Finance and Investing

Michael is the founder of Outsider Capital, a Toronto-based investment fund dedicated to acquiring and transforming Canadian companies into global market leaders. With a track record of driving growth, innovation, and operational excellence, he believes Canada’s future lies in unlocking the potential of its businesses through bold strategy, relentless execution, and disruptive thinking. Born and raised in a small town, Michael carries a blue-collar work ethic that has fueled his drive to build something great. After nearly a decade at Salesforce—where he helped some of Canada’s top companies scale and expand—he is now channeling that experience into transforming an SME into a globally competitive force. His ambition extends beyond a single business; he envisions a future where Canada embraces entrepreneurship, innovation, and calculated risk-taking to unlock its full economic potential. Michael believes that Canada’s next wave of success will come from those willing to challenge the status quo, build world-class companies, and compete on a global scale. He is determined to be at the forefront of that movement, proving that ambition, grit, and vision can turn Canadian businesses into international powerhouses. Michael lives in Toronto with his amazing wife, Tanya, and their daughter, Mila, who inspire him every day to push boundaries and chase big dreams.

Sukant is an emerging leader in financial services with over 11 years of experience in the financial services sector including Debt Advisory, Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A), Private Equity, and Trading Strategies. Currently serving as Vice President in the M&A and Capital Markets group at Ernst & Young (EY), he plays a pivotal role in assisting Canadian businesses in raising capital and executing transactions across various provinces. He is adept at managing the corporate finance process to raise capital, tailor structures enabling companies to secure essential funding for growth both domestically and internationally, and has extensive experience in M&A, divestitures, and refinancing. His contributions empower companies to expand and innovate, significantly impacting the economy. An MBA graduate from Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto and a CFA Charterholder, Sukant's academic background complements his professional experiences. Beyond his professional work, Sukant is a dedicated community advocate and volunteer, motivated by his personal experiences. He is passionate to dedicate his time to impactful causes in the healthcare space highlighting his leadership potential and advocacy for positive change in both the business world and the broader community. He loves the fall season, taking long walks under colorful trees. A semi-professional sportsman, he loves playing cricket, ping pong, and badminton. He is an avid gamer, particularly fond of RPGs like Uncharted, Assasin’s Creed and God of War. A self-proclaimed space (cosmos) geek, he also enjoys playing poker, hiking, and running. He’s all about those mountain vibes than beach life.

​Jordan Hill is the Managing Director and Founder of Growth Partners, specializing in strategic finance for startups. With over a decade of experience as a startup CFO, Jordan has successfully secured equity funding for various startups from seed to post-Series B stages. ​At Growth Partners, Jordan leads a team of finance experts who have supported over 100+ ambitious startups, particularly those with annual revenues between $1 million and $10 million. The firm offers a comprehensive suite of services, including strategic CFO advisory, implementation of scalable finance technology stacks, and timely, relevant reporting. Their expertise spans multiple industries. Jordan Hill is also a dedicated supporter of the Terry Fox Run and has been the head organizer of the Toronto Island run site for over 15 years. Under his leadership, the event has raised over $500,000 for cancer research, making a lasting impact on the cause. His commitment to Terry Fox’s legacy extends beyond fundraising—Jordan plays a key role in organizing and growing the event, fostering community engagement, and inspiring others to contribute to this meaningful cause.

Idriss is a transformative leader with 15 years of experience in Banking and Fintech. As the Digital Partnerships Lead at National Bank of Canada (NBC), he drives digital transformation initiatives, equipping Canadians with innovative financial tools and spearheading NBC’s award-winning newcomer strategy. His efforts have earned NBC the Best Bank for Newcomers award from MoneySense for two consecutive years. Idriss collaborates with cross-functional teams and fintech partners to implement tailored technology solutions, enhancing financial accessibility and customer experience. His strategic vision accelerates NBC’s adoption of new technologies, benefiting Canadian consumers. Beyond NBC, Idriss has significantly contributed to the fintech ecosystem. At Ratehub, he led Quebec Operations and launched new business verticals, transforming lead generation into digital partnerships with over 20 financial institutions. At Flinks, he supported the adoption of open banking solutions, enabling personalized financial services. A child of immigrants, Idriss is deeply committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). He actively leads NBC’s DEI initiatives and extends his advocacy into the broader fintech community. His entrepreneurial spirit is evident in founding The Hockey Code, where he applies data analytics to assist NHL teams in contract negotiations, contributing to over $500 million in contracts. Idriss is passionate about mentoring future leaders and is a certified Hockey Canada Competition Coach. As a player and goalie for the Morocco national hockey team, he won gold at the IIHF Development Cup. Idriss holds a degree from Queen's University and studied abroad at the University of Western Australia.

