The 2024 International Best Practices Forum
Helping Plan Members on the Path to Retirement
Presented by
THE CANADIAN LEADERSHIP CONGRESS
THE CANADIAN LEADERSHIP CONGRESS
THE 2024 INTERNATIONAL BEST PRACTICES FORUM
📆 October 16-18, 2024
📍 Fairmont Copley Plaza | Boston, MA
The World Upended: Navigating Tumultuous Change and Shifting Opportunities
More than ever before, it seems as if we are living in a world in flux, as questions about the future of globalization loom and a fractious geopolitical landscape continues to generate conflicts around the world. With a U.S. election looming, presaging more potential change and disruption, investors must understand how global change will impact their portfolios and create opportunities in the process. The CLC’s International Best Practices Forum annually convenes Canadian DB pension decision makers in a small, intimate setting to hear international case studies, share ideas and learn from global experts with a unique perspective on global markets.
Contact us for eligibility
This event is designed for top‑level pension executives to share ideas with strategic leaders from Canada’s defined contribution arena, to discuss a wide range of topics that matter to them.
Stay tuned for more speakers, sessions, and details to come in the following weeks.
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to expand for more info7:30 — 8:00 a.m.
Breakfast and Registration
Breakfast and Registration
8:00 — 8:15 a.m.
Opening Remarks, Rules of Engagement, Introductions
Opening Remarks, Rules of Engagement, Introductions
8:15 — 8:45 a.m.
Keynote Panel: The Financial Lives of Your DC Plan Members
This interactive panel with Canada’s top financial literacy experts will explore the money challenges facing Canadians right now. From debt to child care to managing a mortgage, your plan members face competing priorities that can and will impact how they feel about their workplace pension benefits and decisions they make around it.
Keynotes:
Keynote Panel: The Financial Lives of Your DC Plan Members
This interactive panel with Canada’s top financial literacy experts will explore the money challenges facing Canadians right now. From debt to child care to managing a mortgage, your plan members face competing priorities that can and will impact how they feel about their workplace pension benefits and decisions they make around it.
Keynotes:
- Bruce Sellery, CEO, Credit Canada Debt Solutions
- Shannon Lee Simmons, Author and Founder, The New School of Finance
8:45 — 9:15 a.m.
Case Study: The Science of Plan Member Behaviour
This session will provide an overview of behavioural economics and offer insights on how to engage members in an effective and meaningful way that goes beyond education and incentives. The session will also include case studies that illustrate what works and what doesn’t when it comes to addressing specific plan member behaviours.
Presenter:
Case Study: The Science of Plan Member Behaviour
This session will provide an overview of behavioural economics and offer insights on how to engage members in an effective and meaningful way that goes beyond education and incentives. The session will also include case studies that illustrate what works and what doesn’t when it comes to addressing specific plan member behaviours.
Presenter:
- Michelle Hilscher, Vice-President of Strategy, BEworks
9:15 — 10:00 a.m.
From Pain Point to Plan — Using Behaviour to Engage Your Members
As a DC plan sponsor, you need to get your members on board and that means engaging them in learning more about their plan, its role in their retirement, and the kinds of investments that are part of it. In this interactive panel, we will talk to behavioural experts from the pension industry and academia to find out what works and what doesn’t when it comes to getting your plan members engaged and on track with their plan.
Panellists:
From Pain Point to Plan — Using Behaviour to Engage Your Members
As a DC plan sponsor, you need to get your members on board and that means engaging them in learning more about their plan, its role in their retirement, and the kinds of investments that are part of it. In this interactive panel, we will talk to behavioural experts from the pension industry and academia to find out what works and what doesn’t when it comes to getting your plan members engaged and on track with their plan.
Panellists:
- Michelle Hilscher, Vice-President of Strategy, BEworks
- Carla Iluk, Human Resources Specialist, Pensions and Benefits, TransAlta
- Jennifer O'Hara Martin, Vice-president, Global Equities, T. Rowe Price
10:00 — 10:30 a.m.
Networking Break
Networking Break
10:30 — 10:45 a.m.
Congressional Huddle
10:45 — 11:30 a.m.
Panel: Target Date Funds — What Works and What Doesn’t
Target date funds have evolved into an important part of the DC plan toolkit. But can plan members invested in TDFs take a hands off approach? And, is “set it and forget it” a realistic goal? This session will explore how TDFs work and best practices for making them available to DC plan members.
Panellists:
- Roman Kosarenko, Senior Director, Pensions, Loblaw Companies Limited
- Martin McInnis, Executive Director, CSS Pension Plan
- Ruthann M. Pritchard, Institutional Portfolio Manager, Fidelity Investments
11:30 a.m. — 12:00 p.m.
Case Study: Plan Member Engagement — Experience From the UK
Plan design in the DC space has evolved dramatically over the last decade. This case study will look at how NEST UK is working to engage the population on the topic of retirement planning and how it is seeking to enhance the plan to make it more accessible and easy to use.
Presenter:
- Will Sandbrook, Managing Director of Strategy, Analytics and Nest Insight, NEST UK
12:00 — 1:00 p.m.
Lunch
1:00 — 1:45 p.m.
Panel: Integrating ESG in DC Plans
More and more DC plans are focused on integrating ESG into their investments. At the same time, their members are now asking questions about whether their DC plan is invested sustainably. This session will focus on ESG and how best to integrate it into DC plans. What are the challenges and how can they be overcome?
