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Patrick Samson is Senior Vice President and Global Head of Real Assets Investments for the Public Sector Pension Investment Board (PSP Investments). Real Assets Investments is comprised of three private Asset Classes: Infrastructure, Natural Resources and Real Estate, representing a combined net allocation of 28.7% of the $CAD 230.5 billion PSP Investments fund.
With close to three decades of leadership, investment, financing and advisory experiences, Patrick has demonstrated a successful track record of building private investment portfolios and teams from the ground up and delivering value-added performance across sectors and geographies. As a member of the executive team at PSP Investments, Patrick plays a lead role in contributing towards the strategic design and implementation of PSP’s strategy.
As a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) and Chartered Business Valuator (CBV) by trade, he worked as a Financial Advisor with PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) on the international scene for 12 years and has been with PSP Investments since 2006. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce from University of Laval.
About PSP Investments
The Public Sector Pension Investment Board (PSP Investments) is one of Canada’s largest pension investment managers with $230.5 billion of net assets under management as of March 31, 2022. It manages a diversified global portfolio composed of investments in public financial markets, private equity, real estate, infrastructure, natural resources and credit investments. Established in 1999, PSP Investments manages and invests amounts transferred to it by the Government of Canada for the pension plans of the federal Public Service, the Canadian Forces, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the Reserve Force. Headquartered in Ottawa, PSP Investments has its principal business office in Montréal and offices in New York, London and Hong Kong.
Jane is Global Head of Sustainability at BNPP AM, where she oversees the firm’s ambitious approach to sustainable investment. This is empowered by the firm’s Sustainability Centre, which undertakes innovative research and policy development, guides BNPP AM’s investment stewardship and industry engagement activities, and supports investment teams in accessing, integrating and reporting on ESG factors. On the business side, Jane is responsible for BNPP AM’s Corporate Social Responsibility (‘CSR’) approach, ensuring the firm’s day-to-day activities reflect the high standards it expects from companies. Jane is a member of BNPP AM’s Global Investment and Business Management Committees, she is on the Board of BNPP AM France and reports to the Head of Investments. Previously, Jane spent 18 years with global investment consultancy Mercer, where she was Partner and founder of the firm’s Responsible Investment business. Jane regularly researches, writes and speaks on topics addressing the intersection of sustainability and climate with finance and investment. She is an Adjunct Professor at the University of Toronto and a Research Affiliate at the University Oxford Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment, and holds a Master of Social Science from the University of Amsterdam and a Bachelor of Economics and English literature with honours from York University.
CFA
Sarah Butcher, Head, Private Markets Distribution Canada, Private Credit, Fiera Capital (under the first session on April 25, with Koblavi and Christian). Her bio: Sarah Butcher is responsible for generating new business opportunities amongst Canadian institutional investors for Fiera Capital’s private credit strategies and leading Fiera Capital’s growth in global private credit. Sarah’s career in the institutional asset management industry spanned nearly two decades before joining Fiera Capital in 2022. Before joining the firm, she was a Dealing Representative assisting global investment management firms cultivate new relationships with institutional investors in Canada. Prior experiences include roles within the Institutional Client Group at Neuberger Berman and BlackRock. Sarah holds a Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) – Finance from the University of British Columbia and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from York University.
CFA
Alex Chase is the Manager of the real assets portfolio at the NAV Canada Pension Plan. His responsibilities include overseeing real estate, infrastructure and agriculture investments, in addition to the Plan’s Responsible Investment initiatives.
Alex previously worked for the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation as a member of the private markets team. Earlier in his career, Alex worked for KPMG and government entities in a financial advisory role on major infrastructure projects throughout Canada. Alex is a CFA charterholder.
CFA
Jeff Chan is Director, ESG Investing at Canada Post Corporate Pension Plan. In this role, Jeff leads all aspects of the plan’s ESG efforts including ESG integration, stewardship efforts and the implementation of the plan’s climate change strategy. Prior to this role, Jeff was Director, ESG at a large Canadian asset management firm where he developed and led the implementation of the firm’s ESG strategy and roadmap, including policy and process creation. Jeff also played an integral role in ESG product development and ESG-related client servicing.
