The 2025 DC Plan Experience
Helping Plan Members on the Path to Retirement
Presented by
THE CANADIAN LEADERSHIP CONGRESS
THE CANADIAN LEADERSHIP CONGRESS
THE 2025 DC PLAN EXPERIENCE
📆 April 24, 2025
📍 The Ritz-Carlton · Toronto, ON
TheDC Plan Experience convenes DC pension decision-makers from across Canada to share insights and discuss key topics such as global equities, target-date funds, plan design, communication, private markets, fixed income, macroeconomics, and more.
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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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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
David Suzuki
Award-Winning Scientist, Environmentalist, and Broadcaster
David Suzuki
Award-Winning Scientist, Environmentalist, and Broadcaster
Dr. David Suzuki has made it his life's work to help humanity understand, appreciate, respect and protect nature. He is familiar to television audiences as host of the CBC science and natural history television series The Nature of Things. David was the recipient of The Canadian Academy of Cinema and Television's 2020 Lifetime Achievement Award. David has been recognized by BC Achievement in partnership with the Lieutenant Governor of BC for his extraordinary work as a recipient of the 2021 BC Reconciliation Award. Dr. Suzuki is a Companion to the Order of Canada and a recipient of UNESCO's Kalinga Prize for science, the 2009 Right Livelihood Award, and UNEP’s Global 500. He is Professor Emeritus at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver and holds 30 honorary degrees from universities in Canada, United States and Australia. His written work includes more than 55 books, 19 of them for children.
Read more here:
http://www.davidsuzuki.org/david/
Award-Winning Scientist, Environmentalist, and Broadcaster
Dr. David Suzuki has made it his life's work to help humanity understand, appreciate, respect and protect nature. He is familiar to television audiences as host of the CBC science and natural history television series The Nature of Things. David was the recipient of The Canadian Academy of Cinema and Television's 2020 Lifetime Achievement Award. David has been recognized by BC Achievement in partnership with the Lieutenant Governor of BC for his extraordinary work as a recipient of the 2021 BC Reconciliation Award. Dr. Suzuki is a Companion to the Order of Canada and a recipient of UNESCO's Kalinga Prize for science, the 2009 Right Livelihood Award, and UNEP’s Global 500. He is Professor Emeritus at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver and holds 30 honorary degrees from universities in Canada, United States and Australia. His written work includes more than 55 books, 19 of them for children.
Read more here:
http://www.davidsuzuki.org/david/
Neil Cunningham
President and CEO,
PSP Investments
Neil Cunningham
President and Chief Executive Officer
PSP Investments
Neil Cunningham is President and Chief Executive Officer at the Public Sector Pension Investment Board (PSP Investments). Prior to this appointment, Mr. Cunningham acted as Senior Vice President, Global Head of Real Estate and Natural Resources at PSP Investments. With over 35 years of experience, Mr. Cunningham has deep industry knowledge and expertise in the real estate and financial industries.
Mr. Cunningham joined PSP Investments in 2004 and was instrumental in building the Real Estate group into one of the largest, most respected and successful institutional investment teams in the world. He also led the team responsible for Natural Resources’ success in investing globally and establishing relationships with best-in-class local operators.
Mr. Cunningham was responsible for leading and implementing the organization’s transformative workplace strategy. He was also a key contributor to the diversity awareness and inclusion initiatives and the development of a common corporate culture of collaboration and teamwork. He served on the Senior Management Committee, the Management Risk and Investment Committee, as well as the Talent Committee.
Mr. Cunningham also served as Chair of the Board at Revera Inc. Prior to joining PSP Investments, he worked in various roles in the finance industry with Merrill Lynch Real Estate Finance Group, Brazos (Hudson) Advisors Canada, National Bank of Canada and Coopers & Lybrand.
Mr. Cunningham holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) from Queen’s University and is a Chartered Accountant.
President and Chief Executive Officer
PSP Investments
Neil Cunningham is President and Chief Executive Officer at the Public Sector Pension Investment Board (PSP Investments). Prior to this appointment, Mr. Cunningham acted as Senior Vice President, Global Head of Real Estate and Natural Resources at PSP Investments. With over 35 years of experience, Mr. Cunningham has deep industry knowledge and expertise in the real estate and financial industries.
Mr. Cunningham joined PSP Investments in 2004 and was instrumental in building the Real Estate group into one of the largest, most respected and successful institutional investment teams in the world. He also led the team responsible for Natural Resources’ success in investing globally and establishing relationships with best-in-class local operators.
Mr. Cunningham was responsible for leading and implementing the organization’s transformative workplace strategy. He was also a key contributor to the diversity awareness and inclusion initiatives and the development of a common corporate culture of collaboration and teamwork. He served on the Senior Management Committee, the Management Risk and Investment Committee, as well as the Talent Committee.
Mr. Cunningham also served as Chair of the Board at Revera Inc. Prior to joining PSP Investments, he worked in various roles in the finance industry with Merrill Lynch Real Estate Finance Group, Brazos (Hudson) Advisors Canada, National Bank of Canada and Coopers & Lybrand.
Mr. Cunningham holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) from Queen’s University and is a Chartered Accountant.
Charles Baigler
Head of Acquisitions - Private Equity Real Estate, Pictet Group
Charles Baigler
Head of Acquisitions - Private Equity Real Estate
Pictet Group
With over 22 years of experience in the Real Estate Private Equity industry, Charles was most recently Managing Director and Fund Manager for the European value-add fund series at CBRE Global Investors, one of the world’s largest real estate investment management firms, where he was responsible for raising 2 commingled closed-end funds and deploying over €3bn of equity across Europe. He joined CBRE Global Investors in 2014 from Rockspring, where he was an Associate Partner responsible for Joint Venture transactions and also Head of Rockspring France. Prior to Rockspring he was a Director at Catalyst Capital, where he was responsible for the acquisition and management of assets in Central and Eastern Europe. He has also worked at the Royal Bank of Scotland underwriting and originating real estate loans. Charles holds an MSc in Real Estate Management from London Southbank University and a BA (Hons) from the University of Leeds. He is a Member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.
