV/co-investment, secondary and Fund structures globally. In addition, Koblavi provides support to the larger team for private equity and private debt investments.
Koblavi began his career at the Bank of Canada in 2004 where he worked on long term research and model development. Later, he joined Export Development Canada “EDC” as an Economist where he focused on current analysis and transactional guidance for political risk insurance, sovereign, and project finance loans in several key markets. When he joined the International Business Development Group at EDC in 2008, Koblavi led EDC’s corporate strategy for emerging markets and conducted due diligence and sourcing for project finance, corporate debt, political risk, and credit insurance. In 2012, Koblavi joined the CMPA Investment Fund where he focused on transaction and portfolio management for the private market portfolio in private debt, private equity, and real assets.
Koblavi earned his BBA (Honors) from Acadia University and MBA from the University of London. Koblavi is also a CAIA and CFA charter holder.
CPA, CMA
University Treasurer and Chief Investment Officer – Concordia University
Mr. Gauthier is responsible for the oversight of the University’s and its related entities’ financial position, which are segregated through five distinct portfolios; Benefits (Pension Plan, Group Insurance Plans, Supplementary Retirement Plans and Post Retirement/Employment Benefits), Investments (Pension Fund and Foundations), Corporate Risks (Insurance, self-insurance and ERM programs), Capital Budget (Capital investments and Fixed Assets) and Financing. He has been employed by Concordia University for 31 years; his responsibilities have also included such roles as Executive Director, Finance and Business Operations, Director of Finance and Restricted Funds and prior as a senior financial analyst and accountant. Mr. Gauthier obtained his CMA and graduated from Finance and Accounting at Concordia University as well as from Queen’s Executive Program in General Management.
Trésorier et Chef de Placement – Université Concordia
M. Gauthier a comme mandat la surveillance de la situation financière de l’Université et de ses entités affiliées, répartis en cinq portefeuilles distincts; avantages sociaux (régime de retraite, régimes d’assurances collectives, régimes de retraite supplémentaires et avantages post-retraite/emploi), placements (caisse de retraite et ces fondations), risques corporatifs (programme d’assurance, auto-assurance et GRE), budget des immobilisations (investissements en capitaux et immobilisations) et financement. M. Gauthier est employé à l’Université depuis 31 ans; il a occupé des rôles tels que Directeur exécutif, finances et gestion des affaires, Directeur des finances et fonds avec restrictions, analyste senior et comptable. Il a obtenu son CMA et est diplômé en Finance et Comptabilité de l’Université Concordia
Bio
Terri Herubin is a Managing Director and leads the company’s open-end funds for the Investment Management business. Terri oversees the management of more than $9 billion in gross asset value across three funds in the US and Europe.
Terri began her real estate career at the New York State Teachers’ Retirement System, where she evaluated and recommended investments of more than $4.5 billion to equity real estate. Subsequently, she joined The United Group, a New York-based developer, as Executive Vice President for Senior Housing. In 2009, she joined The Townsend Group as a Principal/Portfolio Manager, where she led underwriting and portfolio management, and was a member of the Investment Committee. Subsequently, she joined Barings Real Estate as lead portfolio of their open-end core fund and a member of the Real Estate Equity Investment Committee.
Immediately before joining Greystar in 2019, she was Senior Product Specialist for Global Real Estate at Angelo Gordon.
Terri is a member of W/X, New York Women Executives in Real Estate, PREA and NCREIF, on the Multifamily Gold Council of ULI, and a Trustee of Brandywine Realty Trust. Terri received her bachelor’s degree in Urban Planning from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and obtained her Juris Doctor from Brooklyn Law School.
