Kurankye Sekyi-Otu is the Founder and CEO of Capoeira Partners, a boutique strategic advisory firm. Having established his expertise in asset management and capital markets over the course of his three-decade career, Kurankye launched Capoeira in 2024. Through Capoeira, he channels his passion to motivate and empower founder-led alternative asset managers looking to accelerate and transform their business.

With deep experience in business development, marketing and executive leadership, Kurankye is an accomplished industry veteran with a reputation for consistently delivering results. Before founding Capoeira Partners, he held the role of Chief Strategy Officer for Polar Asset Management Partners, responsible for the firm’s global distribution strategy, marketing, and implementation of strategic business initiatives. During his tenure, Polar’s assets under management grew from US$700 million to US$7 billion.

Prior to Polar, Kurankye held several business development and marketing roles at firms including Mackenzie Investments and CIBC Capital Markets.

Known for his creative, strategic approach and unique insights, Kurankye is a natural leader and a galvanizing force. In founding Capoeira along with his wife, Cheryl Noronha, the firm’s Creative Director, his vision is to bring a fresh, new perspective to the alternative asset management industry.

Kurankye is dedicated to the organizations that have shaped his life. He is a past President of the Canadian Association of Urban Financial Professionals. He also serves as a Member of the Board of Governors at Branksome Hall, Board of Directors for Capitalize for Kids and BOF Capital.

Kurankye graduated from York University with a B.A. (Hons.) in Economics and holds the CFA and ICD.D designations. He lives in downtown Toronto with his wife and daughter.

“I love life, I sense potential in people before they realize it in themselves, and I especially love seeing people do well.”

Caryn Maxwell-Smith is a seasoned financial services professional with over 25 years of experience. She currently serves on the National Accounts management team at Dynamic Funds, returning to the firm where she previously spent 12 years as Vice President of Business Development, supporting financial advisors in the Greater Toronto Area.

Caryn's career includes roles as Director, Business Development, and Investor Relations at Polar Asset Management Partners where she managed the firm’s retail business, and as Vice President, Corporate Development at Wellington-Altus, where she supported the firm’s growth with wealth managers and advisory partners in Ontario. She holds a B.A. in Economics from the University of Western Ontario and an MBA from the Ivey School of Business. A strong advocate for mentorship and diversity, Caryn founded "This Woman’s Work," an organization dedicated to empowering single mothers in their professional pursuits.

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Sam Diedrich is the Founder and Chief Investment Officer of Pacific Way Capital. In this role, he oversees all firm operations, including the investment program.

Prior to founding Pacific Way, Sam served as Head of Absolute Return and Credit at Partners Capital, where he led the global hedge fund program. At Partners Capital, he was a senior portfolio manager for several multi-strategy alternative funds, managing more than $7 billion in combined assets.

Before joining Partners Capital, Sam was a member of the portfolio management and research team for multi-strategy hedge funds and style premia funds at AQR Capital Management. Earlier in his career, he served as a Portfolio Manager for multi-strategy, real-asset strategies within Brookfield’s Public Securities Group and as a Sector Specialist at PAAMCO, managing the firm’s fixed income relative value portfolios.

Sam holds an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, an MS in Electrical Engineering from Johns Hopkins University, and a BS in Electrical Engineering from the University of Washington. He is a CFA charterholder and CQF-qualified.

Christophe is Chief Investment Officer for 1798 Alternatives at Lombard Odier Investment Managers. He has oversight over the 1798 portfolio managers and is responsible for recruiting and strategic investment decisions. He joined the firm in December 2007. Christophe was co-founder of Calibria Financial Services and prior to this he worked at JP Morgan as alternative funds manager from 1998 to 2003.  Christophe holds a master’s in Econometrics from the University of Geneva.

Scott Radke is the Chief Executive Officer and Co-Chief Investment Officer at New Holland Capital (NHC). As CEO, Scott is responsible for leading, implementing, and growing NHC’s business activities. As Co-CIO, Scott is responsible for portfolio management, investment research, and portfolio risk alongside Bill Young. Scott is the chair of NHC’s Investment Committee. Prior to the launch of NHC in 2006, Scott was a member of the Hedge Fund Group within ABP Investments. Before that, he held roles within Citigroup Global Markets and the Insurance-related Structured Transactions Group at Goldman Sachs. Scott graduated magna cum laude from the University of Michigan with a BSE in Mechanical Engineering and received an MBA in Finance with distinction from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

Jamie Wise is the co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Periscope Capital, a Toronto-based multi-strategy alternative asset management firm. Since co-founding the firm in 2009, he has overseen its strategic development and investment philosophy. Mr. Wise began his career at Citigroup, where he assumed increasing responsibility, ultimately managing the firm’s Canadian equity derivatives trading business. He then joined BMO Capital Markets as a Managing Director, leading a proprietary trading group specializing in cross-asset arbitrage. Following his time at BMO, Mr. Wise served as Managing Director at Moore Capital Advisors Canada, a multi-strategy fund focused on Canadian markets.