Head of Acquisitions - Private Equity Real Estate
Pictet Group
With over 22 years of experience in the Real Estate Private Equity industry, Charles was most recently Managing Director and Fund Manager for the European value-add fund series at CBRE Global Investors, one of the world’s largest real estate investment management firms, where he was responsible for raising 2 commingled closed-end funds and deploying over €3bn of equity across Europe. He joined CBRE Global Investors in 2014 from Rockspring, where he was an Associate Partner responsible for Joint Venture transactions and also Head of Rockspring France. Prior to Rockspring he was a Director at Catalyst Capital, where he was responsible for the acquisition and management of assets in Central and Eastern Europe. He has also worked at the Royal Bank of Scotland underwriting and originating real estate loans. Charles holds an MSc in Real Estate Management from London Southbank University and a BA (Hons) from the University of Leeds. He is a Member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.
Adrian Benedict
Head of Real Estate Solutions, Fidelity International
Adrian Benedict
Head of Real Estate Solutions
Fidelity International
Adrian is Head of Real Estate Solutions at Fidelity International, responsible for capital markets, fund structuring and developing bespoke client solutions. He successfully raised US$2.6bn of capital across Fidelity International’s global institutional client base and is leading Fidelity’s technology initiatives around Single Data Platform and ‘Frictionless’ Investment in Illiquid Assets.
He has extensive experience advising on and structuring real estate offerings for clients across the globe. During his career he has been responsible for the launch of numerous real estate strategies, the origination and structuring of senior and junior debt as well as the launch of both domestic and international property funds. He previously worked at Invista REIM plc, KPMG, UBS Investment Bank and PwC.
Adrian joined Fidelity in 2008 and is part of the Fidelity International Real Estate Leadership Team. He is Chairman of the Association of Real Estate Funds, a UK industry body and an FCA Approved Person. He holds a MEng in Civil Engineering and is qualified as a Chartered Accountant.
Head of Real Estate Solutions
Fidelity International
Adrian is Head of Real Estate Solutions at Fidelity International, responsible for capital markets, fund structuring and developing bespoke client solutions. He successfully raised US$2.6bn of capital across Fidelity International’s global institutional client base and is leading Fidelity’s technology initiatives around Single Data Platform and ‘Frictionless’ Investment in Illiquid Assets.
He has extensive experience advising on and structuring real estate offerings for clients across the globe. During his career he has been responsible for the launch of numerous real estate strategies, the origination and structuring of senior and junior debt as well as the launch of both domestic and international property funds. He previously worked at Invista REIM plc, KPMG, UBS Investment Bank and PwC.
Adrian joined Fidelity in 2008 and is part of the Fidelity International Real Estate Leadership Team. He is Chairman of the Association of Real Estate Funds, a UK industry body and an FCA Approved Person. He holds a MEng in Civil Engineering and is qualified as a Chartered Accountant.
Aaron Bennett
Chief Investment Officer, University Pension Plan Ontario
Aaron Bennett
Chief Investment Officer
University Pension Plan Ontario
Aaron Bennett is UPP’s Chief Investment Officer and leads all aspects of our global investment strategy and operations. He works closely with the Executive Leadership Team and Investment Department leaders to drive and evolve UPP’s innovative, risk-optimized investment platform grounded on the Plan’s mission of retirement security and sustainable investing.
A seasoned and versatile portfolio manager, Aaron brings over 16 years of investment experience at highly respected organizations, with expertise in strategic asset allocation and responsible investing. He has a deep understanding of total fund asset mix strategy and risk management and has managed globally diversified portfolios of public and private assets. He is also a recognized leader in sustainable investing and ESG initiatives. Across his roles at Jarislowsky Fraser Global Investment Management, Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan and mid-sized Canadian boutique investment banks, Aaron has supported the continuous improvement of systemic and robust investment analysis, policy formulation and strategic implementation across portfolios and asset classes.
Aaron holds a B.Sc Honours (Biology) from Queen’s University, an MBA from the Ivey School of Business Western University and is a CFA Charterholder.
Chief Investment Officer
University Pension Plan Ontario
Aaron Bennett is UPP’s Chief Investment Officer and leads all aspects of our global investment strategy and operations. He works closely with the Executive Leadership Team and Investment Department leaders to drive and evolve UPP’s innovative, risk-optimized investment platform grounded on the Plan’s mission of retirement security and sustainable investing.
A seasoned and versatile portfolio manager, Aaron brings over 16 years of investment experience at highly respected organizations, with expertise in strategic asset allocation and responsible investing. He has a deep understanding of total fund asset mix strategy and risk management and has managed globally diversified portfolios of public and private assets. He is also a recognized leader in sustainable investing and ESG initiatives. Across his roles at Jarislowsky Fraser Global Investment Management, Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan and mid-sized Canadian boutique investment banks, Aaron has supported the continuous improvement of systemic and robust investment analysis, policy formulation and strategic implementation across portfolios and asset classes.
Aaron holds a B.Sc Honours (Biology) from Queen’s University, an MBA from the Ivey School of Business Western University and is a CFA Charterholder.
Debby Blakey
CEO,
HESTA
Debby Blakey
Chief Executive Officer
HESTA
As CEO of $68 billion industry super fund HESTA, Debby leads an organisation passionate about making a real difference to the financial future of every member while supporting a healthier planet and society.