Jeff is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and has completed a Master of Science in Sustainability Management from the University of Toronto and a Bachelor of Science (Life Sciences) from McMaster University. Jeff also holds the FSA Credential from the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) and the Sustainability and Climate Risk (SCR) Certificate from the Global Association of Risk Professionals (GARP).
Jenny is a Managing Director with MAM and is currently the Head of Portfolio and Strategy for Macquarie Infrastructure Partners Inc. In February 2023, Jenny was appointed as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the MIGS (MIRA Infrastructure Global Solutions) Platform. Prior to these roles, Jenny had responsibility for developing and executing the debt capital management strategy across MAM Private Markets portfolio assets and new acquisition targets. Jenny began her career with Macquarie as a graduate in 2001.
Before joining the MAM’s New York office in 2015, she worked in the Macquarie Capital advisory business and Macquarie’s direct lending business, making credit investments on behalf of Macquarie Bank Limited. In her role with Macquarie Capital, Jenny advised on the acquisitions of Hawaii Gas and the Dulles Greenway.
Jenny serves on the IC for the MIP funds and is a board member for GreenWaste (a California-based waste business) and Goethals Bridge.
She earned her Bachelor of Commerce (Honors) and Bachelor of Laws (Honors) from The University of Queensland.
CFA
CPA, CFA, CAIA
Pierre is Director, Investments with the Fondation Lucie et André Chagnon in Montreal, one of Canada’s largest independent foundations. He has more than 20 years of investment industry experience and joined the Foundation in 2018. He is a member of the investment team which oversees the design and structure of the investment portfolio, implements the investment policy, selects and monitors external managers, and reports on the management of the investment portfolio to the Foundation’s Investment Committee.
Prior to joining the Fondation Chagnon, Pierre spent three years as Senior Vice-President with a Montreal-based investment management firm, and twelve years as a Senior Consultant with Pavilion Advisory Group and its predecessor, Brockhouse Cooper. Pierre also has prior experience with a plan sponsor, having served as Controller and then Treasurer of Worksafe New Brunswick.
Pierre holds a Bachelor of Science (Computer Science) from the University of New Brunswick, as well as the CPA, CFA and CAIA designations.
Paul Chin is responsible for developing markets, identifying new investment opportunities and executing deals. He oversees all activities related to commercial real estate loans. Mr. Chin and his team oversee business development, underwriting, loan management, renewals, new loan syndications, and capital market-related activities.
Mr. Chin joined Otera Capital in 2009 as Vice-President & Head of Real Estate. Previously, he held various executive and senior positions at both domestic and foreign financial institutions.
ICD.D
Tanya is committed to creating catalytic impact pathways through a systems thinking approach. With more than 20 years of investment experience, Tanya carved out an executive pathway in private equity on the back of one key differentiator discovered early in her career: a passion for ESG injection into investment strategy and leadership. She went on to manage a $12B fund portfolio and global investment team as Managing Director and Head of Global Funds, Private Capital for Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan. A firm believer in the power of global collaboration, Tanya served as Chair of ILPA and was also a member of the UN PRI Private Equity Steering Committee.
Tanya holds a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) from Western University and earned her ICD.D designation from the Institute of Corporate Directors and Rotman (University of Toronto). With a non-traditional background in the world of private equity and corporate finance, she brings a progressive perspective and vision for a reimagined infrastructure of finance to support people, profit and purpose in equal balance.
Tanya serves as a speaker and advisor partnering with pension fund leaders, Boards, and institutional investors to re-imagine ESG, culture, and DE&I initiatives as part of their broader investment strategy. She believes the next frontier of sustainable, future-proofed investment can be achieved by leveraging holistic systems thinking, interconnectedness of investor and society, purpose loops and operational pathways for change.
CFA
Nicolas joined Bimcor in 2007 with a focus on private markets including infrastructure, real estate and private equity. He started his career at the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec (CDPQ) and also worked at two private equity funds of funds based in Europe before joining Bimcor.
Nicolas is an active member of the financial community and currently a member of the McGill University Pension Investment Committee. He graduated from HEC Montreal with a MSc and is a CFA charterholder since 2001.
Julien Eaton is a Director in the Origination & Execution team at InfraRed Capital Partners based in New York.