Glenn Hubert is the Interim Chief Investment Officer at Teachers’ Pension Plan Corporation (TPPC), which manages the Newfoundland and Labrador Teachers Pension Plan. He is responsible for all aspects of a $4.7 billion dollar portfolio that is invested across public and private market strategies. Glenn and his team at TPPC are currently focused on the implementation of a plan that will increase exiting infrastructure and real estate allocations, as well as further enhancing TPPC’s risk management processes. Glenn was formerly the Managing Director, Private Debt at Investment Management Corporation of Ontario (IMCO), where he managed the private debt portfolio and played a significant role in the development of IMCO’s global credit strategy. Prior to joining IMCO, Glenn was the Managing Director, Private Debt at Ontario Pension Board (OPB), where he developed, implemented, invested and managed OPB’s private debt strategy. While at OPB, Glenn also played an instrumental role in the development and build out of the infrastructure strategy and headed the team as it transitioned into IMCO.
Christian is a seasoned investor, with deep experience developing and leading investment programs. Most recently he was Senior Managing Director of Equities & Credit at the Investment Management Corporation of Ontario (IMCO), an Ontario fund manager with over $70 billion in assets under management. Christian oversaw a $35 billion portfolio that included IMCO’s private equity, public equity, global credit and hedge fund strategies. His direct investing experience and relationships with leading global alternatives platforms contributed to IMCO’s rapid growth and strong financial performance.
Before joining IMCO Christian was Managing Director and Head of Relationship Investments, a global $10+ billion direct equity investment strategy at CPP Investments. Prior to this, he spent 11 years in the private equity and growth capital industry at Charterhouse Group and Planier Capital. Christian has served on the boards of public and private companies in the US and Europe spanning the Industrial, Healthcare, Business Services, Communications and Technology sectors.
Christian began his career in the Investment Banking division of Salomon Brothers in New York City. He graduated from the MBA program at Harvard Business School and holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Pennsylvania. Christian is an active supporter of the United Way, and most recently served as the co-chair of IMCO’s corporate giving effort.
MBA
Brenda M. Hogan is the Chief Investment Officer at the Ontario Capital Growth Corporation (OCGC) and has over 15 years’ experience in strategy and execution in venture capital at the co-investment, fund of funds, and fund level investing.
Brenda has held senior roles in corporate development, finance, and strategic investing with Bell Canada, EY, the Business Development Bank of Canada, and a software start-up.
She is on the Board of the Canadian Venture Capital Association and is Co-Chair of the Membership Committee; serves with the Institutional Limited Partners Association (ILPA) as a member of the Content Committee; was Co-Chair of Canadian Women in Private Equity (CWPE); and served three terms on the Board of Women in Capital Markets, latterly serving as Chair of the Governance Committee. She also served on the Board of Governors at Dalhousie University and Chaired the Finance, Audit, Investment, and Risk Committee.
Brenda holds an MBA in finance, has completed the Institute of Corporate Directors SME Board Effectiveness Program, and has received leadership training from the Ivey School of Business.
Shoghig (Sho) Kulidjian joined Trez Capital in January 2021 as Vice President, Institutional Sales.
Sho comes to Trez with over 25 years of experience in the financial industry specializing in Asset Management, Custody, Capital Markets, Private Wealth and business development. Most recently she served as Director, Institutional Sales at Russell Investments, prior to which she held several senior positions at CIBC Wholesale Banking; Head of Middle Markets, Head of Client Strategy, and Head of Commission Management. Sho has also held roles with a few other large financial institutions in various capacities. RBC Investor and Treasury Services, BMO Harris Private Banking Investment Management Inc., Jones Heward Investment Counsel Inc., and Royal Trust Investment Counsel.
In addition to Sho’s extensive career, and since 2009, she is the head fund raiser for “Santa Comes To Bay Street”, a not-for-profit charity dedicated to helping mainly women, children and infants in shelters over the holiday season.
As a head of Alternative Investments at Ninepoint Partners, Ramesh oversees over $2 billion in private market alternative investment strategies. Ramesh’s mandate includes growing the alternative investment business by identifying, structuring and launching differentiated private debt and equity strategies, developing and implementing risk oversight framework for alternative products, external manager research and support for institutional and retail sales. Ramesh has over fifteen years of progressively senior experience originating, underwriting and managing a variety of debt and quasi debt transactions valued at over $7 billion across Canada and the United States at Wells Fargo (Wachovia), GE Capital and CIT Group. Ramesh is a graduate of the honors commerce program at the University of Toronto.
