Blog Archives

Start-Up Round-Up – 2025

Start-Up Round-Up – 2025

Overview

This annual event bringing together start-up founders, angel investors, single family offices, and venture capital fund managers for a day of meetings, panels, and networking.

Start-up founders are invited to submit their business plan, intro deck, video overview, and any other media for this afternoon event at the offices of Highline Beta.

Our process is we send the idea/company media to the angels/family offices & CAASA-member venture capital fund managers, along with a ranking form.  On the day, we have two, 30-minute interview sessions where the matched start-ups and investors meet + 2 panel discussions and networking reception.

We invite all start-up founders to apply.  Our investors each have unique requirements and preferences; pre-seed, seed, series A (and so on…); all industries including AgTech, RegTech, PropTech, Cryptoassets…all areas of endeavor; whether having an active raise or simply looking for exposure for the next raise.

We typically have 12 start-ups and all presentations are in person and capacity for this event is approximately that number.  All start-ups are responsible for their travel expenses and must be CAASA members to be eligible ($200 fee to join; no cost to participate in the event).

Timeline:

April 18th – Deadline for Founders to send us their deck & other media.
April 20th – We send the presentations to all investors to review and rank by the end of the month.
April 30th – Deadline to have the matchings/pairings determined.
May 12th – We gather at the Highline Beta offices and have a great day!

MSC Cruises Get-away Give-away 2025

We are happy to partner with MSC Cruises for a super prize to be awarded to one of our event attendees (must attend and complete a ballot to be eligible).

Draw will occur at our Networking Night on October 7, 2025.

*Subject to travel restrictions, all details provided to the lucky winner upon receipt.

When

Monday, May 12th

  • May 12, 2025
  • 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm ET

Where

Highline Beta

372 Bay St. Suite 200, Toronto, ON M5H 2W9

2025 Founders & Angels/Investors

Start-Ups – Apply to Participate!

Members –  Submit your presentation below. CAASA team will reach out to confirm after reviewing the pitch decks.

Non-members – To be able to register to Start-Up Round-Up Pitch Competition 2025, you need to be a member of CAASA – click the link below to register for CAASA Membership for $200 CAD.

Deadline to submit your deck/propaganda is April 18.

Agenda 2025

Day 1

  • May 12, 2025
  • 2:00 pm – 7:00 pm

  • May 12, 2025
  • 2:00 pm – 7:00 pm

Day 1

2:00 pm

Registration & coffee

All Founders, Angels, and VCs are asked to be at the venue by 2pm to register for the day.

2:20 pm

Introduction

Briefing to all on the upcoming sessions, room/area assignments, and expectations of and for all throughout the event.

2:30 pm

First Pitch

Curated pairings (Founder presenting to Angel and/or VC) will provide opportunity to pitch and answer questions.  Each of the Founder decks’ will have been read already by the investors so an abridged pitch can be made.

3:00 pm

Second Pitch

Curated pairings (Founder presenting to Angel and/or VC) will provide opportunity to pitch and answer questions.  Each of the Founder decks’ will have been read already by the investors so an abridged pitch can be made.

3:30 pm

Coffee break

Quick refresher.

3:45 pm

Surviving, Striving, and Thriving as a Start-Up

Step one: survive. Step two: strive. Step three: thrive. Start-ups sometimes get ahead of their skis with far-reaching ideas of what they will do once they ‘make it’. The reality is not all will make it and energy, perhaps, should be put toward step one and two. This panel will feature start-ups from all three stages – an excellent opportunity to hear how they make it happen.

Moderator: Mary Hermant, Royce Holdings
Jack Lenchyshyn, thisPantry
Michael Ashmore, Rondeivu
Lakhveer Jajj, Moselle

4:30 pm

Taking First in the Beauty Pageant

Start-ups spend a great deal of time dreaming up, planning, and tweaking their product offering as well as their pitch (deck). This panel will discuss the main areas that founders should focus on to appeal to investors who will take their company to the next level. Practicable advice for all!

Moderator: Marcus Daniels, Highline Beta
Connor Winters, Earl& Partners
Yahya Mahmood, BNQ Group
Saad Hassan, Nvestiv

5:00 pm

Reception

6:00 pm

End of Start-Up Round-Up

See you next year!