He focuses on sourcing and executing infrastructure investment opportunities across the space, both in development and at the operational stage. Julien works across the sectors that InfraRed operates in in North America, having for instance led or contributed to the acquisition of stakes in wind and solar generation portfolios, in electric transmission businesses, and in the development of a US-wide standalone battery storage platform or that of a private passenger ferry service in Vancouver.
Julien holds a BA in Land Economy from the University of Cambridge (United Kingdom) and a Masters in Regional and Urban Strategy from SciencesPo Paris (France).
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.
CFA
Andrew Garrett is Senior Principal, Real Estate at IMCO. He is responsible for growing the global real estate portfolio through strategy development, proactive asset management, and new investment partnerships. His primary focus is overseeing teams of asset managers and expanding the portfolio with new development partners in major global cities.
Before joining IMCO in 2019, Andrew spent more than 12 years at Cadillac Fairview (CF), where he was Director, Real Estate Development. In that role, he built and oversaw the team of specialists that evaluated and prioritized development-related growth opportunities to meet the long-term objectives of CF’s owner, Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan.
Andrew holds a Global Executive MBA from Kellogg School Management and a Real Estate Development Certification from MIT Centre for Real Estate.
Andrew sits on the board advisory committees for real estate private equity firms KingSett Capital, Royal York Hotel LP, Carttera, and Forgestone Capital. He also founded a B Corp social enterprise and serves on the management committee of the Urban Land Institute, supporting and advising on social purpose real estate projects.
Frédéric Gauvin is the President of the Retirement Committee and the Investment Committee of the University of Sherbrooke Retirement Plan. Mr. Gauvin has over 20 years of experience in financial management, including portfolio management, risk management, treasury, and investment and derivative product evaluation. He is currently the President of the Retirement Committee of the University of Sherbrooke and a financial risk management consultant, collaborating on several asset management projects with several institutional investors. He has also worked for CDCC Groupe TMX, Ernst & Young, Société Générale, and State Street Global Advisors. In addition, he is a member of the Investment Committees of the Quebec Notaries Chamber, the Quebec Notaries Professional Liability Fund, the Quebec Architect Liability Fund and the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary of Quebec foundation and investment fund.
Holding the CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) title, he graduated from the University of Sherbrooke with a Master’s degree in finance in 1998. His skills and experience in risk management align well with best practices for managing a retirement plan.
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
Tom is an Investment Director and is Head of Real Asset Equity Specialists, with a core remit to commercialize and grow the Real Assets business as an integral part of Aviva Investors strategy in active outcome-oriented solutions. Tom’s primary focus is to scale our co-mingled fund offering and develop strategic partnerships with global investors for transactions of scale across Real Estate and Infrastructure Equity.
Tom has eighteen years’ experience in Real Assets fund management and capital raising, with experience gained as both a principal and advisor in the UK and European markets. Prior to joining Aviva Investors, Tom was an Investment Director in the Product Strategy & Solutions team at Aberdeen Standard Investments focused on developing the Real Estate product strategy as a fundamental part of the firm’s Private Markets offer. Tom has also held roles at LaSalle and Lazard.
Tom has a BA and MA in Land Economy from the University of Cambridge and is a Member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (MRICS).
Brian Heafey is a Partner and is responsible for PCCP’s debt portfolio, serving as the Fund Manager for its various debt investment vehicles. Having joined PCCP in 2000, his fund management experience at the firm includes overseeing $4.9 billion in lending capacity for PCCP Credit X. Mr. Heafey also serves as the Fund Manager for PCCP Credit IX. Previously, Mr. Heafey was Head of Investment and Portfolio Management for both PCCP’s equity and debt portfolios and managed PCCP’s joint venture that originated over $3.8 billion of commercial real estate loans. Prior to joining PCCP, Mr. Heafey was a Consulting Manager for E&Y Kenneth Leventhal Real Estate Group throughout Asia and the United States.Mr. Heafey received his bachelor’s degree from Stanford University. He is a former Trustee for St. Ignatius College Preparatory, former board member of Rose Court, a low-income housing development and is active in Canine Companions for Independence.
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.
