What does it take to succeed in a constantly evolving competitive industry?
Introducing Founder Jam Sessions, a game-changing, new forum to explore how bringing a creative perspective to the business of alternative asset managers can be transformative.
On June 11, 2025, Capoeira Partners presents Founder Jam Sessions, assembling the brightest minds in the industry dedicated to learning from and supporting founder-led alternative asset managers from across North America.
Sessions
11:45 – 12:45
The Warm-up - Luncheon & Live Music
12:45 – 12:50
Founder Jam Sessions – Introduction
Kurankye Sekyi-Otu, Founder & CEO Capoeira Partners
12:50 – 12:55
This Woman’s Work Foundation – Presentation
Caryn Maxwell-Smith, Founder, This Woman’s Work Foundation
12:55 – 1:35
Visionary Founders: The journey of building a successful alternative asset manager
Speakers:
Mike Ford, Principal, Orchard Global
Richard Pilosof, Principal & Chief Executive Officer, RPIA
Allison Taylor, CEO, Co-Founder & Portfolio Manager, Invico Capital Corporation
Moderator:
Claire Van Wyk-Allan, Managing Director, Head of Canada & Investor Engagement, Americas, AIMA
1:35 – 2:10
Real Estate: The transition from developer to asset manager
Speakers:
Bob Fitzpatrick, Senior Managing Director, Head of Core Investments, Institutional Mortgage Capital (IMC)
Nicholas Kolobotos, Senior Manager, Real Estate Capital and Advisory, Richter Family Office
Mazyar Mortazavi, President & CEO, TAS
Moderator:
Nishant Ramlal, Head of Strategic Partnership Execution, Capoeira Partners
2:10 – 2:30
Intermission
2:30 – 3:05
Focusing on Tomorrow: Opportunities in hedge funds and public markets
Speakers:
Mathieu Boisvert, Founder, Bastion Asset Management
Brian D'Costa, Founding Partner & President, Algonquin Capital
Stephen Harvey, Chief Investment Officer, Sagard Wealth
Jamie Wise, Co-Founder & CEO, Periscope Capital
Moderator:
Peter Boffo, Managing Director, Prime Brokerage, TD Securities
3:05 – 3:40
Focusing on Tomorrow: Opportunities in venture capital and private markets
Speakers:
Paula Cruickshank, Senior Vice President, Fund Investments, BDC Capital
Charles Lemay, Partner, Walter Global Asset Management
Peter Orth, Co-Founder & Managing Partner, 4DX Ventures
Moderator:
Konata Lake, Partner, Torys LLP
3:40 – 4:00
Intermission
4:00 – 4:30
Fund Launches and New Ideas
Speakers:
Raj Lala, President & CEO, Evolve ETFs
Ben Ruffel, Director, Distribution Strategies, Kudu Investment Management
Kenrick Sylvestre, INFOR Financial Group, Principal & Head of Distribution
Kent Wilmore, Founder & CEO, Crescero Natural Capital
Moderator:
Athas Kouvaras, Client Relationship and Development, Portfolio Manager, Richter Family Office
4:30 – 5:00
Engaging Creatively in Client Relationships
Speakers:
Peter Scott, Principal & Founder, Q30 Design Inc
Marlon Durrant, Founder, House of MD
David Schwartz, Co-Founder & Culinary Director, Big Hug Hospitality / MIMI Chinese MICHELIN Guide Toronto Young Chef Award
Moderator:
Kurankye Sekyi-Otu, Founder & CEO Capoeira Partners
5:00 – 5:30
Keynote Speaker
Greg Hoffman, Founder & Principal, Modern Arena
Former NIKE Chief Marketing Officer
Moderator:
Kenny King, Managing Director, Alter Domus
5:30 – 5:35
Closing Remarks
5:35 – 8:00
The Jam Session – Refreshments & Entertainment
Speakers
CEO, Co-Founder & Portfolio Manager, Invico Capital Corporation
Allison Taylor is the CEO, Co-founder, and Portfolio Manager of Invico Capital Corporation, an award-winning Canadian alternative investment fund management firm. With over 25 years of experience in corporate finance, she leads the firm’s investment strategy, regulatory oversight, and portfolio management. Recognized as a trailblazer in the industry, Allison is a two-time recipient of Canada’s Most Powerful Women: Top 100 award. She holds an MBA in Finance from the University of Calgary and an Honours B.Sc. from the University of Western Ontario.