LL.B, ICD.D
Stéphanie Lachance is a recognized sustainable investment expert and experienced corporate director. Prior to joining Fiera Comox, Stéphanie spent 15 years at PSP Investments where she was most recently Managing Director and Head of Responsible Investment. She played a central role in the development of PSP Investments’ responsible investment strategy. She led the Responsible Investment group of PSP Investments which played a key role in the organization’s investment strategy in ensuring that environmental, social and governance factors are incorporated in investment decisions and across all asset classes.
Lawyer with a strong background in corporate governance, responsible investment, securities law and regulations, Stéphanie was providing legal advice to public issuers, stock exchanges and securities regulators prior to joining PSP Investments. She namely held senior positions at Québecor Media, Autorité des marchés financiers, Toronto Stock Exchange and Montréal Exchange.
Stéphanie holds a Law Degree (LL.B.) from the Université de Montréal and is a member of the Quebec Bar. She is a holder of the Institute of Corporate Directors Director designation (ICD.D). She serves on the board of the Food Banks of Quebec, is a member of the Investment Fund Review Committee of the Corporation de services du Barreau du Québec, is a member of the Investment Committee of the Canadian Medical Protective Association and is a member of the Independent Review Committee on Standard Setting in Canada.
Stéphanie is an instructor at the Institute of Corporate Directors for the sustainability module. She is also the co-author of ‘The Origins of ESG in Pensions: Strategies and Outcomes’, published by Wharton University Pension Research Council in 2021.
William Lindsay is a Founding Partner of PCCP. Mr. Lindsay is responsible for the investment and operation of PCCP’s equity investment vehicles. He is a member of PCCP’s Investment Committee and Management Committee. From 1986 to 1987, Mr. Lindsay served as a law clerk to Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist on the U.S. Supreme Court. Mr. Lindsay received his bachelor’s degree from Dartmouth College. Mr. Lindsay received his J.D. from the School of Law at the University of California, Berkeley and is a member of the Board of Directors of the Center Theatre Group in Los Angeles, California. He is a member of the Pension Real Estate Association and National Association of Real Estate Investment Managers.
CFA
As Senior Vice-President, Equity and Alternative Investments, Nelson oversees all externally managed mandates across public equities and alternative investment strategies, including real estate, infrastructure, private equity, private debt and hedge funds. He is a longstanding member of the Investment Committee (IC), and an active member of TCC’s Executive Committee.
Prior to joining the team in 2009, Nelson worked as a consultant and director of investments for several institutions. He brings over 20 years of experience in establishing investment policies, selecting and monitoring third-party investment managers, as well as making asset allocation decisions.
Nelson holds a Bachelor of Science in Actuarial Mathematics from Concordia University. He is also a CFA charterholder.
CA, CPA, CAIA, CFA
Yasir Mallick plays a lead role in sourcing, monitoring, and evaluating external managers across both public and private markets. In addition, to manager selection and portfolio construction Yasir leads various strategic projects including governance, corporate strategy, investment framework, and redesign of investment related processes and procedures.
Yasir joined UBC IMANT in 2020. In his prior role with KPMG, he was responsible for leading the target operating model design and implementations for Asset Management clients which included design and implementation of a new target operating model and new order management system for one of Canada’s largest pension funds. In addition to delivery within Management Consulting, Yasir was also part of the KPMG Sustainability Team carrying out ESG and Responsible Investing due diligence engagements for private market investments executed by one of Canada’s largest pension funds. Prior to KPMG, Yasir spent three years as a member of the Senior Investment Team and the Head of Private Markets at University Toronto Asset Management and six years at Ontario Power Generation (OPG) where he held various positions within the Finance and Treasury group including leading the Total Portfolio Management and Risk Management group overseeing OPG’s $30B investment portfolio.