King Jang is a managing director with Benefit Street Partners based in our New York office, where he focuses on private debt opportunities across a range of industries. Additionally, Mr. Jang serves on the board of Kahala Aviation, BSP’s aircraft leasing platform. Prior to joining BSP in 2012, Mr. Jang worked at Behrman Capital, where he worked on private equity investments in a variety of industries, including the healthcare, business services, industrial and aerospace/defense sectors. Mr. Jang began his career as an analyst in the investment banking division of Merrill Lynch, focused on media and communications transactions. Mr. Jang graduated from the Stern School of Business at New York University with a Bachelor of Science.
MBA, CFA, CAIA
Ela Karahasanoglu advises institutional investors and asset managers on alternative investments, risk mitigation and portfolio construction from a total portfolio perspective. Previously, Ela led the Total Fund Management team at BCI. With roughly $200bn of managed assets, BCI is a leading provider of investment management services for British Columbia’s public sector.
Prior to joining BCI, Ela was a Managing Director, Multi-Asset Strategies at Investment Management Corporation of Ontario and WSIB, where Ela oversaw the $8.5bn Multi-Asset Strategies portfolio and acted as the Deputy CIO leading the investment team that managed WSIB’s $35bn portfolio. Before WSIB, Ela was the Vice President of Currency and Asset Allocation team at CIBC Asset Management. Prior to that, she was a Principal and Senior Manager Research Consultant in the Alternatives team within Mercer, covering a broad set of absolute return and hedge fund strategies.
Ela was previously the Head of Research and TradingEla serves as the Co-Head for CAIA’s Toronto Chapter. for six years at a New York-based quantitative macro hedge fund and also worked in the areas of credit derivatives and asset management at Merrill Lynch, New York. Ela started out her career as a currency and bond trader in Turkey.
Ela has over 20 years experience in the investment industry with over 13 years dedicated to research, trading, portfolio management and construction in the alternatives and absolute return space.
Ela holds a Master of Business Administration from Georgetown University. She has been a CFA Charterholder since 2002 and a CAIA Charterholder since 2010.
John has over 18 years’ experience across the energy space in trading, power marketing, renewable procurement and data center infrastructure. He is responsible for business development across Quinbrook’s existing and new investment in critical infrastructure with a focus on renewable and carbon-free power solutions. John joined Quinbrook from Amazon Web Services (“AWS”) where he was Head of Renewables and Energy Procurement and oversaw AWS’s renewable power procurement efforts across the Americas. During his time at AWS John’s team set records for renewable energy procurement by a corporate in back-to-back years with 4GW+ in 2020 and 6GW+ in 2021. Prior to his leadership role at AWS, John held commercial roles focused on global energy, renewable and infrastructure procurement at META (Facebook) as well as energy trading positions at Morgan Stanley and Shell Energy North America.
Peter Martin Larsen is UPP’s Senior Managing Director, Head of Private Markets, responsible for UPP’s Private Markets portfolio comprising the infrastructure, real estate, private equity, and private debt asset classes. Prior to joining UPP, Peter held senior investor roles at one of Europe’s largest institutional investors, PensionDanmark, and advisory firm and investment banking positions at PwC and Macquarie Capital. Peter has served on the Boards of Directors of multiple large infrastructure companies, and currently sits on the Investment Committee of the Danish Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Investment Fund, a DKK 5bn public-private partnership contributing to the realization of the 17 UN SDGs through investments in developing countries. Peter has Master’s Degrees in Finance and Economics from the London School of Economics and the University of Copenhagen.
CFA
Matthew Leatherman joined FCLT Global from North Carolina Department of State Treasurer where he served as Policy Director. Matthew contributed to the Department adopting a policy on long-term stewardship for approximately $100 billion of assets under its management and to updating practices for how staff incorporate longer-term factors into the evaluation of debt issued by local governments. He also was staff director of the Department’s Corporate Governance Committee, a body responsible for conducting the Department’s engagement with regulators, dialogue with corporate issuers, and voting of proxy ballots.
Matthew’s earlier career focused on U.S. fiscal research, most recently at the Stimson Center in Washington D.C. His commentary in outlets like Bloomberg Government was influential for understanding government shutdown and budget sequestration the terms of fiscal impact, management process, and the governance relationship between executive and legislative branches. Matthew advised the Rivlin-Domenici Debt Reduction Commission on military budgeting and management, including the structure of retirement and health care benefits for U.S. service-members. His fiscal research has been published by Foreign Affairs, International Herald Tribune, Washington Post, McClatchy-Tribune News Service, and other outlets.