Under Debby’s leadership, HESTA pioneered investing with impact, which is delivering strong, long-term returns and positively contributing to global sustainable development goals.
The first major Australian super fund to commit to an ambitious Climate Change Transition Plan, HESTA is targeting total portfolio cuts in emissions of 33% by 2030 and ‘net zero’ by 2050.
More than 80% of HESTA’s 880,000+ members are women. A prominent voice for gender equality, Debby’s advocacy highlights that when women do better everyone benefits.
Debby is President of the Australian Council of Superannuation Investors and holds directorships at The Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia Ltd and the International Corporate Governance Network. Debby is also a WGEA Pay Equity Ambassador.
Chief Executive Officer
HESTA
As CEO of $68 billion industry super fund HESTA, Debby leads an organisation passionate about making a real difference to the financial future of every member while supporting a healthier planet and society.
Under Debby’s leadership, HESTA pioneered investing with impact, which is delivering strong, long-term returns and positively contributing to global sustainable development goals.
The first major Australian super fund to commit to an ambitious Climate Change Transition Plan, HESTA is targeting total portfolio cuts in emissions of 33% by 2030 and ‘net zero’ by 2050.
More than 80% of HESTA’s 880,000+ members are women. A prominent voice for gender equality, Debby’s advocacy highlights that when women do better everyone benefits.
Debby is President of the Australian Council of Superannuation Investors and holds directorships at The Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia Ltd and the International Corporate Governance Network. Debby is also a WGEA Pay Equity Ambassador.
Arup Datta
CIO, Global Quantitative Equity Team, Mackenzie Investments
Arup Datta
CIO, Global Quantitative Equity Team
Mackenzie Investments
Arup is the Head of the Global Quantitative Equity Team at Mackenzie Investments.
Arup began his career in quantitative equity investing in 1992. Between 1992 and 2012, he worked for Man Numeric as a Quantitative Analyst, Portfolio Manager, Director of US, and Director of Portfolio Management, where he managed capacity-constrained equity strategies (traditional long only, active extension and hedge funds) in all capitalization strata and regions of the world. In 2012, Arup founded Agriya Investors, a firm focused on global equities, which eventually became the global/international arm of AJO, a Philadelphia-based institutional quantitative equity firm. As Chief Investment Officer - International, Arup launched capacity-constrained equity strategies in emerging and developed markets.
Arup joined Mackenzie Investments in September 2017 to head the Global Quantitative Equity Team.
Arup has a Bachelor of Technology in Electrical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology in Kanpur, India, and earned an MBA with distinction from the Johnson School of Management at Cornell University. He is a CFA charterholder.
CIO, Global Quantitative Equity Team
Mackenzie Investments
Arup is the Head of the Global Quantitative Equity Team at Mackenzie Investments.
Arup began his career in quantitative equity investing in 1992. Between 1992 and 2012, he worked for Man Numeric as a Quantitative Analyst, Portfolio Manager, Director of US, and Director of Portfolio Management, where he managed capacity-constrained equity strategies (traditional long only, active extension and hedge funds) in all capitalization strata and regions of the world. In 2012, Arup founded Agriya Investors, a firm focused on global equities, which eventually became the global/international arm of AJO, a Philadelphia-based institutional quantitative equity firm. As Chief Investment Officer - International, Arup launched capacity-constrained equity strategies in emerging and developed markets.
Arup joined Mackenzie Investments in September 2017 to head the Global Quantitative Equity Team.
Arup has a Bachelor of Technology in Electrical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology in Kanpur, India, and earned an MBA with distinction from the Johnson School of Management at Cornell University. He is a CFA charterholder.
Vikram Desai
President,
DSP Group
Vikram Desai
President
DSP Group
Vikram Desai serves as President of the DSP Group and DSP Investments, the private single family investment office for Hemendra Kothari (fourth generation of the DSP family). The DSP Group has a rich 150-year old history in the Indian financial services sector, and of successful partnerships with global leaders such as BlackRock and Merrill Lynch. The core operating business of the group is DSP Investment Managers, a top 10 asset management company in India with ~US$ 17 billion of assets under management (AUM), which is 100% owned by the DSP family and run by an experienced professional management team.
Vikram is responsible for overall investment strategy for the family - overseeing new investments and areas of expansion for the group, as well as oversight of all existing investments across public/private markets, fund investments and co-investments.
From 2013 to 2018, Vikram was Director of CPPIB India Advisors Private Limited. The Toronto-based Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB) invests ~C$500 billion of assets of the Canada Pension Plan on behalf of over 20 million Canadian contributors and beneficiaries.
Vikram was responsible for launching the Mumbai office for the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB) and building CPPIB’s India business by originating, evaluating, negotiating, and structuring transactions across asset classes including public markets, private equity, real estate and infrastructure. He launched the Active Fundamental Equities program in India focused on public markets and pre-IPO investments, and was closely involved in the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board’s commitments of over C$5 billion in India - including CPPIB’s investment into Kotak Mahindra Bank, L&T Infrastructure Development Projects Limited (the unlisted roads/infrastructure subsidiary of Larsen and Toubro Ltd), the formation of CPPIB’s real estate joint ventures with Piramal Enterprises (residential) and the Shapoorji Pallonji Group (commercial), fund investments and numerous private equity co-investments alongside CPPIB’s local General Partner’s including KKR, Apax Partners, Bain Capital amongst others.
Prior to CPPIB/VSG, Vikram served as Managing Director & Managing Member of the Boston-based Sparta Group LLC from 2003 to 2012, a private investment office where he invested globally across asset classes and in individual securities, delivering investment returns in the top decile of comparably sized endowments and foundations with capital of over $500MM.
