To access the full document, please enter the password,
or email connect@institutionalconnect.com for more information
or email connect@institutionalconnect.com for more information
Gigi is a rising sustainability professional with a focus on climate fintech. She is currently a founding member of Kanata Advisors, an advisory firm for sustainable fintech startups, and an impact accountability fellow for CRANE at Prime coalition, where she helps investors assess the GHG impact potential of climate ventures.
Gigi holds a HBSc in Environmental Studies and Environmental Biology from the University of Toronto (with highest honors), with certifications in Business Fundamentals and Sustainable Pathways. She’s currently pursuing a Master in Environmental Science (MEnvSc) at UofT, where she received an Environmental Scholarship. Her sustainability efforts have been recognized with a number of in-course and merit-based awards, such as the Young Entrepreneur Scholarship (YES) Award and the UTM’s IMIvator award.
M.Sc., CFA
Olivier Bourassa is Associate Portfolio Manager, Foreign Currencies at the Investment Management Corporation of Ontario (IMCO). In his role Olivier is responsible for managing multi-billion-dollar passive hedging and foreign exchange (FX) completion mandates across multiple currencies and strategies. His focus is on conducting research and quantitative analysis to recommend strategic hedge ratios, providing advice on currencies, and FX trading.
Olivier joined IMCO in 2021 after spending six years at the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec (CDPQ). As a member of the Portfolio Construction and Risk teams, he was responsible for generating long-term capital market assumptions for fixed income, currencies, and illiquid assets, conducting empirical research and statistical modelling on various fixed income and FX topics, and developing methodologies to stress-test credit portfolios and currencies in projected economic scenarios.
Olivier holds a Master of Science in Finance and a Bachelor of Science in Economics from the Université de Sherbrooke in Québec and 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).
Maggie brings over 20 years of corporate experience to her coaching practice. She understands the challenges of attracting, developing, and retaining high-performing teams and leverages that experience with her clients. Her experience includes 15 years working closely with senior leaders at one of the world’s leading global pension firms, high growth Private Equity firms, Capital Markets, government and Pharmaceutical companies.
Maggie’s approach combines rigorous process with deep empathy and compassion. She helps clients set and achieve meaningful goals while remaining authentic to their core values. She invites her diverse clients to bring their whole selves to each engagement.
Maggie is particularly interested in supporting new and emerging leaders as they make the transition to leadership and require a shift in mindset, an enhancement of leadership skills and a move from “doer” to “coach”.
In addition to an MA in Leadership, Maggie is also certified in MBTI and Hogan assessments, EQ-i 2.0 and EQ 360 and the Airtime BA method of behavioural awareness. She is ACC certificatied through the International Coaching Federation (ICF) and has a BSc in Biochemistry from Trent University.
In her own time, Maggie enjoys spinning, Scrabble, serving at her church and hanging out with her French Bulldog Gus. She recently ran her first marathon in Chicago.
Carrie is Director, Real Estate at University Pension Plan (UPP) and is responsible for helping develop UPP’s Private Markets strategy, with a specific focus on building the global real estate investment portfolio. Prior to UPP, Carrie spent 10+ years at Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP), a major Canadian pension plan with +$100 billion in net assets and a +$16 billion global real estate portfolio. Her most recent role was as Senior Associate, Real Estate where she assisted in the creation and implementation of strategies for HOOPP Real Estate’s Global Office and Alternatives portfolios. Carrie holds a BCom degree from McGill University.
CFA
Whitney Hu is a Business Development Specialist within the Institutional Markets team at Fiera Capital supporting clients and prospects across Canada. Prior to joining Fiera Capital, Whitney was responsible for servicing a diverse group of clientele such as family offices, foundations, and Indigenous communities at Connor, Clark and Lunn Private Capital.
Whitney has a Bachelor of Commerce in Finance from John Molson School of Business at Concordia University. She is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and has a certificate in ESG Investing from CFA Institute. She serves as a committee member of 100 Women in Finance Toronto and volunteers with the Concordia University regional chapter.