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See docsClient Relationship and Development, Portfolio Manager, Richter Family Office
Athas Kouvaras, CAIA, CIM is a Client Relationship and Development Manager and Portfolio Manager at Richter Family Office. He brings more than 20 years of experience in the investment industry with an emphasis on alternative assets and strategies. Before joining Richter, he was a Partner at Alignvest Investment Management with a focus on business development.
Prior roles included being a Regional Director for Russell Investments, where he was responsible for mid-market institutional business development and a Regional Sales Manager role at Man Investments Canada. He began his career at BluMont Capital, where he was a Research Analyst. Athas holds a B.Com. from the University of Toronto, and has earned the CAIA and CIM designations.
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See docsDirector, Distribution Strategies, Kudu Investment Management
Ben leads Kudu’s distribution advisory engagement, focusing on growth and marketing strategies for the firm’s partners. Before joining Kudu, Ben was a vice president at PIMCO, and served as an account manager for the firm’s public pension clients. Previously, he spent five years at NISA Investment Advisors, an institutional asset manager, working in client services. Ben holds a BA with honors, magna cum laude from Washington and Lee University, and an MBA with honors in analytic finance from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. He is a CFA charterholder.
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See docsFounding Partner & President, Algonquin
Capital Brian D’Costa is a founding partner and the President of Algonquin Capital, a boutique investment firm specializing in alternative fixed income strategies. At Algonquin, Brian leads the Macro and Thematic strategies, and is responsible for the integration and oversight of the firm’s risk management framework. Before establishing Algonquin, Brian held senior executive roles in global capital markets. He was the Global Head of Fixed Income and Rates at CIBC, where he managed the bank’s entire bond and rate trading business, overseeing a global team of 40 traders. Prior to CIBC, he spent 11 years at TD Securities as the Global Head of Vanilla Interest Rate Derivatives, managing trading teams across Toronto, London, Tokyo, and Sydney. Earlier in his career, Brian served as a Captain in the Canadian Armed Forces, with the Airborne Regiment. He was awarded the Chief of Defense Staff Commendation for Leadership in recognition of his peacekeeping services in Iraq. Brian is also an active member of the Bank of Canada’s Fixed Income Forum.
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See docsFounder, This Woman’s Work Foundation
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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See docsPartner, Walter Global Asset Management
Charles Lemay joined Walter Global Asset Management as Partner in 2021. A committed advocate for the emerging manager community in North America, Mr. Lemay benefits from complementary entrepreneurial and business development experience to help propel the growth of Walter Global Asset Management’s portfolio partners. Mr. Lemay has held senior business development and leadership roles with both emerging and established investment management firms. Mr. Lemay was notably instrumental in the growth and subsequent merger of Landry Investments with Nymbus Capital. Prior to this, he led business development efforts in the U.S. for Addenda Capital.
The previous decade of Mr. Lemay’s career was spent in front and middle office roles at prominent firms in New York, including Goldman Sachs. While at Goldman Sachs, he was Vice President - Emerging Markets Cross Asset Sales, covering US-based hedge funds and institutional asset managers. In this role, he helped launch a new emerging markets corporate credit team and implemented trading strategies for institutional and hedge fund clients. Mr. Lemay holds a bachelor’s degree in International Business from Fairleigh Dickinson University in New Jersey, where he played on the Division 1A tennis team. He is also a former alpine ski racer with the Club de Ski Mont-Tremblant. Mr. Lemay is actively involved in the emerging manager community in Canada and acts as President of the Emerging Manager Board as well as on the investment committee of the Quebec Emerging Manager Program (QMEP/PGEQ). He is also the treasurer of the Fondation du Collège Notre Dame.
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See docsManaging Director, Head of Canada & Investor Engagement, Americas, AIMA
Claire Van Wyk-Allan, CAIA is Managing Director, Head of Canada & Investor Engagement, Americas for AIMA, acting as staff lead for the AIMA Global Investor Board and allocator-only Investment Peer Group.
