The Impact Seminar Series – Canada is tailored to institutional investors and asset owners based in Canada and the United States. Impact Seminar Series focuses on the opportunities to move beyond ESG to invest with impact while ensuring market-competitive financial returns.
A half-day programme aims to empower investors to move from the theory to the practice of impact investing through in-depth keynote speeches from experienced impact investors and impact practitioners. During the InvestorConnect sessions, investors can explore a select group of impact strategies in public equity, public debt, private equity, private debt and real assets.
Fostering sustainable & inclusive investing while ensuring financial returns
More speakers will be announced soon
FEATURED SPEAKERS
Henk Groot
Head of Investments,Pensioenfonds Detailhandel
Gemma Roex
Impact Measurement and Management Specialist,Phenix Capital Group
Graham Singh
CEO,Trinity Centres Foundation
Jason Sukhram
Engagement Manager,Quinn+Partners
Wren Laing
Investment Director Impact Investing,McConnell Foundation
Henk Groot
Head of Investments,
Pensioenfonds Detailhandel
Henk Groot is Head of Investments with the Dutch industry-wide pension fund for the Retailers (1.3million participants, € 28 billion AUM) as from 2010. He started his career with KAS Bank where heacted in several roles being account manager for professional domestic traders, network managerglobal custody and senior relationship manager for Institutional Investors. He then moved toNorthern Trust where he became VP, responsible for Dutch Institutional clients. He studied at theAmsterdam University of Applied Sciences in Amsterdam, did many specific Dutch studies relating tothe securities business and academic courses on pension funds at the Rotman School ofManagement (Toronto, Canada).
Gemma Roex
Impact Measurement and Management Specialist,
Phenix Capital Group
Gemma Roex is Impact Measurement and Management Specialist (IMM) at Phenix Capital Group. She focusses on helping both LPs and GPs to set-up robust impact practices to get the most out of their intended impact goals and strategies. Previously Gemma worked in strategy and leadership consulting. She holds a BA in History from Oxford University and an MSc in Global Energy and Climate Policy from SOAS.
Jason Sukhram
Engagement Manager,
Quinn+Partners
As an Engagement Manager, Jason leads the development and delivery of Quinn+Partners’ services in impact.
Jason has advised several clients across industries in how to embed social impact considerations and metrics into their operational and investment strategies and reporting. Recently, he worked with a global real estate investor and developer to identify social impact indicators to measure and report on in delivering its ESG strategy priorities. He also led projects to help a Canadian cooperative bank clarify its impact thesis, and to support a large Canadian real estate investment manager embed social impact initiatives into their property management building standards.
Prior to joining Q+P, Jason spent nearly 5 years with MaRS Discovery District’s Centre for Impact Investing, where he advised clients across sectors on how to attract and deploy capital to intentionally and measurably improve outcomes for people and the planet, while generating financial returns. This included supporting large corporations with establishing impact funds, to helping financial institutions engage their clients in sustainable investing. At MaRS, he led systems change and market building initiatives to support the growth of the Canadian impact investing market. He also built and led MaRS’ impact measurement and management advisory practice, helping organizations collect and manage data that demonstrates the outcomes they contribute to.
Jason’s prior experiences include working to build and finance social enterprises in the developing world with the Clinton Foundation’s poverty alleviation initiative from New York and Colombia. He also co-authored a number of articles with a global health research group on scaling primary care programs in low- and middle-income countries and worked in technology portfolio management with BlackBerry.
Jason has advised several clients across industries in how to embed social impact considerations and metrics into their operational and investment strategies and reporting. Recently, he worked with a global real estate investor and developer to identify social impact indicators to measure and report on in delivering its ESG strategy priorities. He also led projects to help a Canadian cooperative bank clarify its impact thesis, and to support a large Canadian real estate investment manager embed social impact initiatives into their property management building standards.