Member – Investor

End Investors: Pensions, Endowments, Foundations, Sovereign Wealth Funds, or Single Family Offices

Event Registration Closed

Non-member – Investor

End Investors: Pensions, Endowments, Foundations, Sovereign Wealth Funds, or Single Family Offices

Event Registration Closed

Start-Up Round-Up 2024

Start-Up Round-Up & Meet-Up 2024

Overview

This annual event bringing together start-up founders, angel investors, single family offices, and venture capital fund managers for a day of meetings, panels, and networking.

Start-up founders are invited to submit their business plan, intro deck, video overview, and any other media for this afternoon event at the offices of Highline Beta.

Our process is we send the idea/company media to the angels/family offices & CAASA-member venture capital fund managers, along with a ranking form.  On the day, we have two, 30-minute interview sessions where the matched start-ups and investors meet + 2 panel discussions and networking reception.

We invite all start-up founders to apply.  Our investors each have unique requirements and preferences; pre-seed, seed, series A (and so on…); all industries including AgTech, RegTech, PropTech, Cryptoassets…all areas of endeavor; whether having an active raise or simply looking for exposure for the next raise.

We typically have 12 start-ups and all presentations are in person and capacity for this event is approximately that number.  All start-ups are responsible for their travel expenses and must be CAASA members to be eligible ($200 fee to join; no cost to participate in the event).

Timeline:

May 15th – Deadline for Founders to send us their deck & other media.
May 20th – We send the presentations to all investors to review and rank by the end of the month.
June 1st – Deadline to have the matchings/pairings determined.
June 17th – We gather at the Highline Beta offices and have a great day!

2024 Founders & Angels/Investors

When

Monday, June 17

Arrive 2pm
First interview 2:30pm SHARP
Reception at 5pm
End at 6pm

  • June 17, 2024
  • 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm ET

Where

Highline Beta

372 Bay St. Suite 200, Toronto, ON M5H 2W9
Map

Start-Ups – Apply to Participate!

Members –  Submit your presentation below. CAASA team will reach out to confirm after reviewing the pitch decks.

Non-members – To be able to register to Start-Up Round-Up Pitch Competition 2024, you need to be a member of CAASA – click the link below to register for CAASA Membership for $200 CAD.

Deadline to submit your deck/propaganda is May 15.

Agenda 2024

Day 1

  • June 17, 2024
  • 2:00 pm – 7:00 pm

  • June 17, 2024
  • 2:00 pm – 7:00 pm

Day 1

2:00 pm

Registration & coffee

All Founders, Angels, and VCs are asked to be at the venue by 2pm to register for the day.

2:20 pm

Introduction

Briefing to all on the upcoming sessions, room/area assignments, and expectations of and for all throughout the event.

2:30 pm

First Pitch

Curated pairings (Founder presenting to Angel and/or VC) will provide opportunity to pitch and answer questions.  Each of the Founder decks’ will have been read already by the investors so an abridged pitch can be made.

3:00 pm

Second Pitch

Curated pairings (Founder presenting to Angel and/or VC) will provide opportunity to pitch and answer questions.  Each of the Founder decks’ will have been read already by the investors so an abridged pitch can be made.

3:30 pm

Coffee break

Quick refresher.

3:45 pm

The Gold Rush in AI

This panel will shine a light on a much-ballyhooed trend: Artificial Intelligence. It will explain what this means for our economy, how business leaders and their staff can benefit from it, how entrepreneurs can take advantage of this technology, and how investors can sensibly invest in this dynamic area.

Prathna Ramesh, FutureSight Ventures
Michael Branco, Celeste Ventures
Ricky Mehra, Continuum Health Ventures

4:30 pm

Structuring and tax

This briefing speaks to the recent capital gains tax changes and what investors and founders can do to ameliorate the situation and find advantages going forward.

Joseph Micallef, KPMG
Matt He,
 Brightspark Ventures

5:00 pm

Reception

6:00 pm

End of Start-Up Round-Up

See you next year!

Member – Investor

End Investors: Pensions, Endowments, Foundations, Sovereign Wealth Funds, or Single Family Offices

Event Registration Closed

Non-member – Investor

End Investors: Pensions, Endowments, Foundations, Sovereign Wealth Funds, or Single Family Offices

Event Registration Closed

CAASA Virtual Career Showcase 2023

CAASA Virtual Career Showcase 2023

Overview

We designed this multi-day conference to allow employers with imminent/near-term roles to fill as well as longer-term branding and awareness needs to get in front of some of the best and brightest students and grads from finance & investing focused specialties as well as general/liberal arts programs. We hope this leads to some great connections between folks from all over the world (literally) and, in good time, instances of hiring and great experiences by all involved.