Panellists:
- Orla Cousineau, Executive Director, Pensions, UBC Staff & Faculty Pension Plans
- Garth Hutch , Executive Director, Investment Services, PEBA
- Karen Lockridge, Director, ESG Investing, Canada Post Pension Plan
1:45 — 2:15 p.m.
Case Study: Making Decumulation Easier for Plan Members
How can DC plan sponsors address the challenges their members have when it comes to drawing their income in retirement? In this case study, Michael Dodd shares an innovative approach to decumulation and how it’s working for members.
Moderator:
Case Study: Making Decumulation Easier for Plan Members
How can DC plan sponsors address the challenges their members have when it comes to drawing their income in retirement? In this case study, Michael Dodd shares an innovative approach to decumulation and how it’s working for members.
Moderator:
- Don Ezra, Author, Consultant, Don Ezra Consulting Services, Ltd.
- Michael Dodd, AVP Pensions, Treasury and Shareholder Services, Co-operators Group
2:15 — 2:45 p.m.
Networking Break
Networking Break
2:45 — 3:00 p.m.
Congressional Huddle
3:00 — 3:45 p.m.
Panel: Innovative Approaches to Decumulation
As plan sponsors, you spend time and energy engaging members and ensuring they understand the decisions that go into retirement saving. But what happens when members meet the finish line and transition to retirement? This session will explore best practices for decumulation.
Panellists:
Panel: Innovative Approaches to Decumulation
As plan sponsors, you spend time and energy engaging members and ensuring they understand the decisions that go into retirement saving. But what happens when members meet the finish line and transition to retirement? This session will explore best practices for decumulation.
Panellists:
- Colleen Falco, Vice-president, Human Resources, Niagara Casinos
- Michael Dodd, AVP Pensions, Treasury and Shareholder Services, Co-operators Group
- Michelle Loder, Partner, DC Solutions, LifeWorks
- Pat Leo, Vice-president, Retirement Solutions, Purpose Investments
3:45 — 4:15 p.m.
Case Study: ESG and the Changing Pension Regulatory Landscape
How is the regulatory landscape evolving to address the question of ESG and sustainable investing in the pension space? This session will look at what plan sponsors should keep in mind from a fiduciary perspective.
Presenter:
Case Study: ESG and the Changing Pension Regulatory Landscape
How is the regulatory landscape evolving to address the question of ESG and sustainable investing in the pension space? This session will look at what plan sponsors should keep in mind from a fiduciary perspective.
Presenter:
- Randy Bauslaugh, Partner, McCarthy Tétrault
4:15 p.m.
Final Thoughts and Closing Remarks
Final Thoughts and Closing Remarks
4:30 p.m.
Closing Cocktail Reception
Closing Cocktail Reception
Breakfast and Registration
Opening Remarks, Rules of Engagement, Introductions
Keynote Panel: The Financial Lives of Your DC Plan Members
This interactive panel with Canada’s top financial literacy experts will explore the money challenges facing Canadians right now. From debt to child care to managing a mortgage, your plan members face competing priorities that can and will impact how they feel about their workplace pension benefits and decisions they make around it.
Panelists:
This interactive panel with Canada’s top financial literacy experts will explore the money challenges facing Canadians right now. From debt to child care to managing a mortgage, your plan members face competing priorities that can and will impact how they feel about their workplace pension benefits and decisions they make around it.
Panelists:
- Bruce Sellery, CEO, Credit Canada Debt Solutions
- Shannon Lee Simmons, Author and Founder, The New School of Finance
Case Study: The Science of Plan Member Behaviour
This session will provide an overview of behavioural economics and offer insights on how to engage members in an effective and meaningful way that goes beyond education and incentives. The session will also include case studies that illustrate what works and what doesn’t when it comes to addressing specific plan member behaviours.
Presenter:
This session will provide an overview of behavioural economics and offer insights on how to engage members in an effective and meaningful way that goes beyond education and incentives. The session will also include case studies that illustrate what works and what doesn’t when it comes to addressing specific plan member behaviours.
Presenter:
- Michelle Hilscher, Vice-President of Strategy, BEworks
From Pain Point to Plan — Using Behaviour to Engage Your Members
As a DC plan sponsor, you need to get your members on board and that means engaging them in learning more about their plan, its role in their retirement, and the kinds of investments that are part of it. In this interactive panel, we will talk to behavioural experts from the pension industry and academia to find out what works and what doesn’t when it comes to getting your plan members engaged and on track with their plan.
Panellists:
As a DC plan sponsor, you need to get your members on board and that means engaging them in learning more about their plan, its role in their retirement, and the kinds of investments that are part of it. In this interactive panel, we will talk to behavioural experts from the pension industry and academia to find out what works and what doesn’t when it comes to getting your plan members engaged and on track with their plan.
Panellists:
- Michelle Hilscher, Vice-President of Strategy, BEworks
- TBA, T. Rowe Price
Networking Break
Congressional Huddle
Panel: Target Date Funds — What Works and What Doesn’t
Target date funds have evolved into an important part of the DC plan toolkit. But can plan members invested in TDFs take a hands off approach? And, is “set it and forget it” a realistic goal? This session will explore how TDFs work and best practices for making them available to DC plan members.
Panelists:
Target date funds have evolved into an important part of the DC plan toolkit. But can plan members invested in TDFs take a hands off approach? And, is “set it and forget it” a realistic goal? This session will explore how TDFs work and best practices for making them available to DC plan members.
Panelists:
- TBA
Case Study: Plan Member Engagement — Experience From the UK
Plan design in the DC space has evolved dramatically over the last decade. This case study will look at how NEST UK is working to engage the population on the topic of retirement planning and how it is seeking to enhance the plan to make it more accessible and easy to use.
