Melissa Shin is the Editorial Director of Advisor.ca and Investment Executive. As an award-winning journalist, Melissa turns technical subject matter into accessible content for sophisticated audiences. Her reporting has been cited in university syllabi, in textbooks and to national regulators. Melissa has been with Advisor.ca since 2011. Prior to that, she was managing editor of Corporate Knights, a North American magazine focused on clean capitalism. Melissa is the vice-chair of the board for Fashion Takes Action, a non-profit focused on advancing sustainability in the fashion industry. She is a graduate of the Schulich School of Business at York University.

Mustafa is responsible for managing Skyline Wealth’s Advisor team and sourcing new business opportunities to further expand Skyline Wealth’s investor base across Canada. He aholds a Chartered Investment Manager designation with more than 12 years of experience in the financial services industry. Mustafa has worked in Canadian banks, online brokerages, and wealth management firms, and is skilled in investment advisory services.

Lori Clements is a CPA, CA, MTax, CFP with 20 years of experience working with high net worth clients in the fields of tax and wealth management.  She enjoys sharing her knowledge and supporting others in growing their understanding of tax and estate planning.

Bryan leads a team of Retail Client Portfolio Managers who are responsible for representing the firm’s guiding principles, investment philosophy, performance/attribution, macroeconomic outlook and portfolio positioning to internal and external clients.  Additionally, he serves as the Private Investment Counsel Portfolio Strategist where he is responsible for providing market views and opinions, and articulating the impact on client portfolios of investment design and decisions made by the Asset Allocation Team.  His previous roles in the asset management industry include investment manager research, risk oversight, and portfolio strategy involving the development and ongoing support of multi-manager asset allocation solutions. He also has extensive experience in mid-market lending with TD Commercial Banking. Bryan holds a B.A. from Western University and is a member of the TD Wealth Asset Allocation Committee.

John joined Manulife in 2001, having previously worked as a tax lawyer with a national accounting firm and a private law firm. He has experience with estate and retirement planning strategies and a wide variety of general tax matters, including personal and corporate taxation, trusts, and investment-related topics generally.

He’s a frequent speaker at industry conferences and seminars, and has appeared as a guest expert on industry podcasts and BNN Bloomberg TV. John has published numerous articles on tax and estate planning, and is co-editor of Canadian Taxation of Life Insurance.

He has a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Toronto and a Bachelor of Law degree from the University of British Columbia. John was called to the Ontario Bar in 1998. He has obtained his Canadian Securities Course certificate and completed the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants In-Depth Tax Course. John has Elder Planning Counselor and Certified Financial Planner designations, and is a member of the Ontario Bar Association and the Canadian Tax Foundation.

Sal Ammirato is Head of Wealth Strategy & National Accounts at Sun Life Global Investments. As a member of the SLGI Leadership Team, Sal is responsible for the strategic direction, vision, and growth to increase SLGI’s wealth business while also managing the National Accounts team to ensure superior client relationships for a portfolio of National Account clients. As seasoned professional with over 20 years of asset management experience, Sal is known for driving brand growth, maximizing operational distribution excellence, and delivering financial performance. Sal is a graduate from the Ivey School of Business at Western University where he earned his Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree. He also holds a variety of industry designations from the Canadian Securities Institute. Sal is based in Toronto, Ontario with his wife, 3 children, and dog named Rio.

Randall is Senior Managing Director and Portfolio Manager, Canadian Public Fixed Income, SLC Management, responsible for the Canadian total return public fixed income portfolio. He is also a portfolio manager for the SLC Management private fixed income funds and core fixed income strategies, with responsibility for their management and performance.

Randall has over 30 years of experience in financial markets at leading financial organizations in Canada, initially as a trader and progressing to managing public fixed income strategies and investment products. Prior to joining Sun Life in 2013, he managed the credit long/short strategy for a major Canadian pension plan and was a trader/portfolio manager in its global capital markets division. Randall also worked at an exchange traded fund manager on fixed income, structured index and money market portfolios as well as helping to introduce the country’s first fixed income exchange-traded funds. Randall also held roles at two major Canadian banks and a securities dealer.

Randall has a Bachelor of Arts and a Management Studies Diploma from Wilfrid Laurier University and a Master of Science in International Accounting and Finance from the London School of Economics and Political Science. He is a Chartered Financial Analyst and a member of the Toronto CFA Society.

Soami Kohly, CFA, FSA, FCIA, is an investment officer and fixed income portfolio manager with
MFS Investment Management® (MFS®). In his role, he is responsible for final buy and sell
decisions, portfolio construction, risk assessment and cash management and participates in the
research process and strategy discussions. He also serves on the MFS Fixed Income Strategy
Group and the MFS Risk and Opportunities Group. He is based in Toronto.

Soami joined MFS in 2009 in his current role. Previously, he spent three years with RBC Capital
Markets as an associate analyst in equity research and later as a vice president of structured
products. He also spent twelve years as an actuarial consultant with Hewitt Associates. He began
his career in the financial services industry in 1993.