Yasir holds both a Bachelor of Commerce (B. Comm) and a Masters of Finance (MFin) degree from the University of Toronto. Yasir is a member of the Chartered Professional Accountants of Ontario (CA, CPA) and holds the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst designations (CAIA).
CFA, CAIA, FMA, FCSI
Josée Mondoux is Chief Investment Officer for the Canadian Medical Protective Association (CMPA), responsible for the oversight of a $6.2 billion Reserve for Claims. She is a member of senior management and a primary resource within the Association for providing investment related tactical support and strategic guidance to members of senior management, the Investment Committee and Council, including asset class selection, asset–liability modelling, financial risk identification and management, portfolio design and implementation, and investment performance monitoring and reporting. She provides strategic leadership and management to the CMPA’s front office, namely the public assets and private assets units, as well as the middle office responsible for the performance and risk functions. Josée is a member of the Pension Fund Investment Committee at the University of Ottawa and holds the CFA, CAIA, FMA and FCSI designations.
MBA
Cristian Norambuena is a Director at Tikehau Capital’s T2 North America Fund. Prior to joining Tikehau, Cristian worked as a Senior Investment Officer at New York City Comptroller’s Office where he helped manage the $30 billion private equity portfolio of the NYC Retirement Systems with focus on Climate and Sustainability. Prior to that, he held leading investment roles at private pension fund managers in Chile, overseeing global asset allocation and private & public markets portfolios.
Cristian holds an MBA from Columbia University, an advanced degree from Universidad de Salamanca (Spain), and a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering from Universidad de Chile.
Jack joined InfraRed in 2021.
Jack leads InfraRed’s business in the Americas. He joined InfraRed in 2021 and is responsible for managing and growing the existing platform, across origination and execution activities, asset and portfolio management, capital raising and operations. As part of his role, he is overseeing InfraRed’s North American renewables strategy.
Prior to joining InfraRed, Jack was Co-Head of Citi’s Global Power & Renewables investment banking business. While at Citi, Jack advised on over $100 billion of transactions including, mergers & acquisitions, business unit divestitures, spin-offs, IPOs, project financings and other structured transactions.
Before that, Jack worked at Lehman Brothers in their Power & Utilities Group.
Jack received an Honours Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Toronto. He is also a Certified Public Accountant.
Q.C., ICD.D
ROBERT PATZELT, Q.C., ICD.D is an executive and former business lawyer with over 35 years of experience in organizational leadership, operations, mergers and acquisitions and business development. He is also a respected board director for multiple organizations and a leader of a number of major initiatives in corporate, not-for-profit and non-governmental agencies including some undergoing major transformational change. He is an award-winning business leader who has levered his degrees in business, economics and his Master of Laws to serve many organizations including a large family enterprise and recently as CEO of a publicly traded resource company leading it through the latest severe commodity cycle downturn and a proxy battle. He is a sought-after consultant assisting businesses navigate through challenging transitions as well as assisting organizations with their governance.
He is Chair of the Northwood Foundation and he is a member of the Board of Governors of Northwood which is a $100 million not for profit. He is also Chair of the Friends of Hope Cottage, a soup kitchen feeding the less fortunate. He has been awarded both the Queen’s Golden and Diamond Jubilee medals for his tremendous service to Canada. In 2010, he was named co-chair of the Premier’s Council on the Economy. Also, he is the Deputy Chair of the Board of Directors for Workers’ Compensation Board of Nova Scotia and was also the Chair of the Board’s Investment Committee and overseeing its $2.2 billion portfolio. He is also a member of a advisory board of a large private business and Chair of PACE Atlantic, a community interest corporation that provides low-carbon programs for Canadian municipalities that help homeowners invest in energy efficiency and solar.
Charles Quintal has over 40 years’ experience in corporate, structured and real estate finance and in managing various asset classes.
Charles currently serves as the President of the Retirement Committee of the Quebec Assembly of Catholic Bishops, a multi employer DC pension plan with over 65 employers
He is an Exempt Market Securities dealer since 2012, providing corporate and project finance advisory work, mostly related to real estate and environmentally oriented projects. Over the last 2 years, he has been deeply involved in funding and advising Critical Minerals and Rare Earths Minerals exploration and refining.