She has over 16 years of professional experience in alternative investments across strategy, leadership and business development roles, having joined AIMA as Director, Head of Canada in 2018.
Prior to joining AIMA as staff, Claire was the first female to serve on the AIMA Canada Executive Committee, a post held for almost four years while at RBC Global Asset Management (RBC GAM), where she was Business Development Manager, Advisor Channel Sales covering advisors in the Greater Toronto Area. Previously, she was
the Manager, Sales Support at RBC GAM, where she built and led a junior sales team across Canada. Claire began her career at Arrow Capital Management, a boutique hedge fund firm where she spent almost four years as Regional Manager, covering wealth advisors across Ontario.
Claire has been a two-time Co-Chair for the Hedge Funds Care (Help for Children) Charity Canada Gala. She graduated from the University of Western Ontario with a Bachelor of Management and Organizational Studies, specialising in Finance, is a CAIA Charterholder and proud mom of two young boys.
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See docsCo-Founder & Culinary Director, Big Hug Hospitality / MIMI Chinese MICHELIN Guide Toronto Young Chef Award
David Schwartz, Co-Founder and Culinary Director of Big Hug Hospitality, is a driving force in Toronto’s Chinese dining landscape. Born and raised in Toronto, Schwartz developed a passion for Chinese food at a young age, frequently dining at Cantonese restaurants with his family. This early passion laid the foundation for his future ventures, including two of the city’s most acclaimed Chinese dining destinations: Sunnys Chinese and MIMI Chinese, both of which have garnered significant acclaim. His efforts earned him the 2023 MICHELIN Guide Toronto Young Chef Award, strengthening his reputation as one of the most respected chefs in the city.
Schwartz’s culinary journey began with humble roots as a food runner, where he steadily climbed the ranks in some of the city’s most notable restaurants. Driven by an unwavering dedication to his craft and a foundation built on hands-on training and self-study, Schwartz developed the skills needed to bring to life unique restaurant concepts.
These experiences laid the groundwork for Sunnys Chinese, which he originally launched as a takeout pop-up during the pandemic in November 2020. Although Schwartz initially planned to debut MIMI Chinese, with a business plan and location secured by April 2020, the onset of the pandemic forced him to pivot. With the kitchen space available, he opened Sunnys Chinese as a takeaway pop-up in the back of MIMI Chinese’s kitchen. The concept quickly gained recognition, selling out for 11 consecutive months and winning the “Best Takeout” award by Air Canada’s enRoute magazine in 2021. The pop-up’s overwhelming success prompted Schwartz and his business partner, Braden Chong, to open MIMI Chinese a year later, quickly establishing it as one of Toronto’s premier dining destinations.
Both restaurants celebrate the depth and diversity of regional Chinese cuisine but offer distinct experiences: MIMI delivers an elegant, dimly lit setting with luxurious dishes inspired by the flavors of Guangdong, Sichuan, Hong Kong, and Hunan, while Sunnys offers a vibrant, colorful atmosphere with bold, street food-inspired fare. By the summer of 2022, Sunnys found its permanent home in Kensington Market, further solidifying Schwartz’s reputation in the city’s culinary scene. Under his leadership, MIMI Chinese has garnered critical acclaim and has earned a spot on the Michelin Guide’s exclusive Toronto list for two consecutive years.
In September 2024, Schwartz launched an entirely new concept—Linny’s— a deli-inspired steakhouse, named in memory of his late mother. This ambitious new venture reflects a profound reconnection to his cultural roots and the dawn of his second brand.
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See docsFounder & Principal, Modern Arena, Former NIKE Chief Marketing Officer
Greg Hoffman is a global brand leader, former NIKE Chief Marketing Officer, and founder and principal of the brand leadership platform, Modern Arena.
For 28 years, Greg held marketing, design, and innovation leadership positions at NIKE. His role in the rise of marketing and design through that period was recognized when Fast Company named him one of the Most Creative People in Business.