Soami earned a Bachelor of Science degree in actuarial science from the University of Western
Ontario. He holds the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation from the CFA Institute and is
a fellow of the Canadian Institute of Actuaries and the Society of Actuaries.

Pat is a client and relationship-focused executive with an in-depth background in all aspects of the investment fund industry. She brings a strategic perspective while developing quality initiatives and demonstrates a clear grasp of the drivers behind client satisfaction and the impact on the bottom-line. She has spent over 35 years in the Financial Services industry and is currently the Executive Director of the Canadian ETF Association as well as supporting other organizations as they grow. She has also been an active member on many industry committees including Fundserv, CCMA and IFIC.

Andrei Bruno is the Director of ETFs at Fidelity Investments. In this role, he serves as an expert on Fidelity’s ETF investment strategies, market trends and ETF market structure. Andrei has a decade of capital markets industry experience, which includes fixed income and FX trading as well as derivative sales. In addition to his extensive experience, Andrei is a CFA charterholder and has also successfully completed his MBA and CMT.

Maxime specializes in the analysis of alternative investments at Desjardins Global Asset Management. Within the institutional client relations team at DGAM, he contributes to the business development activities for institutional clients and supports internal retail partners by conducting market research and portfolio analysis. He began his career in the investment industry in 2010 as quantitative portfolio management specialist for Standard Life Investments. Before joining DGAM in 2022, Maxime was a consultant for several years, including at KPMG as an investment risk manager where he lead projects at large Canadian pension funds.

As Senior Vice-President and Chief Operating Officer for National Bank Investments, Joe is responsible for product management, risk management, business intelligence and business strategy as well as portfolio sub-advisory relations. Prior to joining National Bank, Joe spent six years at a global management consultancy in Canada, Europe and the Middle East, where he accompanied corporations and financial institutions on strategic and transformational initiatives. Joe holds a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce from Concordia University, as well as an MBA from INSEAD, France. He is also a CFA and FRM charterholder.

Michael Callahan is an Advice and Planning Strategist with Edward Jones Canada. Prior to joining Edward Jones, Michael was an investment advisor and portfolio manager with several of Canada’s leading wealth management firms, and a professor of Mathematics and Finance at Algonquin College in Ottawa. Michael earned his bachelor’s degree from Memorial University of Newfoundland, with a double major in Mathematics and Computer Science. He holds the Certified Financial Planner (CFP®), Chartered Investment Manager (CIM), and Certified Health Specialist (CHS) designations.

Julie Petrera is a Senior Strategist, Client Needs at Edward Jones Canada. She is responsible for leading Canada’s advice and guidance team, developing impactful strategies and providing powerful insights to meet the needs of Canadians and drive them towards their financial goals. Bringing nearly 20 years of experience in the financial services industry, Julie has worked with many professionals pursuing industry designations and authored several papers providing advice and guidance for financial advisors.

Andrew has been a Financial Advisor with Edward Jones since 2009 at his office in the heart of Leslieville in Toronto, alongside his Branch Office Administrator, Suzanne Liberty. Andrew has been a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) since 2013, a designation he sought early in his financial career, as he felt getting a solid educational foundation is key to ensuring that his work with his clients is focused on what’s most important to them.

John joined Manulife in 2001, having previously worked as a tax lawyer with a national accounting firm and a private law firm. He has experience with estate and retirement planning strategies and a wide variety of general tax matters, including personal and corporate taxation, trusts, and investment-related topics generally. He’s a frequent speaker at industry conferences and seminars and has appeared as a guest expert on industry podcasts and BNN Bloomberg TV. John has published numerous articles on tax and estate planning and is co-editor of Canadian Taxation of Life Insurance. John has Elder Planning Counselor and Certified Financial Planner designations, and is a member of the Ontario Bar Association and the Canadian Tax Foundation.

Wayne is dedicated to the responsible financial performance of Skyline Group of Companies and its associated real estate and clean energy assets. Having been in private sector finance since 1995, his proven business experience and insight make him an integral leader as Skyline pursues its vision for growth. Wayne’s financial expertise and commitment to Skyline’s vision result in a balanced approach to managing fiscal obligations and operational responsibility. He understands and appreciates the challenges facing business today, and, subsequently, the evolving role of the Chief Financial Officer. His unique blend of analytical and leadership skills is fundamental to leading Skyline’s operations and growth beyond the numbers.

Benjamin is a member of the CIBC economic team that is responsible for analyzing macro economic developments and their implications for fixed income, equity, foreign exchange and commodities markets. He also acts in an advisory capacity to bank officers on issues related to wealth management, household credit and risk, and corporate credit and risk. Well-known for his ground-breaking published research on topics such as labour market dynamics, real estate, credit markets, international trade and business economic conditions, Benjamin not only contributes to the conversation but also frequently sets the agenda. Benjamin has close to 20 years of experience in the private sector advising clients, industry leaders, corporate boards, trade associations and governments on economic and financial issues.