Moderator:
Plan design in the DC space has evolved dramatically over the last decade. This case study will look at how NEST UK is working to engage the population on the topic of retirement planning and how it is seeking to enhance the plan to make it more accessible and easy to use.
Moderator:
- Don Ezra, Author, Consultant, Don Ezra Consulting Services, Ltd.
- Will Sandbrook, Managing Director of Strategy, Analytics and Nest Insight, NEST UK
Lunch
Panel: Integrating ESG in DC Plans
More and more DC plans are focused on integrating ESG into their investments. At the same time, their members are now asking questions about whether their DC plan is invested sustainably. This session will focus on ESG and how best to integrate it into DC plans. What are the challenges and how can they be overcome?
Panelists:
More and more DC plans are focused on integrating ESG into their investments. At the same time, their members are now asking questions about whether their DC plan is invested sustainably. This session will focus on ESG and how best to integrate it into DC plans. What are the challenges and how can they be overcome?
Panelists:
- Karen Lockridge, Director, ESG Investing, Canada Post Pension Plan
- Orla Cousineau, Executive Director, Pensions, UBC Staff & Faculty Pension Plans
- TBA, Franklin Templeton
Case Study: Making Decumulation Easier for Plan Members
How can DC plan sponsors address the challenges their members have when it comes to drawing their income in retirement? In this case study, Michael Dodd shares an innovative approach to decumulation and how it’s working for members.
Moderator:
How can DC plan sponsors address the challenges their members have when it comes to drawing their income in retirement? In this case study, Michael Dodd shares an innovative approach to decumulation and how it’s working for members.
Moderator:
- Don Ezra, Author, Consultant, Don Ezra Consulting Services, Ltd.
- Michael Dodd, Director, Pensions and Treasury, The Co-operators Group Ltd.
Networking Break
Congressional Huddle
Panel: Innovative Approaches to Decumulation
As plan sponsors, you spend time and energy engaging members and ensuring they understand the decisions that go into retirement saving. But what happens when members meet the finish line and transition to retirement? This session will explore best practices for decumulation.
Panelists:
As plan sponsors, you spend time and energy engaging members and ensuring they understand the decisions that go into retirement saving. But what happens when members meet the finish line and transition to retirement? This session will explore best practices for decumulation.
Panelists:
- Michael Dodd, Director, Pensions and Treasury, The Co-operators Group Ltd.
- Don Ezra, Author, Consultant, Don Ezra Consulting Services, Ltd.
- TBA, LifeWorks
- TBA, Purpose Investments
Final Thoughts and Closing Remarks
ADVISORY BOARD
Jaap van Dam
Principal Director, Investment Strategy, PGGM
Ela Karahasanoglu
Head of Total Fund Management, BCI
James Davis
Chief Investment Officer,
OPTrust
Marlene Puffer
President and CEO,
CN Investment Division
Randy Bauslaugh
Partner and Co-Chair,
McCarthy Tétrault
Randy Bauslaugh
Partner and Co-Chair
McCarthy Tétrault
Randy Bauslaugh is partner and co-Chair of McCarthy Tétrault’s 7-lawyer national Pensions, Benefits & Executive Compensation practice, and our 45-lawyer national Pension Funds Group. Randy provides legal advice to plan sponsors, administrators, service providers and governments on a wide range of pension and benefit matters. He has been involved in many of the leading pension and benefit cases over the past 35 years. He has also been a litigator, mediator, arbitrator, plan trustee and professional lobbyist.
Randy is considered an international expert on ESG and Climate Change investment risk and disclosure. Randy has worked closely with public and private companies, appointed administrators of wound up plans, financial institutions, joint boards of trustees, and Canadian and foreign governments. This variety of experience has provided him with many insights to identify and solve a broad range of legal problems efficiently. Randy strives to provide practical solutions. As a trustee of one of Canada's largest ELHTs and as a corporate director, he understands the need for diligent, practical and comprehensible legal advice when advising or representing decision makers and in-house counsel. He is an active supporter of many industry associations: for example, he is a member of the Pension Policy Council of the C.D. Howe Institute, the editorial advisory board of Benefits and Pensions Monitor and a former Chairman of the International Pension and Employee Benefits Lawyers Association.
Randy actively engages in community service. He served six years as Chair of the HR Committee of the Canadian Cancer Society and President of Theatre Direct Canada. He is currently a member of the Executive Committees of the Boards of Directors of the Canadian National Exhibition Association, its Foundation and a for-profit subsidiary. Randy obtained a BA from the University of Waterloo in 1977 and his LLB from Osgoode Hall Law School in 1981. He was called to the Ontario Bar in 1983.
Partner and Co-Chair
McCarthy Tétrault
Randy Bauslaugh is partner and co-Chair of McCarthy Tétrault’s 7-lawyer national Pensions, Benefits & Executive Compensation practice, and our 45-lawyer national Pension Funds Group. Randy provides legal advice to plan sponsors, administrators, service providers and governments on a wide range of pension and benefit matters. He has been involved in many of the leading pension and benefit cases over the past 35 years. He has also been a litigator, mediator, arbitrator, plan trustee and professional lobbyist.
