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Evan Siddall joined AIMCo as Chief Executive Officer in July, 2021. Previously, Evan served as President & Chief Executive Officer of the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). Under his leadership, CMHC transformed itself into a client-centered, innovative, impactful organization. Evan’s three decade career in finance also includes stints with leading investment banking firms in Toronto and New York and two years as a senior executive with Irving Oil Limited.
Evan has a B.A. in Management Economics from the University of Guelph, a law degree from Osgoode Hall Law School and has completed Harvard Business School’s Presidents Program in Leadership.
He co-founded Growling Beaver Brevet, the largest single day fundraiser for Parkinson’s in Canada, which has raised nearly $2 million in five years. Evan is a dedicated cyclist, skier and a voracious reader. He has two adult children.
FSA, FCIA, CFA
As Chief Investment Officer, Sadiq S. Adatia manages the BMO Global Asset Management (BMO GAM) Investment Team. Sadiq sits on BMO GAM Executive Committee and is responsible for investment strategy and risk management. He will oversee the investment team on asset allocation, portfolio structure, and fund strategies across all traditional asset classes, and investment functions, including Trading, Portfolio Analytics and Investment Governance. Sadiq joined BMO GAM in July 2021, bringing with him strong knowledge and expertise in managed solutions, risk management, derivatives and tactical asset allocation.
His investment strategy has focused squarely on managing investment risk while still pursuing the growth investors are looking for. A strategy that has been widely embraced, with Sadiq’s team overseeing more than $150 billion today.
Sadiq’s investment knowledge is also sought after in the broader investment community, and is frequently asked by media outlets like CNBC, BNN/Bloomberg and Reuters for his insights. He also travels extensively across Canada, meeting with advisors, consultants, investors, plan sponsors and companies to discuss portfolio positioning, markets and the world economy. Before joining BMO GAM, Sadiq was Chief Investment Officer at Sun Life Global Investments and Russell
Leo started his career at the Bank of Canada in 1975. He served eight institutions based in four countries before ostensibly retiring in 2014 as CEO of Alberta Investment Management Corporation. His passion is investment innovation. At Ontario Teachers’, he and his team were early pension fund investors in Infrastructure, natural, and commodities.
In his 9th incarnation, he works with small companies commercializing new technologies in energy, agriculture, sustainable fertilizer, and geothermal. He is on the Board of Sustainable Development Technology Corporation in Ottawa and a Senior Fellow at the C.D. Howe Institute in Toronto.
Leo grew up in the Netherlands, received his Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Wisconsin, and lives on an organic farm south of Calgary.
MBA
CAIA
Brittany Jones is Senior Manager of Portfolio Analytics and Research within the Capital Markets Branch of the Government of Alberta. Her branch is responsible for the oversight of more than $40 billion in investable assets, including Government specialty accounts, long-term disability management plans, defined benefit pensions, and endowments. Previously, she was a Trader on the debt and derivatives desk, where one of her main accomplishments was starting a U.S. Commercial Program and growing it to USD $6 billion. Prior to that, she worked in Client Management for a multi-client asset manager with roughly $130 billion in assets under management. Brittany has more than a decade of experience in institutional asset management and government financing. She is a Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst and has a Bachelor of Business Administration, Northern Alberta Institute of Technology.
Brett House is Principal at Tesseract Advisors. Until recently, he was Vice-President and Deputy Chief Economist at Scotiabank. Prior to joining Scotiabank in October 2016, Brett was Chief Economist at an alternative investment management start-up in Toronto and Global Strategist at Woodbine Capital Advisors, a New York-based global macro fund. Earlier in his career, Brett served as Principal Advisor in the Executive Office of the United Nations Secretary-General and as an Economist at the International Monetary Fund. He cut his teeth in financial markets at Goldman Sachs International in London and at the World Bank in Washington, DC. Brett is a Rhodes Scholar with degrees in economics from the University of Oxford and Queen’s University at Kingston. In addition, he has taught at Oxford University, McGill University, and the University of Cape Town, and has held research roles at Columbia University and Massey College at the University of Toronto. Brett sits on the investment committees of Pearson College and the Canadian Rhodes Scholars’ Foundation. He received the 2014 Québec Notable Award in Finance, the 2015 Good Citizen Award from his hometown of Lincoln, Ontario, and the 2018 Professional Leader Award from Start Proud. He was named a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum (Davos).