Vikram’s 20+ years of global investment and transaction experience includes private equity investing at San-Francisco based FFL Partners, and Mergers & Acquisitions at the CSFB Technology Group, where he executed transactions in excess of $25BN.
Vikram is a BBA graduate of the University of Texas at Austin and a Mumbai native. At CPPIB, Vikram served on the Executive Committee and as the nominated Chair of the Limited Partners Council of the Indian Private Equity and Venture Capital Association (IVCA). He is a member of the YPO (Young Professionals Organisation) Mumbai chapter.
President
DSP Group
Vikram Desai serves as President of the DSP Group and DSP Investments, the private single family investment office for Hemendra Kothari (fourth generation of the DSP family). The DSP Group has a rich 150-year old history in the Indian financial services sector, and of successful partnerships with global leaders such as BlackRock and Merrill Lynch. The core operating business of the group is DSP Investment Managers, a top 10 asset management company in India with ~US$ 17 billion of assets under management (AUM), which is 100% owned by the DSP family and run by an experienced professional management team.
Vikram is responsible for overall investment strategy for the family - overseeing new investments and areas of expansion for the group, as well as oversight of all existing investments across public/private markets, fund investments and co-investments.
From 2013 to 2018, Vikram was Director of CPPIB India Advisors Private Limited. The Toronto-based Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB) invests ~C$500 billion of assets of the Canada Pension Plan on behalf of over 20 million Canadian contributors and beneficiaries.
Vikram was responsible for launching the Mumbai office for the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB) and building CPPIB’s India business by originating, evaluating, negotiating, and structuring transactions across asset classes including public markets, private equity, real estate and infrastructure. He launched the Active Fundamental Equities program in India focused on public markets and pre-IPO investments, and was closely involved in the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board’s commitments of over C$5 billion in India - including CPPIB’s investment into Kotak Mahindra Bank, L&T Infrastructure Development Projects Limited (the unlisted roads/infrastructure subsidiary of Larsen and Toubro Ltd), the formation of CPPIB’s real estate joint ventures with Piramal Enterprises (residential) and the Shapoorji Pallonji Group (commercial), fund investments and numerous private equity co-investments alongside CPPIB’s local General Partner’s including KKR, Apax Partners, Bain Capital amongst others.
Prior to CPPIB/VSG, Vikram served as Managing Director & Managing Member of the Boston-based Sparta Group LLC from 2003 to 2012, a private investment office where he invested globally across asset classes and in individual securities, delivering investment returns in the top decile of comparably sized endowments and foundations with capital of over $500MM.
Vikram’s 20+ years of global investment and transaction experience includes private equity investing at San-Francisco based FFL Partners, and Mergers & Acquisitions at the CSFB Technology Group, where he executed transactions in excess of $25BN.
Vikram is a BBA graduate of the University of Texas at Austin and a Mumbai native. At CPPIB, Vikram served on the Executive Committee and as the nominated Chair of the Limited Partners Council of the Indian Private Equity and Venture Capital Association (IVCA). He is a member of the YPO (Young Professionals Organisation) Mumbai chapter.
Inigo Fraser Jenkins
Co-Head — Institutional Solutions, AllianceBernstein
Inigo Fraser Jenkins
Co-Head — Institutional Solutions
AllianceBernstein
Inigo Fraser Jenkins is Co-Head of Institutional Solutions at AllianceBernstein. He was previously head of Global Quantitative Strategy at Bernstein Research.
Prior to joining Bernstein in 2015, Fraser Jenkins headed Nomura’s Global Quantitative Strategy and European Equity Strategy teams after holding the position of European quantitative strategist at Lehman Brothers. He began his career at the Bank of England.
Fraser Jenkins holds a BSc in physics from Imperial College London, an MSc in history and philosophy of science from the London School of Economics and Political Science, and an MSc in finance from Imperial College London.
Co-Head — Institutional Solutions
AllianceBernstein
Inigo Fraser Jenkins is Co-Head of Institutional Solutions at AllianceBernstein. He was previously head of Global Quantitative Strategy at Bernstein Research.
Prior to joining Bernstein in 2015, Fraser Jenkins headed Nomura’s Global Quantitative Strategy and European Equity Strategy teams after holding the position of European quantitative strategist at Lehman Brothers. He began his career at the Bank of England.
Fraser Jenkins holds a BSc in physics from Imperial College London, an MSc in history and philosophy of science from the London School of Economics and Political Science, and an MSc in finance from Imperial College London.
Christian Hensley
Senior Managing Director, Equities and Credit, IMCO Investments
Christian Hensley
Senior Managing Director, Equities and Credit
IMCO Investments
Christian Hensley is Senior Managing Director, Equities and Credit. He oversees IMCO’s private equity, public equities and global credit programs, which are executed both internally and through external managers. He is particularly focused on creating organizational partnerships and sourcing new opportunities to generate long term value for clients.
Christian joined IMCO in 2019 and has deep experience across the investing spectrum, including oversight for active mandates and fundamentally-driven direct investment programs. He is an experienced corporate director, having served on the boards of public and private companies in North America and Europe spanning the business services, healthcare, technology and communications industries.
Christian was formerly Managing Director and Head of Relationship Investments at CPPIB, where he led a global team of 40 professionals. Previously, he spent 11 years in the private equity and growth capital industry at Charterhouse Group and Planier Capital and began his career at Salomon Brothers in New York.
Christian graduated from the MBA program at Harvard Business School and holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Pennsylvania.
He has been a committed supporter of the United Way for many years and remains actively involved in their ongoing corporate and individual giving campaigns.
