For any awards, carrying out fair, consistent, and accurate judging is key to ensuring the true winners are recognized. To deliver this, we have assembled a diverse and unbiased judging panel of experts. The judges are assigned categories which reflect their expertise and are asked to recuse themselves from voting in any category in which there is a conflict of interest
All Judges are required to sign a non-disclosure agreement for the purpose of preventing the unauthorized disclosure of confidential information. This includes the sharing of the information contained within the submission forms with any third parties and communicating with shortlisted nominees in any way.
Dr. Ranjan Bhaduri is the Founder & CEO of Bodhi Research Group, which is an independent firm that conducts advisory and consulting to Family Offices, Pensions, and other allocators. Bodhi Research Group also is active in the education of alternative investments. Bodhi Research Group has served eleven Canadian pensions, and has had clients in five of the seven continents.
Dr. Bhaduri is recognized globally as an authority in alternative investments. He has over twenty years of experience including serving on an investment committee at Morgan Stanley where he conducted investment due diligence and helped construct customized portfolios of alternative investments. Dr. Bhaduri has held an Advisory position at the East-West Center, a leading think tank on the Asia-Pacific Region. He has lectured on derivatives for the Montreal Exchange, and been invited by the CME to be part of a special delegation that met with regulators in Beijing and Taipei to discuss hedge fund issues. Dr. Bhaduri has guest lectured on mathematics and finance at several universities, spoken in industry conferences globally, and published many papers. Dr. Bhaduri has previously served on the AIMA Canada Board of Directors, and is currently a CAIA Canada Executive. Dr. Bhaduri holds both the CFA and CAIA charters.
Canadian Association of Alternative Strategies & Assets (CAASA)
About James Burron
James co-founded CAASA in response to industry support for a Canadian alternatives association to serve all aspects including: hedge / alternative strategies; liquid alternatives; private lending; private real estate; private equity; plus emerging areas where Canada is a leader such as digital assets / blockchain and robo-advisors.
Prior to CAASA, James was the Chief Operating Officer of AIMA Canada where his team of three worked with 12 committees to produce 50-60 events per annum across Canada, organized 100+ committee meetings, and increase member numbers over his 7-year tenue from 66 to 164 corporate entities. CAASA currently has more than 350 members.
James currently sits on the Canadian Investment Funds Standards Committee (CIFSC), which categorizes mutual funds and alternative mutual funds (aka liquid alternatives) for the retail space in Canada. He is also called upon by membership and industry groups to speak to risk ratings and portfolio placement of all types of alternative investments.
James also has experience in research and writing for the CAIA Association (holding the designation since 2006) as well as serving on CAIA’s exam council and as a well as other duties. He had roles in institutional sales and FoHF structuring in Seoul, South Korea, as a Product Manager at ICICI Wealth Management, and as an Investment Advisor at RBC Dominion Securities. James graduated from Simon Fraser University with a BBA (Finance).
Michael Cooke is a highly accomplished investment professional with a proven record of achievement and an extensive knowledge of Exchange Traded Funds, Derivative Solutions and Alternative Investments. Most recently, he created and led the sixth largest ETF provider in Canada with $13 billion in AUM and 47 Canadian-listed ETFs covering traditional index, strategic beta and active investment strategies for institutional and retail investors. Previously, Michael held leadership roles in asset management and capital markets at several global financial institutions including Invesco Canada, HSBC Bank USA and Fidelity Investments.
Michael also serves as Chair of the Canadian ETF Association (CETFA) which represents more than 90% of ETF assets under management in Canada. CETFA’s mandate is to support the growth, sustainability and integrity of the Canadian ETF industry via education, advocacy and leadership.
Michael earned an Honours Degree in Political Studies from Queen’s University and has received multiple credentials from the Canadian Securities Institute. He was born, raised and lives in Toronto with his family.
Pat has her own consulting business and she has spent over 35 years in the Financial Services industry as a client and relationship-focused executive with an in-depth background in all aspects of the industry.
She has been and continues to be an active member on many industry committees including those at CCMA, IFIC and Fundserv and Women in ETFs.
Pat is also actively involved in her community as the Immediate past Board Chair at Community Living Dufferin, Board Member at Prosper Canada and Board member at QCC. She is also advisor for Exemplar Companies and ConvergX.