Randy is considered an international expert on ESG and Climate Change investment risk and disclosure. Randy has worked closely with public and private companies, appointed administrators of wound up plans, financial institutions, joint boards of trustees, and Canadian and foreign governments. This variety of experience has provided him with many insights to identify and solve a broad range of legal problems efficiently. Randy strives to provide practical solutions. As a trustee of one of Canada's largest ELHTs and as a corporate director, he understands the need for diligent, practical and comprehensible legal advice when advising or representing decision makers and in-house counsel. He is an active supporter of many industry associations: for example, he is a member of the Pension Policy Council of the C.D. Howe Institute, the editorial advisory board of Benefits and Pensions Monitor and a former Chairman of the International Pension and Employee Benefits Lawyers Association.
Randy actively engages in community service. He served six years as Chair of the HR Committee of the Canadian Cancer Society and President of Theatre Direct Canada. He is currently a member of the Executive Committees of the Boards of Directors of the Canadian National Exhibition Association, its Foundation and a for-profit subsidiary. Randy obtained a BA from the University of Waterloo in 1977 and his LLB from Osgoode Hall Law School in 1981. He was called to the Ontario Bar in 1983.
Reina Berlien
Head of ESG, Brandywine Global, a Franklin Templeton Company
Reina Berlien
Head of ESG
Brandywine Global, a Franklin Templeton Company
Reina Berlien is Head of ESG, Brandywine Global, a Franklin Templeton company. Reina oversees the ESG program, including its overall strategy, engagement and integration, initiatives across all investment teams, and providing research support. She previously served as the Financial Writer, where she worked closely with the investment teams to deliver portfolio- and thematic-driven communications and thought leadership. She joined the Firm in August 2014.
Prior to joining the Firm, she served in various communications and public relations roles with Penn Capital Management, ING, and the Honorable Thomas R. Carper. Reina earned her B.A. in English Literature and M.S. in Global Affairs from Rutgers University, and an M.B.A. from The Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.
Head of ESG
Brandywine Global, a Franklin Templeton Company
Reina Berlien is Head of ESG, Brandywine Global, a Franklin Templeton company. Reina oversees the ESG program, including its overall strategy, engagement and integration, initiatives across all investment teams, and providing research support. She previously served as the Financial Writer, where she worked closely with the investment teams to deliver portfolio- and thematic-driven communications and thought leadership. She joined the Firm in August 2014.
Prior to joining the Firm, she served in various communications and public relations roles with Penn Capital Management, ING, and the Honorable Thomas R. Carper. Reina earned her B.A. in English Literature and M.S. in Global Affairs from Rutgers University, and an M.B.A. from The Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.
Orla Cousineau
Executive Director, Pensions, UBC Staff & Faculty Pension Plans
Orla Cousineau
Executive Director, Pensions
UBC Staff and Faculty Pension Plans
Orla Cousineau is the Executive Director, Pensions at the University of British Columbia (UBC). She is responsible for overseeing the management and administration of UBC’s Staff and Faculty Pension Plans, with assets of approximately $5.3 billion.
Cousineau also sits on the board of directors of UBC Investment Management Trust (IMANT).
Prior to joining UBC, Cousineau was a Partner with Mercer in the retirement consulting business for over 25 years.
Cousineau holds an LL.B. from UBC and is an active member of the Law Society of British Columbia.
Executive Director, Pensions
UBC Staff and Faculty Pension Plans
Orla Cousineau is the Executive Director, Pensions at the University of British Columbia (UBC). She is responsible for overseeing the management and administration of UBC’s Staff and Faculty Pension Plans, with assets of approximately $5.3 billion.
Cousineau also sits on the board of directors of UBC Investment Management Trust (IMANT).
Prior to joining UBC, Cousineau was a Partner with Mercer in the retirement consulting business for over 25 years.
Cousineau holds an LL.B. from UBC and is an active member of the Law Society of British Columbia.
Michael Dodd
AVP Pensions,
Co‑operators Group
Michael Dodd
AVP Pensions, Treasury and Shareholder Services
Co-operators Group
Michael Dodd is AVP Pensions, Treasury and Shareholder Services at Co-operators Group overseeing their popular DC staff pension plan. Michael also sits on other pension committees within the group of companies including a DB plan. Michael has been active within the industry for many years speaking at conferences and featured in industry publications. Previously, Michael was a long-time member of the Ontario Regional Council of the ACPM (Association of Canadian Pension Management) and a member of the FSRA/OSFI Technical Advisory Committee on defined contribution (DC) plan. Michael also sits on editorial and advisory boards.
Recent years have seen Michael actively researching decumulation solutions for DC plans. In December 2021, Co-operators introduced decumulation options into its DC staff pension plan. Michael is a CPA as well as a CFP.
AVP Pensions, Treasury and Shareholder Services
Co-operators Group
Michael Dodd is AVP Pensions, Treasury and Shareholder Services at Co-operators Group overseeing their popular DC staff pension plan. Michael also sits on other pension committees within the group of companies including a DB plan. Michael has been active within the industry for many years speaking at conferences and featured in industry publications. Previously, Michael was a long-time member of the Ontario Regional Council of the ACPM (Association of Canadian Pension Management) and a member of the FSRA/OSFI Technical Advisory Committee on defined contribution (DC) plan. Michael also sits on editorial and advisory boards.
Recent years have seen Michael actively researching decumulation solutions for DC plans. In December 2021, Co-operators introduced decumulation options into its DC staff pension plan. Michael is a CPA as well as a CFP.
Don Ezra
Author, Consultant, Don Ezra Consulting Services
Don Ezra
Author, Consultant
Don Ezra Consulting Services
Don Ezra (now happily retired, but still intellectually active) is the former co-chair of global consulting for Russell Investments, responsible for institutional relationships around the world.
