• Ken Bancroft
Ken is director of investments for the Alberta Teachers' Retirement Fund Board. He implemented the fund's investment structure with internal and external specialist managers for Canadian, U.S. and EAFE equity mandates, plus a Canadian fixed income mandate. Previously, Ken worked at the Great-West Life Assurance Company where he provided investment counsel to pension clients and served on the executive of the Winnipeg Society of Financial Analysts. He currently serves on the investment committee at the University of Alberta and is a director of the Pension Investment Association of Canada. top

• Dennis Bein
Dennis is chief investment officer and portfolio manager for Pasedena, Calif.-based Analytic Investors, Inc. He is responsible for the management of the implementation of the firm's investment strategies, and is a major contributor to the firm's ongoing research efforts. Dennis is also responsible for the oversight of the day-to-day portfolio management and trading of the firm's U.S. and global equity strategies and the ongoing research involving those strategies. Prior to joining Analytic Investors, Dennis was a senior consultant for AG Risk Management, Analysis Group's investment consulting subsidiary. He consulted with pension fund managers on investment objective definition, asset allocation analysis, manager selection and manager performance evaluation. Dennis received an MBA from the Anderson Graduate School of Management at the University of California, Riverside (UCR) and a BA in Business Administration from UCR. top

• Yvette Bland
Yvette is responsible for overseeing the underlying investment organizations which supply traditional investment services for Goodman Institutional Funds, an externally managed fund of funds program offered to small pension plans, endowments, property/casualty insurance companies and other institutional investors looking for risk-adjusted returns. In addition, she is in charge of the marketing and client servicing activities to a variety of institutions who can profit from the benefits of risk management offered by an effective fund of funds program. Prior to joining Goodman Institutional Investments, Yvette was an asset consultant for approximately ten years, during which time she was responsible for providing consulting services to institutional money managers, property/casualty insurance companies and other wealth management organizations such as Dynamic Mutual Funds. Yvette graduated from Glendon College and York University with an honours degree in Economics. top

• Niki Boyson
Niki Boyson is an assistant professor in the Department of Finance at Northeastern University. Prior to joining Northeastern, she was an assistant professor in the Finance Department at Purdue University in Indiana. She also spent eight years in industry, working in public accounting, banking, and investment advising. Niki received her BA in accounting from Kent State University, her MBA from Case Western Reserve University, and her Ph.D. from The Ohio State University. She has been a Certified Public Accountant for twelve years. Her primary research interests are in the area of investments, with an emphasis on understanding the risk and return characteristics of hedge funds. top

• Wendy Brodkin
Wendy has been a practitioner in the financial industry for more than 20 years. She is president of Goodman Institutional Investments Inc., and focused on strategic trends, best practices and investment solutions for institutional investors. Prior to her current position with Goodman Wendy joined Towers Perrin in Montreal in 1989 as a consultant, responsible for establishing an investment practice for Towers Perrin in Montreal. She founded the national investment newsletter ALFA BETA, which was published from 1991 to 2001. Wendy transferred to the Toronto office of Towers Perrin in 1992 as the national issue leader and became a partner in 1994. In 1995, Wendy assumed the role of national practice leader and became responsible for the business management and strategic direction of the Canadian practice. Wendy was also responsible for global policies and procedures through her role on the Global Consulting Committee. Wendy received a BSc from the University of Toronto, a Graduate Diploma in Public Accountancy from McGill University and an MBA from York University. She also holds CA and CFA designations. top

• Martin Brown
Marty joined Man Investments in 2004 as a member of the institutional sales team. His primary responsibility is developing new business for the company through the investment consultant industry and direct efforts with pension plans, endowments/foundations and other plan sponsors. Prior to joining Man, Marty held similar positions at Driehaus Capital Management and Chicago Equity Partners. He received a B.S degree in accounting from Indiana University, an M.B.A. degree in finance from De Paul University, and is also a CFA charterholder. top

• Charles Bruce
Charles is the executive director at Nova Scotia Public Service LTD Plan Trust Fund. top

• Stephen Burke
Stephen is chief executive officer of Deutsche Asset Management's Institutional Business-Americas division in New York. He joined the Company in 2002 after 21 years at Mellon Financial Corp where he held a number of senior management positions, most recently as vice-chairman responsible for client service, marketing and distribution at Standish Mellon Asset Management, a division of Mellon Financial. Stephen holds a BA from Gettysburg College. top