From 2008 to 2011, he was Chair of the ‘MAV 1’ Advisory Committee, a $15 billion trust holding investments of Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec, Mouvement Desjardins, National Bank of Canada, PSP Investments and Alberta Treasury Branches.
Over the same period, as AVP at Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec, Charles was responsible for turning around the Caisse’s $12.5 billion frozen ABCP Portfolio.
Prior to that, Charles oversaw the $1.2 billion ACE trust through which Société Générale’s Corporate and Investment Banking division ran its Canadian securitization business. He bought portfolios of auto loans and leases from major manufacturers as well as farm and construction equipment loans.
Charles was also Vice-President, Structured Finance, Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec and managed three public issues totaling $1.5 billion of Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities (CMBS) sold on the Canadian capital market.
An Associate member of the Society of Actuaries, Charles graduated from Laval University’s Actuarial School and is a Certified Board Director.
Veena Ramani is an expert in corporate governance, climate change and ESG issues. Veena comes to FCLTGlobal after 15 years at Ceres, a leading sustainability nonprofit. During this time, Veena played a number of roles including launching a program on corporate governance, creating online training curriculum for board directors on ESG (in partnership with the Berkeley School of Law), jumpstarting efforts to engage financial regulators on the systemic risk of climate change and engaging with large global companies on their sustainability and climate change strategies and disclosures.
Veena has published and presented extensively on these topics. Key publications include Turning up the Heat: The need for urgent action from US financial regulators on climate change (2021); Addressing Climate Change as a Systemic Risk: A role for financial market regulators (2020); Running the Risk: How corporate boards can oversee ESG issues (2019) and Systems rule: How board governance drives sustainability performance (2017).
Prior to Ceres, Veena held roles at CDM Smith and Integrative Strategies Forum. Veena has also practiced law in India.
Veena is a board director of Norcross Wildlife Sanctuary and Foundation, which is an 8000 acre refuge created to preserve, protect and propagate native flora and fauna in Western Massachusetts. She holds a BA (Hons) LL.B degree from the National Law School of India University and an LL.M degree from the Washington University School of Law.
CFA, CPA
Taylor joined CMHC in 2014 and has over six years of real estate investment management experience. His primary responsibilities involve overseeing CMHC’s Pension and Insurance Fund real estate portfolios. During his time at CMHC, Taylor was responsible for building the Pension Fund’s global real estate portfolio and the introduction of agriculture within the real assets portfolio. Prior to his current role, Taylor spent time in credit risk management and public accounting.
CFA, MBA, MA
Theresa Shutt is Senior Vice President for Corporate Private Debt at Fiera Private Debt. Prior to joining Fiera Private Debt in July 2019, she was the Chief Investment Officer of Private Debt with Integrated Asset Management.
Ms. Shutt is responsible for the overall strategic direction and operation of the Corporate Debt Financing Team. In this role, she provides leadership in support of business development, investment approval, fund strategy and portfolio management. With over 20 years of experience in corporate lending and capital markets, she contributes to the success of the business by growing AUM through strategic capital deployment and the development of innovative private debt strategies.
Prior to Fiera Private Debt, Ms. Shutt was a Managing Director with BMO Corporate Finance where she developed customized financing solutions for mid-market Canadian Companies. Previous to this role, she held a variety of roles at RBC and Scotiabank structuring fixed income and equity derivatives for corporations and asset managers. She began her career working as an economist for the Conference Board of Canada.
Theresa Shutt holds a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Economics (Honours) from the University of Alberta, a Master of Arts (MA) in Economics from McMaster University and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the Rotman School of Management of the University of Toronto. Ms. Shutt is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) charterholder.
MBA
Bio
Stephen Simpson has over 15 years of experience in all aspects of principal infrastructure investing, including acquisitions, asset management and realization. He joined Instar in 2014 to lead evaluation, negotiation and structuring of acquisitions as well as investment opportunities.