Senior Managing Director, Equities and Credit
IMCO Investments
Christian Hensley is Senior Managing Director, Equities and Credit. He oversees IMCO’s private equity, public equities and global credit programs, which are executed both internally and through external managers. He is particularly focused on creating organizational partnerships and sourcing new opportunities to generate long term value for clients.
Christian joined IMCO in 2019 and has deep experience across the investing spectrum, including oversight for active mandates and fundamentally-driven direct investment programs. He is an experienced corporate director, having served on the boards of public and private companies in North America and Europe spanning the business services, healthcare, technology and communications industries.
Christian was formerly Managing Director and Head of Relationship Investments at CPPIB, where he led a global team of 40 professionals. Previously, he spent 11 years in the private equity and growth capital industry at Charterhouse Group and Planier Capital and began his career at Salomon Brothers in New York.
Christian graduated from the MBA program at Harvard Business School and holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Pennsylvania.
He has been a committed supporter of the United Way for many years and remains actively involved in their ongoing corporate and individual giving campaigns.
Arif Husain
Head of International Fixed Income & CIO, T. Rowe Price
Arif Husain
Head of International Fixed Income and Chief Investment Officer
T. Rowe Price
Arif Husain is the head of the International Fixed Income Division and co-chief investment officer for fixed income. He is the lead portfolio manager for the Dynamic Global Bond Strategy and co-portfolio manager for the Global Aggregate Bond, Global Government Bond, and International Bond Strategies. Arif is a vice president of T. Rowe Price Group, Inc., and T. Rowe Price International Ltd. Arif's investment experience began in 1995, and he has been with T. Rowe Price since 2013. Prior to this, Arif was employed by AllianceBernstein in the area of European fixed income and euro portfolio management. He also was a member of the global fixed income and absolute return portfolio management teams. Arif also was employed by Greenwich NatWest as an assistant director of European Derivatives Trading and by the Bank of America National Trust and Savings Association.
Arif earned a B.Sc. (honors) in banking and international finance from City University London, Cass Business School. He also has earned the Chartered Financial Analyst® designation.
Head of International Fixed Income and Chief Investment Officer
T. Rowe Price
Arif Husain is the head of the International Fixed Income Division and co-chief investment officer for fixed income. He is the lead portfolio manager for the Dynamic Global Bond Strategy and co-portfolio manager for the Global Aggregate Bond, Global Government Bond, and International Bond Strategies. Arif is a vice president of T. Rowe Price Group, Inc., and T. Rowe Price International Ltd. Arif's investment experience began in 1995, and he has been with T. Rowe Price since 2013. Prior to this, Arif was employed by AllianceBernstein in the area of European fixed income and euro portfolio management. He also was a member of the global fixed income and absolute return portfolio management teams. Arif also was employed by Greenwich NatWest as an assistant director of European Derivatives Trading and by the Bank of America National Trust and Savings Association.
Arif earned a B.Sc. (honors) in banking and international finance from City University London, Cass Business School. He also has earned the Chartered Financial Analyst® designation.
Winston Ma
Co-Founder & Managing Partner, CloudTree Ventures
Winston Ma
Co-Founder & Managing Partner
CloudTree Ventures
Winston Ma, CFA & Esq., is an investor, attorney, author, and adjunct professor in the global digital economy. He is a Co-Founder and Managing Partner of CloudTree Ventures, a seed to early growth stage venture capital firm empowering interactive entertainment companies. He is currently the board Chairman of Nasdaq-listed MCAA, a European tech SPAC. Most recently for 10 years, he was Managing Director and Head of North America Office for China Investment Corporation (CIC), China’s sovereign wealth fund. Prior to that, Mr. Ma served as the deputy head of equity capital markets at Barclays Capital, a vice president at J.P. Morgan investment banking, and a corporate lawyer at Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP.
He is one of a small number of native Chinese who have worked as investment professionals and practicing capital markets attorneys in both the United States and China. A nationally certified Software Programmer as early as 1994, Mr. Ma is the book author of several books, including The Digital War: How China's Tech Power Shapes the Future of AI, Blockchain and Cyberspace (2021) and The Hunt for Unicorns: How Sovereign Funds are Reshaping Investment in the Digital Economy (2020). His 2022 new book is Blockchain and Web3: Building the Cryptocurrency, Privacy, and Security Foundations of the Metaverse. He was selected a 2013 Young Global Leader at the World Economic Forum (WEF), and in 2014 he received the NYU Distinguished Alumni Award.
Co-Founder & Managing Partner
CloudTree Ventures
Winston Ma, CFA & Esq., is an investor, attorney, author, and adjunct professor in the global digital economy. He is a Co-Founder and Managing Partner of CloudTree Ventures, a seed to early growth stage venture capital firm empowering interactive entertainment companies. He is currently the board Chairman of Nasdaq-listed MCAA, a European tech SPAC. Most recently for 10 years, he was Managing Director and Head of North America Office for China Investment Corporation (CIC), China’s sovereign wealth fund. Prior to that, Mr. Ma served as the deputy head of equity capital markets at Barclays Capital, a vice president at J.P. Morgan investment banking, and a corporate lawyer at Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP.
He is one of a small number of native Chinese who have worked as investment professionals and practicing capital markets attorneys in both the United States and China. A nationally certified Software Programmer as early as 1994, Mr. Ma is the book author of several books, including The Digital War: How China's Tech Power Shapes the Future of AI, Blockchain and Cyberspace (2021) and The Hunt for Unicorns: How Sovereign Funds are Reshaping Investment in the Digital Economy (2020). His 2022 new book is Blockchain and Web3: Building the Cryptocurrency, Privacy, and Security Foundations of the Metaverse. He was selected a 2013 Young Global Leader at the World Economic Forum (WEF), and in 2014 he received the NYU Distinguished Alumni Award.