Prior to joining Q+P, Jason spent nearly 5 years with MaRS Discovery District’s Centre for Impact Investing, where he advised clients across sectors on how to attract and deploy capital to intentionally and measurably improve outcomes for people and the planet, while generating financial returns. This included supporting large corporations with establishing impact funds, to helping financial institutions engage their clients in sustainable investing. At MaRS, he led systems change and market building initiatives to support the growth of the Canadian impact investing market. He also built and led MaRS’ impact measurement and management advisory practice, helping organizations collect and manage data that demonstrates the outcomes they contribute to.
Jason’s prior experiences include working to build and finance social enterprises in the developing world with the Clinton Foundation’s poverty alleviation initiative from New York and Colombia. He also co-authored a number of articles with a global health research group on scaling primary care programs in low- and middle-income countries and worked in technology portfolio management with BlackBerry.
WHO WILL ATTEND
This event is catered for 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.
● 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.
SPEAKERS 2022
Alison Nankivell
Senior Vice President, Fund Investments and Global Scaling,Business Development Bank of Canada
Anne-Marie Lévesque
Director, Gender and Impact Management,FinDev Canada
Alexandre El-Aiba
Associate,Phenix Capital Group
Annie Thériault
Managing Partner,CrossBorder Impact Ventures
Florian Roulle
Head of Sustainable InvestmentsFinance Montreal
Moderator
Jesse Chrumka
Senior Investment Consultant,Normandin Beaudry
Kelly Krauter
Senior Policy AdvisorUN PRI
Louise Moretto
Senior Product Specialist Sustainable Investments,DWS
Mazyar Mortazavi
CEO and President,TAS
Piet Klop
Head of Responsible InvestmentsPGGM
Rosalie Vendette
Associate,Quinn&Partners
Moderator
Alison Nankivell
Senior Vice President, Fund Investments and Global Scaling,
Business Development Bank of Canada
Alison Nankivell is Senior Vice President, Fund Investments and Global Scaling. Based in Toronto, she leads the team that handles BDC Capital’s indirect investments, which is Canada’s largest venture and growth equity fund investor.
Since she joined the team in 2018, Fund Investments and Global Scaling has delivered on multiple new mandates, including increasing funding and support for Indigenous and Black entrepreneurs, cleantech innovations, and women-led technology companies. The team has also supported the federal government’s initiative to increase the availability of venture capital for promising start-ups.
Today, Alison’s team is responsible for developing innovative models for private sector and Crown corporation collaboration in priority areas such as cleantech project equity; environmental, social and governance initiatives; and the global expansion of Canadian technology champions.
With extensive experience in both the Canadian and Asian finance industries, Alison also oversees BDC Capital’s cross-border venture strategy, helping connect large corporations and investors in Asia with high-potential Canadian companies and vice-versa.
Previously, Alison served as Vice President, Global Scaling in Hong Kong, supporting BDC Capital’s highest potential investee companies to grow their businesses and find investment partners in Asia.
She was also Vice President, Funds and Co-Investments as well as Vice President, Venture Capital Action Plan, leading BDC Capital’s work in executing the Government of Canada’s Venture Capital Action Plan.
Before joining BDC, she was Director, Funds Asia with Teachers’ Private Capital, the private investment arm of the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan. She also spent 14 years with Export Development Canada (EDC), where she helped build out its Canadian and Asian private equity and venture capital fund investment platform. She spent seven years on Beijing-based postings with EDC, including as Chief Representative for Greater China and as Principal and Head of Asia Fund Investments.
Alison lived in Beijing and Hong Kong from 1990 to 1995, serving as a China economic analyst and editor for the Economist Intelligence Unit. Fluent in Mandarin, she has worked as an independent economist undertaking consulting work for the International Labour Organization, the United Nations Development Program and the Canadian International Development Agency.
Alison holds a Bachelor of Arts in Commerce and Economics from the University of Toronto and a Master in Public Administration and Public Policy from the London School of Economics and Political Science. She is also a designated Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA).
