Impact Investing Event for Institutional Investors & Asset Owners

The Impact Seminar Series – Canada is an invitation only gathering designed for institutional investors and asset owners based in Canada and the United States. This one-day programme fosters region-specific dialogue, offering a confidential and collaborative environment to explore the latest trends, challenges, and innovations in impact investing across both private and public markets.

We warmly invite institutional investors and asset owners to the seminar taking place in Montreal in 2025 and engage with regional and international impact specialists in a dynamic setting designed to inform, inspire, and connect.

 

WHY ATTEND

This one-day seminar offers thought-provoking sessions, investor panels, keynote presentations, interactive roundtables, and dedicated networking opportunities - encouraging the open exchange of best practices and the co-creation of actionable solutions tailored to the challenges facing the region and beyond. Participants will also benefit from immersive educational workshops and masterclasses that deliver practical insights through real-world case studies, advanced financial analysis, hands-on tools, and collaborative group work focused on thematic investment topics.

 

 

HOSTED BY :

Untitled design (2)

INDUSTRY PARTNERS:

FINANCE MONTREAL
CAFIID
PRI_V

OBJECTIVES

 

  • INFORMED CONVERSATIONS

  •  

    The Seminar provide institutional investors with a platform to share knowledge and insights through in-depth discussions about the challenges and opportunities associated with impact investments in both public and private markets. It seeks to foster collaboration, encourage the exchange of best practices, and explore innovative strategies that can drive meaningful impact while achieving financial returns.


 

  • CONNECTING WITH PEERS

    •  
    • Investors and a curated group of fund managers will be able to reconnect with the industry peers, exchange best practices, learn from each other’s experiences, and share ideas on creating innovative and scalable solutions to their impact journeys.

  • DISCOVERING & EXPLORING

     

    Thematic roundtable sessions provide institutional investors, asset owners, and a select group of impact fund managers with an opportunity to explore impact themes through table discussions facilitated by expert speakers. Participants can select a few discussions to join, allowing them to ask in-depth questions and exchange ideas.

      •  

BOOK YOUR SEAT AMONGST YOUR LOCAL IMPACT INVESTING PEERS!

A LIMITED NUMBER OF COMPLIMENTARY INVITES ARE AVAILABLE FOR INSTITUTIONAL INVESTORS AND ASSET OWNERS

WHO WILL ATTEND

This event is tailored for C-Suite executives, Board Members, Portfolio Managers, and ESG/Impact Investing officers of institutional asset owners:

● Public and Corporate Pension Funds and their Fiduciary Managers,
● Insurance Companies,
● Sovereign Wealth Funds,
● Family Offices,
● Foundations and Endowments,
● Wealth Managers/Private Banks,
● Development Finance Institutions,
● Faith-based Organisations.
  • THE AGENDA 2025 WAS CREATED WITH INPUT FROM 

  •                                 ADVISING COMMITTEE                                          

 • Aysha Dawood, Coordinator, Canada Forum for Impact Investment and Development (CAFIID)
• Claire Bisson, Vice-President and Chief Investment Officer, Fondaction
• Graham Singh, Chief Executive Officer, Relèven
• Karolina Iaydjieva, Portfolio Manager, Rally Assets
• Lilya Mincheva, Interim Co-Head, North America RI Ecosystems, Principles for Responsible Investment
• Lindsay Wallace, Senior Vice President, MEDA (Mennonite Economic Development Associates)
• Mari Brossard, Principal Sustainability, Sagard
• Rosalie Vendette, Director, Quinn+Partners
• Temple Fennell, Principal, Keller Family Office
• Yashel Oliva, Senior Associate, Public Policy & Partnerships, FinDev Canada

1-DAY OF LEARNING & INSPIRATION

PRELIMINARY AGENDA 2025

08:30 - 09:00  Registration              

09:00 -10:00

Breakfast Workshop |  Employee Ownership: Investing in Shared Prosperity

With trillions in business assets expected to change hands in the coming decade, employee ownership offers a timely opportunity for investors to drive long-term value while strengthening communities. This workshop explores how emerging models - like Canada’s new Employee 
Ownership Trusts (EOTs) - can preserve local businesses, deliver competitive returns, and create more inclusive economies. Learn how forward-thinking investors are financing ownership transitions and why this growing movement is gaining bipartisan support as a practical solution to
wealth inequality, business continuity, and economic sovereignty.