• Michael Butera
Michael is general manager, external portfolios and risk management for the pension investment division at Canada Post Corporation. His responsibilities include investment policy, manager structure and risk management. Prior to joining Canada Post, Michael was an asset management consultant for over 13 years. He serves on the investment advisory committee of FSCO and is a graduate of Brock University (BBA). top

• Andrew Campbell
Andrew is chief executive officer of Nunavut Trust, as well as a board member and the treasurer of Tradex Management Inc. and the Tradex Equity Fund. Previously, he was the manager of Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) Pension Fund and held various senior planning and financial positions at CMHC. He has an MBA from the Richard Ivey School of Business at the University of Western Ontario, where he specialized in finance and institutional investment management. top

• Jamie Colliver
Jamie is partner at Integra Capital Management where he heads Integra Global Advisors and is responsible for the institutional marketing and business development. Integra Global Advisors is a joint venture between Integra and several world-class investment management firms including Analytic Investors. With over 29 years experience in the financial services industry, Jamie was previously managing director and global head of fixed income sales and marketing for Scotia Capital Markets. He is a graduate of the University of Western Ontario with numerous industry designations and sits on the Benefits Canada Advisory Board. top

• Michael Demeter
As senior manager, alternative investments with RBC Asset Management, Mike oversees various aspects of the hedge fund programs within RBC Investments. Michael's functions include compliance, due diligence, marketing and sales support, and client service. Michael has eight years experience in the investment industry, focusing primarily in the wealth management area. Michael holds a BA in Economics from the University of Western Ontario, an MBA from the Joseph L. Rotman School of Business at the University of Toronto, and is a Certified Financial Planner. top

• Ian Dickson
Ian Dickson is manager, investments at the Colleges of Applied Arts and Technology (CAAT) Pension Plan. He moved to this newly created position earlier this month after 9 years in the plan's Finance Department. He is responsible for investment compliance, manager monitoring, and investment research. Ian is a CGA and has a BA from the University of Western Ontario and a BComm from the University of Windsor. top

• Pierre Drolet
Pierre is currently coordinator of pension fund investments for Domtar Inc., a portfolio of approximately $800 million. Prior to this assignment, he was managing the bond portfolio for the pension fund. Before joining Domtar in 1996, Pierre worked for STCUM (Montréal Transit Corporation) and for the Caisse de Dépôt et Placement du Québec where he participated in the development and implementation of Value at Risk models and worked as an analyst in the fixed income department. Pierre has a master of finance from École des Hautes Études Commerciales in Montréal. top

• Ken Eddy
Ken is the CEO of the Nova Scotia Association of Health Organizations pension plan. top

• George J. Engman
George is president and chief executive officer of Integrated Partners, a division of Integrated Asset Management Corp. Previous to his current position, George formed and headed the merchant banking portfolio of the Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan until 1996; after that, he helped found and was co-head of Royal Bank Equity Partners Limited. He is was also a founding portfolio manager of private equities for the Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System from 1980 to 1986. He is a past member of the advisory boards of Baring European Capital and Schroeder's Asia Pacific Fund, and a past director of such firms as Onex Corporation, Maple Leaf Foods Inc., Sun Media Corporation, Maple Leaf Gardens, and Commcorp Financial Services Inc. George has an honours BSc (Mathematics) from the University of London, and an MBA from York University. top

• Dona Eull-Schultz
Dona is senior vice-president, client service and marketing, for Legg Mason Canada Inc. As such, she is responsible for all client service, marketing and sales functions and is a member of the firm's executive committee. She has more than 25 years of investment industry experience in both Canada and the United States. Prior to joining Legg Mason Canada, she spent 12 years with RBC Global Investment Management and its predecessor investment management companies. Most recently, she was senior vice-president at RBC Global Investment Management, charged with growing the institutional and high net worth business, with direct responsibility for strategic planning, sales and marketing, client service and investment communications. Dona earned a BSc degree from the University of Maryland and completed several advanced marketing management seminars at the University of Chicago's Center for Continuing Studies. She has done charitable work for a number of organizations, including the YMCA in Minneapolis and Women's College Hospital in Toronto. top

• Philip Falls
Philip is director, investments for the IWA—Forest Industry Pension Plan and the IWA—Forest Industry Ltd. plan. He recently joined the plans following 20 years of corporate treasury, insurance, trust and pension institutional fund management experience. He holds a BComm from Concordia University, an MBA from the University of Western Ontario and is a CFA. top