Matthew is a Board member of the John Rex Endowment, a $75 million fund with a focus on improving mental health, preventing injury, and expanding access to healthy lifestyles for children in Wake County (NC). He is a term member of the Council on Foreign Relations and holds degrees from the University of North Carolina and Columbia University.
MBA, ICD.D
Bertrand Millot leads the Stewardship Investing team, which is responsible for defining and implementing CDPQ’s strategic directions, including integrating ESG factors into all activities and deploying the climate strategy. His responsibilities have three aspects: helping investment teams structure impactful investment opportunities (particularly with regard to social, climate and energy transition investments); managing risks related to ESG, climate change and reputation and contributing to the organization’s outreach in collaboration with the CDPQ Global team. Mr. Millot is one of the architects of CDPQ’s climate change strategy and a seasoned investor in infrastructure and corporate debt in emerging markets, fields where ESG considerations have historically been at the forefront. At CDPQ since 2015, he previously held various positions in risk management and stewardship investing, including Business Unit Risk Manager for the Fixed Income, Capital Solutions and Cross-functional Risk portfolios. He also served as Head of Climate Risk and Issues and led the Stewardship Investing team. Before joining CDPQ, Mr. Millot was CEO and CIO at Cordiant Capital, an emerging market corporate debt fund manager. Earlier in his career, he was active in infrastructure project finance with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development in London, U.K. and with BNP Paribas in Paris, France. Mr. Millot holds an MBA from McGill University, a Master’s in Engineering from École Nationale Supérieure d’Arts et Métiers in Paris and is a member of the Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD.D designation).
Philippe is an Executive Director in the Structuring & Private Debt Team where he leads the firm’s NAV Financing efforts and is responsible for sourcing, evaluating and executing NAV Financing transactions.
Philippe joined AXA IM Prime in 2022 upon launch of the platform from AXA Group where he was with the Group Investment Team focusing on alternative credit. During his time with the Group Investment Team, he covered a wide range of credit products, including NAV Financing. Previously, he was with BNP Paribas from 2001 to 2019 where he held various senior positions in Paris and New York in the Asset-Backed Group (Global Markets) and Asset-Based Group (Corporate & Institutional Banking). When starting as a junior banker in Paris, he joined the European Securitization Group of the bank serving the needs of third-party issuers. When in New York from 2006 to 2013, he was promoted Director and responsible for originating and structuring ABS (Asset-Backed Security) and ABCP (Asset-Backed Commercial Paper) transactions across several asset classes, most notably accounts receivable, credit cards and equipment leases. Back in Paris in 2013, he moved to Corporate & Institutional Banking and focused on asset-based solutions funded directly by the bank’s balance sheet and pioneered new asset classes like handset receivables. Philippe studied at ESSEC Business School and Paris Dauphine University.
In her role as Head of Social Impact and Inclusion, Sustainable Investments, Sunita acts as a catalyst for the development and execution of the corporate social impact and inclusion strategy- the “S” of ESG. This includes the social impact of the company’s real estate investments, the communities in which it invests as well as the diversity, equity and inclusion strategy by positioning Ivanhoé Cambridge as a real estate industry leader in these three areas. In addition to this role, Sunita has held various leadership roles in Legal Affairs, Investment Management for nearly 15 years, where she provided strategic value oriented solutions for projects in Canada and the United States related to the Retail, Office and Industrial assets. In 2015, she was recognized by Lexpert Rising Stars, as one of Canada’s leading lawyers under 40. Sunita has also been instrumental as lead counsel for CIBC SQUARE – new transformational office development downtown Toronto of more than 3M sf.
Recognized for her leadership qualities and keen mind, Sunita is actively involved with several organizations dedicated to the commercial real estate industry as well as workplace diversity, equity and inclusion. She is a Director on the board of NAIOP Toronto and a member of CREW Toronto. She has also served as Co-President of the Promotion Committee of Women in Governance. She was the initiator and ambassador of the first Women’s Forum at Ivanhoé Cambridge.
