Speakers & Panelists 2021

PANEL 4 | Capital Raising 101 | Panelist | 3:15 pm

Mr. White has been with IBK Capital since 1991. During this time, he has been involved in private placement financings totaling over $600 million for emerging companies in mining, metals, and technology. He has also been active in financial advisory assignments and industry developments including advisory and financing services to Great Bear Resources Ltd. regarding its Red Lake gold discovery and partnership with Rob McEwen; advisory and financing services to POET Technologies Inc. for its disruptive photonics solutions for data communications; advisory services to the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador with respect to its arrangements with Inco Ltd. over the development of the nickel deposit at Voisey’s Bay; advisory and financing services to Western Goldfields Inc. (now NewGold Inc.) on its purchase and development of the Mesquite gold mine in south-eastern California; advisory services to Cobalt Blockchain Inc. and the development of The Democratic Republic of the Congo’s artisanal mineral wealth; and, acting as financial advisor to Noront Resources Ltd. in the wake of a major nickel discovery at its Double Eagle Project in Northern Ontario, Canada.

PANEL 2 | Canadian Real Estate: It’s a mad, mad, mad, mad world! | Introduction | 2:30 pm

Mr. Burrows is Chief Executive Officer and Trustee of TVC Private Real Estate Trust (www.tvctrust.com) and Co-Founder, Chief Executive Officer and Director of TriView Capital Ltd. (www.triviewcapital.com). Founded in 2012, TriView has steadily grown and now has three areas of investment opportunities for retail, high net worth and institutional investors.

A private equity firm, TriView has deployed over $400 million into the private and alternative investment space since its inception. TriView has focused on an investment strategy that creates a truly diversified portfolio by offering private investments focused mainly on real estate to complement their clients overall portfolio of traditional stocks and bonds. Mr. Burrows also sits on TriView’s Investment Review Committee.

Mr. Burrows believes in strong corporate governance and obtained his ICD.D designation in 2007 from the Institute of Corporate Directors which specializes in Board of Director governance. Craig currently serves as a Board Member for the PCMA (Private Capital Markets Association of Canada) and as the Executive Chair of Rentmoola Payment Solutions, a fintech company based in Vancouver that processes over $500 million annually in payment solutions for residential landlords and utility companies across North America.

Mr. Burrows served as a two-term Alderman for the City of Calgary from 2001–2007. He was a member of the Calgary Police Commission and Chair of the City Audit Committee responsible for oversight of the city’s multi-billion dollar budget.  For his public service, he received the Alberta Centennial Medal in 2005 for his outstanding service to the People and Province of Alberta from Premier Ralph Klein. He was also recognized as a Top 40 Under 40 in Calgary in 2004.

Pierre Poilievre is a former Minister, a six-term Member of Parliament and currently the Conservative Shadow Minister for Jobs and Industry. He champions the free market in which everyone gets ahead on merit, not government handouts, and people take ownership of and responsibility for their own destinies.

To make room for personal freedom and responsibility, he believes in limiting government. For example, Poilievre led the fight against crippling Liberal tax hikes on small businesses in the fall of 2017. This tax revolt forced the government to set aside some of its most damaging proposals. He is also fighting out-of-control deficit spending and tax increases.

Poilievre has also championed jobs for people with disabilities, introducing a bill that would allow workers on disability assistance to keep more in wages than they lose to claw backs and taxes.

More recently, he has begun warning Parliament of the growing risk of a debt crisis, as the country’s public and private debt is now almost four times the size of the economy. Moreover, the central bank’s policy of printing money to fund this government debt is ballooning asset and consumer prices, which increases the price of the things the rich own and that the poor must buy. Poilievre argues that money printing amounts to an “inflation tax”, a sneaky way for governments to raise money by raising prices for the people.

BREAKOUT #3 | ICM Crescendo Music Royalty Fund Invest in Music | Breakout Lead 

Mr. Vankka joined ICM as a partner in 2017 and is responsible for the management of ICM’s diversified private equity platform and asset management activities. Mr. Vankka has 25 years of experience in investment banking, trading, and capital markets. He has been a Managing Director at several investment banks with extensive advisory experience in domestic and cross-border mergers & acquisitions, equity and debt origination, due diligence, structured product management, strategic planning, risk management, and proprietary trading. Mr. Vankka was a founder of global energy investment bank Tristone Capital which was ultimately sold to Macquarie Group and before that a co-head and principal at Peters & Co. Limited. Mr. Vankka also was Vice President, Risk Management at Gluskin Sheff + Associates. Mr. Vankka holds Chartered Financial Analyst, Chartered Professional Accountant, and Chartered Accountant designations. He is registered as Portfolio Manager with the Alberta Securities Commissions and holds a Bachelor of Commerce with distinction from the University of Calgary.