Prior to joining Instar, Stephen was a Vice President of Capstone Infrastructure Corporation, a publicly-traded diversified infrastructure company, where he played a key role in the analysis, evaluation and execution of investment opportunities, including renewable power projects, utility businesses, transportation assets and public-private partnerships (P3s). He also contributed his financial and operational acumen to the company’s portfolio of infrastructure businesses.
Stephen was also formerly a Manager with Macquarie Infrastructure and Real Assets Canada Ltd. From 2006 to 2011, he provided valuable asset management expertise to Macquarie Essential Assets Partnership (MEAP), a private investment fund, where he served on the asset management teams for the Sea-to-Sky Highway, the Southeast Anthony Henday Drive, AltaLink and Aquarion, developing significant expertise across the P3 and transportation sectors, and the electricity transmission and regulated utilities space. Stephen was actively involved in MEAP’s strategic initiatives, in particular the Fund’s realization through asset sales in 2010 and 2011.
Active in the infrastructure sector since 2006, Stephen supports innovative sustainability initiatives through his position on the Investment Committee for the Toronto Atmospheric Fund, a non-profit corporation established by the City of Toronto to finance local projects improving air quality and addressing climate change.
Stephen currently serves on the Board of Directors of Skyservice Business Aviation and was previously Interim CFO at Nieuport Aviation Infrastructure Partners. He holds a Master’s degree in Finance from INSEAD, an Honours Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Wilfrid Laurier and the Chartered Financial Analyst designation.
George So is a seasoned infrastructure, investment and finance professional with over 25 years of specialized expertise in real assets principal investing, asset management and corporate reorganizations. He is a Managing Partner at Instar and a member of the Executive Committee that is responsible for the overall strategy of assets under management and fund operations.
George was most recently the founder and Managing Partner of Kindle Capital Group Inc., an independent investment firm established in 2009, serving the Canadian institutional investment community in establishing syndication and co-investment funds focused on global private equity and infrastructure. Notable transactions included Macquarie Communications Infrastructure Group, 407ETR, Behrman Capital, Anglian Water Group and Colonial First State’s Global Diversified Infrastructure Fund, among others.
Prior to establishing Kindle, George served as a senior member for the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board’s private investment infrastructure team, where he was responsible for managing the direct investing program valued at several billion dollars. Prior to CPPIB, he served in leadership roles at various private equity and global investment banking firms located in Asia, US and Canada, where he specialized in principal investing, real assets, capital restructurings and international corporate finance.
George holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts degree in Chartered Accountancy Studies from the University of Waterloo and the Chartered Accountant designation. He is an avid supporter of various community causes and institutions, including serving as a board member for The Stop and the Canadian advisory board of Right to Play. George is also a scholarship donor to the University of Waterloo.
MBA, ICD.D
Alison Schneider is Vice President, Responsible Investment at AlMCo in Edmonton, Alberta and leads a team of 7 sustainability professionals. She is a recipient of the Canada Clean 50 Award (2020) and it’s Top Project Award (2019) is a co-founder of GRESB Infrastructure (2015) and sits on the GRESB Foundation Board. She sits on committees for ICGN, the G7 ILN and PRI. Alison is a published author, (The New Frontiers of Sovereign Investment 2017), co-authored ICGN’s Guidance on Diversity (2016), ICGN’s Guidance on Fiduciary Duty (2018) and actively contributes to the development of national and global sustainable finance frameworks. Alison is a volunteer instructor for the Canadian Climate Law Initiative, Institute of Corporate Directors and ILN’s Sustainable Infrastructure Fellowship program. She enjoys organizing local International Women’s Day events and is past-president and founder of Edmonton’s professional chapter of Net Impact (2011).
CFA, ICD.D
Terri Troy, CFA, ICD.D is Co-Founder of Placemore Capital Inc., an advisory firm that works closely with investment managers/GPs and accredited investors to match the right solutions with the right partners. In 2018 Terri retired as CEO of the Halifax Regional Municipality Pension Plan. She has more than 25 years of experience in investment management, pensions, corporate strategy, and mergers and acquisitions. As CEO of the Halifax Regional Municipality Pension Plan, she transformed the governance structure, investment strategy, and customer service function. Innovative investment strategies implemented included factor investing, portable alpha, and a significant emphasis on private investments including co-investments, syndications/club deals with other large institutional investors, and direct investments, etc.