Since she joined the team in 2018, Fund Investments and Global Scaling has delivered on multiple new mandates, including increasing funding and support for Indigenous and Black entrepreneurs, cleantech innovations, and women-led technology companies. The team has also supported the federal government’s initiative to increase the availability of venture capital for promising start-ups.
Today, Alison’s team is responsible for developing innovative models for private sector and Crown corporation collaboration in priority areas such as cleantech project equity; environmental, social and governance initiatives; and the global expansion of Canadian technology champions.
With extensive experience in both the Canadian and Asian finance industries, Alison also oversees BDC Capital’s cross-border venture strategy, helping connect large corporations and investors in Asia with high-potential Canadian companies and vice-versa.
Previously, Alison served as Vice President, Global Scaling in Hong Kong, supporting BDC Capital’s highest potential investee companies to grow their businesses and find investment partners in Asia.
She was also Vice President, Funds and Co-Investments as well as Vice President, Venture Capital Action Plan, leading BDC Capital’s work in executing the Government of Canada’s Venture Capital Action Plan.
Before joining BDC, she was Director, Funds Asia with Teachers’ Private Capital, the private investment arm of the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan. She also spent 14 years with Export Development Canada (EDC), where she helped build out its Canadian and Asian private equity and venture capital fund investment platform. She spent seven years on Beijing-based postings with EDC, including as Chief Representative for Greater China and as Principal and Head of Asia Fund Investments.
Alison lived in Beijing and Hong Kong from 1990 to 1995, serving as a China economic analyst and editor for the Economist Intelligence Unit. Fluent in Mandarin, she has worked as an independent economist undertaking consulting work for the International Labour Organization, the United Nations Development Program and the Canadian International Development Agency.
Alison holds a Bachelor of Arts in Commerce and Economics from the University of Toronto and a Master in Public Administration and Public Policy from the London School of Economics and Political Science. She is also a designated Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA).
Anne-Marie Lévesque
Director, Gender and Impact Management,
FinDev Canada
Anne-Marie Lévesque is Director, Gender and Impact Management at FinDev Canada, Canada’s bilateral development finance institution (DFI), where she oversees the implementation of FinDev Canada’s Gender Equality Strategy, Development Impact Framework and Environmental and Social Policy.Anne-Marie is very active in the global gender lens investing community. Between August 2019 and July 2020, she served as the Chair of the 2X Challenge, an initiative of the G7 DFIs aiming to mobilize unprecedented amounts of capital to invest in women. In 2021, Anne-Marie was recognized by Apolitical as one of the 100 Most Influential People in Gender Policy.Prior to joining FinDev Canada, Anne-Marie was a consultant at Ergon Associates, where she advised private sector companies, development finance institutions and international organizations on their human rights, gender equality and labour practices.
Alexandre El-Aiba
Associate,
Phenix Capital Group
Alexandre is a French-Tunisian based in Amsterdam working as an Associate in the investment consulting and data team at Phenix Capital Group, where his focus areas are impact fund research and advisory across asset classes to global institutional investors. Alexandre has lived in 6 different countries and holds a Master in Finance from IE Business School as well as a BSc in Commerce (Finance and International business) at Concordia University. Prior to joining Phenix Capital Group in 2019, Alexandre had professional experiences in financial audit and marketing.
Annie Thériault, Managing Partner at CBIV, has been immersed in impact investing, venture capital, royalty financing, and capital markets throughout her career. As a venture capital investor and venture advisor, she worked with high impact companies to mobilize more than $100 million in non-dilutive capital. Annie was previously a director on the boards of several North American venture-backed companies, is an advisor to crowdfunding fintech company FrontFundr, and, prior to the launch of CBIV, was Chief Investment Officer at Grand Challenges Canada. Annie obtained her PhD in Management from the Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto, is a CFA Charterholder, and holds the ICD.D designation. She also has a master’s degree in Business Economics from Wilfrid Laurier University and a Bachelor of Science with First Class Honours in Chemistry from Mount Allison University.
