CFO CV – Fall 2022

The Ontario Securities Commission (OSC) is announcing that Kevan Cowan began his term as OSC Chair of the Board effective December 15, 2022, by way of an Order in Council approved and ordered by the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario.

“I am honoured to take on this leadership role with the OSC, an organization I have long admired, and with which I have worked closely both as a director and throughout my career,” said Mr. Cowan. “I look forward to further collaboration with the talented staff at the OSC who continually demonstrate their deep commitment to public service and to strengthening Ontario’s capital markets.”

Cowan was appointed Chair of the OSC by the Ontario government on November 30, 2022. His term as Chair continues until April 29, 2024, which corresponds with the term of his initial two-year appointment as part-time director that began with the proclamation of the Securities Commission Act, 2021, on April 29, 2022.

“The OSC will benefit tremendously from Kevan’s sound judgement and deep capital markets experience as we continue to fulfil our expanded mandate within our new governance structure,” said the OSC’s Chief Executive Officer, Grant Vingoe. “With Kevan’s leadership and the strength of our board and team, we are well-positioned to continue modernizing regulation and facilitating financial innovation while promoting safe, fair, efficient and competitive capital markets in Ontario.”

Kevan Cowan is a financial services executive and lawyer with more than 30 years of experience in capital markets operational, regulatory and policy matters. He is the past Chief Executive Officer of the Capital Markets Authority Implementation Organization, the past President of TSX Markets responsible for all TSX stock exchanges, and the past President of the TSX Venture Exchange. Kevan has served on many boards and in advisory roles, including with the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada, the Ontario Capital Markets Modernization Taskforce Expert Advisory Group, and as Chair of the Board of the Toronto Financial Services Alliance / Toronto Finance International.

The mandate of the OSC is to provide protection to investors from unfair, improper or fraudulent practices, to foster fair, efficient and competitive capital markets and confidence in the capital markets, to foster capital formation, and to contribute to the stability of the financial system and the reduction of systemic risk.

 

AutoCanada Inc., a multi-location North American automobile dealership group, announced today that Azim Lalani will be appointed as its new Chief Financial Officer, effective in the first quarter of 2023. He will be based at the Company’s Edmonton headquarters.

Azim has over 25 years of financial experience and has held senior management roles in several public and private real estate and operating companies with responsibility for financial reporting, treasury, corporate finance, taxation, investor relations and risk management. He joins AutoCanada from a real estate development and management company, where he has served as Senior Vice President, Finance and Accounting. Previously, Azim was the Chief Financial Officer of American Hotel Income Properties REIT LP (TSX: HOT.UN), where he oversaw the REIT’s growth from an enterprise value of US$350 million to over US$1.1 billion with a diversified portfolio of franchised hotels located across the United States.

Azim is currently Co-Vice Chair of the Board of Governors and Chair of the Finance Committee at the University of British Columbia. He is also a Corporate Director with UBC Investment Management Trust and the Chair of the Audit Committee of the Family Services of the North Shore.

Azim is a CPA (CA) and CBV, and started his career with KPMG LLP in Vancouver.

 

Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Alex Miller to its newly created position of Chief Operating Officer effective January 2, 2023. In his new role, he will be overseeing North America, Europe and Asia operations, including its food program, merchandise procurement and supply chain activities.

Miller will be responsible for translating the strategic vision of the business into executable plans and activities to drive revenue growth and operating efficiency, while controlling expenses. As Chief Operating Officer, Miller will continue to report to the Corporation’s President & CEO, Brian Hannasch.

Brian Hannasch, Couche-Tard’s President and Chief Executive Officer adds: “By bringing together all the operational reporting lines under the Chief Operating Officer, the regional teams can more easily align operations to extract further synergies and learnings at the core of our business. Alex is uniquely positioned to take on this new role with his impressive leadership experience in convenience and fuel operations as well as his extensive contributions growing the business across all our geographies.”

Miller, who is currently the Corporation’s Executive Vice President, Operations North America and Global Commercial Optimization, brings over 25 years of management experience in the retail fuel/convenience store industry including over 10 years at Couche-Tard. During his tenure at the Corporation, Mr. Miller has demonstrated outstanding leadership skills that engage and empower effective and collaborative teams across multiple functions and business channels.