Ben Hawkins leads AIMCo’s team of investment professionals responsible for a global portfolio of Infrastructure and Renewable Resources investments valued at more than $12 billion. Ben also serves on the board of directors for AES Clean Energy, with previous board appointments with London City Airport, Puget Sound Energy, Grupo SAESA, Mosaic Forest Corp and Autopista Central. Ben joined AIMCo in 2007 as a Portfolio Manager with a focus on strengthening the direct investment capabilities for the asset class.
Since becoming part of the Infrastructure team, Ben has held progressively more senior positions resulting in him becoming head of the group in 2014. Ben’s previous experience includes the utility sector where he worked in several commercial roles developing and acquiring infrastructure assets across the U.S. and Canada. Prior to that, Ben worked for an advisory firm providing private capital solutions as well as developing and refining business strategy.
MBA, CFA
PhD
Dr. Mike joined Gallagher Benefits Services (Canada) Group Inc. in 2018. Recently finishing his PhD in Neuroscience at the University of Calgary, bringing his unique perspectives into the wellbeing practice here at Gallagher.
As the National Practice Leader for Wellbeing, Dr. Mike partners with Gallagher teams and clients across Canada to design and integrate multidimensional wellbeing initiatives and strategies. Dr. Mike is an effective communicator with an innate ability to collaborate and find solutions to organizations unique issues. With his PhD in neuroscience and background in research, Dr. Mike is passionate about improving organizations Physical and Emotional Wellbeing by providing a unique science based approach to managing risk. By taking the time to understand organizational culture, goals, and mission, Dr. Mike ensures that wellbeing strategies are thoughtfully aligned to support business objectives.
Mike is a published author who focused his doctoral research on repurposing pharmaceutical drugs and finding effective treatments for patients suffering from chronic pain, opioid addiction and mental health diseases. Mike is excited to synergize his passion for neuroscience with the evolving landscape of organizational wellbeing.
Darcie James Maxwell is Head of Canadian Operations, Data & Platform Solutions, BNY Mellon. She is also a member of the CIBC Mellon leadership team.
As Head of Canadian Operations, Data & Platform Solutions Darcie works with institutional and wealth investors to assess and analyze their business strategy, business requirements, current state environment and technology choices, bringing forward alternatives that designed to meet their business needs. She works across our Canadian and global organization to translate a client strategy into operational reality.
Darcie has more than 25 years of data, investment technology, performance and attribution experience. Her previous roles across the BNY Mellon global enterprise include project management, implementation consulting, and relationship management. She also serves as a member of the Board of Directors for The Learning Partnership.
Dylan Oelofse is AIMCo’s Risk Director covering Public Equity and Tactical portfolios, providing risk advice to the respective investment teams. He has a background as a fixed income and multi-asset portfolio manager, including several years as an interest rate derivative market maker. His interests are analyzing decisions taken in an uncertain environment, macroeconomics, music and fly fishing.
CFA
Catherine Rothrock is the Chief Economist for the Government of Alberta. Her team analyzes economic trends and develops forecasts to support budget and fiscal planning for the government.
Catherine started her career in the energy sector as an analyst in Calgary for Enron, UBS Warburg Energy, and Purvin & Gertz, an oil and gas consulting firm. She brought her experience to Alberta Energy in 2008, where she studied oil markets and developed the oil price forecast. In 2011, Catherine joined Alberta Treasury Board and Finance as a manager in the Economics, Demography, and Public Finance branch before serving as the Deputy Chief Economist. Catherine also has a keen interest in development which took her to Mozambique for three years, where she worked with local NGOs and learned to speak Portuguese.
Catherine holds a Master’s degree in economics from the University of Guelph.