Chris Inniss is a visionary financial services leader, currently serving as President & CEO of Mainstreet Credit Union. With a mission to take market share from traditional banks, he has driven transformative change in the credit union sector by fostering innovation, strategic alignment, and high-performing teams. Chris holds a BA and an Executive MBA from Ivey Business School, where he earned Ivey Scholar distinction for excellence in corporate strategy. A champion of collaborative leadership, he empowers his team through mentorship, clear vision, and a culture of accountability. His leadership style blends strategic foresight with hands-on execution, ensuring that Mainstreet thrives in a competitive financial landscape. Under his leadership, Mainstreet is recognized as forward-thinking and innovative, particularly in leveraging AI and modern financial technologies. He is deeply committed to ethical leadership, psychological safety, and fostering engagement at all levels of the organization. Chris’s resilience has been tested through complex challenges, including navigating macroeconomic pressures and leading realignment efforts following a failed merger. He remains steadfast in his pursuit of growth, industry excellence, and helping credit unions compete on a national scale. Beyond his executive role, Chris contributes extensively to governance and industry leadership, serving as Chair of the Ficanex Audit & Risk Committee and a board director for the Ontario Credit Union Foundation. His passion for leadership extends to speaking engagements and mentorship, developing the next generation of financial services leaders. Driven, strategic, and innovative—Chris is shaping the future of the credit union movement.

Brianna has built a distinguished career in banking with a track record of helping businesses and individuals navigate the complexities of financial markets. Originally from Ontario, Brianna spent years working with major financial institutions specializing in investments, risk analysis and strategic growth opportunities. Her expertise has enabled many companies to achieve long-term financial success through tailored capital solutions and market insights. Now based in British Columbia, Brianna is leveraging her expertise to transition into the venture capital (VC) ecosystem, focusing on fostering innovation and supporting high-growth startups. Passionate about the Canadian market, Brianna is particularly interested in Life Sciences investments and the role of venture capital in driving Canada’s next wave of economic growth. Within this rapidly growing industry, she is committed to backing companies at the intersection of healthcare, technology, and sustainability where breakthroughs have the potential to transform healthcare systems both locally and internationally. Outside of her professional network, Brianna is actively engaged in the local VC & startup ecosystem by mentoring early-stage founders, participating in a variety of industry events, and largely advocating for greater collaboration between investors, researchers, and entrepreneurs. She is also known for her desire to promote female engagement in the sector. With a reputation for strategic insight, integrity, and a deep commitment to Canada’s innovation economy, Brianna is focused on helping build the next generation of Life Sciences companies that will shape the future of healthcare in Canada and beyond.

Julia likes solving complex problems with creative solutions and cool people. As Director of Platform & Operations at Golden Ventures—a leading seed-stage venture capital fund in Toronto—she drives the fund’s operational efficiency and platform success. On the platform side, she transforms the team’s collective knowledge into productized offerings for founders, forges strategic partnerships, leads community initiatives, and orchestrates private events that enable portfolio companies to thrive. On the operations front, she develops the tools, technology, and processes that underpin Golden’s growth, including helping raise the firm’s fifth US$100M fund. Her experience spans Canada, Australia, and Germany, collaborating with startups, venture capitalists, non-profits, and Fortune 500 companies. Before joining Golden Ventures, she led programs at NEXT Canada—a national startup accelerator—overseeing Next36, NextAI, and NextFounders. Outside her work at Golden, Julia is a Founding Partner and Co-Organizer of Toronto Tech Week—a grassroots initiative uniting founders, investors, and operators through curated events. She holds a double degree: a BSc in the Science of Management from the European Business School in Germany and a BBA in International Business from the Goodman School of Business in Canada. Julia is also a proud alum of Included VC, a prestigious fellowship that offers global fellows insider access to Europe’s top VCs, aiming to increase diversity in the venture ecosystem. Along the way, she has worked with organizations like NEXT Canada, BDC, and TD Bank. Julia believes businesses can be forces for good and catalysts for change when the right resources are in the right hands. ​