Greg brought all of his brand experience to the world last year through his best-selling book Emotion by Design: Creative Leadership Lessons From a Life at Nike, published around the world in 13 languages. Today as founder and principal of Modern Arena, Greg advises Fortune 500 brands, startups, and nonprofits on creating brand strength, business growth, and social impact. He engages teams ranging from Apple, Google, and Netflix, to Lego, and Target, on how to build stronger emotional bonds through branding and creativity.
In addition, he is the Branding and Marketing instructor at the University of Oregon's Lundquist College of Business, and a member of the Board of Trustees for the Minneapolis College of Art and Design.
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See docsCo-Founder & CEO, Periscope Capital
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.
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See docsManaging Director, Alter Domus
Kenny D. King, Managing Director, has experience managing global teams and has a strong focus on leadership. Kenny joined Alter Domus in December 2024 to evolve and innovate clients’ operating models by focusing on people, process, and technology changes. Kenny has expertise in driving scale and managing costs while mitigating risks for asset managers within Private Equity, Private Credit and Real Estate.
Prior to joining Alter Domus, Kenny spent four years at BNY Mellon within the Alternatives business. He was responsible for the profitability and strategic direction of the global Alternatives business from 2021 to 2023. In addition, Kenny was the Global Head of Relationship Management for Alternatives from 2020 to 2021 and returned to this role in 2024.
Prior to joining BNY Mellon, Kenny managed the Americas Capital Introduction and Consulting Group at J.P. Morgan, which introduced institutional investors and third-party vendors to the firm’s hedge fund clients. While in this role, J.P. Morgan’s success in pitching for business from new launches increased substantially (win/loss ratio greater than 50%). Prior to the Americas' role, Kenny spent three years heading the EMEA Capital Introduction Group in London and launched the firm’s content effort, including a weekly publication distributed to over 1000 clients and investors.
Kenny started his career as an analyst for Merrill Lynch Investment Managers Alternative Strategies and then joined Bear Stearns as the Global Head of Due Diligence for its Structured Funds business.
Away from the office, Kenny lives in Rumson, New Jersey, where he enjoys spending time with his wife, daughter and son. Kenny serves as a Trustee for both George School in Newtown, Pennsylvania and Two River Theater in Red Bank, New Jersey and is a Trustee and Executive Committee member for the Visiting Nurse Association Health Group in New Jersey. Kenny enjoys charcoal grilling, golfing and reading.
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See docsINFOR Financial Group, Principal & Head of Distribution
Kenrick Sylvestre is currently Principal and Head of Distribution at INFOR Financial Group. INFOR is one of Canada’s leading independent merchant and investment banks with extensive experience in providing advisory services on complex, transformational transactions, and related capital markets services for some of Canada’s most successful companies. INFOR has been ranked the #1 Independent Advisory Investment Bank in Canada and has been involved in over $40 billion in total Mergers & Acquisitions across more than 200 transactions since inception. Kenrick has over 25 years of capital markets experience across a wide range of disciplines, including Equity Research, Portfolio Management, Derivative Trading, Institutional Equity Sales and Investment Banking, where over a multi-decade career, he developed expertise in raising growth capital for both public and private enterprises. Kenrick holds an Honours Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Toronto and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the Schulich School of Business. Kenrick has been awarded the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation and is also a member of the Toronto Society of Financial Analysts. Mr. Sylvestre has also earned the ICD.D designation from the Rotman School of Business at the University of Toronto and the Institute of Corporate Directors.
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See docsFounder & CEO, Crescero Natural Capital
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.
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See docsPartner, Torys LLP
Across M&A, venture capital and private equity investments, Konata brings strategic thinking and deep knowledge to help businesses scale and investors realize their investment strategies in emerging and high-growth companies.
Konata is the head of Torys’ Emerging Companies and Venture Capital Group, is part of Torys’ M&A and Technology Groups, and serves on the firm's Executive Committee. Konata is a leader in providing legal support to startups and emerging technology companies and venture capital investors who invest in these companies. Konata regularly advises technology companies, founders, investors and other strategic and financial parties in all aspects of investing and divestiture transactions, including shareholders arrangements, majority and minority equity investments, and joint ventures. Konata has played a leading role in the firm’s relationship with burgeoning companies in Canada that are poised to effect significant change in how we do business and regularly advises the firm’s clients on mergers and acquisitions transactions involving technology companies.