After retirement he served on the Investment Committee of the Margaret A Cargill Philanthropies, and is today a director of Lifeworks Investment Management Ltd and a member of the Advisory Board of the World Pension Summit.
In addition to speaking at conferences around the world and serving on many editorial advisory boards, Don is a widely published author in the investment industry. His best-known book is Pension Fund Excellence (1998). Among many awards, he received the Award from the Employee Benefit Research Institute in 2004 for “extraordinary lifetime contributions to Americans’ benefit security”. His focus these days is on individuals rather than institutional investment, and his book Life Two and his website donezra.com are devoted to helping people create their happiest years after they graduate from full-time work.
Author, Consultant
Don Ezra Consulting Services
Don Ezra (now happily retired, but still intellectually active) is the former co-chair of global consulting for Russell Investments, responsible for institutional relationships around the world.
After retirement he served on the Investment Committee of the Margaret A Cargill Philanthropies, and is today a director of Lifeworks Investment Management Ltd and a member of the Advisory Board of the World Pension Summit.
In addition to speaking at conferences around the world and serving on many editorial advisory boards, Don is a widely published author in the investment industry. His best-known book is Pension Fund Excellence (1998). Among many awards, he received the Award from the Employee Benefit Research Institute in 2004 for “extraordinary lifetime contributions to Americans’ benefit security”. His focus these days is on individuals rather than institutional investment, and his book Life Two and his website donezra.com are devoted to helping people create their happiest years after they graduate from full-time work.
Michelle Hilscher, Ph.D.
Vice-president, Strategy,
BEworks
Michelle Hilscher, Ph.D.
Vice-president, Strategy
BEworks
Michelle obtained her Ph.D. in Psychology from the University of Toronto. Since joining BEworks, Michelle has provided Behavioral Economics expertise and advisory support to a range of organizations, including IBM, IFIC, Citi Ventures, Sunlife, and TD Insurance. Michelle is a senior leader of the BEworks’ Research Institute and provides strategic account management to our financial services partners.
Vice-president, Strategy
BEworks
Michelle obtained her Ph.D. in Psychology from the University of Toronto. Since joining BEworks, Michelle has provided Behavioral Economics expertise and advisory support to a range of organizations, including IBM, IFIC, Citi Ventures, Sunlife, and TD Insurance. Michelle is a senior leader of the BEworks’ Research Institute and provides strategic account management to our financial services partners.
Gary Hutch
Executive Director, Public Employees Benefits Agency
Gary Hutch
Executive Director
Public Employees Benefits Agency
Gary became the Executive Director of Investment Services at the Public Employees Benefits Agency (PEBA) in 2019. In 17 years with PEBA, Gary has held a number of positions in Investment Services, including Investment Analyst, Manager, Assistant Director, Director and Acting Director. Prior to joining PEBA, Gary progressed through a number of roles at Crown Life, Canada Life and Great West Life giving him 25 years in the investment industry. Gary also worked as an accountant prior to moving into the investment industry.
As the Executive Director, Gary has overall responsibility for the Investment Services area, focusing his time on the strategic vision for his two teams. This includes the strategic investment structure and direction of the pension and benefit plans administrated by PEBA and the $16 billion they have invested. This includes strategic reviews of PEBA’s largest pension plans, MEPP and PEPP, and leading service provider competitions and engagements, and facilitating any investment research, training and education, transitions, and budget and human resource considerations.
Gary has a Bachelor of Administration degree from the University of Regina and is a Certified Management Accountant (Saskatchewan), and has taken a number of industry courses such as the School of Pension Investment Management, the Humber College Pension Plan Administration Certificate, and the Institutional Limited Partners Association Private Equity Executive Education.
Executive Director
Public Employees Benefits Agency
Gary became the Executive Director of Investment Services at the Public Employees Benefits Agency (PEBA) in 2019. In 17 years with PEBA, Gary has held a number of positions in Investment Services, including Investment Analyst, Manager, Assistant Director, Director and Acting Director. Prior to joining PEBA, Gary progressed through a number of roles at Crown Life, Canada Life and Great West Life giving him 25 years in the investment industry. Gary also worked as an accountant prior to moving into the investment industry.
As the Executive Director, Gary has overall responsibility for the Investment Services area, focusing his time on the strategic vision for his two teams. This includes the strategic investment structure and direction of the pension and benefit plans administrated by PEBA and the $16 billion they have invested. This includes strategic reviews of PEBA’s largest pension plans, MEPP and PEPP, and leading service provider competitions and engagements, and facilitating any investment research, training and education, transitions, and budget and human resource considerations.
Gary has a Bachelor of Administration degree from the University of Regina and is a Certified Management Accountant (Saskatchewan), and has taken a number of industry courses such as the School of Pension Investment Management, the Humber College Pension Plan Administration Certificate, and the Institutional Limited Partners Association Private Equity Executive Education.
Roman Kosarenko
Senior Director, Pensions,
Loblaw Companies Limited
Roman Kosarenko
Senior Director, Pensions
George Weston Limited
Roman Kosarenko is a Senior Director, Pensions at George Weston Limited, overseeing DB and DC investments of the group that includes Loblaw Companies Limited, Shoppers Drug Mart and Choice Properties REIT, who are collectively the largest private employer in Canada. Roman is a board member of the Pension Investment Association of Canada (PAIC), as well as PIAC’s Defined Contribution Committee and a member of the FSRA/OSFI Technical Advisory Committee on defined contribution (DC) plan.
