Breakfast Club
FEATURED TOPIC
The Yale Model Revisited: Private Markets and Canadian Endowments
AIR DATE
June 21, 2023 | 10:30 AM, EDT
SUBSCRIBE FOR ACCESS
WATCH NOW
If you have any questions regarding access, email us.
DISCUSSION HIGHLIGHTS
Made popular by the long-term CIO of the Yale Endowment, David Swensen, the so-called “Yale” or “Endowment” Model has traditionally leaned on private assets to generate the income needed by universities to grow. We gathered together a panel of experts over breakfast to check in on the role private markets are playing today at Canada’s top university endowments.

This inaugural CLC Breakfast Club will address key questions endowment investors have about private markets, portfolio diversification, and some of the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead in today’s rising rate environment.
THE PANEL
Martin Belanger

Martin Belanger

Director, Investments,
University of Western Ontario
About Martin
Marc Gauthier

Marc Gauthier

University Treasurer and Chief Investment Officer,
Concordia University
About Marc
Ash Lawrence

Ash Lawrence

Senior Vice-President and Head of AGF Private Capital,
AGF Investments Inc.
About Ash
Taylor Servais

Taylor Servais

Director, Investments,
University of Ottawa
About Taylor
Breakfast Club sessions are available to senior decision-makers within Canadian pension funds who are currently subscribed to the CLC Newsletter.
Access to the Breakfast Club provides you the link to view at your leisure or share with your team.

ABOUT OUR PANEL

Martin Belanger
Martin Belanger
Director, Investments  |  University of Western Ontario
Martin is Director, Investments at Western University, where he oversees the University’s Retirement Plans and Operating and Endowment Fund. He has more than 25 years of experience in the financial industry and has been with the University since July 2006. His responsibilities include monitoring the University’s external investment managers, implementing governance policies, developing asset allocation and risk management strategies and reporting to the governing bodies of the University.

He holds a master's degree in finance from HEC Montreal, is a CFA charterholder, a CAIA charterholder, a certified financial planner (CFP®), and is a fellow of both the Canadian Institute of Actuaries and the Society of Actuaries.
Marc Gauthier
Marc Gauthier
University Treasurer and Chief Investment Officer  |  Concordia University
Mr. Gauthier is responsible for the oversight of the University’s and its related entities’ financial position, which are segregated through five distinct portfolios; Benefits (Pension Plan, Group Insurance Plans, Supplementary Retirement Plans and Post Retirement/Employment Benefits), Investments (Pension Fund and Foundations), Corporate Risks (Insurance, self-insurance and ERM programs), Capital Budget (Capital investments and Fixed Assets) and Financing. He has been employed by Concordia University for 31 years; his responsibilities have also included such roles as Executive Director, Finance and Business Operations, Director of Finance and Restricted Funds and prior as a senior financial analyst and accountant.

Mr. Gauthier obtained his CMA and graduated from Finance and Accounting at Concordia University as well as from Queen’s Executive Program in General Management.
Ash Lawrence
Ash Lawrence
Senior Vice-President and Head of AGF Private Capital  |  AGF Investments Inc.
Ash Lawrence joined AGF as Head of AGF Private Capital, the firm’s private markets business, in February 2022. He is a seasoned private markets leader with a wide breadth of expertise in investments and portfolio management across sectors. Ash brings the right combination of strategic thinking, deep experience and strong relationships to drive the growth of AGF Private Capital, a key pillar of the firm’s growth strategy.

Ash has approximately 20 years of private markets experience, including 16 years with Brookfield Asset Management working on real estate investments and portfolio management in North America and Brazil. He most recently led the firm’s Canadian real estate business. Prior to that, he worked at a real estate company managing development strategies and the financing of municipal infrastructure projects. He also worked as an engineering consultant, developing infrastructure and transportation solutions for private and public sector clients.

Ash earned an MBA from the Rotman School of Management and a Bachelor of Applied Science, Civil Engineering, from the University of Waterloo.
Taylor Servais
Taylor Servais
Director, Investments  |  University of Ottawa
Taylor oversees the University of Ottawa's 30% real assets allocation for the Endowment and Pension Fund. He previously spent 7 years at CMHC Pension Fund overseeing their real estate portfolio, which covered Canada, the U.S., Europe and the U.K. During his time at CMHC, Taylor also obtained exposure to private equity, private debt, and agriculture.

He is a proud graduate from the University of Ottawa where he was a varsity athlete with the Gee‑Gees football team.
OUR PARTNER
AGF Private Capital
Monday Minute Home

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Make sure to never miss another Monday Minute by signing up to the Canadian Leadership Congress Newsletter. You'll be informed of upcoming Chat schedules and exclusive content only available to subscribers.
FEATURED TOPIC
The Future of Energy in a Net Zero World
AIR DATE
October 24, 2022 | 12:00 PM, EDT
SUBSCRIBE NOW FOR ACCESS
If you have any questions regarding access, email us.
DISCUSSION HIGHLIGHTS
While the global energy transition has given rise to new technologies and sectors focused on carbon reduction, it has also created a good deal of uncertainty for investors, particularly in countries like Canada where the energy industry plays a significant economic role. In this Monday Minute, we will look at the role policy can have in supporting the sectors and technologies that will help the world achieve Net Zero. We also dig into the data and how investors can identify real gamechangers — and avoid greenwashing.
DOWNLOADABLE RESOURCES
Listed Infrastructure Offers Breadth and Liquidity
Deirdre Cooper
Deirdre Cooper
Head of Sustainable Equity
Ninety One
About Deirdre
FEATURED TOPIC
The Yale Model Revisited: Private Markets and Canadian Endowments
AIR DATE
June 21, 2023 | 10:30 AM, EDT
SUBSCRIBE FOR ACCESS
If you have any questions regarding access, email us.
DISCUSSION HIGHLIGHTS
Made popular by the long-term CIO of the Yale Endowment, David Swensen, the so-called “Yale” or “Endowment” Model has traditionally leaned on private assets to generate the income needed by universities to grow. We gathered together a panel of experts over breakfast to check in on the role private markets are playing today at Canada’s top university endowments.

This inaugural CLC Breakfast Club will address key questions endowment investors have about private markets, portfolio diversification, and some of the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead in today’s rising rate environment.
Darcie James Maxwell
Darcie James Maxwell
Head of Canadian Operations, Data and Platform Solutions,
BNY Mellon and CIBC Mellon
About Darcie
Tristan Robinson
Tristan Robinson
Vice President, Finance Platform, Capital Markets,
OMERS
About Tristan