PANEL 1 | The New Alberta Advantage: an Access to Capital Stampede | Introduction | 2:05 pm

Peter Kinkaide is the CEO of the Raintree Capital Group of Companies. Peter oversees Raintree Financial Solutions, Raintree Wealth Management, Raintree Insurance Services and Raintree Corporate Finance. He joined Raintree Financial Solutions in 2012 as the Managing Director of the Corporate Finance division. Peter is passionate about alternative investments and supporting private businesses. He’s a connector, supporting a strong capital ecosystem that provides access to capital for great managers and access to risk-adjusted returns to investors. Peter loves supporting team members in achieving excellence. He has cultivated strong expertise in fund structures, due diligence, corporate finance, asset allocation and marketing. He’s often quoted in the national media regarding a broad range of investment topics.

In 2003, Peter joined MNP LLP in Edmonton, within its corporate finance division. He moved to Calgary in 2005 as an Associate and was then promoted to Vice President. He spent 2008 in London, UK, working as an Associate Director with Baker Tilly Corporate Finance, leading transactions overseas. In 2009, he returned to Calgary as Vice President & Director of MNP Corporate Finance. While still at MNP, Peter returned to Edmonton in 2011. Peter is also the founder and President of Women & Wealth Inc, a not-for-profit focused on increasing the profile of International Women’s Day with a focus on gender equality, inspiration and empowerment of all forms.

Peter graduated with distinction from the University of Alberta with a Bachelor of Commerce degree and earned the Chartered Financial Analyst designation in 2006. He is also a registered Advising Representative (Portfolio Manager) with Raintree Wealth Management.

 

PANEL 6 | Post Pandemic Outlook – a Positive Perspective  | Panelist | 5:10 pm

Matthew is head of the Cryptocurrency and Blockchain group at McLeod Law. He acts for a variety of businesses and entrepreneurs, mainly in the cryptocurrency and private lending industries. His clients in the cryptocurrency and blockchain space include cryptocurrency exchange platforms, issuers of digital currency (including stablecoins), cryptocurrency miners and cryptocurrency investment funds.

Matthew also provides legal advice to a variety of private lenders, including mortgage investment corporations (MICs), syndicated mortgage entities, and mutual fund trusts. His involvement with the cryptocurrency industry and private lending industry includes assisting with incorporation and organization of specialized cryptocurrency related entities and MICs, and assisting with private placements and capital raising activities and secured and unsecured lending transactions.

PANEL 5 | Crypto-Currency and Private Capital  | Moderator | 4:35 pm

‘Unique’ is a term often used in relation to Scott. Easygoing, personable, loyal and knowledgeable, he is a captivating public speaker and a driven professional.

With almost 20 years of experience in Canadian Tax, Scott specializes in estate planning, providing high net worth individuals and their family’s tailored services for their unique needs. He also consults on all aspects of corporate and personal tax planning and Canadian income tax compliance matters, including issues relating to trusts and partnerships.

Scott is well-versed in both the blockchain and crypto-currency spaces and takes pride in being able to adapt and learn about all things emerging tech. He loves the start-up space and helping entrepreneurs create opportunities, build relationships and form strategic partnerships.

A people person, Scott enjoys helping Richter team members be the best versions of themselves. He initiated the firm’s onboarding tax program for new employees and founded Richter Neo, an internal, incubator-style committee for identifying and implementing emerging tech to enhance both our customer and talent experiences.

Involved in his community, Scott is generous with his time and is always ready to lend his support where needed. He is happily married to his high school sweetheart, a proud father of two girls, a music enthusiast, and an avid New York Giants fan.

PANEL 5 | Crypto-Currency and Private Capital  | Panelist | 4:35 pm

Alex Daskalov is CEO and Co-Founder of Knox, focused on Knox’s core mandate revolving around risk management as it applies to securing Bitcoin. Knox develops Bitcoin custody infrastructure optimized for safety and insurability. Alex has spent the past several years diving into risk transfer as it applies to digital systems, in order to develop novel ways to insure modern software and hardware systems. The need for robust Bitcoin key infrastructure, built form the ground up with insurability in mind, led to the founding of Knox and development of Knox’s first products.

PANEL 5 | Crypto-Currency and Private Capital  | Panelist | 4:35 pm

DH Kim founded Finhaven based on a core central belief: that the smart application of technology will be used to eliminate friction from buying, selling and handling securities in both public and private markets, automating the exchange of documents and certificates that slows the current system down. He has advocated innovation in capital markets at international economic conferences and summits around the world including, New York, London, Seoul, Tel Aviv and Zurich. Prior to Finhaven, DH spent time in the corporate finance teams with Merrill Lynch, and served as Executive Vice President of Dongwon Resource Group and CEO of NMC Resource Corporation. As a member of the BC Securities Commission Fintech Advisory Forum and has lectured at Columbia University, New York and Korea University, Seoul. He obtained his master’s degree in International Finance and Business from Columbia University.

PANEL 5 | Crypto-Currency and Private Capital  | Panelist | 4:35 pm

Matthew is head of the Cryptocurrency and Blockchain group at McLeod Law. He acts for a variety of businesses and entrepreneurs, mainly in the cryptocurrency and private lending industries. His clients in the cryptocurrency and blockchain space include cryptocurrency exchange platforms, issuers of digital currency (including stablecoins), cryptocurrency miners and cryptocurrency investment funds.