Roman has been an active advocate for DC longevity pooling solutions, including the work done with the Longevity Coalition for implementation of VPLA and ALDA. Roman has been in the pension industry for over 15 years. He is a CFA charterholder and holds an MBA degree from London Business School (UK).
Senior Director, Pensions
George Weston Limited
Roman Kosarenko is a Senior Director, Pensions at George Weston Limited, overseeing DB and DC investments of the group that includes Loblaw Companies Limited, Shoppers Drug Mart and Choice Properties REIT, who are collectively the largest private employer in Canada. Roman is a board member of the Pension Investment Association of Canada (PAIC), as well as PIAC’s Defined Contribution Committee and a member of the FSRA/OSFI Technical Advisory Committee on defined contribution (DC) plan.
Roman has been an active advocate for DC longevity pooling solutions, including the work done with the Longevity Coalition for implementation of VPLA and ALDA. Roman has been in the pension industry for over 15 years. He is a CFA charterholder and holds an MBA degree from London Business School (UK).
Pat Leo
Vice-president, Retirement Solutions, Purpose Investments
Pat Leo
Vide-president, Retirement Solutions
Purpose Investments
Coming soon...
Vide-president, Retirement Solutions
Purpose Investments
Coming soon...
Karen Lockridge
Director, ESG Investing, Canada Post Corporation Pension Plan
Karen Lockridge
Director, ESG Investing
Canada Post Corporation Pension Plan
Karen Lockridge is the Director, ESG Investing at Canada Post Corporation (CPC) Pension Plan. Karen is responsible for developing and implementing the CPC Pension Plan’s Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) investment strategy and risk management framework.
Prior to joining Canada Post in December, 2019, Karen was a member of Mercer’s global Responsible Investment team. Karen was a member of the core team that developed Mercer's Investing in a Time of Climate Change - The Sequel (2019) research report. During her 25 year career at Mercer, Karen has held a variety of leadership roles in defined benefit risk management, strategy execution, knowledge management, and operations. In addition to her time at Mercer, Karen spent 18 months in 2010/11 as Director, Pension and Benefits at BMO Financial Group.
Karen was named one of Canada's 2019 Clean 50 leaders in the field of sustainable capitalism. Karen is on the board of directors at QUEST Canada, which is accelerating smart energy communities across Canada and is a member of the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) Asset Owner Technical Advisory Committee.
Karen graduated from the University of Alberta with an Honours Bachelor of Science in Applied Mathematics in 1990. She is a Fellow of the Society of Actuaries and the Canadian Institute of Actuaries.
Director, ESG Investing
Canada Post Corporation Pension Plan
Karen Lockridge is the Director, ESG Investing at Canada Post Corporation (CPC) Pension Plan. Karen is responsible for developing and implementing the CPC Pension Plan’s Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) investment strategy and risk management framework.
Prior to joining Canada Post in December, 2019, Karen was a member of Mercer’s global Responsible Investment team. Karen was a member of the core team that developed Mercer's Investing in a Time of Climate Change - The Sequel (2019) research report. During her 25 year career at Mercer, Karen has held a variety of leadership roles in defined benefit risk management, strategy execution, knowledge management, and operations. In addition to her time at Mercer, Karen spent 18 months in 2010/11 as Director, Pension and Benefits at BMO Financial Group.
Karen was named one of Canada's 2019 Clean 50 leaders in the field of sustainable capitalism. Karen is on the board of directors at QUEST Canada, which is accelerating smart energy communities across Canada and is a member of the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) Asset Owner Technical Advisory Committee.
Karen graduated from the University of Alberta with an Honours Bachelor of Science in Applied Mathematics in 1990. She is a Fellow of the Society of Actuaries and the Canadian Institute of Actuaries.
Michelle Loder
Partner, DC Solutions,
LifeWorks
Michelle Loder
Partner, DC Solutions
LifeWorks
Michelle is a Partner at LifeWorks and leads our national DC Solutions growth strategy. Michelle joined LifeWorks in early 2015 and has over 25 years of consulting experience providing strategic and multi-disciplinary advice on all aspects of Capital Accumulation Plan management and delivery including plan design, administrative solutions, investment strategies, member engagement and communication, plan governance and ongoing monitoring against program objectives.
Michelle is an experienced thought leader in the Capital Accumulation Plan marketplace. Michelle delivers holistic and forward thinking solutions that help maximize delivery of CAP benefits to plan members in the achievement of sponsor objectives.
Michelle is a Chartered Financial Analyst, a Chartered Professional Accountant, and a Chartered Accountant and also holds designations as a Registered Financial Planner and Certified Financial Planner. She has a Bachelor of Commerce, Honours Accounting from the University of Ottawa. She is a regular author and industry speaker.
Partner, DC Solutions
LifeWorks
Michelle is a Partner at LifeWorks and leads our national DC Solutions growth strategy. Michelle joined LifeWorks in early 2015 and has over 25 years of consulting experience providing strategic and multi-disciplinary advice on all aspects of Capital Accumulation Plan management and delivery including plan design, administrative solutions, investment strategies, member engagement and communication, plan governance and ongoing monitoring against program objectives.
Michelle is an experienced thought leader in the Capital Accumulation Plan marketplace. Michelle delivers holistic and forward thinking solutions that help maximize delivery of CAP benefits to plan members in the achievement of sponsor objectives.
Michelle is a Chartered Financial Analyst, a Chartered Professional Accountant, and a Chartered Accountant and also holds designations as a Registered Financial Planner and Certified Financial Planner. She has a Bachelor of Commerce, Honours Accounting from the University of Ottawa. She is a regular author and industry speaker.