We have four days of content + more for all involved!

All students are asked to provide detailed information on their academic progress and work experience as well as a cover letter. These will be provided to all sponsoring members who will reach out to schedule an interview or additional information session.

All sponsors will have a dedicated slot that interested (or just curious!) students and grads should use as their opportunity to learn about the company, what it does, and its culture – in addition to online and other research and inquiries. Students and grads are greatly encouraged to use this time to, as appropriate, pose questions to the employers to better understand their business and culture as well as the roles that they may have open at that time or in the future.

In addition to the info sessions, a selection of topics will be discussed by industry leaders (including one of our famous Career Panels!) designed to be informative and illuminating for students/grads and employers alike.

If participants have additional ideas or comments on the agenda and format, we are happy to hear it so we can look to incorporate it into our 2024 edition!

Special Gift for Early Registrations

Backpack to Briefcase: A student’s guide to a meaningful career journey, to the first 100 student registrations to the Career Showcase. This book is a fantastic foundation and resource guide to how those entering the workforce can prepare both academically and mentally to get into their chosen industry. The author, like CAASA staff, is a big fan of discovering one’s strengths and using them to make the most of their situation – while working each day to be a more well-rounded and ready industry professional.

When

  • January 28, 2023
  • 10:00 am – 4:00 pm EST

Where

CAASA’s All-in-One Virtual Platform

Keynote Speakers

Panelists (2023)

Past Speakers (2022)

Participating Firms & Corporate Culture Chat Leads (2022)

Sponsor Benefits

Sponsoring Member

$1,000 CAD
Members of CAASA

Includes two representative tickets

Event Registration Closed

Thank You to Our 2023 Participating Universities

Thank You to Our 2023 Participating Firms

Agenda

Please note this agenda is subject to change. 

Day 1

  • January 28, 2023
  • 10:00 am – 4:00 pm

  • January 28, 2023
  • 10:00 am – 4:00 pm

Agenda

10:00 am

Day 1 Keynote: Proven Steps to Land Your Dream Job

Whether you are clear on your career direction or still considering your options, many students are not sure of the steps to begin their meaningful career.
Having taught over 4,000 students, Stephanie Koonar, Author of Amazon Best Seller, “Backpack to Briefcase, A Student’s Guide to a Meaningful Career Journey” has seen the steps that successful students have taken to launch into their dream career. Come hear from Career Coaches Stephanie and Louann how to get started with the Proven Steps to Land Your Dream Job.

Stephanie Koonar, PeerSpectives Consulting
Louann McCurdy, PeerSpectives Consulting

11:00 am

Corporate Culture Chat: CIBC Mellon

12:00 pm

Corporate Culture Chat: Picton Mahoney Asset Management

1:00 pm

Career Panel: Who knows where you will go!

This is your opportunity to learn the unique, non-linear, path-dependent career paths of diverse leaders in the industry and get their advice on how to break into the work world and make a career out of it. They will point out the learnings they have had on their journeys, what they look for in terms of colleagues and staff, and areas of growth that could hold the key to many at the start of their careers. Bring your questions and enjoy!
Kerem Kolcuoğlu,

2:00 pm

Corporate Culture Chat: Peak Hill Capital

3:00 pm

End of Conference

WMF Kick-Off Keynote: The Francis Sabourin Hour: WMF Edition (Virtual YUL)

WMF Kick-Off Keynote: The Francis Sabourin Hour: WMF Edition (Virtual YUL)

Overview

In advance of our Wealth Managers’ Forum (WMF 2022) on Feb 15-18, we are offering a series of 4 keynote sessions to kick-off our content-packed Forum this year. Originally intended to be held in-person, but thanks to COVID we’re back to virtual. As many know, Francis hosted seven of his popular webinars with us in 2021 (and one more already in January). Get ready for a super discussion!