Mr. Wise holds an Honors Business Administration degree from the Ivey School of Business at Western University, where he graduated first in his class, and is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) charterholder.

Scott Cameron is Chairman, CEO and Founder of Cameron Stephens Mortgage Capital Ltd., a leading Canadian Real Estate Investment Firm with just under $3.6 billion in assets under administration (AUA). The firm specializes in mortgage solutions through Cameron Stephens Mortgage Capital (CSMC) for developers across Canada.

Prior to starting the company in 2004, he was a founding partner in MCAP, one of Canada’s leading mortgage banking firms. Under his leadership, MCAP’s assets under management grew from $50 million to $12 billion.

A well-known industry speaker and former director of MTC Mortgage Investment Corporation, BILD and Tarion Warranty Corporation, Scott holds a BA from the University of Toronto, an MBA from the Richard Ivey School of Business at the University of Western Ontario, and his ICD.D from the Rotman School of Business at the University of Toronto.

Jeffrey Kimel is the President and CEO of Harlo Capital, and the co-founder of Harlo Group. At Harlo Capital, Jeffrey leads the executive team and oversees Harlo’s growth strategy. He is chiefly responsible for providing strategic oversight for raising capital, investment management, project acquisitions, as well as seeking new development opportunities and partners.

Jeffrey actively serves on various boards and charitable organizations and is highly committed to helping them carry out their individual missions. He is currently on the Board of Directors of the SickKids Foundation and is a co-founder of ‘The Tourney’ (an annual golf and/or pond hockey tournament in support of various children’s charities). Previously, he sat on the board of CAMH Hospital Foundation, SickKids Campaign Cabinet and co-chaired the Barrie to Baycrest annual bike ride.

Jeffrey is also a Director at Overactive Media, PolicyMe, and Shake Shack Canada. In addition, he formerly sat on the board for the Pittsburgh Penguins Hockey Club and was a Director at the Chase Hospitality Group.

Nicholas is a real estate investment professional with over a decade of experience across various roles for both investment allocators and managers. In his current position at Richter Family Office, he is responsible for manager selection, due diligence, and investment underwriting, focusing on evaluating and assessing opportunities across all real estate asset classes. Prior to joining Richter, Nicholas worked at Starlight Investments, where he managed a national multi-residential portfolio, leading efforts to maximize operational efficiency and drive value creation, representing both private and institutional capital interests across North America and the EMEA region.

Before his time at Starlight, Nicholas held a position at Barnhart Asset Management, overseeing the Fund’s real estate value-add and development program in Mexico on behalf of one of Canada's largest pension plans. Nicholas holds a BComm. (Finance) from the John Molson School of Business at Concordia University in Montreal.

Upkar Arora is the Founder and CEO of Rally Assets, Canada’s leading impact investment management firm, an award-winning B Corporation and one of three fund of fund managers implementing the Government of Canada’s $755M social finance fund. Rally’s purpose is to shift capital systems to advance sustainability, equity and justice for all.

Over his 25 year career prior to Rally, Upkar has worked in finance and leadership roles with some of Canada’s most successful and well-known corporations, families and philanthropists - building, operating and advising public and private companies of varying sizes, stages and sectors, domestically and globally.

Upkar has served on boards of several for profit and not-for-profit organizations including Meridian Credit Union and Wolf Willow Institute for Systems Learning and several early-stage startups. He holds the ICD.D designation from the Institute of Corporate Directors.

He is an FCPA, FCA having been awarded the accounting profession’s highest honour (the “Fellow”) in 2017. Upkar is an adjunct lecturer at the University of Waterloo where he received the Distinguished Teacher Award in 2022. He is also a BMW Foundation Global Responsible Leader. He obtained his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in accounting and economics from the University of Waterloo.

Walter Baddoo is a Co-Founder and Managing Partner of 4DX Ventures. He brings over two decades of global finance and investing experience, with deep capital markets expertise and a proven track record of helping early-stage investment platforms scale and institutionalize. Under his leadership, 4DX has attracted support from leading development finance institutions and global asset managers committed to long-term growth across emerging markets.