Josée Mondoux
CIO, Canadian Medical Protective Association (CMPA)
Josée Mondoux
Chief Investment Officer
Canadian Medical Protective Association (CMPA)
Josée Mondoux is the Chief Investment Officer for the Canadian Medical Protective Association (CMPA), responsible for the oversight of a $6.0 billion Reserve for Claims. She is a member of senior management and a primary resource within the Association for providing investment related tactical support and strategic guidance to members of senior management, the Investment Committee and Council, including asset class selection, asset–liability modelling, financial risk identification and management, portfolio design and implementation, and investment performance monitoring and reporting. She provides strategic leadership and management to the CMPA's front office, namely the public assets and private assets units, as well as the middle office responsible for the performance and risk functions.
Josée is a member of the Pension Fund Investment Committee at the University of Ottawa and holds the CFA, CAIA, FMA and FCSI designations.
Chief Investment Officer
Canadian Medical Protective Association (CMPA)
Josée Mondoux is the Chief Investment Officer for the Canadian Medical Protective Association (CMPA), responsible for the oversight of a $6.0 billion Reserve for Claims. She is a member of senior management and a primary resource within the Association for providing investment related tactical support and strategic guidance to members of senior management, the Investment Committee and Council, including asset class selection, asset–liability modelling, financial risk identification and management, portfolio design and implementation, and investment performance monitoring and reporting. She provides strategic leadership and management to the CMPA's front office, namely the public assets and private assets units, as well as the middle office responsible for the performance and risk functions.
Josée is a member of the Pension Fund Investment Committee at the University of Ottawa and holds the CFA, CAIA, FMA and FCSI designations.
Simon Moody
Director, Private Markets Group, OPTrust
Simon Moody
Director, Private Markets Group
OPTrust
Since joining OPTrust’s Private Markets Group in 2011, Simon has primarily focused on executing and managing investments in the North American private equity and infrastructure asset classes. Simon has led investments in funds, co-investments, and direct investments across various industries. Simon’s infrastructure experience has focused on the energy and transportation sectors. Simon played a critical role in the development and financing of Alberta’s Cascade Power Project, including a partnership with the AIOC and a consortium of six Alberta First Nations.
Prior to joining OPTrust, Simon spent four years as an investment banker at BMO Capital Markets. Simon graduated in 2007 with an Honors Business Administration from the Richard Ivey School of Business.
Director, Private Markets Group
OPTrust
Since joining OPTrust’s Private Markets Group in 2011, Simon has primarily focused on executing and managing investments in the North American private equity and infrastructure asset classes. Simon has led investments in funds, co-investments, and direct investments across various industries. Simon’s infrastructure experience has focused on the energy and transportation sectors. Simon played a critical role in the development and financing of Alberta’s Cascade Power Project, including a partnership with the AIOC and a consortium of six Alberta First Nations.
Prior to joining OPTrust, Simon spent four years as an investment banker at BMO Capital Markets. Simon graduated in 2007 with an Honors Business Administration from the Richard Ivey School of Business.
Chief William Morin
former Chief, Enoch First Nation; Managing Director, Axxcelus
Chief Billy Morin
former Chief
Enoch First Nation; and
Managing Director
Axxcelus Capital Advisory
Chief William (Billy) Morin Nahtokitopi (Sacred Rider) Wapikihew White Eagle was elected as the youngest Chief in Enoch Cree Nations modern history in 2015 and served three consecutive terms as Chief. Chief Billy’s tenure as Chief was defined by true Reconcili-Action inside and outside his home First Nation. Chief Morin helped to champion a resurgence in Nehiyaw Cree language, culture and identity in Enoch; symbolized by his nation reclaiming its traditional Cree name Maskekosihk (Land of Medicines). This language and identity have formed the foundation for all other things in Billy’s time as Chief, including most fittingly, winning the RFP to build the first orthopedic surgical center on and owned by a First Nation in Canada – a project rooted in the Land of Medicines. Furthermore, Chief Morin has championed new business partnerships in Carbon Capture, Hydrogen, Gas and Utilities for his nation and local first nations – projects that require over $1 billion in total investment. Finally, Chief Billy has been a strong advocate for working together with all governments, sectors and Canadians, as was the original spirit and intent of Treaty Six. This culminated with his appointed as Grand Chief of the 17 First Nations of the Confederacy of Treaty Six in 2020; a position responsible to be the voice for the collective Chiefs. Chief Morin now champions indigenous entrepreneurship and setting the path for the next chapter in reconciliation for Canada and indigenous peoples.
former Chief
Enoch First Nation; and
Managing Director
Axxcelus Capital Advisory
Chief William (Billy) Morin Nahtokitopi (Sacred Rider) Wapikihew White Eagle was elected as the youngest Chief in Enoch Cree Nations modern history in 2015 and served three consecutive terms as Chief. Chief Billy’s tenure as Chief was defined by true Reconcili-Action inside and outside his home First Nation. Chief Morin helped to champion a resurgence in Nehiyaw Cree language, culture and identity in Enoch; symbolized by his nation reclaiming its traditional Cree name Maskekosihk (Land of Medicines). This language and identity have formed the foundation for all other things in Billy’s time as Chief, including most fittingly, winning the RFP to build the first orthopedic surgical center on and owned by a First Nation in Canada – a project rooted in the Land of Medicines. Furthermore, Chief Morin has championed new business partnerships in Carbon Capture, Hydrogen, Gas and Utilities for his nation and local first nations – projects that require over $1 billion in total investment. Finally, Chief Billy has been a strong advocate for working together with all governments, sectors and Canadians, as was the original spirit and intent of Treaty Six. This culminated with his appointed as Grand Chief of the 17 First Nations of the Confederacy of Treaty Six in 2020; a position responsible to be the voice for the collective Chiefs. Chief Morin now champions indigenous entrepreneurship and setting the path for the next chapter in reconciliation for Canada and indigenous peoples.