10:00 -10:40

Round table | IMM for social impact, stakeholder buy-in, and standardization

What does meaningful impact measurement look like in real-world investment decisions? This panel explores emerging methodologies, stakeholder engagement, and the path toward standardizing IMM practices in Canada. Stakeholder buy-in starts with shared language. This session explores the tension between measurement rigor and community relevance in developing IMM systems that work for everyone.

10:40 - 10:55  Coffee Break              

10:55 -12:00

Thematic Roundtable Discussions

Following a brief introduction by the Phenix Capital Group team, participants will engage in a series of facilitated roundtable discussions. Each table will be led by two subject-matter experts and will focus on one of the thematic areas outlined below. Each discussion will last for 30 minutes, with participants rotating through three different themes during the session. This format is designed to foster in-depth dialogue and the exchange of diverse perspectives.

12:00 - 13:00 Lunch  

13:00 - 13:20

Interactive session |  Investing with integrity: indigenous due diligence in practice

Investing in Indigenous communities means rethinking how we assess risk, value, and readiness. This topic breaks down the steps investors can take to engage Indigenous communities effectively—from legal considerations to community consultation. This session provides a candid look at what works and what doesn’t when investing in Indigenous-led projects. Gain insight into governance, trust-building, and how to align 
capital with community priorities.

 

13:20 -14:10

Investor Panel |  Geopolitics, resilience & the power of private markets

Amid trade disruptions, shifting regulations, and political volatility, impact investors must future proof their portfolios and partnerships. This session tackles how global shape capital flows and risk perception. We’ll also examine the rising role of private markets in maintaining impact integrity and building long-term resilience in deals, especially within infrastructure, climate, and gender-lens 
investing. Learn how Canadian institutions can stay agile, relevant, and resilient.

14:10 - 14:25 Coffee Break              

14:20- 15:00

Fireside chat|  De-risking emerging markets

For decades, perceived high risk has constrained private capital flows to emerging markets. This discussion will challenge conventional wisdom, highlighting how outdated assumptions can inflate perceived risks and create missed opportunities. It will explore how institutional investors can leverage data-driven insights to redefine risk and unlock emerging market potential.

15:00 - 16:00 Closing & Networking                     

 

PLEASE CAREFULLY SELECT YOUR REGISTRATION PATH

This event is catered to C-Suite, Board Members, Portfolio Managers and ESG/Impact Investing officers of: Public and Corporate Pension Funds and their Fiduciary Managers, Insurance Companies, Sovereign Wealth Funds, Family Offices, Foundations and Endowments, Wealth Managers/Private Banks, Development Finance Institutions, Faith-based Organisations. Additionally, a select group of impact fund managers, corporations, service providers, and industry collaborators are invited to participate via sponsorship packages.

ASSET OWNER COMPLIMENTARY TICKET

Free

  • Asset owners may apply for a Complimentary ticket. A maximum of 2 complimentary tickets are available per organisation and are mainly reserved for C-Suite, Board Members, Portfolio Managers and ESG/Impact Investing officers.
  • Asset owner tickets are reserved for organisations who have discretion over assets, invest in external funds and do not engage in third-party fundraising activities or collect fees for advisory/ consulting services.

IMPACT FUND MANAGER PARTICIPATION

Via Application

  • A limited number of carefully selected impact fund managers are invited to participate in the conference via an application for a sponsorship package. 

    There are only a limited number of packages available per event.
  • Impact fund managers and their impact themes will be selected based on the institutional quality criteria, asset class and intended impact. Please apply below or contact us via: sales@phenixcapitalgroup.com.
CORPORATE organisation participation

Via Application

  • A few third-party/corporate organisations such as:
    Service providers;
    Research organisations;
    Investment consultants;
    Government institutions;
    Investee companies;
    will be admitted to participate in the Summit. The ticket price is 1300CAD per ticket.
  • Each application will be reviewed by our team and contacted individually with the next steps.