Having practiced in New York, Konata provides comprehensive advice in cross-border transactions, helping clients expand their footprint in Canada, the U.S. and internationally.
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See docsFounder & CEO Capoeira Partners
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 Founding Supporter of the Black Opportunity Fund and a past President of the Canadian Association of Urban Financial Professionals. He also serves as a Member of the Board of Trustees for United Way Greater Toronto, the Board of Governors at Branksome Hall and the Board of Directors for Capitalize for Kids.
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See docsFounder, House of MD
Marlon Durrant is a visionary Toronto-based designer, entrepreneur, and founder of the House of MD, which includes MD Bespoke and the newly launched MD Gallery 1 in Yorkville. With a career rooted in bespoke tailoring, Durrant’s work seamlessly blends craftsmanship, luxury, and cultural expression. His approach emphasizes “quiet luxury,” prioritizing authenticity, intimate experiences, and timeless style over flashy trends. Through MD Gallery 1, one of Toronto’s first Black-owned luxury art galleries, Durrant extends his passion beyond personal style into contemporary art, creating spaces where art, community, and lifestyle converge. His mission is clear: to offer experiences that feel deeply personal, reflective of the times, and powerfully human.
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See docsFounder, Bastion Asset Management
Before founding BAM, Mathieu was Partner & Vice President at Formula Growth Ltd for over seven years, overseeing business development and taking part in the risk management committee. Previously, he spent over 13 years as Partner & Senior Portfolio Manager at one of the largest fund of hedge funds in Canada, conducting hedge fund due diligence and building fund of hedge fund portfolios on behalf of Canadian and International investors. He graduated in Economics from McGill University and received a Master in Finance degree from Sherbrooke University.
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See docsPresident & CEO, TAS, Toronto
Mazyar Mortazavi is the President and CEO of TAS, an impact-focused real estate company dedicated to building more inclusive, sustainable, and connected communities. Over the past two decades, he has led TAS as a purpose-driven developer and asset manager, using real estate as a tool to address climate change, affordability, and social connection.
He is deeply committed to unlocking equity across all community stakeholders and rethinking how capital can drive long-term resiliency. Mazyar serves on the boards of the Art Gallery of Ontario and the Toronto Region Board of Trade, is a member of the CivicAction Affordable Housing Collaborative, and previously served on the boards of The Bentway (as Chair) and Waterfront Toronto. He is a frequent speaker on topics related to housing, urban innovation, and impact investing.
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See docsPrincipal, Orchard Global
Mr. Ford is a Principal of Orchard Global, leading the firm’s client activities in Canada. Mr. Ford worked at Orchard Global’s predecessor firm and before that, he was Co-Head of the Global Markets Group for Deutsche Bank in Canada from 1994 to 2007. Prior to that, Mr. Ford was at Security Pacific Bank in London, where he assisted in the creation of a derivatives group focused on interest rate and currency risk management and capital markets arbitrage. Earlier in his career, Mr. Ford was a founding member of the derivatives team at First National Bank of Chicago. Mr. Ford holds a BA in Economics from Brown University and has an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.
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See docsSenior Manager, Real Estate Capital and Advisory, Richter Family Office
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.
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See docsHead of Strategic Partnership Execution, Capoeira Partners
Nishant is the Head of Strategic Partnership Execution at Capoeira Partners where he works closely with the team in pursuit of the vision to connect, elevate and advance founder-led alternative asset managers.
Nishant has deep experience in both the investment and operational due diligence of alternative asset managers. He started his career as a cancer researcher at McGill University in Montreal, where he developed a passion for trading biotech stocks, prompting his move into finance. In 2012, he joined a large Toronto-based multi-family office, Westcourt Capital, where he was intimately involved in the development and management of both qualitative and quantitative consolidated client reporting as well as alternative asset manager due diligence among a wide breadth of asset classes. In 2017, Nishant opened his own businesses, which consisted of multi-family real estate rentals as well as restaurant investments. He then joined Polar Asset Management Partners in 2022 to manage the operational due diligence functions of the business development team for both retail and institutional investors.