“I am humbled and honored to take on this new role of Chief Operating Officer for Couche-Tard,” says Mr. Miller. “I believe we have one of the best operations teams in the industry and by pulling together across our many geographies and programs, we can better fulfill our mission of making our customers’ lives a little easier every day as well as our vision of becoming the world’s preferred destination for convenience and mobility. I am excited by the strategic opportunities and future that lies ahead for our team members, customers, and stakeholders.”

Couche-Tard is a global leader in convenience and fuel retail, operating in 24 countries and territories, with more than 14,300 stores, of which approximately 10,900 offer road transportation fuel. With its well-known Couche-Tard and Circle K banners, it is one of the largest independent convenience store operators in the United States and it is a leader in the convenience store industry and road transportation fuel retail in Canada, Scandinavia, the Baltics, as well as in Ireland. It also has an important presence in Poland and Hong Kong SAR. Approximately 122,000 people are employed throughout its network.

 

SEI announced that Karla Webster Gill has been named Managing Director and Head of Asset Management Distribution for SEI Investments Canada Company (SEI Canada). A 16-year SEI veteran, Gill brings more than 27 years of industry experience.

Wayne Withrow, Head of SEI Global Asset Management, said: “Karla’s commitment to helping our clients achieve greater results and the tremendous relationships she’s built are a testament to SEI’s mission to build brave futuresSM through the power of connection. Her expertise and experience will be critical in expanding our strategic partnerships in Canada. I’m confident that Karla will continue to drive our growth strategy and deliver enhanced solutions that help our clients succeed.

“As we focus on seizing opportunities to execute against SEI’s key strategic areas of talent, culture, and growth, her appointment reflects our efforts to promote internal mobility and evolve leadership.”

In her role, Gill is responsible for supporting the distribution of SEI’s investment strategies and solutions, developing customized asset management programs, and guiding the vision and business strategy in Canada. She previously served as Director of Business Development for SEI Asset Management Distribution, and prior to joining SEI, Gill held roles at BMO Nesbitt Burns. She holds a Personal Financial Planner designation and was as a 2022 recipient of the RIA’s financial credentials in recognition of expertise in responsible investing.

Commenting on her appointment, Gill said: “I’m excited to expand my role in helping wealth management organizations face and embrace change, overcome challenges, and grow their businesses. I look forward to continue strengthening our client relationships and building new ones to deliver investment management solutions aligned to investors’ financial goals.”

This role was previously held by Andy Mitchell, who is leaving SEI to pursue another opportunity.

SEI founded its Canadian business in 1983, pioneering innovative asset management techniques for institutional investors. SEI delivers technology and investment solutions that connect the financial services industry. With capabilities across investment processing, operations, and asset management, SEI works with corporations, financial institutions and professionals, and ultra-high-net-worth families to solve problems, manage change and help protect assets — for growth today and in the future. As of Sept. 30,

 

Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan Board appointed Charley Butler as Chief Pension Officer, effective January 1, 2023. Based in Toronto, Butler will become a member of Ontario Teachers’ Executive Team and report to Jo Taylor, President and Chief Executive Officer. Charley takes on this role from Tracy Abel, currently Chief Operations and Pension Officer, who will continue to be Chief Operations Officer and a member of the Executive Team.

“I am very pleased to welcome Charley to the Executive Team as Chief Pension Officer,” said Jo Taylor. “Charley has played a pivotal role in delivering service excellence to our 333,000 active and retired teachers, through a focus on self-funded growth, digital transformation and innovation. Under her strong leadership, we are well-positioned to further strengthen our mission to deliver outstanding service and retirement security for our members.”

Charley brings more than 20 years of experience in client services operational management, business transformation and strategy to her new role. She joined Ontario Teachers’ in 2015 to oversee all aspects of services delivered to our members. Charley holds an LLB from the University of East London, U.K. and an MBA from the University of Toronto, Rotman School of Management.

Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan Board (Ontario Teachers’) is a global investor with net assets of $242.5 billion as at June 30, 2022. We invest in more than 50 countries in a broad array of assets including public and private equities, fixed income, credit, commodities, natural resources, infrastructure, real estate and venture growth to deliver retirement income for 333,000 working members and pensioners.