Sunita holds a Bachelor of Political Science, a Bachelor of Laws and is a member of the Ontario Bar. She received her Mini-MBA from the Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC). Sunita speaks four languages: Hindi, Punjabi, French and English.
CFA & Esq.
Winston Ma, CFA & Esq., is an investor, attorney, author, and adjunct professor in the global digital economy. He is a partner of Dragon Global, an AI-focused family office (founding member: Dragon.AI). He is also an advisory board member of Capgemini, the Paris-headquartered Global IT consulting firm, and an Adjunct Professor at NYU Law School on SWF fund topics.
Most recently for 10 years, he was Managing Director and Head of North America Office for China Investment Corporation (CIC), China’s sovereign wealth fund. Prior to that, Mr. Ma served as the deputy head of equity capital markets at Barclays Capital, a vice president at J.P. Morgan investment banking, and a corporate lawyer at Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP. He is one of a small number of native Chinese who have worked as investment professionals and practicing capital markets attorneys in both the United States and China.
A nationally certified Software Programmer as early as 1994, Mr. Ma is the author of more than 10 books on SWF funds, China, and global digital economy, including The Hunt for Unicorns: How Sovereign Funds are Reshaping Investment in the Digital Economy and most recently “Blockchain and Web3”. He has been frequently interviewed by CNBC and Bloomberg TV and quoted by major financial media including WSJ, Reuters, and Financial Times. He was selected a 2013 Young Global Leader at the World Economic Forum (WEF), and in 2014 he received the NYU Distinguished Alumni Award.
Charles Perreault is Managing Director, Strategy and portfolio construction at CDPQ Global Infrastructures Inc. Infrastructure investments amounted more than $CA 54 billion on December 31st 2022, which represented an allocation of 13,6 % of CDPQ’s net asset.
Charles is responsible for the development and implementation of the strategic plan and the portfolio construction for the Infrastructure team. He’s also in charge of the design and deployment of new investment and financing activities for the portfolio. The team under its management is also responsible for business development and administration and investment support.
Charles has over 20 years of experience in investing in private equity and infrastructure. Since joining CDPQ in 2000, he has held various positions related to transactions, post-investment management and strategy in private equity and infrastructure. In addition to being a member of the Infrastructure portfolio’s Management and Investment committees, Charles sits on CDPQ’s Currency and Infrastructure Financing committees.
Charles holds a Master of Administration and a Bachelor of Business Administration from Université de Sherbrooke and is a CFA charterholder.
Joel Paula joined FCLTGlobal after seven years working at the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) as a Policy Advisor. While at the OECD, Joel advised OECD member countries and partners, member countries of the G20, and APEC economies on long-term investment, infrastructure finance, the low-carbon transition, and digital transformation in infrastructure systems.
This included a coordinating role at the G20 Infrastructure Working Group, the G20/OECD Task Force on Long-term Investment, and the development of a G20/OECD Collaboration with long-term investors in infrastructure. The collaboration entailed working closely with institutional investors such as asset managers, pension funds, sovereign wealth funds, and insurance companies on policies to promote long-term investment in both public and private markets. Joel’s policy work included publications and policy documents, speaking at events, and capacity building with partner countries.
Joel was a member of the Advisory Committee of the OECD Staff Provident Fund. He holds degrees from Bentley University and the Fletcher School at Tufts University. He is a Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA) charterholder.
CFA, ASA
Phil Pothier joined Albourne in August 2011 and is a Partner and Investment Due Diligence Analyst on the Real Assets team based out of the Toronto office. He focuses on natural resources and energy transition strategies across both liquid and illiquid alternative investments, providing research to a wide range of clients including family offices, foundations, endowments, and public/private pension plans. Prior to Albourne, he previously held roles at Moody’s Analytics AXIS, Keel Capital, and John Hancock/Manulife. He has 22 years of investment and financial services experience and holds an undergraduate degree in economics and mathematics from Dalhousie University. He is a CFA Charterholder and an Associate of the Society of Actuaries.
Michelle Russell-Dowe is the Global Head of Securitized Product & Asset-Based Finance at Schroders Capital based in New York; she is responsible for managing the alternative credit business within Securitized Products & Asset-Based Finance as well as the investment strategies.