MBA
Irish dancer-turned-sustainability and communications professional Ashton Rudanec is a proud alumna of the Alberta School of Business MBA (’16) and BCom (’12) programs. After getting her start in marketing with local non-profit organizations, she worked as a consultant delivering marketing and communications solutions to a diverse portfolio of clients.
From 2012-2015, Ashton worked for the Alberta Cancer Foundation as a Communications & Marketing Associate and was responsible for the growth of the Foundation’s social media presence into an award-winning program.
Upon graduating from the MBA program, Ashton worked as Director, Recruitment, Admissions and Marketing with the Alberta School of Business where she promoted master’s degree programs to prospective students worldwide.
Ashton joined Alberta Investment Management Corporation (AIMCo) in 2017 as a Responsible Investment Analyst and completed a secondment as Acting Manager, Employee Engagement. Currently, Ashton is Manager, Corporate Services at AIMCo where she manages internal communications and corporate programs including Diversity, Equity & Inclusion.
An active volunteer, Ashton is Member at Large on the University of Alberta’s Alumni Council, Past President of the Business Alumni Association, Fundraising Committee Chair for the AIMCo Foundation for Financial Education, Member at Large for the South Edmonton Arts and Theatre Society and Board Director for the Oak Hills Community League.
In her spare time, Ashton is always on the move. As a certified group fitness instructor, cyclist, soccer player, and mother to a young son, she truly lives to be active!
CFA, MBA, PhD
As Vice President, Fund Risk and Strategy, Gary Smith is responsible for leading the analysis of pension risk and the creation of a robust strategic asset mix for ATRF.
Gary has an extensive background in finance; in his early career, he worked as a bond trader and a fixed income portfolio manager. He later held the position of Chief Economist at Alberta Investment Management Corporation (AIMCo) before spending time serving on the faculty of the Alberta School of Business and acting as an independent consultant to a pension plan.
Gary holds a Bachelor of Commerce and an MBA from the University of Saskatchewan; he also earned a PhD in Finance from the University of Alberta, in addition to a CFA designation.
MBA, ICD.D
CFA, ICD.D
Terri Troy, CFA, ICD.D is C0-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
Stephen is the Executive Director of Capital Markets for the Government of Alberta and heads the Capital Markets Branch responsible for the development and execution of the Province of Alberta’s Global Funding programme. Stephen oversees annual borrowings and develops debt management strategies for the Province’s debt portfolio. Stephen also oversees development of investment strategy and investment policy for the Province’s $18 billion Heritage Fund and other provincial endowments. He advises government on the use of the Provincial credit and relationships with the global capital markets and investor communities. He has an extensive background in all aspects of government finance across several geographies. Stephen is a Chartered Financial Analyst and holds degrees in Finance and Economics from Saint Mary’s University in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Gosia is responsible for investment policy development for Local Authorities Pension Plan (LAPP). Gosia also provides oversight of the policy implementation by Alberta Investment Management Corporation (AIMCo).
Prior to joining LAPP in 2017, she had been a member of the investment management community in Alberta for over 20 years, managing public and private asset class portfolios at AIMCo and AIMCo client organizations, including structured and quantitative equities, alpha transfer solutions, hedge funds, currency strategies, real estate and infrastructure. While allocating capital within large external portfolios, Gosia researched and evaluated hundreds of investment firms and strategies both locally and globally.
Gosia holds a Master of Law degree from University of Wroclaw (Poland), a Bachelor of Commerce with Distinction (majoring in finance) degree from the University of Alberta, and holds a Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst designation. She has also completed the Canadian Securities Course, and additional coursework in negotiations, management and communications
Travis is the Manager of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) at the Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP) where he is supporting the work to execute on HOOPP’s EDI strategy and 5-year roadmap.
With over 20 years of experience in the pension industry, Travis’ career has seen him working in different departments in order to aid HOOPP in the delivery of their pension promise. Prior to his current role, he worked in the Plan Operations, Growth & Stakeholder Relations and Communications & Public Affairs areas. Throughout his career, he has built and fostered trusted relationships with HOOPP’s stakeholders to advance priority issues and shared interests. He promotes and protects HOOPP’s brand and reputation so that HOOPP and their work are widely valued by Canadians and other stakeholders.
MBA