Before founding 4DX, Walter spent a decade at Morgan Stanley in the Institutional Equity Group’s Prime Brokerage division, working across New York and San Francisco. He advised some of the most sophisticated hedge funds launched in the post-2008 era, including long/short equity, quantitative, and multi-strategy firms, on capital formation, infrastructure, and strategic growth. He also helped build Morgan Stanley’s Canadian Prime Brokerage business from the ground up. As head of West Coast business development, he worked closely with several of the top technology-focused hedge funds and asset managers, deepening his sectoral insight and reinforcing his conviction in technology as a long-term driver of structural change.

Walter began his finance career early, interning as a teenager at Credit Suisse in Structured Products and Interest Rate Derivatives, and at Banc of America Securities in Investment Banking (Industrials) and Prime Brokerage. He was recruited as a sophomore into Morgan Stanley’s elite Equities Analyst program.

His experience operating at the intersection of economic development and global capital markets gives him a differentiated lens on risk, value creation, and scale across emerging ecosystems.

Born and raised in Accra, Ghana, Walter is passionate about backing technology founders transforming Africa’s informal and underserved markets. He holds a B.A. in International Relations with a concentration in Economic Development from Tufts University and studied Art History at the Sorbonne in Paris.

Outside of work, he blends modern architecture and contemporary African design to create thoughtful, cross-cultural design spaces.

Gajan Kulasingam is an experienced Investment Professional with a 20-year proven history of working in the investment management industry. Gajan has a demonstrable track record of executing complex transactions, driving operational results and realization of successful investments. Gajan has extensive experience investing globally, across the entire capital structure, broad industry exposure, with private and public transactions. Gajan has a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Toronto, holds the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) designations.​

Kent is a highly experienced leader in the agriculture industry with over 30 years of expertise. As the Founder and CEO of Crescero (formally AGinvest Farmland Properties Canada Inc.), he has established a successful farmland asset management firm in Chatham, Ontario.

In 2018, Kent launched the AGinvest Farmland One Fund, offering investors exclusive access to Ontario’s fertile and productive farmland. Building on this success, he has since led Crescero in establishing three additional funds, all of which have delivered outstanding results for both investors and farm families. Crescero is dedicated to fostering mutually beneficial opportunities that support food security, promote sustainable farming practices, and drive long-term value creation.

As Crescero’s leader, Kent oversees all aspects of operations and spearheads the investment process with a unique approach that sets the organization apart. His innovative methods emphasize close collaboration with farm families during acquisitions and optimization efforts, forming the foundation of Crescero’s strategic vision.

With deep expertise in farming operations, Kent identifies high-impact investment opportunities that align with sustainability and productivity goals. He drives the implementation of comprehensive sustainability metrics, ensuring responsible stewardship of the farmland under management and prioritizing long-term environmental health.

Kent is transforming the relationship between investors and farmers by fostering collaborative partnerships that enhance the value of Canadian farmland. His efforts not only maximize returns for investors but also ensure the land’s ongoing productivity and environmental sustainability.

Kent holds a Bachelor of Education and a Bachelor of Environmental Studies from the University of Waterloo, where he was recognized as an All-Canadian Academic Athlete. He is an active member of the Canadian Association of Farm Advisors (CAFA) and the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA), reflecting his dedication to advancing the agricultural industry and supporting its stakeholders.

Pierre-Yves has 17 years of industry experience, including more than 8 years at CDPQ as part of the leadership team managing the Capital Solutions portfolio, where he created and oversaw its private royalty investment strategies across industries, including music, healthcare, sports, industrials and others.

Michael Meredith leads the Client Solutions Americas business unit, based in Toronto. He has 13 years of industry experience. Prior to joining Partners Group in 2019, he worked at BlackRock. He holds a bachelor's degree in accountancy from the John Molson School of Business at Concordia University in Montreal, Canada. He is also a CFA charterholder.

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Stefan Näf is Partners Group's Chairman of Clients and Co-Head Client Solutions Americas business unit, based in Zug. He is a member of the Global Executive Board. He has been with Partners Group since 2000 and has 30 years of industry experience. Previously he was part of the Private Equity Directs and Primaries business unit and subsequently founded the firm's London office. He was also formerly Head of the Client Solutions business department. Prior to joining Partners Group, he worked at the European Institute for Risk Management (EIRM). He holds a master’s degree in banking and finance from the University of St. Gallen (HSG), Switzerland.