While CEO, Terri was a Board member of a UK based energy company and a Board member of a Canadian financial services corporation. She was a member of Investor Advisory Committees for various global private investments including UK, European and US private equity; UK, Australian and Canadian infrastructure; European, UK, Asian, US and Canadian real estate; and European, UK, and US private debt.
Prior to the CEO role, Terri was responsible for the investment strategy for RBC’s 33 global pension plans between 2000-2006. Prior to RBC, Terri held various roles at CIBC including corporate strategy, mergers & acquisitions, and wealth management.
Terri has held various leadership roles in the pension industry including being a Board Member of the Pension Investment Association of Canada (PIAC), Chair of PIAC, Chair of PIAC’s Investment Practices Committee and Chair of PIAC’s Government Relations Committee.
Terri was a member of the International Limited Partnership’s Association’s Education Committee 2016-2018 and is currently on ILPA’s Teaching Faculty.
Over the course of her career, Terri has received many awards including the Leading Pension Plan Sponsor Award and the Top 25 Most Influential Plan Sponsors.
Terri has an MBA from York University and an HBBA from Wilfrid Laurier. She also holds the CFA charter and completed the ICD Rotman, Directors Education Program
CFA, MBA
Natasha is the Assistant Vice President, Pension Investments for NAV CANADA where she is responsible for the overall investment strategy for $7 billion in defined benefit pension assets.
Prior to moving to Ottawa, Natasha was the Chief Investment Officer at Provident10, where she was responsible for the oversight and strategic direction of Newfoundland and Labrador’s public service pension plan. Originally from Toronto, Natasha began her financial career in investment management at RBC Asset Management with a focus on equity research and stock picking.
Natasha received her Master of Business Administration from the Ivey School of Business at the University of Western Ontario and her Bachelor of Science (Chemical Engineering) from Queen’s University. Natasha is a CFA charterholder and a Professional Engineer of Ontario.
Mrs. Christine Tessier is currently Co-Chief Investment Officer at Foresters Financial, where she contributes to the oversight of the company’s general account and pension assets. She is currently a board member for The One Investment’s Joint Investment Board. Prior to joining Foresters, Mrs. Tessier was head of Investments at CAA Club Group, where she oversaw the company’s corporate, pension and P&C insurance assets. Prior to working in the insurance industry, Mrs. Tessier worked in institutional product development at Invesco Ltd. She was a Principal at Mercer Investments, where she focused on Manager Research. Mrs. Tessier is a CFA charterholder and a CAIA charterholder. She holds an honor bachelor of commerce degree from Laurentian University.
CFA & MBA
CFA, CPA, CMA
Tom Valks is Chief Investment Officer with uOttawa. Prior to joining uOttawa in 2016, he was a member of the national leadership team and senior investment manager with Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. Earlier in his career, he was a US and global equities portfolio manager, vice-president and partner in Montrusco Bolton Inc. and its predecessor company Bolton Tremblay Inc. His academic background includes a CFA charter, CPA, CMA designation and a business administration degree from the HEAO-School in The Netherlands.
MBA
Larry Zimmerman is the managing director and the head of private debt origination at Benefit Street Partners, based in our New York office. Prior to joining BSP in 2017, Mr. Zimmerman spent eight years at Piper Jaffray & Co where he served as head of financial sponsor coverage. Prior to joining Piper Jaffray in 2009, Mr. Zimmerman spent 19 years at Deutsche Bank and its predecessor Bankers Trust Company where he served as global co-head of industrials and previously worked in the mergers & acquisitions, sponsor coverage and leveraged finance groups. Mr. Zimmerman received a Master’s of Business Administration from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and a Bachelor of Arts from Georgetown University.