Nishant completed his B.Sc. (Hons) in Biochemistry at Concordia University, Montreal in 2006 and his M.Sc. in Biochemistry at McGill University, Montreal in 2008, followed by his MBA at the John Molson School of Business at Concordia University in 2012. He is the recipient of many science and business-based academic awards, including the MBA gold medal and Scotiabank fellowship in finance for achieving the highest GPA among all the MBA programs at the John Molson School of Business. He is also an inductee into various academic honours societies. Nishant is a CFA charterholder. He lives in downtown Toronto with his wife and son.
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See docsSenior Vice President, Fund Investments, BDC Capital
Paula is Senior Vice President, Fund Investments for BDC Capital, overseeing the Fund Investments team with a focus on achieving BDC Capital’s mission of seeding and growing emerging top-tier general partners, supporting existing top-quartile Canadian general partners, and attracting global funds. She brings more than 25 years of experience in the banking industry to the role and has been with BDC for over 15 years.
Paula joined BDC in 2009 as Vice President, Securitization, taking over the management of the Canadian Secured Credit Facility, a $12 billion program by the Government of Canada to help restart the asset-backed securities market following the 2007–2009 financial crisis. She also launched BDC’s Funding Platform for Independent Lenders (F-PIL) to provide capital to smaller financing and leasing companies. In 2015, she assumed responsibility for both Syndicated Financing and Indirect Financing. In 2017, Paula was appointed Senior Vice President, British Columbia and North, successfully growing the bank’s financing and consulting services throughout that region. In 2020, Paula transitioned into the role of Senior Vice President, Ontario, overseeing BDC’s financing and consulting services across the province. She also took on the role of Business Lead for BDC’s Digital Transformation in Ontario from 2021 to 2023, in which she focused on ensuring digital investment decisions and strategies for segmentation, omni-channel and client teams were aligned and continued to serve BDC’s clients.
Before joining BDC, Paula spent more than 11 years with the Scotiabank Group, where she gained broad experience in structured finance and corporate finance.
Paula holds an International MBA from the Schulich School of Business and an LL.M in Banking and Financial Institutions from Osgoode Hall Law School.
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See docsManaging Director, Prime Brokerage, TD Securities
Peter leads business development and capital introduction initiatives for the Canadian Prime Services group at TD Securities. With over twenty years' capital markets experience, he began his career in TD Wealth taking on increasingly senior positions until assuming Head of National Sales for TD's Institutional Services Correspondent Clearing division. Since joining TD Securities in 2006, he has helped build a client focused, service driven franchise for alternative funds, asset managers, pension plans and family offices.
A graduate of McMaster University, Peter is the Deputy Chair of AIMA Canada's Executive Committee and is active in TD Securities' Global Markets student recruitment efforts.
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See docsCo-Founder & Managing Partner, 4DX Ventures
Peter is a Co-Founder and Managing Partner of 4DX Ventures. Prior to founding 4DX Ventures, Peter spent more than half a decade at Bridgewater Associates, where he was focused on Global Macro investing strategies, portfolio construction, and understanding Emerging Market economies. After Bridgewater, he was an investor at a leading NYC-based family office focused on direct investing through Long / Short equity value strategies and private equity, an operator at a venture-backed blockchain startup in Palo Alto, and was an investment banker at JPMorgan Chase covering consumer, healthcare, and retail companies prior. His investing skills became what they are by working across a wide range of asset classes and strategies, and he’s developed expertise in building first principles investing frameworks and discovering value in unconventional places.
Peter was born in Boston, Massachusetts, and is passionate about connecting people, ideas, and capital in order to build a more vibrant global community. He graduated from Tufts University, Magna Cum Laude, with a B.A. degree in Quantitative Economics & International Relations and is a CFA charter holder.
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See docsPrincipal & Founder, Q30 Design Inc
Peter is the Principal and Founder of Q30 Design Inc., an independently-owned brand and digital design firm based in Toronto. Q30 combines strategic thinking, creativity and craft to design better experiences that help brands build trust and connect with the people they serve. Our creative services focus on Strategy and Research, Brand and Brand Communications, Investor Relations and Digital Design. Over Peter's 34 year career as an entrepreneur and his 42 years as a design professional, he has worked with some of the largest public and private organizations in Canada. He is a certified member of the Registered Graphic Designers of Ontario (RGD).