CFA, MBA
Charissa is a South African-born Canadian investment professional with an expertise in Investing, Strategy, and Portfolio Management, with a focus on Private Equity. With over a decade of experience in the pension industry at CPPIB and IMCO, as well as tenure in Investment Banking at Morgan Stanley, she brings a wealth of knowledge and a global perspective to her work. Charissa’s international career has taken her across South Africa, England, Canada, China, and the USA, equipping her with a diverse and nuanced understanding of global cultures and markets.
Her expertise encompasses selecting top fund managers and co-investments, crafting innovative alternative investment strategies, and cultivating strong relationships with key stakeholders. Charissa’s leadership and impact in the industry were recognized with the Woman in Capital Markets Emerging Leaders Award in 2016.
She earned her MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management in Chicago and holds an H.B.Sc in Computer Science and Commerce from the University of Toronto. As a CFA Charterholder and a Board Director of the Toronto Humane Society, Charissa exemplifies both professional excellence and a commitment to community service.
CFA
Lekan is responsible for raising capital from Canadian Institutional Investors for Fiera’s $18B private markets investment platform, with opportunities across private equity, private debt, real estate, infrastructure, farmland and timberland.
Lekan has more than 7 years of industry experience. Prior to joining Fiera Capital, Lekan worked for a couple of Canada’s largest investment management and financial services firms, specializing in business development and client servicing. In addition, Lekan played for the CFL’s Montreal Alouettes as a defensive back.
Lekan obtained a Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) in Finance from the University of Windsor: Odette School of Business. He has completed Levels 1 & 2 of the CFA curriculum and is currently a CFA Level 3 Candidate.
As Associate Director, Public Equity at University Pension Plan, Nirupa leads the construction and oversight of the Active Public Equity portfolio for UPP. In her role, she is responsible for research and due diligence of long-only equity managers as well as the long-term strategic direction of the Active Public Equity Portfolio.
Nirupa’s career spans Canada’s top pension plans, Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan and CPP Investments, as well as a prominent Canadian Family Office. Her experience encompasses diverse roles across private and public markets, covering various asset classes. She has helped build and maintain global systematic investment strategies, structure hedge fund and fixed income external manager portfolios, spent time in Hong Kong supporting direct lending activities to companies in the Asia-Pac region and has experience investing in early to late-stage private equity as well as public investment strategies.
Nirupa holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Financial Mathematics with Business Administration from Wilfrid Laurier University. Outside of her professional pursuits, Nirupa enjoys spending time with her family, including her two young daughters, and is a proud ambassador for the Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation, an organization dear to her heart.
Ryan Mak joined Canada Post Corporation Pension Plan in 2021 and is currently a Senior Portfolio Manager, Infrastructure Investments. In his role, Ryan is responsible for investment due diligence, portfolio construction, and monitoring of existing infrastructure assets. Prior to his role at Canada Post, Ryan was an Associate at investment management firm Neuberger Berman Group LLC where he worked across the private markets platform.
Ryan holds an Honours Business Administration (HBA) degree from the Ivey Business School and a Bachelor of Engineering Science (BESc), Integrated Engineering degree from Western University. Ryan is also a CFA charterholder.
Jeffery Sun is the Director of Multi-Strategy Investments, where he manages investments in transformative, early-stage technologies at OPTrust. Prior to this role, he focused on macro trading and systematic strategies. Mr. Sun holds a master’s degree in Computer Science from Georgia Tech and a degree in Mathematical Finance from the University of Toronto.
Lucky is a seasoned Portfolio Manager in Trading and Total Fund Management at CPP Investments. She leads the Global Trading Solutions business function, driving innovation, advancing technology and excellence in trading strategies and solutions.
Lucky began her career in the UK as an FX Trader, where she demonstrated her acumen in the trading arena. Over the course of her career, Lucky developed extensive technology expertise in various roles leading to modernizing trading technology. She also has expanded her expertise to encompass Electronic Trading, Institutional Equity Sales, Private Investments, Real Estate, and Trading.
This diverse experience has equipped her with a comprehensive and holistic understanding of the financial markets, trading and the intricacies of technology. She has successfully integrated solutions to enhance trading efficiency and performance, ensuring that the organization stays ahead in a rapidly evolving financial landscape.
With over 20 years of industry experience, Lucky has a proven track record of executing highly visible strategic and technology initiatives. Her ability to work with key senior stakeholders across organizations has been instrumental in shaping and supporting trading functions. Her leadership and strategic vision have consistently delivered exceptional results.