When

  • February 10, 2022
  • 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm ET

Where

Virtual

Keynote Replay Here

Speakers

Members of CAASA

Event Registration Closed

Non-Members of CAASA

Event Registration Closed

Thank you to our Sponsors

WMF Kick-Off Keynote: Real Estate Investing in Your Own Backyard (Virtual YYC)

WMF Kick-Off Keynote: The Francis Sabourin Hour: WMF Edition (Virtual YUL)

Overview

In advance of our Wealth Managers’ Forum (WMF 2022) on Feb 15-18, we are offering a series of 4 keynote sessions to kick-off our content-packed Forum this year. Originally intended to be held in-person, but thanks to COVID we’re back to virtual. As many know, Francis hosted seven of his popular webinars with us in 2021 (and one more already in January). Get ready for a super discussion!

When

  • February 3, 2022
  • 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm ET

Where

Virtual

Keynote Replay Here

Real Estate Investing in Your Own Backyard

Speakers

Members of CAASA

Event Registration Closed

Non-Members of CAASA

Event Registration Closed

Thank you to our Sponsors

WMF Kick-Off Keynote: Views From the Bond/Credit Markets (Virtual YVR)

WMF Kick-Off Keynote: The Francis Sabourin Hour: WMF Edition (Virtual YUL)

Overview

In advance of our Wealth Managers’ Forum (WMF 2022) on Feb 15-18, we are offering a series of 4 keynote sessions to kick-off our content-packed Forum this year. Originally intended to be held in-person, but thanks to COVID we’re back to virtual. As many know, Francis hosted seven of his popular webinars with us in 2021 (and one more already in January). Get ready for a super discussion!

When

  • February 3, 2022
  • 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm ET

Where

Virtual

Keynote Replay Here

Views From the Bond/Credit Markets – Featuring Philip Mesman, Picton Mahoney Asset Management & Liam O’Sullivan, RPIA

Speakers

Members of CAASA

Event Registration Closed

Non-Members of CAASA

Event Registration Closed

Thank you to our Sponsors

WMF Kick-Off Keynote: Access to Private Equity (Virtual YYZ)

WMF Kick-Off Keynote: The Francis Sabourin Hour: WMF Edition (Virtual YUL)

Overview

In advance of our Wealth Managers’ Forum (WMF 2022) on Feb 15-18, we are offering a series of 4 keynote sessions to kick-off our content-packed Forum this year. Originally intended to be held in-person, but thanks to COVID we’re back to virtual. As many know, Francis hosted seven of his popular webinars with us in 2021 (and one more already in January). Get ready for a super discussion!

When

  • February 10, 2022
  • 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm ET

Where

Virtual

Keynote Replay Here

Speakers

Members of CAASA

Event Registration Closed

Non-Members of CAASA

Event Registration Closed

Thank you to our Sponsors

12th Annual Méchoui

12th Annual Méchoui

Overview

In a global context marked by uncertainty, geopolitical tensions and technological advances, the FIAM Gatherings 2025 offers a key moment to reflect on the profound transformations redefining the investment universe. The event will bring together leading experts in asset management, as well as investment directors from major institutions, all committed to analyzing new economic dynamics and proposing innovative, sustainable approaches. On the agenda: strategic discussions, critical analyses and experience-sharing between decision-makers, managers and industry partners.

Don’t miss the finance industry’s biggest summer gathering – reserve your place!

When

  • August 21, 2025
  • 2:00 pm – 10:00 pm ET

Where

Le Belvédère du Paddock

260, Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, Montréal, QC.

2025 Speakers

AGENDA

The conference segment offers an immersive dive into the expertise of leaders in the investment sector. Guest speakers will present their analyses of the major trends transforming the markets and share concrete insights to better understand today’s key challenges.

The interactive segment, presented as a panel, invites you to engaging discussions with top-tier asset management experts. Together, they will explore the major geopolitical, economic, and technological shifts that are reshaping investment rules and calling for a rethinking of traditional approaches.

Day 1

  • August 22, 2025
  • 2:00 pm – 10:00 pm

  • August 22, 2025
  • 2:00 pm – 10:00 pm

Agenda

2:00 pm

Registration

Welcome and check-in of participants on site.

2:30 pm

Official Opening

Vincent Delisle, Honorary President, unveils the central theme and introduces the keynote speakers and panelists.

3:00 pm

Opening Presentation

Keynote speaker Marko Papić shares his strategic insights on major economic and geopolitical trends.