Jennifer O'Hara Martin
Vice-president, Global Equities, T. Rowe Price
Jennifer O'Hara Martin
Vice-president, Global Equities
T. Rowe Price
Jennifer O’Hara Martin is a global equity portfolio specialist in the U.S. Equity Division. She is a member of the Global Growth Equity, Global Focused Growth Equity, Global Technology Equity, Communications & Technology Equity, and Science & Technology Equity Strategy teams. Jennifer is a vice president of T. Rowe Price Group, Inc.
Jennifer’s investment experience began in 1996, and she has been with T. Rowe Price since 2005, beginning in the U.S. Equity Division, when she joined the firm as an equity research analyst covering food retailing and discount stores, in addition to having portfolio management responsibilities for the US Structured Research Equity Strategy. Prior to this, Jennifer was employed by Northern Trust, following telecommunications and business services companies. Jennifer also was employed by Merrill Lynch as an investment banking analyst.
Jennifer earned a B.S. in agricultural economics from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign and an M.B.A. from Northwestern University, Kellogg School of Management. She presently serves on the Board of Trustees of the Baltimore Museum of Art and is a committee member for the Northwestern University, Kellogg School of Management, Asset Management Practicum.
Vice-president, Global Equities
T. Rowe Price
Jennifer O’Hara Martin is a global equity portfolio specialist in the U.S. Equity Division. She is a member of the Global Growth Equity, Global Focused Growth Equity, Global Technology Equity, Communications & Technology Equity, and Science & Technology Equity Strategy teams. Jennifer is a vice president of T. Rowe Price Group, Inc.
Jennifer’s investment experience began in 1996, and she has been with T. Rowe Price since 2005, beginning in the U.S. Equity Division, when she joined the firm as an equity research analyst covering food retailing and discount stores, in addition to having portfolio management responsibilities for the US Structured Research Equity Strategy. Prior to this, Jennifer was employed by Northern Trust, following telecommunications and business services companies. Jennifer also was employed by Merrill Lynch as an investment banking analyst.
Jennifer earned a B.S. in agricultural economics from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign and an M.B.A. from Northwestern University, Kellogg School of Management. She presently serves on the Board of Trustees of the Baltimore Museum of Art and is a committee member for the Northwestern University, Kellogg School of Management, Asset Management Practicum.
Martin McInnis
Executive Director,
CSS Pension Plan
Martin McInnis
Executive Director
CSS Pension Plan
Martin McInnis is the executive director of the Co-operative Superannuation Society (CSS) Pension Plan, one of Canada’s largest and oldest defined contribution pension plans. Martin has a strong appreciation for the positive difference that co-operative enterprise makes in the lives of everyday people and their communities. He is proud to be leading the CSS Pension Plan on behalf of more than 300 Canadian co-operative and credit union employers and approximately 51,000 employee members and retirees.
Martin has a broad range of experience and skills in the areas of strategy, finance, operations, accounting, risk management and information technology. He holds a bachelor of commerce (honours in computer science) from the University of Saskatchewan, is a chartered financial analyst (CFA) charterholder and is a chartered professional accountant (FCPA, FCMA).
Executive Director
CSS Pension Plan
Martin McInnis is the executive director of the Co-operative Superannuation Society (CSS) Pension Plan, one of Canada’s largest and oldest defined contribution pension plans. Martin has a strong appreciation for the positive difference that co-operative enterprise makes in the lives of everyday people and their communities. He is proud to be leading the CSS Pension Plan on behalf of more than 300 Canadian co-operative and credit union employers and approximately 51,000 employee members and retirees.
Martin has a broad range of experience and skills in the areas of strategy, finance, operations, accounting, risk management and information technology. He holds a bachelor of commerce (honours in computer science) from the University of Saskatchewan, is a chartered financial analyst (CFA) charterholder and is a chartered professional accountant (FCPA, FCMA).
Ruthann M. Pritchard
Institutional Portfolio Manager,
Fidelity Investments
Ruthann M. Pritchard
Institutional Portfolio Manager
Fidelity Investments
Ruthann Pritchard is an institutional portfolio manager in the Global Asset Allocation (GAA) group at Fidelity Investments. In this role, Ruthann serves as a member of the investment management team, maintaining a deep knowledge of portfolio philosophy, process, and construction, assisting portfolio managers and their CIOs in ensuring portfolios are managed in accordance with client expectations, and contributing to investment thought leadership in support of the team. She is also a principal liaison for portfolio management to a broad range of current and prospective clients and internal partners, providing detailed portfolio reviews and serving as a key conduit of client objectives, requirements, and marketplace insight back to the investment team. Ruthann’s focus is on Target Date strategies.
Prior to assuming her current position in January 2014, Ruthann was vice president, investment consultant, in Personal Workplace Investments (PWI), a unit of Fidelity Investments, from 2006 to 2014. Before joining Fidelity in 2006, she was a vice president at JPMorgan Asset Management and JPMorgan Retirement Plan Services from 2000 to 2006, an associate investment consultant at Evaluation Associates from 1996 to 2000, and a research analyst at Target Investors from 1993 to 1996. Previously, Ruthann worked as an associate at First Boston from 1987 to 1991, and as an analyst/associate at Goldman Sachs from 1984 to 1987. She has been in the investments industry since 1984.
Ruthann earned her bachelor of science degree in applied mathematics and mechanical engineering from Yale University. She also holds the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) Series 6, 63, 7, and 3 licenses.