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Jason Baibokas, MBA, CFA, is Managing Director at BDC Capital, where he leads initiatives aimed at building enduring companies that serve as pillars of strength and success within the Black community. His career spans over 25 years in investment and capital markets, with experience as a partner, steering committee member, and board member at both bulge bracket and boutique investment firms.

Jason has held senior finance leadership roles across a diverse range of industries, gaining deep operational exposure and establishing himself as a strategic business partner. His work includes advising and operating within high-growth companies, with a track record of successful exits and he has raised billions of dollars across hundreds of private and public debt and equity transactions.

Jason’s approach is rooted in combining operational expertise with capital markets acumen, helping entrepreneurs navigate growth efficiently and effectively.

Quinn Durrant is the Co-Founder and COO of Lettuce, a Canadian healthcare financing platform built to make essential care more accessible to patients across the country.

Prior to founding Lettuce, Quinn spent 15 years at RBC Capital Markets in roles of increasing seniority across debt capital markets and derivatives structuring. Most recently, he led RBC's interest rate hedging practice for Western Canada, working closely with corporate and mid-market clients on their risk management needs.

Outside of his professional career, Quinn has been a dedicated advocate for financial literacy and access to education in underserved communities across Toronto. He is the founder of the Durrant Family Scholarship, a program created to open doors for at-risk teens by providing the resources, mentorship, and financial support they need to pursue their potential.

Quinn holds a Bachelor of Arts in Financial Economics from the University of Western Ontario and is based in Toronto.

Abdalla Ruken is the Founder and Chief Investment Officer of Ruken Family Office. He previously spent 16 years at Polar Asset Management as CRO, Deputy CIO, Co-CIO, and Senior Partner, where he played a central role in scaling the firm from under $1B to over $7B in AUM. Starting as CRO, he institutionalized the firm's risk and operational framework before stepping into the portfolio leadership role, where he led portfolio construction, capital allocation, and managed the center book.

Abdalla also led the buildout and rebuild of multiple strategies, including structured credit, fixed income, SPACs, convertibles, and power and gas. He is regarded as one of Canada's foremost hedge fund builders and managers, with a track record of identifying and developing world-class portfolio managers from diverse backgrounds, including bank trading desks, risk professionals, merchant energy traders, and early-career talent.

Prior to Polar, Abdalla spent 11 years at Scotiabank in progressively senior risk roles, rising to VP Risk Management where he adjudicated tens of billions in structured transactions, hedge fund financing, and leverage facilities. He holds a PhD in Physics.

Marc-André defines and leads Lawrence River Capital's investment strategy, portfolio construction, and risk management.  

Prior to co-founding the firm, he served as Senior Vice President, Fixed Income and Absolute Return at Trans-Canada Capital (TCC). At TCC, he served as the lead portfolio manager of the firm’s multi-strategy hedge fund and oversaw the fixed income portfolios and all internal trading activities. He was a longstanding member of the Investment Committee and was an active member of TCC's Executive Committee.  

Marc-André began his career in 1998 on the asset allocation team at Hydro-Quebec Pension Fund where he ultimately managed an Index Plus Canadian Equity Portfolio and a discretionary global macro portfolio. He later joined the Public Service Pension Plan (PSP) as a senior portfolio manager to help build and manage an internal portfolio management team.  

Marc-André brings over 25 years of experience in direct portfolio management with in-depth knowledge of global macro strategies, derivative instruments, fixed income and portfolio construction.  

He holds a Bachelor of Commerce in Finance from the University of Ottawa, a Master of Science in Finance from the University of Sherbrooke and is a CFA charter holder.

Lawrence River Capital has applied for registration with the Autorité des marches financiers (AMF) and other provincial securities commissions. These applications are under review and have not yet been granted. Until such registrations are approved and effective, Lawrence River Capital is not registered in any jurisdiction, and will not conduct any activity requiring registration.

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Giancarlo Catalano is the owner and operator of Il Ponte Cucina Italiana, a neighborhood restaurant in Toronto’s East End, where he has proudly served the community for over 13 years. Passionate about hospitality and great food, Giancarlo believes a restaurant should feel like an extension of home—a place where guests are welcomed warmly and leave feeling part of the family.

A true family business, Giancarlo works alongside his two daughters, sharing a commitment to creating a welcoming atmosphere and memorable dining experiences for their guests.

Grateful to be part of the East End community, Giancarlo remains excited each day to continue doing what he loves: bringing people together around the table.