• David Finstad
David is director, external fund management for Alberta Investment Management, where he is involved in the management of over $11 billion in fund-of-funds assets for the Province of Alberta. He has previous experience as a plan sponsor with the Workers' Compensation Board-Alberta and as a quantitative analyst with Frank Russell Canada. He is a chartered financial analyst and holds a MSc in finance from the London School of Economics. top

• Stephen Foerster
Stephen is a professor of finance at the Ivey School of Business, University of Western Ontario where he has taught investments, portfolio management, and corporate finance since 1987. Stephen wrote the book Financial Management: A Primer, and has been published numerous times in academic journals such as The Journal of Finance, as well as practitioner-oriented journals and books. Stephen is a member of a number of advisory boards, including Canadian Investment Review. He previously taught at the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, where he received his MA and PhD. He is also a CFA. top

• Dan Foster
As the pension fund manager for the United Church of Canada, Dan is the primary interface between the external investment managers and custodians, the investment committee and the United Church. Dan is a chartered accountant with 25 years experience in public accounting prior to coming to the United Church Pension Plan. He is currently a member of PIAC and was a panelist on the topic of active versus passive institutional investing at the 2003 Canada Cup of Indexing in Montreal. He has a BComm from the University of Toronto. top

• Lindsey Fuller
Lindsey is the chief investment officer at the Manitoba Superannuation Fund where he manages a team of nine in-house investment professionals managing over 80% of fund assets. He has held this role since 1984. Lindsey is a director at the Siam Recovery Fund and director of PIAC. He is a graduate of University of Manitoba and is a CFA. top

• Sorina Givelichian
Sorina has more than 10 years of international investment banking experience in various capacities in management, fixed income sales and trading, derivatives structuring and risk management. She received an MBA in Finance from Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto, an MA in International Political Economy from London School of Economics and a BA in Economics and Philosophy from University of Lubeck, Germany. top

• John Greenwood
John is managing director of the TD Capital Group, which he joined in 1996. He has more than 20 years' experience in the private equity industry. From 1987 to 1995, Mr. Greenwood was a partner in the Canadian Mezzanine Fund, a private equity fund. From 1984 to 1987, John was an investment officer in the Venture Capital Group of Citibank Canada. He currently serves on the advisory boards of several private equity partnerships, including Mercapital Spanish Private Equity Fund II, Kilmer Capital and Genstar Capital Partners III. He received his MBA from the University of Toronto and his BA from Trinity College, University of Toronto. top

• Paul Halpern
Paul is a professor of finance and the Toronto Stock Exchange chair in capital markets at the Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto. He is chair of the advisory board of Canadian Investment Review and the associate director of the Capital Markets Institute at the University of Toronto. He received his PhD in finance from the University of Chicago and has published research and applied papers for both academic and practitioner journals. He has published a corporate finance textbook, Canadian Managerial Finance and is the editor of Financing Growth in Canada. top

• Melissa Horwood
Melissa joined Rogers Media in 2002 as conference co-ordinator and has recently been appointed to conference and project planner. She brings to her position wide-ranging organizational and project management skills including a diploma in marketing communications and advertising media. Melissa currently manages three annual conferences in addition to sales events, awards programs, association sponsorships and direct-mail campaigns for the marketing department in the Healthcare and Financial Services Group. top

• Hugh Innes
Hugh has worked in the fields of investment consulting and investment management for over twenty-five years, since graduating from the University of Trinity College in 1976. In 2002, he joined York Hedge Fund Strategies Inc. as a partner and managing director, with a focus on marketing absolute return strategies to money managers, institutional and high-net-worth clientele. In 2004 he was appointed president. top

• Eric Innes
Eric is president and chief executive officer of YMG Capital, which he co-founded in 1983 after 12 years of fixed income experience with investment dealers and financial intermediaries. He leads the strategic direction of the firm and is also responsible for managing the development and growth of YMG's fixed income and quantitative processes. Eric graduated from Bishops University with an honours BA in economics. top