Institutional Portfolio Manager
Fidelity Investments
Ruthann Pritchard is an institutional portfolio manager in the Global Asset Allocation (GAA) group at Fidelity Investments. In this role, Ruthann serves as a member of the investment management team, maintaining a deep knowledge of portfolio philosophy, process, and construction, assisting portfolio managers and their CIOs in ensuring portfolios are managed in accordance with client expectations, and contributing to investment thought leadership in support of the team. She is also a principal liaison for portfolio management to a broad range of current and prospective clients and internal partners, providing detailed portfolio reviews and serving as a key conduit of client objectives, requirements, and marketplace insight back to the investment team. Ruthann’s focus is on Target Date strategies.
Prior to assuming her current position in January 2014, Ruthann was vice president, investment consultant, in Personal Workplace Investments (PWI), a unit of Fidelity Investments, from 2006 to 2014. Before joining Fidelity in 2006, she was a vice president at JPMorgan Asset Management and JPMorgan Retirement Plan Services from 2000 to 2006, an associate investment consultant at Evaluation Associates from 1996 to 2000, and a research analyst at Target Investors from 1993 to 1996. Previously, Ruthann worked as an associate at First Boston from 1987 to 1991, and as an analyst/associate at Goldman Sachs from 1984 to 1987. She has been in the investments industry since 1984.
Ruthann earned her bachelor of science degree in applied mathematics and mechanical engineering from Yale University. She also holds the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) Series 6, 63, 7, and 3 licenses.
Will Sandbrook
Managing Director of Strategy, Analytics & Nest Insight, NEST
Will Sandbrook
Managing Director of Strategy, Analytics and Nest Insight
National Employment Savings Trust (NEST) Insight
Will is the Managing Director of Strategy, Analytics and Nest Insight at Nest. He has spent almost 20 working in strategy, public policy, research and communications roles relating to personal finance and pensions, including working for the UK government on financial inclusion policy and the design and implementation of their landmark automatic enrolment programme. In 2008 he joined Nest, shortly after it was formed, and joined the Executive Team in 2010 as Strategy Director. In 2016 he oversaw the launch of the Nest Insight Unit, which he still leads alongside responsibility for Strategy, Data and Analytics for Nest more broadly.
Will has published papers on pensions policy, workplace emergency saving and financial wellbeing in the AARP International Journal, the International Journal of Pensions Management and with the World Bank, among others, as well as authoring and contributing to a number of Nest Insight reports. He has spoken on these topics at conferences and events in the UK, Europe, Asia and North America. Outside of Nest he has acted as an independent adviser and subject matter expert on research projects for Natcen and the Behavioural Insights Team. He previously served as a member of the International Centre for Pensions Management’s research committee.
Managing Director of Strategy, Analytics and Nest Insight
National Employment Savings Trust (NEST) Insight
Will is the Managing Director of Strategy, Analytics and Nest Insight at Nest. He has spent almost 20 working in strategy, public policy, research and communications roles relating to personal finance and pensions, including working for the UK government on financial inclusion policy and the design and implementation of their landmark automatic enrolment programme. In 2008 he joined Nest, shortly after it was formed, and joined the Executive Team in 2010 as Strategy Director. In 2016 he oversaw the launch of the Nest Insight Unit, which he still leads alongside responsibility for Strategy, Data and Analytics for Nest more broadly.
Will has published papers on pensions policy, workplace emergency saving and financial wellbeing in the AARP International Journal, the International Journal of Pensions Management and with the World Bank, among others, as well as authoring and contributing to a number of Nest Insight reports. He has spoken on these topics at conferences and events in the UK, Europe, Asia and North America. Outside of Nest he has acted as an independent adviser and subject matter expert on research projects for Natcen and the Behavioural Insights Team. He previously served as a member of the International Centre for Pensions Management’s research committee.
Bruce Sellery
CEO,
Credit Canada
Bruce Sellery
CEO
Credit Canada
Bruce Sellery is the CEO of Credit Canada, the country’s longest-standing non-profit credit counsellor.
He comes to the role after two decades as a business journalist, personal finance expert and financial literacy consultant. He was an anchor for BNN Bloomberg in Toronto and New York City, a contributor on CBC TV’s The Exchange, and the host of Million Dollar Neighbourhood on the Oprah Winfrey Network. He authored two Globe & Mail bestsellers including, “Moolala: Why smart people do dumb things with money (and what you can do about it)”.
Bruce is the Money Columnist for CBC Radio and the syndicated lifestyle TV show Cityline and he hosts a national weekly radio show for SiriusXM. He is the Past President of The Canadian Club of Toronto, sits on the Advisory Board of the Smith School of Business at Queen’s University, and is an alumnus of the Governor General’s Leadership Conference.
CEO
Credit Canada
Bruce Sellery is the CEO of Credit Canada, the country’s longest-standing non-profit credit counsellor.
He comes to the role after two decades as a business journalist, personal finance expert and financial literacy consultant. He was an anchor for BNN Bloomberg in Toronto and New York City, a contributor on CBC TV’s The Exchange, and the host of Million Dollar Neighbourhood on the Oprah Winfrey Network. He authored two Globe & Mail bestsellers including, “Moolala: Why smart people do dumb things with money (and what you can do about it)”.
Bruce is the Money Columnist for CBC Radio and the syndicated lifestyle TV show Cityline and he hosts a national weekly radio show for SiriusXM. He is the Past President of The Canadian Club of Toronto, sits on the Advisory Board of the Smith School of Business at Queen’s University, and is an alumnus of the Governor General’s Leadership Conference.