Florian Roulle
Head of Sustainable Investments
Finance Montreal
Moderator
Florian's role is to monitor and analyze the evolution and major trends in the financial services industry, to make forecasts and to contribute to Finance Montréal's strategic planning. He is also responsible for the cluster's initiatives in sustainable finance and support for financial entrepreneurship and asset management. An economist by training, Florian has over 10 years of experience in socio-economic research, strategic planning and evaluation of government programs, particularly those related to economic development.
Jesse is a senior investment consultant who assists pension funds, foundations, private wealth clients and other institutional investors in establishing their investment strategy and selecting and monitoring their investment managers. Jesse is a member of Normandin Beaudry’s Private Equity and Sustainable Investing research groups.Jesse has been working in investment and risk consulting for over a decade, including a number of years at a large global consulting firm. He also spent time in the advisory practice of a “big four” accounting firm, carrying out mandates with Canada’s largest pension funds. Jesse graduated from Concordia University with a Bachelor of Science (Actuarial Mathematics, Minor in Finance) and is a CFA Charterholder, a Fellow of the Society of Actuaries (FSA), a Fellow of the Canadian Institute of Actuaries (FCIA), and a Chartered Enterprise Risk Analyst (CERA).
Kelly Krauter
Senior Policy Advisor
UN PRI
Kelly Krauter is a senior policy analyst at the Principles for Responsible Investment where she is a country lead for the Legal Framework for Impact project, a joint initiative of UNEP FI, The Generation Foundation and PRI. Kelly is responsible for advancing project objectives in the Canadian market, including engagement on financial policy reforms aimed at reorienting investors, markets and economies toward inclusive and sustainable economic growth. She is a staunch advocate for ensuring that Indigenous leadership is at the heart of Canada’s just transition to a low carbon economy.Previously, Kelly was a manager on PRI’s Signatory Relations team covering the Quebec market. Her background in the NGO sector provided extensive experience with stakeholder engagement in solution-driven environmental, social justice and community development initiatives. She holds an HBA degree in French, Political Science and Classics from the University of Toronto, and is based in Montreal, Quebec.
Louise Moretto
Senior Product Specialist Sustainable Investments,
DWS
Louise is a Senior Product Specialist for Sustainable Investments at DWS. She has over 25 years of experience in banking, international development, and impact investing in over 20 countries, promoting financial inclusion, gender equality and clean energy in developing and emerging markets. She is an adjunct professor at Columbia University’s School of International Public Affairs and has written numerous publications on development finance. Prior to rejoining DWS she worked as a financial inclusion and impact investing consultant for large financial institutions, development organizations, and impact investment firms. Louise was a Managing Director of Investments at Grassroots Capital Management, an impact investment firm specialized in global microfinance, small-medium enterprise, affordable housing and sustainable agriculture investments. She also headed the Capital Markets Group at Women’s World Banking, a global microfinance network. Before her career shift into microfinance and impact investments, Louise was a banker at JP Morgan Chase and National Westminster Bank. She served as a board member of Vitas Holding, a holding company operating financial institutions in the Middle East serving micro and small enterprises and as a Mentor for the McConnell Foundation’s Accelerator Program for financial intermediaries operating in the impact investing market. Louise has a Masters in International Economics and Latin American Studies from Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies and a B.S. in Business Administration from the University of Vermont. She is proficient in Spanish and French.
Mazyar Mortazavi
CEO and President,
TAS
Over the past 20 years, Mazyar Mortazavi has led the evolution of TAS from a custom home builder to a mixed-use developer that engages, designs and invests intent to build more inclusive, livable cities. A dedicated and determined city- builder, he guides a growing team of passionate experts who push the boundaries, experiment and innovate to solve pressing urban needs. Mazyar's playbook is simple, live out your passion in everything you do. His commitment to leveraging capital to drive impact and enhancing profitability through community-focused engagement have positioned TAS as a leader in values-focused corporate culture and leadership.