• Larry Johnson
Larry Johnson was director of pension investments for Abitibi-Consolidated Inc. from 1999 to 2003, responsible for managing $3 billion in retirement plan assets in Canada, the U.S. and the U.K. He was employed by Abitibi and other predecessor forest products companies for 23 years, primarily in strategic planning, marketing, and financial analysis roles. Larry is an American citizen and holds Certified Public Accountant and Certified Management Accountant designations; he is also a graduate of Boise State University with a bachelors degree in Economics and Accounting. He and his wife have two children in college. top

• Lori Kleinbeil
Lori worked in the labour relations department of Sherritt International for nine years. She was recently transferred to Luscar Ltd. to assume the management of both Luscar's and Sherritt's pension plans. Lori completed her MBA at the University of Alberta in 1995. top

• James Knowles
As co-founder of York Hedge Fund Strategies Inc., Jim focuses on the development of quantitative investment analysis models, investment policy evaluation, hedge fund strategies and structures, and the role of hedge funds in complex investment portfolios. Prior to forming York Hedge Fund Strategies in 2000, he was a founder and senior executive of Portfolio Analytics Limited (now Morningstar Canada), which is Canada's largest supplier of mutual and pooled fund information. Jim holds a BSc degree and an MBA, specializing in finance and economics from the University of Toronto. He is a frequent speaker at conferences and seminars and has authored various papers on investment analysis. top

• Victor Koloshuk
Victor is chairman and founder of Integrated Asset Management Corp., as well as co-founder and chairman of Integrated Partners. He has been registered with the CFTC as an associated person since June, 2003. In 1988 he co-founded Koloshuk Farrugia Corp., and went on to initiate and lead some of Canada's largest acquisitions and restructurings. Victor is also a former vice-president and director of Scotia McLeod, where he specialized in corporate finance, mergers, acquisitions and merchant banking from 1975 to 1988. Before that, he spent five years as a security analyst with Wood Gundy. Victor holds BSc and MBA degrees from McGill University, and is a CFA. top

• Claire Kyle
Claire is senior manager of the Bank of Montreal's pension fund. Prior to her current position, she worked in both the United States and Canada in a variety of fields, including private equity investments, mergers and acquisitions, corporate advisory, economics and strategy, and pension fund management. She holds the CFA designation and is a past chair of the Pension Investment Association of Canada. top

• Karee Lang
Karee is a national account manager for Canadian Investment Review and its sister publications Benefits Canada and Avantages. Her responsibilities include the management and development of marketing initiatives for the publications' clients, including sponsorship programs, advertising, research and custom publishing programs. Karee has been with Rogers Media for over three years. top

• Dave Lawson
Dave is the chief investment officer at the Workers Compensation Board - Alberta and responsible for the investment of the WCB's $4.5-billion fund. Prior to the WCB, Dave held investment management positions with the City of Edmonton and the City of Regina. Dave is a CFA charterholder and a graduate of the University of Regina. top

• Tony Lennie
Tony is director of finance and human resources at Victoria University where his responsibilities include participating in decisions with respect to Victoria's pension and endowment funds. Tony is currently the chair of the Council of Finance Officers for the Universities of Ontario, program committee. His educational history includes a bachelor's degree in business management from Ryerson, a master's degree in education with a specialty in higher education from the University of Toronto, and a CGA designation. top

• James Lewis
James is Canadian Investment Review's managing editor. A graduate of Ryerson University's print journalism program and the Canadian Securities Course, James worked for another Rogers Media publication prior to joining CIR. Before that, he was a senior financial editor for one of Canada's largest online operations. top

• Marcia Lewis Brown
Marcia had several years of investment management experience in the areas of research and marketing before joining TD Bank in 1989 as a manager in the Corporate and Investment Banking Group, where she had a portfolio of multinational clients. She moved to TD Asset Management Inc. in 1991, where she has overall responsibility for marketing strategy, business development and client service. Marcia holds an MBA from the University of Toronto as well as two graduate degrees in music, and she previously had a 10-year career as a professional musician and educator. In addition, Marcia serves on the board of the Corporation of Massey Hall and Roy Thomson Hall as past chairman, as well as on the boards of Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra and CanStage. She is also chairman of the board of the TD Private Giving Foundation. top