Prior to her current role, Lucky held positions at highly regarded blue chip financial institutions, including Morgan Stanley and HSBC where she further honed her skills and expertise in the financial sector.
Lucky holds a Master of Science in Finance from the University of Leicester Business School.
CFA
Zarqaa Shaikh is the Managing Director of Completion Portfolio Strategies in the Total Portfolio Management group. Zarqaa joined OPTrust in 2017 and is responsible for co-managing the liquid public markets portfolio to complete the Total Fund’s risk factor exposure and enhance the Fund’s risk and return profile. Zarqaa provides strategic direction on the Plan’s externally managed public-market investments. In addition, Zarqaa manages the team’s overall Hedge Funds strategy and portfolio construction. Zarqaa also manages several venture capital relationships within the Technology & Innovation Portfolio.
Before joining OPTrust in September 2017, Zarqaa spent close to four years working in private equity at Starling Group, a family office in Dubai, and allocating capital across North America, Europe and Asia.
Zarqaa holds an MBA from the Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto. She is also a CFA Charterholder.
With net assets of $25 billion, OPTrust invests and manages the OPSEU Pension Plan, a defined benefit plan with over 110,000 active members and retirees.
Brittany Trumper is a Director on the Global Investment Strategy team at the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan. In her role, Brittany is responsible for developing strategic responses to emerging global themes that traverse asset classes and regions. She leads key cross-functional, strategic initiatives for the Investments Division and enterprise across a range of topics, including AI, technology and data, and geopolitics.
Prior to joining OTPP, Brittany was a Senior Manager in Deloitte’s M&A practice, specializing in Integration & Separation Advisory, and was the Chief of Staff for Deloitte’s National Consumer Practice. Brittany brings over 13 years of experience across a number of industries, including CPG & Retail, Transportation, Mining, and Technology, and has advised on more than 15 transactions. Her experience advising clients spans integration design and execution, M&A strategy and market analysis, value creation, due diligence, and large program management.
She began her career in the gold mining industry as a corporate lobbyist.
Brittany holds a Masters in Global Affairs from the Munk School of Global Affairs at the University of Toronto and BA in Political Science from McGill University.
MBA
Parnaz is the Director of Innovation labs at AIMCo. In her role, she is researching the applications of advanced analytics and emerging technologies that can enhance the investment outcomes for their clients and the millions of Albertans they serve.
Before joining AIMCO, she was part of CPP Investment’s Alpha Generation Lab and Investment Research team. With over a decade of experience in technology consulting, Parnaz has been instrumental in the lifecycle management of transformative AI projects across diverse sectors.
Beyond her professional endeavors, Parnaz is a university lecturer at Concordia University and a passionate advocate for diversity in tech. She actively participates in initiatives that support women in STEM and provides mentorship to emerging fintech and AI enterprises. Parnaz holds a Bachelor of Engineering from McGill University, a Master of Science from Concordia University, and an MBA from HEC.
CFA, FRM
Michael Yin is a highly skilled financial risk management professional based in Victoria, BC, with a wealth of experience in the Canadian financial sector. Throughout his career, Michael has showcased his expertise in investment risk modelling. As a Senior Associate at the British Columbia Investment Management Corporation, he spearheaded counterparty risk assessment initiatives, devised a comprehensive liquidity risk framework, and collaborated with private equity, infrastructure, and real estate teams on pacing models. Furthermore, he designed and updated liquidity dashboards to facilitate monthly rebalancing and informed client asset mix decisions.
A holder of both CFA and FRM designations, Michael boasts an impressive educational background, having earned a Master of Financial Risk Management from the Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto. During his time there, he excelled in coursework, including Credit Risk, Market Risk, and Advanced Investment, further solidifying his knowledge and expertise in the field.
Criteria
Green Key certified establishments meet a set of high standard environmental requirements. The Green Key criteria and their explanatory notes are available to all interested parties and can be downloaded below. We have developed criteria and explanatory notes for six Green Key categories (hotels and hostels, campsites and holiday parks, small accommodations, conference centres, restaurants, and attractions) covering the same 13 criteria areas.