PARTNERS & SPONSORS 2025

IN THE COMPANY OF LEADING ORGANISATIONS!
We thank our partners and sponsors for supporting Impact Seminar Series - CANADA 2025 

    GOLD SPONSORS

T. Rowe Price Logo

 INDUSTRY PARTNERS

CAFIID
FINANCE MONTREAL
PRI

 

 

  VENUE 2025

 

Le Mount Stephen

1440 Rue Drummond, Montreal, Québec H3G 1V9

   GOOGLE MAPS

Le Mount Stephen cut
Speakers 2025 will be announced soon

SPEAKERS 2024

Chantal Hermans

COO and Head of Impact Investing Intelligence,
Phenix Capital Group

David Rowlett

Portfolio Manager – U.S. Impact Equity,
T. Rowe Price

David Ung

Director, Sustainable Investing, Global Sustainable Investing Team,
Manulife Investment Management 

Erin Flanagan

Director, Climate Advisory,
PSP Investments

Ian Capstick

Chief Impact & Communications Officer,
Animikii

Gemma Roex

Impact Measurement and Management Specialist,
Phenix Capital Group

Katie Wheatley

Head of Canada,
UN Principles for Responsible Investment

Melissa Paris St-Amour

IMM practitioner,
Member of CAFIID IMM Community of Practice

Pauline Barraque-Bigot

Senior Advisor, Partnerships and Strategic Initiatives, Sustainable Finance,
Finance Montréal

Philippe Bélanger

Head of Responsible Investment,
Régime de rentes du Mouvement Desjardins

Pierre-Laurent Macridis

Senior Associate - Private Investment Research,
Rally Assets / Realize Capital Partners

IN THE COMPANY OF LEADING ORGANISATIONS!

PARTNERS

We thank our partners and sponsors for supporting Impact Seminar Series - Canada 2024. 

    GOLD SPONSOR

T. Rowe Price Logo

    SILVER SPONSORS

48
SWEN Capital Partners

    IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

FINANCE MONTREAL
PRI
CAFIID

 

 

VENUE 2024

 

LE MOUNT STEPHEN  

1440 Rue Drummond,
Montréal, Québec H3G 1V9

   GOOGLE MAPS

JOIN LEADING ORGANISATIONS AS A SPONSOR!

IMPACT FUND MANAGERS ARE WELCOME TO ENQUIRE ABOUT SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES 

GET IN THE MOOD TO MEET YOUR INDUSTRY PEERS!

TESTIMONIALS ABOUT OUR EVENTS

WHAT OUR ATTENDEES SAY

WHAT IS IMPACT INVESTING


 

Whereas ESG investing looks to integrate environmental, social and governance factors when subject to an investment’s performance, impact investing goes a step further by seeking investments that contribute to measurable social and/or environmental impact.

 

THE CHARACTERISTICS OF IMPACT INVESTMENTS

  • Intentionality: intent to achieve a social or environmental goal is clearly expressed and the investor identifies outcomes that will be pursued

  • Additionality: thesis or narrative describes how the investor’s actions will help achieve the goal and how the outcome would not have occurred without the investment

  • Measurement: impact measurement framework in place to assess the level of expected impact and monitor progress against the goal

 

SPECTRUM OF CAPITAL

Impact Seminar Series programme is focusing on the financial-first impact investments opportunities, offering experienced impact investors the stage to share best practices with their industry peers. 

Defininf impact investing - Spectrum of capital, Phenix Capital Group

 

 

First published by Bridges Fund Management (2015), the Spectrum of Capital maps out different investment approaches, depending on investors’ desired risk, return and impact profile, and categorizing them in a range from traditional investment to philanthropy.

 

  •  Financial-First Impact Investments: select funds in specific sectors, impact themes, or in alignment to the SDGs. In this approach, there is no trade-off between return and impact, and thus all investments should achieve fully commercial risk-adjusted returns.


  •  Impact-First Impact Investments: funds are selected to maximize impact over returns. These investments may target lower risk-adjusted returns to deliver greater impact.