3:45 pm

Panel Discussion

A conversation between experts, moderated by Ranjan Bhaduri (Bodhi Research Group), featuring François Rivard (INNOCAP) and Justin Lord (AIMCo).

4:30 pm

Q&A and Closing Remarks

Question period with the audience, closing remarks by Vincent Delisle, Honorary President, and a warm invitation from Claude Perron to join the networking cocktail and Mechoui.

4:45 pm

CFA Award

CFA Award presented to a woman who has distinguished herself the most for her emeritus involvement in the financial and investment community of Montreal.

5:00 pm

Networking Cocktail

A unique opportunity to connect with fellow professionals in a relaxed atmosphere.

6:15 pm

Mechoui Dinner

Start of the Mechoui dinner service.

10:00 pm

End of the Evening

Closing of the 2025 FIAM Gathering.

Register Now

The FIAM Gathering 2025 is a must-attend event for those who want to stay at the forefront of tomorrow’s financial issues.

Wealth Managers’ Forum 2023 – Montreal

Wealth Managers’ Forum 2023 – Montreal

Overview

Join us, dozens of speakers, and scores of fellow IAs and investors for this all-encompassing alts conference specifically designed for retail advisors and the client base they serve.

This Forum will be held in person, paired with 4 unique networking receptions in Vancouver, Calgary, Montreal and Toronto to kick off the Forum!

Take a moment to RSVP!
More information to follow shortly.

CAASA CE Centre

The content for this platform comes from CAASA webinars and podcast as well as panel sessions from a selection of our conferences.

In addition, certain members of CAASA have provided their webinars and podcast for inclusion.

Topics and investment opportunities featured in these courses focus on alternative investments such as hedge funds, liquid alternatives, private equity, private lending, real estate, infrastructure, cryptocurrency, venture capital, and other Alternative assets and strategies.

When

  • February 21, 2023
  • 11:00 am – 7:00 pm

Where

KPMG Montréal
600 Maisonneuve Blvd W Suite 1500, Montreal, Quebec H3A 0A3

Distinguished Speakers (2023)

Past Agenda (2023)


Day 1

  • February 21, 2023
  • 11:00 am – 7:00 pm

  • February 21, 2023
  • 11:00 am – 7:00 pm

Day 1

11:00 am

Registration


11:30 am

NowTalk – Seizing Opportunities

Over the course of one’s career there can be many turning points and times when inordinate gains can be had if one just takes the plunge. This NowTalk features an IA that many know and would love to emulate. We’ll here his career story and times when he took his book and practice to the next level.

Joe Bakish, Richardson Wealth

12:00 pm

Lunch


12:15 pm

Lunch Keynote – The New 60/40: Balanced alts for (m)any investor

 

1:00 pm

Table Talks

Round table discussions hosted by our Sponsors.

This session is aimed at providing all event attendees with the ability to join in genuine knowledge exchange and discussion in a small group setting.

Choose from 2 x 25-minute round table discussions

2:00 pm

Francis Sabourin: Meeting of the Minds

For many months, the (award-winning) Francis Sabourin Hour has graced the Zoom screens of many advisors and investors as he deconstructs his guests’ fund/offering and asks the questions that IAs have with regard to structure, exposures, risk, liquidity, leverage, and a host of other factors important to asset allocation and portfolio management. This panel is a bit shorter and features three CAASA member managers who each have their own benefits to investor portfolios. A rare in-person opportunity!

Francis Sabourin, Richardson Wealth
Daniel Leger, MGG Investment Group
Mark Tower, Amundi Asset Management

2:45 pm

NowTalk – Wealth Management Trends and the Future of Advice

Our industry is rapidly changing, technology enabling efficiencies while clients’ needs are evolving.  So what are the main trends coming our way, how will it impact wealth managers and advisors?  What is the Future of advice?  This NowTalk features a former Head of a Canadian Brokerage firm and a KPMG Partner; it will help you open your eyes to the future of our industry.

 

Martin Lavigne, KPMG
David Krief, KPMG

3:15 pm

A Look at Real Estate Plays

Real Estate is the oldest investment, and one that has garnered a great deal of interest from investors over the last many years. While it’s impossible to time any investment, the illiquidity of real estate (coupled with, usually, leverage at the asset and/or fund level) can introduce risks not evident in other asset classes. They also ‘suffer’ from stale-dating such that investors observe lower volatility than with other investments, but they also do not have immediate insight as to the true value of their holdings. This panel will talk through all of these potential negatives and, in many cases, show how they can be positive for investors.