 

Alberta Investment Management Corporation appointed Dr. Marlene Puffer as Chief Investment Officer. She will assume her new role on January 30, 2023. Dr. Puffer is an accomplished investor and leader with over 25 years of experience in both cross-asset class portfolio management and liability driven investment.

Dr. Puffer brings with her an excellent investment track record and a wealth of experience in traditional and alternative investments, capital markets, and pension governance. She has held CEO, senior roles and board positions at major Canadian pension funds and investment dealers. Most recently, she was the President and Chief Executive Officer at CN Investment Division, accountable for all aspects of the investment management and organizational oversight of the CN Pension Trust Funds. She is the former vice-chair of the Board of the Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP) and past president of Women in Capital Markets. Dr. Puffer is a CFA charterholder and received her Ph.D. in Finance and Statistics from the Simon Business School, University of Rochester.

“I am delighted to have Marlene join AIMCo. She is both a fantastic addition to the company and a complement to our leadership team,” said Evan Siddall, CEO of AIMCo. “I look forward to Marlene’s guidance and investment acumen, to ensure we are at the forefront of global asset management, as we aim to fulfill our purpose for our clients and build a better financial future for all Albertans.”

As Chief Investment Officer, Dr. Puffer will serve as Head of both Public and Private Investments – responsible for Real Estate, Infrastructure, Private Equity and Private Debt and Loan, Fixed Income, Private Mortgages, Economics and Fund Strategy and Public Equities – addressing clients’ needs for both liquid and illiquid investments.

With Dr. Puffer’s appointment, Sandra Lau, who most recently served as Interim CIO, has decided to leave AIMCo.
“I want to acknowledge and thank Sandra Lau for her deep commitment to AIMCo and track-record of delivering client value over the past 24 years. Her passion for AIMCo is undeniable and her contributions to the organization, especially her commitment to our DEI principles, will continue to position AIMCo for success in the future,” said Siddall. “While we are very sad to see her go, we wish Sandra the very best for the future. She would be an asset to any investment organization.”

Sandra began her career at AIMCo in 1999, and her tenacity and investment expertise gave her opportunity to hold progressively more senior positions. Prior to her role as Co-CIO and Head of Public Investments, a role she held before her current interim role, Sandra successfully led Global Fixed Income investments with record top quartile performance for over a decade.

AIMCo is one of Canada’s largest and most diversified institutional investment managers with more than $160 billion of assets under management. AIMCo was established on January 1, 2008 with a mandate to provide superior long-term investment results for its clients. AIMCo operates at arms-length from the Government of Alberta and invests globally on behalf of 32 pension, endowment and government funds in the Province of Alberta.

 

Hut 8 Mining Corp., one of North America’s largest, innovation-focused digital asset mining pioneers and high performance computing infrastructure provider, is pleased to announce the appointment of Shenif Visram, CPA, CMA as the company’s Chief Financial Officer (CFO), effective immediately. With more than 20 years of financial management experience in the infrastructure and technology businesses, Shenif brings a wealth of leadership expertise working in medium and large public and private companies.

Shenif, who will be based in Toronto and will report to CEO Jaime Leverton, is replacing Hut 8’s CFO Shane Downey, who is moving on to pursue new opportunities after 20 months with the organization.

“With deep financial experience at IBM Canada, Cogeco Peer 1, and Aptum Technologies, Shenif is a senior leader with excellent financial acumen and the skill set we need to lead us through the next crucial growth period at Hut 8,” said Jaime Leverton, Chief Executive Officer of Hut 8. “The Board and I would like to thank Shane for his dedication through a significant period of change at Hut 8, including the strategic expansion of our business into high performance computing.”

Shenif began his finance career with IBM Canada, quickly progressing to take on CFO roles within key business units including Global Business Services, Global Technology Services, and leading as Chief Operating Officer in Global Business Services. He then moved to Cogeco Peer 1 as Vice President, Finance, before assuming the CFO role, which he led through the company’s rebranding to Aptum Technologies, a multi-cloud managed services provider delivering complex, high performance computing solutions.

