Founder Jam Sessions 2025

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.

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.

‍

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.