• Jeffrey Lombardo
Jeff serves as a senior research analyst at Pioneer Investments (New York) Limited. Prior to joining Pioneer Alternative Investments, Jeff worked for Auda Advisor Associates as a vice-president in the Hedge Fund Portfolio Group. His primary responsibilities included research, evaluation, and monitoring of hedge funds as well as portfolio construction. Jeff was also a member of the hedge fund investment committee and managed long/short equity, convertible arbitrage and global macro/ CTA strategies. Prior to his fund of funds experience, Jeff was a credit analyst at Salomon Smith Barney and Credit Suisse First Boston where he approved trading and term limits for various counterparties including insurance companies, investment advisors, finance companies, and hedge funds. Jeff has more than 10 years experience in the industry and received an MBA in Finance from Boston University and a BA in Political Science from Emory University. top

• Jim MacDonald
Before coming to Canadian Investment Review, Jim was the managing editor of Advisor.ca, part of The ADVISOR Group at Rogers Media. A journalist since 1987, Jim has worked in a variety of editorial positions including reporter/editor of Global Stratagems, the media unit of the mutual fund company Global Strategy, as well as reporter/editor with The Canadian Press-Broadcast News and as wire service editor with Standard Broadcast News. He is a graduate of the University of Toronto and has a broadcasting diploma from Centennial College in Toronto. top

• Claude Maheu
Claude joined the Quebec Pension Plan in 1981 and is the chief of evaluation. His responsibilities include the development policy for the Quebec Pension Plan, the supplemental pension plans and the family allowances. He is the secretary for the investment policy committee and develops the financial planning tools for retirement. He graduated from Laval University with degrees in sociology and economics. Claude also received diplomas from the Investment Funds Institute of Canada, the Institut québécois de planification financière and the École nationale d'administration publique. top

• Josephine Marks
Josephine is senior vice-president, investment management, and chief investment officer for the Hospitals of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP). In this capacity, she has overall responsibility for the investment management of HOOPP's $19-billion pension fund. HOOPP's fund is invested in fixed income, domestic and foreign equity, real estate, private equity and derivative strategies. Much of the fund is invested internally, with several outsourced investment mandates. Prior to assuming her current responsibilities, Josephine held various senior positions in the pension and investment areas with two major life insurance companies and with a benefits consulting firm. Josephine is a Fellow of the Canadian Institute of Actuaries and a CFA. top

• George Martin
George is associate director of the Center for International Securities and Derivatives Markets (CISDM) at the Isenberg School of Management, University of Massachusetts. Previously, he was a research fellow at the Brookings Institution, where he focused on OTC derivatives and privately placed debt. He is currently on the advisory board of the Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst Association. George’s work has centered on bringing advanced analytical techniques to the development of financial products and the advisory process in the area of alternative investments. He has played key roles in the creation of hedge fund index products, a range of structured products, as well as in manager evaluation. George has presented elements of his research in a variety of books and publications, including the Journal of Alternative Investments and the Journal of Asset Management. George has a M.A. and B.A. from Johns Hopkins University.top

• David G. Mather
Since 2001, David has served as executive vice-president of Integrated Asset Management; in 2004, he was made a director. He has also been vice-president and director of Integrated Managed Futures since 2003. David has been registered with the CFTC as an associated person since June 2003, and is an associate member of the National Futures Association and member of the Managed Funds Association. Previously, he was managing director of SEI Investments and managing director of Fidelity Group Pensions. David served as senior vice-president at Elliott & Page from 1990 to 1997, and before that was vice-president with Crown Life Investment Management from 1983 to1990. David holds diverse roles, including treasurer, chair and board member, with such organizations as Royal St George's College, the Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada Foundation, and the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario. David has an honours BA and an MA from University of Waterloo. top

• Richard McAloney
For nearly seven years, Rick served as chief executive officer of the Nova Scotia Association of Health Organizations Pension Plan (NSAHO PP). On October 1, 2004, Rick assumed the role of CEO of Keel Capital Management Inc., a Canadian based investment management firm specializing in absolute return strategies and providing a fully diversified turnkey investment solution for plan sponsors. Rick is joined at Keel Capital by key members of his former management team of senior professionals having a combined investment experience of over 65 years. He is the past president of the Association of Canadian Pension Management (ACPM) and has just completed his eighth year on the board of directors of the Pension Investment Association of Canada (PIAC). He is also a past director of several other boards, including having been a founding director of the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board. Mr. McAloney holds the CFA, Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), and CA designations. top

• Barbara Miazga
As director, pension fund, Barbara Miazga is the principal staff resource for the University of Ottawa's various pension committees and is responsible for all matters pertaining to the management of the pension fund. Barbara is a member of the Pension Investment Association of Canada, the CFA Institute, and the Society of Management Accountants of Ontario. In addition to being a CFA charterholder and having a CMA designation, Barbara holds a Bachelor of Administration from the University of Regina. top