“I am incredibly energized by the opportunity to work with a team of seasoned executives with robust backgrounds in this exciting industry,” said Shenif. “Leveraging my previous experience in M&A and driving growth in the infrastructure technology space, I am eager to make a meaningful contribution at Hut 8 by building on our established balance sheet-first approach as we continue to successfully navigate the market by executing on our differentiated strategy and grow as a leader in Bitcoin mining and high-performance computing.”

Hut 8 is one of North America’s largest innovation-focused digital asset miners, led by a team of business-building technologists, bullish on bitcoin, blockchain, Web 3.0, and bridging the nascent and traditional high performance computing worlds.

 

iAnthus Capital Holdings, Inc., which owns, operates and partners with regulated cannabis operations across the United States, is pleased to announce the appointment of Philippe Faraut as Chief Financial Officer of the Company, effective immediately.

“We are very excited for Philippe to join iAnthus as Chief Financial Officer. Philippe brings over 20 years of senior CPG financial management and leadership expertise to the Company, and we are thrilled to work with him as we drive iAnthus forward,” commented Interim CEO, Robert Galvin.

Philippe was most recently the CFO of Irwin Naturals, a mass market nutraceutical brand. Philippe led Irwin’s initial public offering and entrance into the psychedelic mental health care space. Prior to that, he was a Managing Partner of the investment banking services firm Bastiat Partners from 2016 to 2021, and served as Chief Investment Officer for Knight Global, a family office with a diversified asset portfolio from 2015 to 2016. Philippe started his finance career at Merrill Lynch in the Consumer Retail group in New York and held senior positions at the Sage Group and Intrepid Investment Bankers. He holds a Master of Business Administration degree from the Anderson School at UCLA and a Bachelor of Science degree from Glion Institute – Hotel Management School.

Philippe is replacing Julius Kalcevich who served as the Company’s CFO since October 2016. “On behalf of the Company’s board of directors, I want to thank Julius for his years of service to iAnthus. We wish him every success in his future endeavors,” said Galvin.
iAnthus owns and operates licensed cannabis cultivation, processing and dispensary facilities throughout the United States.

 

Aviva Canada says Nav Dhillon will join Aviva Canada as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) from December 2022. Dhillon has served in senior leaderships roles in financial planning & analysis for RSA Canada Group and most recently, Intact Financial Corporation. He also previously held leadership positions in E&Y’s insurance advisory practice serving clients across North America and Europe.

“I’m delighted to welcome Nav into Aviva’s executive leadership team. Nav brings with him a broad range of experience in corporate strategy, investor relations and performance management and I’m looking forward to him playing a key role in our continued growth and success,” says Jason Storah, Chief Executive Officer of Aviva Canada.

“I’m thrilled to join Aviva Canada, a fantastic brand within the Canadian marketplace. I look forward to working with my colleagues across the business to help Aviva achieve its potential as a best-in- class operator for our customers, partners and shareholders,” says Dhillon.

Aviva Canada is one of the leading property and casualty insurance groups in the country, providing home, automobile, lifestyle, and business insurance to 2.4 million customers

 

Roots, the premium outdoor lifestyle brand, announced Chief Financial Officer, Mona Kennedy, will be leaving the company to pursue other interests in the Canadian CPG sector. Leon Wu, Vice President of Finance and Strategy, will replace Ms. Kennedy as the Chief Financial Officer effective January 13, 2023.

“I have enjoyed partnering with Mona over the last few years and appreciate her contributions to the company. On behalf of the Roots team and our Board of Directors, we wish her well,” said Meghan Roach, President and CEO, Roots.

Leon Wu is to take on the role of Chief Financial Officer. Wu has played a leading role in developing the chain’s long-term strategy and has an intimate knowledge of Roots from his tenure with the brand. A talented and experienced executive, Leon will continue to build a strong foundation for future growth at Roots.

Wu joined Roots in 2016 and has increasingly taken on major roles in financial and operational matters. Over the last seven years, he has acted as a key management representative to the Roots Board of Directors as well as its investors and lenders. Most recently, he served as Vice President of Finance and Strategy, where he led the functional areas of financial reporting, financial planning and analysis, and corporate strategy.

Established in 1973, Roots is a global lifestyle brand. Starting from a small cabin in northern Canada, Roots has become a global brand with over 100 corporate retail stores in Canada, two stores in the United States, and an eCommerce platform, www.roots.com, that serves over 55 international markets.