Community participation:
-Chair - Board of Directors, The Bentway
-Trustee - Board of Directors, Art Gallery of Ontario
-Advisory Committee Member - 2021 Year of Public Art. City of Toronto
Education:
-Masters of Architecture, University of Waterloo, 2005
-Bachelor of Environmental Studies, Honours, University of Waterloo, 1999
Community participation:
-Chair - Board of Directors, The Bentway
-Trustee - Board of Directors, Art Gallery of Ontario
-Advisory Committee Member - 2021 Year of Public Art. City of Toronto
Education:
-Masters of Architecture, University of Waterloo, 2005
-Bachelor of Environmental Studies, Honours, University of Waterloo, 1999
Piet Klop has been developing PGGM’s portfolio of “investing in solutions” to the Sustainable Development Goals, including impact measurement. He also leads PGGM’s engagement efforts around water risk. Before joining PGGM Investments in July 2011, Piet was at the World Resources Institute in Washington DC and held senior positions at the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs and in the private sector. As water resources expert he worked at the World Bank and United Nations. Piet holds master’s degrees in Water Resources Management (Wageningen University, 1989) and Applied Environmental Economics (University of London, 1999).
Rosalie Vendette
Associate,
Quinn&Partners
Moderator
Rosalie Vendette is passionate about sustainable finance, a field in which she has been working for nearly 20 years. Convinced of the power of finance to support the transformation of our economy and financial system, she provides her expertise to reinforce change.
Rosalie Vendette embodies sustainable finance through her work with industry and clients. She works hand in hand with experts and industry associations to drive industry change, notably the development of a Canadian Transition Finance Taxonomy and the recent Canadian Pensions Dashboard for Responsible Investing. She is also active in the sustainable finance strategic plan of Finance Montreal and the adoption of a new ISO standard on sustainable finance.
Rosalie also advises market leaders in retail and institutional investment management, including banks, insurers and pension plans. She offers them invaluable assistance into planning and deploying strategies that effectively take into consideration environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors.
Rosalie is often invited to speak at industry events and to media and news outlets. She also enjoys sharing her knowledge with the many students at McGill and Sherbrooke university faculties where she teaches sustainable finance and responsible investment.
For 10 years, Rosalie Vendette headed responsible investment at Desjardins Group and served as an ESG group expert. She also collaborated with the Quebec network of PRI signatories.
In 2019, Rosalie launched her own consulting services with DecodESG, aiming to help as many organizations as possible to master ESG. Thanks to her support, her clients are progressing on their ESG integration journeys.
Recently Rosalie became an associate at Quinn & Partners, one of the most influential sustainable management consulting firms in North America.
Rosalie Vendette embodies sustainable finance through her work with industry and clients. She works hand in hand with experts and industry associations to drive industry change, notably the development of a Canadian Transition Finance Taxonomy and the recent Canadian Pensions Dashboard for Responsible Investing. She is also active in the sustainable finance strategic plan of Finance Montreal and the adoption of a new ISO standard on sustainable finance.
Rosalie also advises market leaders in retail and institutional investment management, including banks, insurers and pension plans. She offers them invaluable assistance into planning and deploying strategies that effectively take into consideration environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors.
Rosalie is often invited to speak at industry events and to media and news outlets. She also enjoys sharing her knowledge with the many students at McGill and Sherbrooke university faculties where she teaches sustainable finance and responsible investment.
For 10 years, Rosalie Vendette headed responsible investment at Desjardins Group and served as an ESG group expert. She also collaborated with the Quebec network of PRI signatories.
In 2019, Rosalie launched her own consulting services with DecodESG, aiming to help as many organizations as possible to master ESG. Thanks to her support, her clients are progressing on their ESG integration journeys.
Recently Rosalie became an associate at Quinn & Partners, one of the most influential sustainable management consulting firms in North America.
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