Samantha Nagaratnam is the Director and Consulting Chief of Staff at PwC Canada, where she plays a pivotal role in driving strategic initiatives and operational excellence within the firm’s capital markets consulting practice. As Chief of Staff, Samantha manages key priorities across the consulting leadership team, optimizes business operations, and aligns resources to achieve firm-wide goals. She serves as a trusted advisor to senior leaders and stakeholders, ensuring smooth execution of critical projects. With over 15 years of experience in retail banking and capital markets across G-SIB banks in Canada, Samantha specializes in derivatives data reporting, market misconduct risk, and trade life-cycle management, with a strong focus on Canadian compliance. She has held leadership roles on regulatory and risk committees, including ISDA, IIROC CCLS Educational Sub-committee, and IIAC. Samantha also leads consulting investment initiatives like the Consulting Action Fund (CAF) and drives efforts around Versafi (formerly known as WCM), contributing to enhancing capabilities in the consulting landscape. Outside of PwC, Samantha is committed to mentoring and empowering others. She volunteers with organizations such as Monday Girl, Tamils in Finance, and Access Employment, where she supports aspiring professionals. She also contributes her time to Junior Achievement Company Program, helping high school students develop entrepreneurial and leadership skills. Samantha is passionate about building meaningful relationships, nurturing talent, and empowering her teams and the broader community to achieve impactful outcomes.

Born in Aleppo, Syria, my journey is one of resilience, innovation, and entrepreneurship. I began creating Counter-Strike 1.6 skins at age 9, and as a young refugee, I taught myself programming, cybersecurity, and ethical hacking—eventually becoming one of the most skilled hackers in the region while in Lebanon. My early immersion in Bitcoin, Monero, and cypherpunk communities sparked my vision that technology can empower individuals and unlock financial freedom. I built and scaled several successful ventures along the way. I grew Vocally into an international business with a 25-person team spanning India and Canada, personally flying out to set up operations focused on automating voice processes and developing ML for voice NLP. I also founded OpenAuto, which expanded into a network of 36 auto repair shops in the Lower Mainland. At age 20, I successfully sold Whale Digital Marketing, marking a pivotal milestone in my entrepreneurial journey. Today, I lead Avo - a cutting-edge crypto copy-trading platform backed by Antler, Forbes, and FrontRow Ventures, and one of Canada’s most exciting startups in DeFi. At Avo, I leverage my expertise in blockchain, AI-driven automation, and high-performance system architecture to drive impactful change in the financial ecosystem. My work is driven by a relentless pursuit of excellence and a commitment to building transparent, secure, and user-centric technologies. personal website: https://khetcho.com

Athena is a Vice President at Greybrook, a Toronto-based real estate private equity firm, where she manages a substantial portfolio of mixed-use development projects that expand housing supply and integrate valuable community elements such as affordable units, public green spaces, and daycare facilities. Backed by a decade of experience in investment banking and private equity, she has distinguished herself as an advocate for meaningful change within her company and across the industry. Beyond her corporate responsibilities, Athena actively volunteers with Habitat for Humanity, leading teams of women at Greybrook to build affordable homes for those in need. She also dedicates her time to the MaKin Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to diversifying Canada’s real estate sector by offering scholarships, mentorship, and internship opportunities to underrepresented students. Additionally, she served on the CVCA Young Professionals Committee, helping to cultivate a supportive environment for emerging talent in Canada’s venture capital and private equity ecosystem.

 | Nikhil is a global investor and entrepreneur known for leading successful investments across multiple high-profile sectors. At Rogue, a single-family office focused on venture capital, Nikhil is instrumental in sourcing investments, conducting due diligence, and making key decisions on which assets and startups to invest in. He also plays a vital role in portfolio management and asset allocation, ensuring that the firm's investments are strategically balanced and positioned for long-term growth. His leadership has been pivotal in securing high-profile investments in companies like Abnormal Security, Borrowell, Loliware, and international sports franchises such as the Golden State Warriors, Paris Saint-Germain F.C., and Aston Martin F1 Team. Nikhil’s experience extends beyond investing; he scaled an asset management firm in Sub-Saharan Africa and spearheaded international expansion strategies for companies in financial services, manufacturing, and tourism. He holds an International MBA from the Schulich School of Business, a Postgraduate Degree in Financial Analysis & Portfolio Management, and a Bachelor's degree in Financial Accounting from the University of Cape Town. He also advises a range of startups in North America, Europe, and Africa, helping founders navigate growth and innovation. A recognized thought leader, Nikhil regularly lectures at Schulich’s MBA program and is deeply involved in the startup community. Outside of work, Nikhil enjoys spending time with his family, exploring global markets, and following his favorite football (soccer) team. | 

Étienne is responsible for communicating Fidelity Canada’s ETF & Alternatives investment strategy to investment advisors, institutional investors and individuals across Canada. This is done through various thought leadership pieces, webinars, presentations as well as through his ETF focused podcast The Upside: Ticker Talk with EJB. In this role he is also tasked with leading a team of regionally focused ETF and Alternative Strategists. Furthermore, he is the spokesperson/face and Institutional Portfolio Manager for the Fidelity All-in-One ETFs. During his tenure these portfolios have experienced strong AUM growth as well as have delivered highly competitive performance. Étienne has an M. Sc in Finance from the Université de Sherbrooke and a B.B.A in Finance & Economics from Bishop's University.