 

 

Steven Furtado, Savoir Investment Counsel, (Hoovest Financial Inc)
Joshua Varghese, Axis Real Assets
Adam Dean, CMLS Asset Management
Anthony Guarnieri, Group RMC

4:00 pm

Reception

Opportunity to network over food and drinks!

Thank You to Our 2023 Sponsors

CAASA Member

Member of CAASA

Event Registration Closed

Investment Advisor | Single Family Office

Member of CAASA

Event Registration Closed

Family Office Summit 2025

Overview

We are back for our 7th edition – this time including our ever-popular SFO-exclusive sessions on April 23 afternoon + more streams for SFO family members and professionals to meet and discuss topics important to them (all within a cone of silence without the inclusion of anyone who is not with an SFO).

Of course we have a great line-up of speakers (at least 50% from SFOs) to speak to issues and trends important to families & Table Talks coordinated by our sponsors for a truly exciting opt-in experience for all.

 

Registration

End Investor refers to pensions, foundations, endowments, sovereign wealth funds, and single-family offices. Intermediary Investor includes multi-family offices, investment advisors/dealers, wealth managers, and investment consulting firms. +1 indicates that the first delegate attends for free, with a nominal fee applied for each additional delegate. Managers and Service Provider Delegates must be CAASA members in good standing and are required to pay the applicable fee per person based on their respective sub-category. Core Service Providers include fund administrators, accounting firms, and legal firms.

MSC Cruises Get-away Give-away 2025

We are happy to partner with MSC Cruises for a super prize to be awarded to one of our event attendees (must attend and complete a ballot to be eligible).

Draw will occur at our Networking Night on October 7, 2025.

*Subject to travel restrictions, all details provided to the lucky winner upon receipt.

When

Please note the timings and agenda are subject to change.

  • April 23, 2025
  • 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm EST
  • April 24, 2025
  • 8:00 am – 7:00 pm EST

Where

Toronto Region Board of Trade
100 Queens Quay E, 3rd Floor, Toronto, ON M5E 1Y3

2025 Keynote Speaker

2025 Distinguished Speakers

2025 Agenda

Please note the timings and agenda are subject to change.

Day 1

  • April 23, 2025
  • 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm

Day 2

  • April 24, 2025
  • 8:00 am – 7:00 pm

  • April 23, 2025
  • 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm

Pre-day – PLEASE NOTE ATTENDEE TYPES

2:00 pm

Single Family Office Roundtable (Relatives Only)

Life as the principal of a family office can be exciting, inspirational, and busy, while at the same time worrisome, stressful, and draining.  We provide this (strictly!) family members only dinner as an opportunity to meet with your peers and share questions, concerns, solutions, and insights across the table. We have nominated three leaders/instigators to get things going and guarantee that all will find the evening illuminating and fun.

SFO Relatives Instigators (3 total):
Jamie Biddle, Verdis Investment Management
John Hynes, HedgeFacts

2:00 pm

Single Family Office Roundtables (Professionals Only)

Working in a single family office is not your typical investment management job – you gain the benefit of a sometimes extremely flat organizational structure and many find the spectrum of duties and tasks to be (very) intellectually stimulating. On the other hand, it can be isolating and difficult to keep up with the pace of work: each family has its own dynamic and cadence so we created this dinner where (strictly!) full time employees (not relatives) of SFOs can interact with their peers to get the most out of their roles.

SFO Professionals Instigators (3 per room)

3:30 pm

SFO Break Out – Portfolio Diversification in Challenging Markets

This discussion will cover investment strategies, alternative asset classes, and how to balance risk and return in today’s volatile market.

Jay Rosenfeld, Peerage Capital & Artemis
Edwin Wong, Chandaria Family Holdings

3:30 pm

SFO Break Out – Multi-Generational Plan for Multi-Generational Wealth (Family Members Only)

This session will focus on purpose and accountability and explore strategies to ensure smooth leadership transitions, the role of next-gen family members, harmonious family relations, and maintaining the family’s values and vision across generations.  Special treat: one of the families will describe how their (long-awaited) transition is progressing; all are encouraged to add their thoughts as well!