Gerry Fields is the President and General Counsel of CORNERSTONE GROUP FAMILY OFFICE. Gerry is a member of the Law Society of Ontario where he has contributed as a guest lecturer and a mentor. He was formerly appointed as General Counsel for Canada and the United States for the FIDINAM GROUP of Companies headquartered in Switzerland. Gerry received his Partners, Directors and Senior Officers Qualifying Certificate from the Canadian Securities Institute. He was the President and Chief Compliance Officer of a Securities Dealer on the Montreal Exchange and subsequently was the President and Chief Compliance Officer of a Canadian Exempt Market Dealer. Gerry formerly served as the Senior Securities Counsel for a downtown Toronto law firm. Gerry graduated with distinction from Concordia University and earned a Bachelor of Laws Degree and Juris Doctor Degree from Osgoode Hall Law School.
Gerry has chaired domestic and international programs on family offices, private equity, corporate finance, investment and wealth management topics. Gerry also serves as a Mediator and an Arbitrator. He has authored numerous publications and is active in many industry, trade and professional associations including the Toronto Lawyers Association (TLA)(Life Member); American Bar Association (ABA); CFA Society Toronto (CFA Private Wealth Management Committee); Managed Funds Association (MFA); Hedge Fund Association (HFA) (New York) Family Office Subcommittee; Alternative & Direct Investment Securities Association (ADISA)(Indianapolis); Alternative Investment Management Association (AIMA) – Legal, Finance and Compliance Committee, Institutional Investor Engagement Committee, Global Investment Peer Group (IPG), AIMA Global Customer Due Diligence Guide, U.S. SEC Private Fund Rules Peer Group; United Nations Principles for Responsible Investment Working Group for Private Credit ESG Due Diligence Questionnaire; Alternative Credit Council (ACC); Wealth Professional Judge, Key Media Annual Wealth Professional Awards; Co-Chair, U.S. Department of Commerce Certified Trade Missions for Alternative Investments; Deputy Chair and Strategic Counsel, International Family Office Association (IFOA) (Not-for-Profit); Director, Pro Bono Services, Canadian Family Office Association (CFOA) (Not-for-Profit); Pro Bono Advisor, NEURODIVERSITY CANADA™; Federal DEI Task Group on Neurodiversity for Neuroinclusive Corporate Workplaces; and Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada (CPA Canada) where Gerry has served as a Judge and as a Lead Judge for twenty-two years. Gerry is currently an active Committee Member of a preeminent global investment management firm. Gerry’s continuing contributions to financial, investment and social responsibility programs exemplifies his dedication to the Power to Make a Difference™.
Grant Hicks, CIM, is a Practice Management expert and Co-author of “Guerrilla Marketing For Financial Advisors” series 1 and 2. As President of Advisor Practice Management, he has 36 years in financial services, coaching top advisors and teams on practice growth for ideal client families. He helps financial professionals increase their capacity, build equity and revenue through his” Financial Advisor Ideal Capacity Program”. His firm’s advisors manage over $8 billion AUM and earn over $100 million combined.
Alternative Investment Management Association (AIMA)
About Maryam Idroos
Maryam is the Associate Director of Membership and Events for AIMA Canada, where she leads member engagement and event programming across the region. She joined AIMA in January 2020 as an Events and Membership Associate and was later promoted to Manager before taking on her current role.
Maryam holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from Ryerson University (now Toronto Metropolitan University), where she majored in Law and Business. Prior to AIMA, she worked on the frontlines of Fraud Management at Scotiabank and provided Investor Relations administration services to hedge funds and private equity clients at Citco.
She is deeply passionate about promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion, and is a strong advocate for young professional engagement within the alternative investment industry.
Vice President, Head of Asset Manager and ETF Solutions – CIBC Mellon
Chair – Canadian ETF Association (CETFA)
About Ronald C. Landry, MBA, CPA, CGA
Ron Landry leads industry and client segment solutions for CIBC Mellon, working across CIBC, CIBC Mellon, BNY, and strategic stakeholders to develop and deliver innovative solutions that help clients achieve their goals. His focus is on driving differentiated outcomes for clients by aligning CIBC Mellon’s full suite of capabilities with evolving market needs and strategic priorities.