Recently named as one of the most influential women in the Canadian film and television industry by The Hollywood Reporter, Margaret has had a long-standing passion and breadth of experience in the film and television industry. As a Sr. Relationship Manager in RBC’s Commercial Banking, Margaret is a bridge between art and commerce providing strategic advice and financial solutions to some of the largest media and entertainment/film and television companies. Previously, she was a Business Operations, Project Manager for Corus Entertainment’s Original Content & International Distribution and has had roles at organizations such as TIFF and NBCUniversal. Margaret holds an MBA from the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management and is an alumnus of the Reelworld Screen Institute’s Producer Program (2021). In her free time, Margaret is an avid sports watcher, a foodie, and is always thinking about the next destination to travel to.

Bana is a member Northwood’s family office advisory group, working with families in the areas of financial planning, investment management, and taxation. Bana also assists the investment group with due diligence and investment analysis. Bana is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA). She has a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Finance, Strategy and Operations Management from McGill University, which included a five-month exchange program at Singapore Management University. During that time, she spent a month in the Philippines volunteering at a local village to help build their bed and breakfast business startup, while also teaching youth in the village. Prior to joining Northwood, Bana was a Senior Financial Analyst at JLL, a global real estate firm, where she worked in multiple lines of business and operations, including financial accounting and controllership, business partnering and capital markets. In her spare time, Bana enjoys travelling and discovering new cultures and foods as well as playing tennis.

I’m Marc Racette, co-founder of PulseFX, a fast-growing FX firm dedicated to helping businesses and individuals navigate foreign exchange with confidence. I’m passionate about fintech and entrepreneurship, and I actively engage with the startup ecosystem, attending events like the Founders Poker, TechTO and attempting to create a referral organization in this space. I’ve always been inspired by my mother’s success as a consulting partner, and that drive pushes me to prioritize excellence, strategic growth, and building meaningful connections. Beyond business, I believe in balance; making time for fitness, friends, and personal reflection to stay sharp and focused. Whether through PulseFX or industry networking, I’m always looking for ways to innovate, support fellow entrepreneurs, and make an impact in the fintech space.

Jessica Cullen is an acquisition entrepreneur, endurance athlete, and growth leader dedicated to building businesses that drive impact and profit. A two-time Ironman event winner and professional triathlete, she has been recognized as a Top 40 Under 40, Professional of the Year, and Woman on the Rise in Retail for her leadership and achievements. With Regenerative Capital Group, Jessica focuses on acquiring and scaling Canadian businesses, transforming them into platforms for meaningful growth, purpose, and long-term success. Beyond business, she is the co-founder of Jolene’s Dream, an equine wellness program in the Greater Toronto Area created to honor the memory of her sister, whom she lost to anorexia. The program provides support for women suffering from eating disorders, combining healing and connection through horses. Jessica lives in Waterloo, Ontario, with her husband and their golden retriever.

Rabble Rouser, entrepreneur, motivated CFP. Determined to increase Canadians financial literacy through transparency, integrity and respect.

Mandy Potter is an award-winning entrepreneur, investor, and board member with 15 years of experience building and scaling successful VC-backed startups. She is the Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Misfit Ventures, Canada’s first and North America’s largest LGBT+ VC fund. As a queer woman, Mandy is deeply passionate about inclusivity within the VC and founder ecosystem. Her mission is to unite and elevate Canada's entrepreneurship community, particularly for members of marginalized groups.

Rimi is a personal finance content creator and Senior Business Analyst in the gaming industry, with 5 years of experience in analytics. Numbers have always been a part of her life, both in her professional work and her personal brand. She started sharing personal finance content when she recognized a gap in financial literacy among young adults, aiming to help others navigate the financial world. Her mission is to empower young people to take control of their finances early on, because personal finance isn’t taught in schools, but mastering it early can be life-changing. Originally from Nigeria, Rimi moved to Canada in 2019 to pursue a Master's degree in analytics, funded partly by student loans. Since then, she’s not only built a successful career in the analytics field but also paid off her loans, an achievement she proudly shares to inspire others. Through her blog, Wealth Savvy Gen Z (wealthsavvygenz.com), TikTok (@wealthsavvygenz), and Instagram (@Rimikelala), she provides practical tips and insights on managing money, saving, budgeting, investing, and more. When she’s not analyzing data or creating content, Rimi loves to travel, read romance novels, watch movies, and dive into adventurous activities for an adrenaline rush. 