Josphat Muriuki
CEO & Trust Secretary, KenGen PLC Retirement Schemes
Josphat Muriuki
CEO & Trust Secretary
KenGen PLC Retirement Schemes
Josphat Muriuki is the Chief Executive Officer and Trust Secretary in-charge of KenGen PLC Retirement Schemes with invested in Quoted Equities, Private Equity Funds, IBA, Properties and Offshore Funds.
He holds an MBA – Finance, BSc (Actuarial Science) and a student undertaking PhD (Leadership & Governance). He is a Certified Investment and Financial Analyst (CIFA), A member of Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment CISI, Certified Information and Security Auditor (CISA), Certified Pensions Trustee (CPT). He has wide experience and training in Pensions & Investments Management spanning over 14 years. Have won several awards and recognitions locally and internationally and he is a Steering Committee Member of Kenya Pensions Fund Consortium (KEPFIC).
CEO & Trust Secretary
KenGen PLC Retirement Schemes
Josphat Muriuki is the Chief Executive Officer and Trust Secretary in-charge of KenGen PLC Retirement Schemes with invested in Quoted Equities, Private Equity Funds, IBA, Properties and Offshore Funds.
He holds an MBA – Finance, BSc (Actuarial Science) and a student undertaking PhD (Leadership & Governance). He is a Certified Investment and Financial Analyst (CIFA), A member of Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment CISI, Certified Information and Security Auditor (CISA), Certified Pensions Trustee (CPT). He has wide experience and training in Pensions & Investments Management spanning over 14 years. Have won several awards and recognitions locally and internationally and he is a Steering Committee Member of Kenya Pensions Fund Consortium (KEPFIC).
Mercy Gakii Muthuuri
Domestic Resource Mobilization, Kenya Pension Funds
Mercy Gakii Muthuuri
Co-Domestic Resource Mobilization
Kenya Pension Funds Investment Consortium
Mercy Gakii Muthuuri is an investment professional with over 12 year experience in the pension's sector. In her current role, she is responsible for Domestic Resource Mobilization to unlock capital for infrastructure investments and alternative investments from Kenyan Pension funds. She leads investor Relations and member relationships to promote sustainable infrastructure investing. Mercy has a strong and demonstrable performance record and previously managed an investment portfolio of over KES 150B in East Africa (Uganda and Kenya) as the Fund manager in-charge of portfolio management, business Development, Reports analysis and clients’ relations.
She holds an MSc Finance, Bcom Finance both from the University of Nairobi. She is a CPA finalist and has CISI certification.
Currently, due to her passion for the pension industry, she's enrolled at Frankfurt school of Finance and management for certification in Climate adaptation Finance to enable pension funds develop ESG investment guidelines, champion for green Financing and impact investing as well as participate in climate change discussions within the industry.
Co-Domestic Resource Mobilization
Kenya Pension Funds Investment Consortium
Mercy Gakii Muthuuri is an investment professional with over 12 year experience in the pension's sector. In her current role, she is responsible for Domestic Resource Mobilization to unlock capital for infrastructure investments and alternative investments from Kenyan Pension funds. She leads investor Relations and member relationships to promote sustainable infrastructure investing. Mercy has a strong and demonstrable performance record and previously managed an investment portfolio of over KES 150B in East Africa (Uganda and Kenya) as the Fund manager in-charge of portfolio management, business Development, Reports analysis and clients’ relations.
She holds an MSc Finance, Bcom Finance both from the University of Nairobi. She is a CPA finalist and has CISI certification.
Currently, due to her passion for the pension industry, she's enrolled at Frankfurt school of Finance and management for certification in Climate adaptation Finance to enable pension funds develop ESG investment guidelines, champion for green Financing and impact investing as well as participate in climate change discussions within the industry.
Kathleen Pabla
Portfolio Manager, Public Markets,
CAAT Pension Plan
Kathleen Pabla
Portfolio Manager, Public Markets
CAAT Pension Plan
With an investments career spanning research, product design, investment consulting and client advisory, Kathleen brings over 25 years of experience to the CAAT Pension Plan. As a Portfolio Manager, Kathleen plays a key role in the management of the public markets program at CAAT, including investment in public equities, fixed-income, hedge funds and overlay mandates.
Prior to joining CAAT, Kathleen held senior investment roles at Segal Marco Advisors, Manulife Financial and CIBC Asset Management, Inc. She has a BA from the University of Alberta and holds a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation.
Portfolio Manager, Public Markets
CAAT Pension Plan
With an investments career spanning research, product design, investment consulting and client advisory, Kathleen brings over 25 years of experience to the CAAT Pension Plan. As a Portfolio Manager, Kathleen plays a key role in the management of the public markets program at CAAT, including investment in public equities, fixed-income, hedge funds and overlay mandates.
Prior to joining CAAT, Kathleen held senior investment roles at Segal Marco Advisors, Manulife Financial and CIBC Asset Management, Inc. She has a BA from the University of Alberta and holds a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation.
Ramy Rayes
Executive Vice President, Investment Strategy & Risk, BCI
Ramy Rayes
Executive Vice President, Investment Strategy & Risk
BCI
Ramy Rayes joined BCI in July 2016. He is responsible for setting, implementing, and monitoring clients’ investment strategies and for providing independent advice to BCI’s stakeholders. With $211.1 billion of managed assets as of March 31, 2022, BCI is one of Canada’s largest institutional investors within the global capital markets.