Mary Robinson (She/Her) is Director, Research & Investor Networks with the RIA. In this role, Mary promotes awareness of responsible investment in Canada through research and analysis, advocates for policies that support responsible investment, and facilitates collaboration among the RIA’s membership. Mary is a CFA® charterholder with more than 20 years of experience working with institutional investors, including pension funds, endowments and foundations, in consulting and relationship management roles. Mary believes that incorporating ESG factors in investment decision-making is consistent with the goal of achieving positive financial outcomes for the long term. She is keen to advance the understanding of RI among Canadian investors and to help the industry move towards full adoption of RI.

Deborah Debas is a Senior Responsible Investment (RI) Specialist at Desjardins. Her primary role is to provide advisors with a strategic understanding of the benefits of ESG integration and responsible investing. Deborah is a frequent speaker at industry events organized by the Responsible Investment Association, TMX and the Globe & Mail. She is regularly quoted in the media about current and emerging industry trends and the environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues facing companies and our industry. Deborah was part of the team that launched Desjardins’ RI portfolio in 2009. She helped thousands of advisors strengthen their practices with this growing area of investment, and better serve their clients’ financial needs with the latest knowledge, tools, and resources.

Philippe is a Chief Analyst, Responsible Investment at National Bank Investments (NBI). In his role, he oversees the climate strategy and ESG integration of NBI’s portfolio sub-advisors. Philippe has worked for 20 years at a large Canadian bank as a specialist in global fixed income. He then transitioned to a role focusing on responsible investment within portfolio management before joining NBI in 2022. Philippe holds a master’s degree in finance, has the CFA title, and completed the Sustainable Investment Professional Certification (SIPC).

In her role as Head of Responsible Investing and Manager Research, Jenifer is responsible for enhancing our multi-manager capabilities and accelerating our focus on responsible investing. Prior to joining Sun Life Global Investments in 2022, Jenifer was AVP, Head of Global Manager Research, Canada, at a leading wealth management firm. In her previous role, Jenifer played a key role in augmenting the focus on ESG for Managers on the platform. She brings with her over 25 years of industry experience across manager research and portfolio management. Jenifer holds an MBA from Queen’s University as well as the CFA and CAIA designations. Outside of work, she shares her experience by teaching courses in portfolio management at her alma mater.

Michael is a dedicated, skilled and passionate Financial Services Sales professional. His 20 years of experience have provided him with specialized knowledge in insurance, investments and lending. He is dedicated to working with advisors to deliver meaningful solutions to their clients. Michael makes it a priority to build and strengthen relationships within the advisor network.

Melissa Shin is the Editorial Director of Advisor.ca and Investment Executive. As an award-winning journalist, Melissa turns technical subject matter into accessible content for sophisticated audiences. Her reporting has been cited in university syllabi, in textbooks and to national regulators. Melissa has been with Advisor’s Edge since 2011. Prior to that, she was managing editor of Corporate Knights, a North American magazine focused on clean capitalism. Melissa is the secretary of the board for Fashion Takes Action, a non-profit focused on advancing sustainability in the fashion industry. She is a graduate of the Schulich School of Business at York University.

Najma Pilgrim is the VP Human Resources & Inclusion for Fidelity Canada. In her current role Najma is responsible for supporting and collaborating with business leaders as an HR Business Partner. She also leads the Employment Relations and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion teams for Fidelity Canada. Najma joined Fidelity in 2006 as the Director Defined Benefits and has over 25 years of management and leadership experience. Prior to joining Fidelity, Najma worked in Business Process Outsourcing and Telecommunications. Najma holds a BA in Political Science from Concordia University. In her spare time, Najma enjoys time with her family and listening to audio books while being outdoors.

As a demonstrated leader, Jennifer is responsible for achieving business results through sales management leadership. She works closely with her Advisors to maximize revenue and productivity opportunities within her region while working to remove barriers that impede sales force effectiveness.  Jennifer believes in maintaining and strengthening relationships with advisor teams by fostering an open and inclusive environment along with an advisor focused culture.

Creating an environment that supports the advancement of women in wealth management is something that Jennifer is passionate about.  She is a co-planner and co-host of the NBF Women Investment Advisors’ Symposium, and is a co-lead on the National Bank Women’s Leadership Network.

Shelley has been in the financial industry for over 30 years, this experience has given her the vast industry knowledge to work with investors from all walks of life. She understands that an investor’s goals and financial plans are ever-changing, dependent on age, celebrating milestones, retirement and career changes, and more. Therefore, her goal as an Advisor is to develop rapport and trust with her clients so that they can have an open and comfortable conversation about their lifestyle goals and walk away with a sense of confidence and empowerment in their financial future.

Yasmin is responsible for leading a team of Senior Regional Managers and Financial Planners who are dedicated to supporting Canadian families and businesses to build confidence and achieve their financial goals. With over 20 years in the financial services industry, Yasmin has a diverse career that spans multiple businesses and leadership roles across Direct Investing, Wealth Advice, Retail Banking and Corporate functions. She is a dynamic leader with a passion for coaching, career development and inspiring teams towards common goals. Currently, Yasmin is a Board Member for the TD Friends of the Environment Foundation (TD FEF) and is also the Financial Planning Executive sponsor for the TD Wealth For Women initiative.