• Mike Moes
As director, business development, Mike is responsible for developing strategic relationships with Canada's leading international investment managers and plan sponsors of defined benefits pension plans. He has been with RBC Global Services for the past six years and has been dealing with plan sponsors and investment managers for the past 11 years. Mike is a graduate of the University of Michigan with a BA in economics. top

• Bob Moffat
Bob is vice-president, marketing as YMG Capital. He joined YMG in 1994 with ten years of experience in the life insurance industry. At YMG, he has been in charge of the Risk Management Group as well as Quantitative Products but now is solely responsible for the development of new business and client servicing. Bob has an honours BA in economics from University of Western Ontario, and an MA in economics from McMaster University. top

• Geoffrey Moore
Geoff is director at Deutsche Asset Management where he is responsible for institutional sales and business development in Canada. He is based in Montreal. Geoff joined the company in 2001 with seven years of experience as vice-president and head of the Canadian office for Bank of Ireland Asset Management and research analyst for Brockhouse & Cooper. Geoff is currently on the editorial advisory board of Benefits Canada. He has a BA from McGill University and an MA from the University of Leeds. top

• Matthew Morin
Matthew is manager, performance measurement monitoring at Goodman Institutional Investments and, in that capacity, is responsible for the monitoring activities that are performed for all of the externally managed investment programs offered by the firm, including hedge funds and traditional asset classes. Prior to joining the firm earlier in 2004, Matthew was involved in the analysis of a variety of portfolio solutions that are available across the industry to both institutional and private investors. His prior experience in developing portfolio strategies that meet specific objectives for various types of investment programs has been invaluable in establishing the performance measurement program at Goodman Institutional Investments, whose services are extended to pension plans, endowment funds, insurance companies and other institutional investors. Matthew completed a BA in Honours Economics from the University of Western Ontario and holds the Chartered Financial Analyst designation. He is currently a candidate of the Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst Association. top

• Malcolm Mung
Malcolm is senior analyst at TELUS Corporation, assisting in the management of its broadly diversified $3.5-billion portfolio of investments for some of the defined benefits plans of the TELUS group of companies. His responsibilities include private equity investments, asset mix analysis, manager monitoring, performance/risk and cost analysis. He holds the CFA designation as well as a MA in economics and BSc in mathematics from the University of Alberta. He is also a fellow of the Canadian Securities Institute (FCSI). top

• Jai Parihar
As chief investment officer, Jai is currently responsible for $42 billion in assets, and reports to the Deputy Minister, Alberta Revenue. He holds an MBA and a Masters of Science in Engineering from the University of Alberta, and a Bachelor of Engineering from the University of Udaipur in India. He also holds a CFA designation. top

• Haly Peper
Haly is vice-president and director of Maple Securities Canada Limited and was involved in the formation of the fund of funds group and corresponding products. Previously she held positions with First Marathon Inc., Rothschild Canada Limited and CIBC Wood Gundy. Haly has a B.Sc. in honours biochemistry and mathematics from Memorial University of Newfoundland and a MBA from the University of Western Ontario. top

• Robert Poirier
Robert is director, retirement plans and credit agency, at the Québec's Ministère des Finances. In this role, he is the principal advisor of the department regarding pension plan management. He is also a member of many pension plan committees. Previously, he was coordinator of budgetary forecasting and debt service estimates models in the same department. He has a master's degree in finance from the Université Laval in Québec. top

• Johannus Poos
John is senior manager, Treasury - Pensions at Nortel Networks with primary responsibility for all Nortel DB pension plans in North America. He is a member of the Investment Practices Committee of PIAC, a member of the editorial board of Benefits and Pensions Monitor, and a member of the Law Society of Upper Canada. Prior to his recent appointment at Nortel, John was general manager, Law and Pension Investments at Stelco Inc, where he was responsible for the Stelco law department as well as all Stelco retirement programs. top

• Johnny Quigley
Johnny is director, investment, at the Fondation Lucie et André Chagnon. top