Most recently, Ramy led BCI’s strategic asset allocation team and was responsible for research and recommendations related to clients’ asset allocation, investment strategies, and a wide range of other investment topics.
Prior to joining BCI, Ramy spent a decade at Morneau Shepell Ltd. (now LifeWorks Inc.) in Montreal as principal, asset and risk management, where he advised employers on all aspects of asset & liability management for pension funds. Before this, Ramy spent two years at the Laurentian Bank of Canada.
Ramy holds a bachelor of science in mathematics specializing in actuarial science from the University of Montreal. He is an associate of the Society of Actuaries and the Canadian Institute of Actuaries, and a financial risk manager certified by the Global Association of Risk Professionals. Ramy also serves on the continuing education committee of the Canadian Institute of Actuaries.
Executive Vice President, Investment Strategy & Risk
BCI
Ramy Rayes joined BCI in July 2016. He is responsible for setting, implementing, and monitoring clients’ investment strategies and for providing independent advice to BCI’s stakeholders. With $211.1 billion of managed assets as of March 31, 2022, BCI is one of Canada’s largest institutional investors within the global capital markets.
Most recently, Ramy led BCI’s strategic asset allocation team and was responsible for research and recommendations related to clients’ asset allocation, investment strategies, and a wide range of other investment topics.
Prior to joining BCI, Ramy spent a decade at Morneau Shepell Ltd. (now LifeWorks Inc.) in Montreal as principal, asset and risk management, where he advised employers on all aspects of asset & liability management for pension funds. Before this, Ramy spent two years at the Laurentian Bank of Canada.
Ramy holds a bachelor of science in mathematics specializing in actuarial science from the University of Montreal. He is an associate of the Society of Actuaries and the Canadian Institute of Actuaries, and a financial risk manager certified by the Global Association of Risk Professionals. Ramy also serves on the continuing education committee of the Canadian Institute of Actuaries.
Michael Scott
Principal,
SAF Group
Michael Scott
Principal
SAF Group
Michael Scott is a Principal of the SAF Group and is responsible for deal origination, structuring and execution as well as ongoing portfolio and risk management. Prior to SAF, he was the National Head of CIBC's Leveraged Finance Group – a business focused on executing senior and mezzanine debt placements to support leveraged buyouts within Canada and the U.S. In this role, Mr. Scott also oversaw all private equity investments.
Prior to this, he held a finance and operations role with a national retailer and served in a corporate banking role with a Canadian chartered bank. Mr. Scott holds a BBA in Finance from Simon Fraser University and is a Chartered Financial Analyst.
Principal
SAF Group
Michael Scott is a Principal of the SAF Group and is responsible for deal origination, structuring and execution as well as ongoing portfolio and risk management. Prior to SAF, he was the National Head of CIBC's Leveraged Finance Group – a business focused on executing senior and mezzanine debt placements to support leveraged buyouts within Canada and the U.S. In this role, Mr. Scott also oversaw all private equity investments.
Prior to this, he held a finance and operations role with a national retailer and served in a corporate banking role with a Canadian chartered bank. Mr. Scott holds a BBA in Finance from Simon Fraser University and is a Chartered Financial Analyst.
Sriram Vedula
Senior Principal, Private Debt,
BCI
Sriram Vedula
Senior Principal, Private Debt
BCI
Sriram Vedula is a Senior Principal in the Private Credit Fund, within BCI. In this capacity, Sriram makes investment decisions that lead to the deployment of capital into direct lending and syndicated loan opportunities across sectors and geographies. Earlier in his career, Sriram was an experienced and highly regarded investment banker with 17+ years of domestic and cross-border M&A and corporate finance experience. Through his investment banking career, Sriram led the execution of several landmark M&A, Equity and High Yield Debt transactions and has built an extensive network of corporate clients, institutional investors and family offices.
Prior to BCI, Sriram was a Director, Investment Banking, Global Energy, with Credit Suisse in Calgary. In this capacity he covered Credit Suisse’s Canadian E&P clients and helped grow the platform into one of the top two global investment banks in the city. Prior to Credit Suisse, Sriram was a Vice President in TD Securities’ Investment Banking, Global Energy group in Calgary. Prior to moving to Calgary in 2009, Sriram was an Investment Banking Associate, Latin America coverage group, with Deutsche Bank in New York.
Sriram has an MBA in Finance from New York University’s Stern School of Business, where he was the recipient of the Director’s Fellow Scholarship, and a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering from Andhra University in India.
Senior Principal, Private Debt
BCI
Sriram Vedula is a Senior Principal in the Private Credit Fund, within BCI. In this capacity, Sriram makes investment decisions that lead to the deployment of capital into direct lending and syndicated loan opportunities across sectors and geographies. Earlier in his career, Sriram was an experienced and highly regarded investment banker with 17+ years of domestic and cross-border M&A and corporate finance experience. Through his investment banking career, Sriram led the execution of several landmark M&A, Equity and High Yield Debt transactions and has built an extensive network of corporate clients, institutional investors and family offices.
Prior to BCI, Sriram was a Director, Investment Banking, Global Energy, with Credit Suisse in Calgary. In this capacity he covered Credit Suisse’s Canadian E&P clients and helped grow the platform into one of the top two global investment banks in the city. Prior to Credit Suisse, Sriram was a Vice President in TD Securities’ Investment Banking, Global Energy group in Calgary. Prior to moving to Calgary in 2009, Sriram was an Investment Banking Associate, Latin America coverage group, with Deutsche Bank in New York.
Sriram has an MBA in Finance from New York University’s Stern School of Business, where he was the recipient of the Director’s Fellow Scholarship, and a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering from Andhra University in India.
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