Shael Soberano, Sharno Group
Robert Reichmann, ReRo
John Hynes, Hedgefacts

3:30 pm

SFO Break Out – Family Office Operations: Best Practices

4:15 pm

SFO Break Out – Investing in Private Markets & Venture Capital

This discussion will explore family office investments in private companies, including deal sourcing, due diligence, and the role of venture capital in a diversified portfolio.

Russell Deakin,
Aceana Group
Drew Colaiezzi, McPike Global Family Office

4:15 pm

SFO Break Out – Due Diligence for Families

How can families conduct thorough due diligence on funds and managers? This session will highlight frameworks for avoiding pitfalls and selecting quality partners.

Tec Han, SFO Professional
Adrian Barber, Barber and Associates

4:15 pm

SFO Break Out – Tax Planning & Cross-Border Issues

With families often spread across jurisdictions, this session will focus on managing tax exposure, estate planning, and navigating complex global tax issues.

Jay Rosenfeld, Peerage Capital & Artemis

5:00 pm

All Delegates – General Welcome Reception

Everyone welcome to this time to meet.  Generally, sponsors and managers arrange private dinners after this time with select conference delegates – either via the messaging & meeting app or off-line.

7:00 pm

End of Pre-day

  • April 24, 2025
  • 8:00 am – 7:00 pm

Main Day

8:00 am

Registration & Breakfast

 

 

8:30 am

Wheat From the Chaff: Manager due diligence

There are thousands of managers in the alts landsacpe – some might even think that they have seen them all…until they find dozens more at a new event or database. This session will show new and veteran family office professionals and their families a framework of categorizing, diligencing, and choosing managers which have the best probability to perform according to the needs of the families’ beneficiaries.

Tec Han,
SFO Professional
Adriana Arrillaga, One Summit Capital Wealth Management Inc.

Moderated by: Felix Boyer, KPMG Family Office

9:00 am

Private Markets in Transition

Private markets have been all the rage for many years with PE and then venture coming to the fore in retail-friendly wrappers and terms (even if they are at odds with how the industry would traditionally package them). Secondaries have evolved from PE to real estate and now infrastructure secondary funds (designed with the feature/bug that they buy more mature positions and are able to offer better liquidity terms to investors) in very quick succession (the latter of the three offered seemingly just after people started musing about it. Platform proliferation has made accessing these funds easier than ever and allowed capital to flow virtually unhindered into this space. What’s next? This panel will discuss just that.

Drew Colaiezzi, McPike Global Family Office
Nima Sanajian, Wealthsimple

9:30 am

Non-correlated Ideas

Diversification is touted as the Holy Grail of investing – but one must choose their portfolio constituents wisely. 79 of the NASDAQ 100 constituents are in the S&P 500. Equity and bond indices generally correlate – especially in crisis situations. Even hedge funds and other sectors like real estate can correlate when crowded trades or macro factors align to take them down. Where can an investor find solace? Possibly in the offerings of these three panelists: one’s employer has a plethora of non-correlated products on offer (Sagard), one has a fund that is correlated to the EM index which is, itself, a diversifier to other assets and strategies (Letko Brosseau), and the third has digital assets at its core (3iQ Corp).

Rohit Khuller, Letko Brosseau
Adam Vigna, Sagard Holdings
Pascal St-Jean, 3iQ

Moderated by: Loïc Julé, Richter

 

10:15 am

Table Talks

11:00 am

1:1 meetings / Morning Refresher

This is everyone’s opportunity to meet – either as established via our conference meeting & messaging app or ad hoc

11:30 am

Getting to G10

We have hosted numerous sessions where families and their professionals blue sky ideas on how to make their family office run better – but, as with most things, it comes down to people (this is the good and bad news). At the end of the day, G+1 or 2 or 3 will pass on and their legacy will be in the hands of the next generations. Now, one can live a lifestyle exclusive of worry about the next generation, but many believe that they’d like their progeny to do at least as well as they did. The math is difficult, though…exponential beneficiary growth meets arithmetic portfolio growth; and add to that missteps that the guardians of the hoard might make and ‘getting to G10’ can seem a gargantuan task. This panel will show you all sides of this conundrum and give you actionable tasks to make your heirs better off.