• Russell Read
Russell is deputy chief investment officer for Deutsche Asset Management Americas in New York. He joined the company in 2004 after 17 years of investment experience, holding such positions as: global head of quantitative investing and research at Zurich Scudder; senior vice-president in charge of investment product design, commodities investing, risk management and quantitative research at Oppenheimer Funds; GIC portfolio manager at Prudential, and; economist at First Chicago. Russell holds BA and MBA degrees from the University of Chicago, as well as MA and PhD degrees from Stanford University. top

• Ian Rennie
Ian is responsible for the Western Canada region for Integra. He is a graduate of McGill University (BSc.), has an MBA from McMaster University, and is also a Chartered Financial Analyst and member of the Calgary Society of Financial Analysts. Ian has held worked as an equity analyst for a number of Canadian investment dealers, and lectured in Finance at the University of Reading, England prior to joining Integra. top

• William Rentz
William is an associate professor of finance and a member of the Pension Fund Investment Committee of the University of Ottawa. He previously served for 13 years as chairman of the University's Pension Plan Committee and has been actively involved with the pension plan since 1981. He holds a PhD in Economics from the University of Rochester. He is co-author of numerous books including Contemporary Financial Management published this year and the forthcoming Managerial Economics. top

• Craig Rimer
Craig serves as chairman of Cidel's Investment Committee and president of Cidel Financial Group Inc., which provides a wide variety of financial services to ultra high net worth clients. He is also a director and member of the investment committee of Orbit Asset Management Inc. (Bermuda), which is a large and well-established Bermuda fund-of-funds company. Craig's former positions include serving as a managing director in CIBC World Markets' Financial Products Division and a vice-president in Bankers Trust Company's Derivatives division. His experience includes the trading of stocks, fixed income, currency and commodities as well as a number of sophisticated derivative instruments. He attended the University of Pennsylvania where he graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelors of Science in Economics from the Wharton Business School. top

• Douglas Robertson
Douglas is general manager, private equity and real estate for the pension investment division of Canada Post Corporation. His role is to develop and manage private equity and real estate investments mandates for the fund. Douglas has 25 years of experience in life insurance, trust and pension fund industries. He is a member of the Real Estate Institute of Canada and the Ontario Association of Professional Land Economics. Douglas is a graduate of McGill University. top

• John Rowsell
Glenwood Capital Investments, LLC top

• Mark Sack
Mark joined Maple Financial Alternative Investments as vice-president, institutional investments in 2003, responsible for Maple's business in the alternative investments area with pension plan sponsors and consultants in Canada, the U.S. and the UK. Prior to joining Maple, he was director, institutional investments for Fidelity Investments Canada, where he worked with portfolio managers in London, Tokyo, Hong Kong and Boston and with institutional investors to build Fidelity's $1-billion defined benefit business and client service program. Before joining the financial services industry, Mark was executive director of development for the Rotman School of Management's $100-million fundraising campaign and worked with faculty to endow academic chairs in finance and management. He earned an honours BSc from the University of Toronto before embarking on two years of post-graduate medical research at the U of T Medical School. He has also completed various institutional investment, pension plan administration and management courses at the Wharton and Harvard Business Schools and at other institutions. top

• Pierre Saint-Laurent
Pierre is president of AssetCounsel Inc., a Canadian alternative investment consultancy. He is editorial advisor for, and frequent contributor to, la Revue canadienne d'investissement, the French-language edition of Canadian Investment Review. In addition to BSc and MSc degrees from the University of Montréal, Pierre did doctoral studies at the University of California at Berkeley, and holds a graduate diploma in business science from HEC Montréal. He is also a member of the CFA Institute's Candidate Curriculum Working Body, and holds the Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst designation. top

• Susan Service
Susan manages the administration of the University of Victoria's three pension plans: a DB plan, a DC plan, and a hybrid plan. She is responsible for ensuring the provision of services to plan members, the plan sponsor and the board of trustees. She oversees benefit calculations, monitors manager returns, and prepares compliance reports. Susan is a professional accountant and belongs to the Canadian Pension and Benefits Insitute and the Association of Canadian Pension Managers. Prior to joining the University in 1998, Susan spent 18 years in a variety of positions with the BC Pension Corporation. top