Michelle was the Head of Securitized Products at Brookfield Investment Management (previously Hyperion Capital Management) from 1999 to 2016; she was responsible for managing the Securitized Product Investment Team, and the strategies falling under the team. Prior to her buyside career, Michelle was a Vice President at Duff & Phelps Credit Rating Co, where she was responsible for rating securities including residential mortgage-backed securities and asset-backed securities.
She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from Princeton University and a Master of Business Administration degree from the Graduate School of Business at Columbia University, where she graduated as valedictorian.
Sean has more than 20 years of experience leading investment teams in fixed income strategies that included private lending exposures in emerging and developed countries around the world.
Having built and led investment management businesses at world-class financial institutions, most notably managing the fixed income asset class for Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan ($100 billion plus fund). Sean possesses a global and institutional perspective as well as possessing the unique knowledge base of how to manage a successful debt-based investment strategy.
CIPM
Cynthia Shaw-Pereira is Head of Client Solutions Design, BNY Mellon Global Risk Solutions. With nearly 20 years of experience in asset servicing, Cynthia is responsible for the client solutioning of performance and risk analytics products and services for institutional investors globally. Cynthia works closely with sophisticated clients to understand, identify and solve their growing investment analytics and data needs, and advance their ability to achieve strategic data goals.
In addition, Cynthia helps institutional investors navigate the growing complexities, opportunities and challenges related to the shifting Environmental, Social and Governance space in the Canadian market. She is a member of the Investment Association (RIA) Investment Working Group, at which asset owners, asset managers, insurance companies and other industry stakeholders collaboratively explore responsible investment topics prevalent in Canada. Cynthia is a frequent speaker at industry conferences and events on topics related to investment analytics, ESG and performance measurement across asset classes.
Based in Toronto, Canada, Cynthia holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Toronto and a Certificate in Investment Performance Measurement (CIPM).
Mick is a Managing Director and Portfolio Manager for the Ninepoint-Monroe U.S. Private Debt Fund and Monroe’s high net worth portfolios, including serving as the Chief Financial Officer and Chief Investment Officer of Monroe Capital Corporation (NASDAQ: MRCC) and Monroe Capital Income Plus Corporation business development companies. He has over 40 years of experience in alternative investing, corporate finance, restructuring and special situations. Prior to Monroe, Mick was a Managing Director and member of the senior leadership team at Allstate Investments where he was responsible for the opportunistic portfolio strategy which focused on deploying flexible and nimble private capital in complex or non-traditional situations. Prior to Allstate, he has held senior alternative investment management and investment banking positions at Macquarie Capital (USA), Inc., Ernst & Young Corporate Finance, LLC and Banc of America Securities, LLC. Mick earned his M.B.A. from the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business and his B.S. in Finance from Western Illinois University. In addition to being a member of the Turnaround Management Association, He serves as a director of numerous private companies and non-profit organizations.
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, 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
Andrew joined Carleton University in September 2022 and is responsible for overseeing all activities related to the investments of the Carleton University Retirement and Endowment Funds. Prior to Carleton, Andrew was a portfolio manager, private assets at NAV Canada where he was responsible for the real assets and private equity investments of NAV CANADA’s pension plan. Prior to NAV CANADA, Andrew was an Associate at PPP Canada where he worked with municipalities, provinces and federal entities to procure public-private partnerships in transportation, water and wastewater sectors.
Pierre Vaquier joined Tikehau Capital in 2018 and currently serves in the non-salaried posts of Co-Head of Real Estate and Chairman of the Sofidy and Selectirente Supervisory Boards.
Previously, Pierre was Chief Executive Officer of AXA Investment Managers which he founded. He started his career at Antin Gérance.
He then worked at PARIBAS for 13 years where he successively served as Head of International Operations, Head of Merchant Banking Real Estate Activities for PARIBAS New York and Chief Executive Officer of PARIBAS Properties Inc.
Mike Woollatt is Managing Director and Head of Canada for Hamilton Lane.
Prior to joining Hamilton Lane, Mike was a Director at OMERS pension plan and was previously the CEO of the Canadian Private Equity Association. He also co-founded a management consulting firm and held senior executive roles at some major Canadian corporations. Mike also worked for the Government of Canada as an economist and a political advisor to the Minister of Finance. He began his career as a project economist overseas and has taught economics at the university level.