Geraldine Hardy, SFO 
Jamie Biddle, Verdis Investment Management
Sean Driscoll, Fax Capital

Moderated by: James Burron, CAASA

12:15 pm

Lunch & Keynote

12:45 pm

Martin Lueck: Delivering non-correlated, liquid alpha for decades

Mr. Lueck may not be known to all – his forte is discovering and exploiting trading opportunities and longer-term price trends that can create value for his many investors. His experience stretches about 40 years and his namesake first big win (AHL Fund, wherein he is the ‘L’) along with his current company (Aspect Capital) continue to be beacons of performance and innovation for the industry. Plase join us in this perhaps once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to hear his story and how he has managed to provide returns for investors in all markets as well as create and build relatinonships with investors over the years.

Martin Lueck, Aspect Capital Limited
Nancy Bertand,
 Citi Private Bank, Canada

1:30 pm

How much Alpha is enough? How many yachts?

Family offices are unique: they are a compilation of the family members (usually the founder/G1 is the main driving force behind this, but more mature families have successive generations represented in the Investment Committee) and their professional (non-related) staff. Unlike more institutionalised roles, that of an SFO professional is usually more dependent on the preferences of the beneficiaries involved in the process vs the process itself. This can be liberating (only one politic to worry about) or not (overbearance). Then there are the expectations, which this panel will focus on. Both of our speakers work for an involved G1 and their progeny (to an extent) and other advisors/professionals – but the expectations of them are very different. This will be an interesting illustration of how families of the same vintage can differ!

Scott Morrison, Wealhouse Capital Management
Trevor Maunder, Peerage Capital

Moderated by: Jason Campbell, Eckler

2:00 pm

Total Portfolio Allocation

Every once in a while there is an epochal change in how things are done. One can observe an industry for years, piecing together many participants’ actions, before stepping back to see what the mosaic illustrates. The Total Portfolio Approach is one of those paradigm-changing (or shifting) mindsets. Institutional investors always seek additional alpha or risk-adjusted return, or (to be simple) ways to deliver value (e.g., retirement income) to their beneficiaries. The Maple Model is another example of this – but it is almost impossible to implement for smaller (<$10 billion) investors. The panel will explain the TPA and how it can be implemented by other investors to help them reach their lone-term goals.

Attendees are encouraged to read ahead prior to the event by perusing (or at least scanning) this CAIA paper on the topic [link].

Robert Wilson, Picton Mahoney Asset Management
Steven Novakovic, CAIA Association

Moderated by: Jeff Noble, BDO

 

2:30 pm

Table Talks

3:15 pm

Tete-a-Tete / Afternoon Refresher

This is everyone’s opportunity to meet – either as established via our conference meeting & messaging app or ad hoc

3:45 pm

Cross-Border Currents: The Evolving Canada-U.S. Relationship

In an increasingly interconnected and politically dynamic world, the relationship between Canada and the United States remains critical for families, businesses, and investors on both sides of the border. Greg Valliere, Chief U.S. Policy Strategist at AGF Investments, will provide a timely and insightful overview of the current state of Canada-U.S. relations, highlighting key political, economic, and policy developments. From trade agreements and energy policy to regulatory shifts and election cycles, Greg will decode what’s happening now — and what’s likely ahead — offering actionable intelligence for those navigating cross-border opportunities and risks.

Greg Valliere, AGF Investments

4:15 pm

MFO Round-Up

A popular panel each year, this year’s crop of MFO leaders will discuss their views on the global multi-family office scene; describe, compare, and contrast their client service offerings; and give prescient outlooks on investments and family governance trends. Enjoy!

Greg Nott, Northwood Family Office
François Ritchot, Sagana
Ralph Awrey, Stonehage Fleming

Moderated by: Jason Taylor, Climate Finance Advisors

5:00 pm

Reception

Open to all delegates.

7:00 pm

End of Family Office Summit 2025

Thank you!

Manager

Members of CAASA

Event Registration Closed

Service Provider

Members of CAASA

Event Registration Closed

Investor

Members of CAASA

Event Registration Closed

Investor

Non-members of CAASA

Event Registration Closed

Thank You to Our 2025 Gold Sponsors

Thank You to Our 2025 Silver Sponsors

Picton Mahoney PMAM

Thank You to Our 2025 Bronze Sponsor

Sofistic

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