Andy is a VP in Northwood’s family office advisory group and sits on the management committee. He specializes in helping multi-generational families in the areas of financial planning, investment management, tax and estate planning, and family governance.

My financial coaching career took off after the Huffington Post wrote an article about me on how I saved $20,000 on a $50,000 income (while living in Toronto) because I wanted to travel for 6 months and not be dead ass broke. After that article launched, Canadians were reaching out, looking for unbiased financial education to help them achieve their financial goals. I founded Broad Money to change how women+ think and feel regarding their finances. We still deal with the wage gap, the Pink Tax, and take on the same student debt as our male counterparts. We have to work that much harder to catch up. In my coaching career, I saw too many women+ ignored by their financial advisors when their husbands were in the room. Women+ who went through a divorce/newly widowed and had no idea what to do with their money. Women+ who didn’t have anyone in their circle that they could trust when it came to how to manage their money without paying $1,000’s in management fees. With over 30 years of personal finance experience and more than 10+ years working as a financial coach, I'm on a mission to provide a safe space where women+ feel empowered to manage their money through 1:1 coaching, workshops, online content, self-paced courses, and ongoing financial education through my blog posts and email newsletters. I currently live in Toronto with my wife and our Bernese Mountain Dog, George.

Mackenzie has been a marketing leader in the fintech space for over 5 years. In her various roles, Mackenzie has taken a data-driven approach to marketing, using A/B testing and campaign analysis to refine customer acquisition and retention efforts. At Fig specifically, she has also played a key role in establishing marketing KPIs to improve tracking and decision-making. Outside of Fig, Mackenzie stays involved in marketing and fintech communities and continues to build her expertise through ongoing learning and collaboration. Her ability to execute strategic initiatives, manage large-scale campaigns, and contribute to Fig’s growth demonstrates her potential as an emerging leader in the space.

Keshiv Kaushal is the Director of Impact Investing at Propel Impact, where he oversees the operations and investment strategy of eight youth-led, place-based impact investing teams across Canada. Keshiv is a graduate of Queen’s University with a BComm. (Hons). He has held various roles in impact investing and community economic development over the last 5 years as a consultant as well as at SVX and the County of Lennox & Addington. Keshiv has worked across the impact investing ecosystem, evaluating social enterprise loans and venture investments, working with organizations to design funds and build capital deployment strategies, consulting directly with impact-driven ventures, running investment readiness programming for social enterprises, and supporting capital raising strategies for funds and impact investment products (like Manitoba’s first Social Impact Bond focused on reducing recidivism of Indigenous youth involved in the justice system). Keshiv has successfully passed his Level I CFA exam and holds his CSC and SASB FSA credentials. He also serves on the Board of the Fair Finance Fund, a nonprofit social finance fund dedicated to local food and farm investing with a focus on regenerative and climate-resilient agriculture.

Trieste is passionate about helping startups turn bold ideas into thriving businesses. As VP of Growth at FrontFundr, she has guided over 100 companies in raising more than $150M through equity crowdfunding, giving entrepreneurs the capital they need to scale. Her journey with FrontFundr started as an investor—first backing startups on the platform, then becoming a shareholder in FrontFundr itself, and eventually joining the team as an employee. Now, she’s helping other founders connect with investors just like her. With a Master of Global Business from the University of Victoria—earned through studies in Canada, Peru, and the Netherlands—Trieste brings a global perspective to marketing, investment, and business strategy. Trieste has had exposure to a variety of industries such as technology, agriculture, food and beverage, and fashion, equipping her with the expertise to help founders craft compelling campaigns that attract investors. Beyond her work at FrontFundr, she has mentored businesses through programs like the Atlantic Canadian GrowExport initiative and has led webinars on marketing, communications, and fundraising. She also hosts From Funding to Fame, a podcast where she uncovers the stories behind successful startups and the investors who back them. As an active investor in public and private markets, as well as real estate, Trieste understands what drives investor interest—knowledge she uses to help entrepreneurs navigate the world of equity crowdfunding with confidence.

Passionate about using finance for social and environmental change, Devon Krainer has over a decade of impact investing experience across twenty countries. Devon is a Principal at Raven Indigenous Capital Partners, a venture fund backing Indigenous and Native American entrepreneurs. Prior to joining Raven, she led ESG strategy at a Canadian pension plan and served at a global economic development organization advising funds and companies in emerging markets. When she’s not building financial models, Devon can be found in the mountains skiing, hiking and camping.