• Joseph Shier
Joseph is managing director of Maple Financial Alternative Investments. In this capacity, he oversees investment management, sales and marketing and client service operations. Joseph participates actively in the manager selection and review process for MAPLE KEY, and travels frequently to meet with institutions in Canada, the US and the UK. He joined Maple in 1999 as vice-president; prior to that, he was managing director of a private investment company from 1997 to 1999, with primary responsibility for investment policy and strategy decisions. In 1991 Joseph bought a business in receivership, Dor-Seal Inc., a manufacturer of products for the residential housing market primarily in Canada and the U.S. He served as chairman of Dor-Seal from 1991 until the business was sold in 1997. From 1982 until 1990 Mr. Shier was executive vice-president of Ontario Store Fixtures Inc., and from 1977 to 1982 he practiced corporate and securities law at Goodman & Goodman (now Goodmans), Toronto. top

• Gia Steffensen
Gia is chief investment officer at Legg Mason Canada. He is responsible for directing the firm's domestic investment management operations and is a member of Legg Mason Canada's executive committee. He is also actively involved in the integration of the investment products and services of Legg Mason, Inc. and its affiliate companies into the Canadian market. With more than 25 years of experience in the investment industry, Gia has been with Legg Mason and its predecessor companies since 1980. He first joined the firm as a portfolio manager and has since been involved in a number of roles in client service, investment analysis and investment management, including setting up the firm's fixed income operations. He was appointed to his current position in 2002. Gia holds a BComm degree in finance from Queen's University and holds the CFA designation. top

• Denis Taillefer
Denis joined the Montreal Exchange in 2002 to open its Toronto office where he is responsible for providing derivative product advisory and support to portfolio managers, advisors and institutions. Prior to joining the Exchange, Denis was partner and managing director of Gabbay International Inc, a firm specializing exclusively in European and Asian equity management for institutional clients. He began his investment career with Prudential in Montreal in 1990 where later he joined Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management in Toronto. Denis is a fellow of the Canadian Securities Institute, a member of the CFA Institute and sits on the derivatives committee of the Toronto Society of Financial Analysts. top

• Terri Troy
Terri is director of pension and strategic investments for the Royal Bank of Canada's multinational pension plans. Her responsibilities include asset mix decisions, investment manager structures and manager monitoring, performance measurement and attribution, risk analytics, compliance monitoring and governance. Terri is chair of PIAC's investment practices committee and was recently elected to PIAC's board of directors. She also an active member of the advisory board for the Canadian Investment Review. top

• Gerry Wahl
Gerry is the assistant treasurer for Teck Cominco Limited, with responsibility for investments, structure and management related to the various and numerous pension plans for the firm's Canadian and foreign operations. He is also involved in banking facilities, WCB security and in developing and managing reclamation trusts and security structures for the company in Canada and the U.S. Gerry is a graduate of UBC, a CMA and has a MBA. Formerly Gerry was the Controller at Cominco's Sullivan Mine and also spent several years in the area of taxation with Cominco, CRA and, as an auditor and distribution controller with Shell Canada Ltd. He was a director for the College of the Rockies and East Kootenay Chamber of Mines, was a member of the Performance Standards Committee for B.C. Colleges for several years and currently chairs the B.C. Mining Association Finance Committee. top

• Blake Walker
Blake is the director, pension investments with the Local Authorities Pension Plan (LAPP) in Edmonton. He is responsible for asset allocation policy, manager structure, risk management, and provides ongoing support to the board of trustees on investment issues. He is formerly the vice-president and treasurer of the Farm Credit Corporation in Regina and director, investments and liability management with Saskatchewan Finance. He holds the CMA and CFA designations. Blake is currently the vice-president of the Edmonton Society of Financial Analysts and a member of the City of Edmonton's investment committee. top

• Stuart Waugh
Stuart joined TD Capital in 2002. Prior to that, he was a management consultant with McKinsey & Company, specializing in corporate finance and strategy, institutional investing and asset management on behalf of North American and global financial institutions. Previously, Stuart was an executive vice-president with BPI Asset Management, a publicly-traded investment management firm. He began his professional career as a corporate/securities lawyer with McCarthy Tetrault where he advised clients, including TD Capital, on private equity, corporate finance and capital markets transactions. Stuart received his LLB (Deans Honours List) from the Faculty of Law, University of Toronto and his BA (Chancellors Medal) from Trinity College, University of Toronto. top

• Peter Wright
Peter is director of sales for YMG Capital Management. He joined the firm in 2003 with 18 years of investment experience in Canada and Europe, and is responsible for the development of new business and client servicing. Peter holds an honours BA in economics from the University of Western Ontario and an MBA from the University of Toronto. In 2003, he was awarded the Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst designation. top