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See docsPresident & CEO, Evolve ETFs
Raj Lala is the President and CEO of Evolve ETFs, a Toronto-based investment firm he founded in 2017. Evolve ETFs has experienced significant growth, with assets under management exceeding $7 billion. Prior to founding Evolve ETFs, Mr. Lala served as Head of WisdomTree Canada – a division of WisdomTree Investments Inc., one of the world’s largest ETF issuers. Mr. Lala’s career in asset management includes Executive Vice President and Head of Retail Markets for Fiera Capital Corporation; Co-Founder, President and CEO of Propel Capital Corporation (which was acquired by Fiera Capital Corporation in September 2014); and President of JovFunds Inc., an asset management division of Jovian Capital. In 2024, Mr. Lala was named a finalist for the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year award, acknowledging his contributions to the Canadian investment industry and his commitment to innovation and financial literacy. Mr. Lala holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of Toronto (1994).
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See docsPrincipal & Chief Executive Officer, RPIA
Richard Pilosof is a founding partner and the Chief Executive Officer of RPIA, one of the largest alternative asset management firms in Canada.
Prior to founding RPIA, Richard spent over 25 years with RBC Capital Markets, where he served as Managing Director and Head of Global Debt Markets. Richard was also responsible for developing and building RBC’s international capital markets platform, now with significant operations in London, Hong Kong, Sydney, and New York.
Richard is an active community volunteer, serving as a Director on the Mt. Sinai Hospital Board and as Co-Chair of the Sinai Health Foundation. Previously, he served on the Foundation's Board as the Campaign Chair in addition to being a member of the Philanthropy Executive Council, the Stewardship Council, and the Gift Acceptance Committee.
Richard holds a BA in Finance from Coastal Carolina University.
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See docsSenior Managing Director, Head of Core Investments, Institutional Mortgage Capital (IMC)
As a founding member of IMC and with over 35 years of experience in international real estate banking, Bob was instrumental in establishing the platform and business model at IMC. Prior to IMC, Bob was responsible for Merrill Lynch’s North American real estate financing business and developed and implemented the Merrill Lynch Global Principal Investments Asset Managemnt platform. In this latter role, he identified emerging investment opportunities and undertook complex private market transactions across the globe. Bob holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Economics from St. John’s University in New York City, NY.
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See docsChief Investment Officer, Sagard Wealth
Stephen Harvey is the Chief Investment Officer at Sagard Wealth and manages the investment management functions at the firm. Stephen has over 20 years of investing experience with roles in Toronto, London and New York. Most recently, Stephen was the Chief Investment Officer of Titan Advisors, where he managed the investment
committee and investment team. Prior to that, he was a Partner at Saguenay Strathmore Capital, where he focused on risk management and portfolio construction. He started his career at the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan within their risk management group.
Stephen earned an honours degree in economics at York University and has been a Chartered Financial Analyst charterholder since 2003. He resides in the suburbs of Toronto with his wife Cori and helps coach their twin boys in baseball. Stephen switches allegiance between his native England and his adopted home of Canada, depending upon what sport it is on.
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See docsDynamic discourse, engaging discussions and stimulating new ideas.
June 11, 2025 at 11:45 am
East Room, 50 Carroll Street, Toronto
*Qualified investors and allocators are eligible for a complimentary delegate pass. Reach out to connect@capoeirapartners.com for promo code.
Giving Back to Our Community
Caryn Maxwell-Smith
Founder
This Woman’s Work Foundation
Founder Jam Sessions 2025 is proud to support This Woman’s Work (TWW) Foundation, dedicated to inspiring, empowering, and advancing single mothers in work and life. 100% of the net proceeds will be contributed to TWW.
For more, visit thiswomansworkfoundation.com
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Sponsoring Founder Jam Sessions is a rare opportunity to align your organization’s brand with today’s leading minds in alternative asset management and the investors and industry thought leaders who champion them.
With its innovative program, Founder Jam Sessions will be an ideal forum in which to engage, learn from and support founder-led alternative asset managers and the evolving emerging managers ecosystem.
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