With nearly 30 years of experience in financial services, Ron brings deep expertise in fund administration, accounting, compliance, and operational strategy. Before joining CIBC Mellon, he served as President of Felcom Data Services, a recordkeeping and fund administration firm acquired by CIBC Mellon in 2009. He also held progressively senior roles at Altamira Investment Services, spanning fund accounting, corporate finance, and compliance.
A recognized leader in the Canadian investment industry, Ron serves as Chair of the Canadian ETF Association (CETFA), advocating for the continued adoption and sustainability of ETFs in Canada. He is also an active participant in key industry groups, including the Alternative Investment Management Association of Canada’s Alternative Credit Council and its Legal, Finance and Compliance Committee, the Canadian Association for Alternative Strategies and Assets Compliance and Operations Group, and the Investment Funds Institute of Canada’s Accounting Advisory Working Group and the ETF Steering Committee.
Ron is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CGA) and holds an MBA from Laurentian University.
Executive DirectorFederation of Independent Dealers
About Matthew Latimer
Matthew Latimer serves as Executive Director of the Federation of Independent Dealers, bringing nineteen years of expertise in the financial services sector. In this leadership role, he spearheads initiatives, events, and advocates for member firms. Matthew’s work centers on addressing the evolving needs of securities and mutual fund dealerships and their advisors—navigating the regulatory landscape, coordinating diverse stakeholder interests, and offering solutions to mitigate cost pressures.
With a career encompassing diverse dimensions of the financial services industry, Matthew blends foresight with hands-on expertise to champion the interests of independent dealers. His dedication to continuous professional development ensures he remains at the forefront of an ever-evolving sector.
Matthew serves as a board member of the United for Literacy Foundation, supporting initiatives that empower through education, and actively raises funds for canine rescue and shelter programs.
Kristen McElhone is Director, Industry Relations with FP Canada™, the leading education, certification and professional oversight organization for the financial planning profession. In her role, Kristen is responsible for cultivating and managing relationships with industry organizations. She is a key ambassador for FP Canada’s programs with industry and for the continued adoption and growth of CFP® certification and QAFP® certification within the financial services sector.
Kristen brings to FP Canada over 20 years of relationship management experience in financial services. She previously served as Vice President, Partnerships & Business Development – Eastern Canada, for Worldsource Financial Management (WFM) and Worldsource Securities Inc. (WSI), where she led their relationships with advisors and corporate partners in Ontario, Quebec and the Maritimes. Her previous experience includes various senior roles at SEI Investments, including acting as the key relationship manager for the firm’s strategic partners.
Delmar Miller is a well-accomplished strategy and marketing executive. As the Head of Marketing for the Asset Management business, his responsibilities include overseeing marketing programs, brand management, and strategic initiatives. He is the driving force behind the strategic direction to build and maintain the company’s brand in Canada.
Before joining JPMorganChase, he worked in strategic business development, brand building, and marketing positions for several multimillion-dollar notable brands, including IMG-WME, NCAA, Nike, BlackRock, and Scotiabank Arena, among others.
An advocate and ally for diversity, equity, and inclusion for all people, Delmar is active in his community as a volunteer and leader. Most notably, in 2021, he served as the President of The Canadian Association of Urban Financial Professionals (CAUFP), where he established and oversaw programming that impacted thousands of Black professionals, students, and entrepreneurs across Canada. Under his stewardship, the organization had its most successful financial year ever and distributed the most scholarships and small business grants in its history.
Delmar holds a bachelor’s degree from McMaster University and an MBA from Franklin Pierce University.
President & Chief Executive Officer | Investment Industry Association of Canada (IIAC)
Laura Paglia has decades of specialized experience providing legal representation and advice to a broad range of participants in the financial services and capital markets industries. These include Canadian and foreign banks, insurance companies, underwriters, investment dealers, carrying brokers, exempt market dealers, and various public issuers such as investment fund managers.
Laura has also represented and advised a variety of individual professionals such as Chief Compliance Officers, Chief Executive Officers and Ultimate Designated Persons, research analysts, investment bankers, institutional traders, portfolio managers, investment and mutual fund advisors, and Boards of Directors and/or their Special Committees.
Laura is a frequent speaker and writer on topical and emerging industry issues.
Laura was called to the Bar of Ontario in 1997. She obtained a LLB from Osgoode Hall Law School in 1994 and an LLM from Osgoode Hall Law School in 2014.