Wanda Ely Architect Inc. is a Toronto-based architecture design practice, specializing in modern residential projects.

Wanda graduated from Waterloo School of Architecture in 1998. After working for a number of award-winning firms on several commercial, hospitality, retail and residential projects, she launched Wanda Ely Architect Inc. in 2011.

Her projects to date, which have been featured in Chatelaine, Toronto Life and DesignLines, set the tone for a practice dedicated to the beauty of contemporary architecture.

Each project begins as a thoughtful search to understand the desires of the client and to identify and draw out the meaningful qualities of the environment, which together form the inspiration for the design.

From initial inspiration to the detailed crafting of space, the work of the practice depends on a careful mediation of aesthetics and function, with the aim to transcend both. The firm’s motivation is to create buildings and spaces that bring delight to the lives of those who use and occupy them.

Wanda’s interests lie in both the private and public realms. She has established herself as a professional known for her integrity in both design service and client relations.

Professionally and in brief Christopher Sealy is: A wine professional and communicator in wine. Creating Experiences - invoking James Baldwin & Jules Chauvet at the same time. Currently the wine director for alo restaurants food group in Toronto. Michelin Star Sommelier, Educator and part-time wine-writer.

A graduate of French Language and Literature Degree from University of Toronto.

Christopher is a certified Sommelier in the Court of Master Sommeliers, WSET 3 Certified, all adding to his initial certification with CAPS Ontario 2007 (Canadian Association of Professional Sommeliers).

Over the last 17 years he has had the great privilege of travelling to numerous wine regions, exploring and studying different wine cultures, the people and the factors that make them unique. He continues to expand on his global understanding of wine.

In rather short period of time and on different projects, Christopher has been involved in all aspects of 'restaurant management'...with exception of the kitchen. He has been instrumental in the building of full wine and beverage programs, to being a General Manager, to teaching wine education, to once building and co-founding a wine bar & tavern and most recently for the last 10 years working in one of Canada's top fine dining restaurants.

Christopher also contributes wine and lifestyle adjacent articles to Quench Magazine Canada

Christopher recently launched his pop - up collaboration platform called Parcelle Wine Studio. Home to the Arc of Flavours concept of thinking in wine. He talks with you and not at you with wine and wine learning. Call him a wine stylist, a wine event curator with regards to creating environments where we are all at the centre of the experience. Collaborations are with chef, spaces and participants. Creating engaging moments with wine and food.

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Prior to joining the Raptors, Resch served as Ultimate Hoops National Basketball Operations Manager for Life Time Fitness, where she was responsible for programming at 104 locations in the USA and Canada. Resch began her career at the NBA League Office as a member of the International Basketball Operations department. She planned Basketball Without Borders Camps in four different continents, established the first camp to feature women campers and expanded the NBA’s relationship with the US Department of State’s SportsUnited program.  

Resch interned at Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex while earning her MBA in Sports Administration from St. Thomas University (FL). She holds a BA in Business Communications from Augustana University (SD) where she was an all-conference volleyball player and currently serves on the Advisory Board for the International Programs Office. Resch also serves on the Board of Directors for Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities since 2023 and, in the same year, was elected as a Class B member of the Canadian Olympic Committee.

With a background in particle physics and years of leadership within Ontario’s youth soccer community, she played a central role in bringing professional women’s soccer to Toronto and launching the Northern Super League.  Under her leadership, the club is grounded in equity and community, and she is dedicated to using sport to inspire and empower the next generation of women and girls.

Alyson Walker is a dynamic and visionary leader at sports marketing agency THE·TEAM (formerly Wasserman), where she serves as Senior Vice President at The Collective. With over two decades of experience, she has driven transformative growth across sports, media, and entertainment. Her distinguished career includes serving as Chief Commercial Officer at OverActive Media, Vice President of Brand Partnerships at Bell Media, and holding key leadership roles at Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment and the Canadian Olympic Committee, consistently delivering exceptional commercial results and building strong, equity-driven brands.

An MBA graduate of the Rotman School of Management with executive training from Harvard and Dartmouth, Alyson is also a celebrated athlete, inducted into both the USA Ultimate Frisbee and Ultimate Canada Halls of Fame. She is a passionate advocate for women in sport, serving as a founding board member of WISE Toronto and a frequent advisor to Canadian Women in Sport’s Commercial Advisory Group. Recognized as a Bay Street Bull Woman of the Year and a Sports Business Journal Game Changer, she combines strategic acumen with authentic leadership, mentoring the next generation while creating lasting impact on the global sport landscape.

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