Matthew also provides legal advice to a variety of private lenders, including mortgage investment corporations (MICs), syndicated mortgage entities, and mutual fund trusts. His involvement with the cryptocurrency industry and private lending industry includes assisting with incorporation and organization of specialized cryptocurrency related entities and MICs, and assisting with private placements and capital raising activities and secured and unsecured lending transactions.

PANEL 4 | Capital Raising 101 | Panelist | 3:15 pm

Jason decided to form R&D because he has a genuine passion for “small business” and he’s inspired by working with people that have a clear vision for their company and a focus on executing that vision day in and day out. What’s more – the business is often tangible and backed by an easy to understand asset like real estate.

Jason graduated with Distinction in Finance at the University of Saskatchewan in 2009 and has over a decade of capital markets experience as an advisor at Raymond James, Wellington West, Sentinel Financial, and for the last 7 years in his role at R&D. Having worked with hundreds of clients over that time frame – Jason knew early on in his career that there was a problem with how most portfolios were being constructed for clients.

Put more simply, he combined his quest for a solution to a better portfolio structure with his love for “small business” entrepreneurship (private capital) and Rethink & Diversify was born.

Over the last five years, R&D has grown and has placed more than $100M in exempt market securities over that timeframe. With an industry leading platform for Representatives and their clients – the growth continues.

Always Respect The Capital.

PANEL 4 | Capital Raising 101 | Panelist | 3:15 pm

John is President, CEO and UDP of Liahona Capital Inc. and was recently appointed CEO of the newly-formed Liahona Insurance and Wealth Creation. In addition to his role with Liahona Capital, John manages day-to-day operations of Liahona’s MIC.

After graduating with a B.A. Economics from Trent University John completed a 3-year Journalism Diploma in Toronto. He has more than 20 years’ leadership experience with Bell Canada companies, domestically and abroad. Internationally, John has worked and lived in such places as India, Hong Kong, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Dubai.

John and his wife Marg have been married for 30 years and are proud to have accomplished sons and daughter-in-law: Willem, a physiotherapist affiliated with St. Michael’s Hospital and his wife Erin, a pharmacist at Sunnybrook Hospital. And Ethan, a recent graduate of Osgoode Hall, currently articling at HGR Graham Partners.

PANEL 3 | Fireside Chat | Moderator | 3:15 pm

Brian Koscak is the General Counsel of Pinnacle Wealth Brokers Inc. Brian is also a Director and member of Pinnacles’ Executive Compliance Committee. Brian is licensed to practice law in the Provinces of Alberta and Ontario.

Brian has obtained his Masters of Law in Securities from Osgoode Hall Law School, a LL.B. from the University of Windsor School of Law, a Juris Doctor from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law and a Masters of Arts for Judicial Administration and a Bachelor of Arts (Honors) in Public Administration from Brock University. Brian also obtained his Chartered Insurance Professional designation from the Insurance Institute of Canada and was formerly licensed as a life and accident & sickness insurance agent and a registered insurance broker of Ontario.

Brian has spoken as spoken at many conferences, written many comment letters on behalf of the PCMA and published numerous articles involving corporate and securities law matters.

PANEL 3 | Fireside Chat | Panelist | 3:15 pm

Grant Vingoe is Chair and Chief Executive Officer and Commissioner of the Ontario Securities Commission (OSC), following over four years as Vice-Chair of the OSC. He is also Chair of the Policy Coordination Committee of the Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA), the umbrella organization for securities commissions in Canada, and is a member of the board of directors of the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO). He is also the Chair of the Joint Regulators Committee responsible for the CSA’s oversight for the Ombudsman for Banking Services and Investments.

Grant is a senior leader and trusted adviser for regulatory agencies and, during his career as a partner in leading global law firms, for issuers and financial services clients. He is a seasoned adjudicator with cross-border expertise and deep knowledge of financial markets.

Grant is a member of the board of Springboard Danse Montreal, a dance education not-for-profit, and is a member of the advisory board of Reach the World, a social studies and geography not-for-profit providing services to primary school children.

Grant holds a J.D. from Toronto’s Osgoode Hall Law School and an LL.M. from the New York University School of Law. He was admitted to the bar in Ontario in 1983 and in New York in 1985.

PANEL 2 | Canadian Real Estate: It’s a mad, mad, mad, mad world! | Panelist | 2:30 pm

Mark Simone is a business executive with extensive C-Suite experience in the development and management of businesses in the insurance, finance, and medical sectors.

He was the President of Medipac International Insurance, Canada’s largest retailer of long-term travel medical insurance, the Executive and Managing Director of the Canadian Snowbird Association, one of Canada’s largest lifestyle affinity groups, the President of Ontario Health Clinics, serving over fifty thousand patients and, most recently, the Vice President of Strategic Relations with Pinnacle Wealth Brokers, one of Canada’s largest Exempt Market Dealer.

Mark has developed successful sales and marketing programs throughout his career and has personally founded and managed largescale consumer and trade shows. He has a passion and talent for developing strategic relationships and maintaining mutual paths to success for all stakeholders.

PANEL 2 | Canadian Real Estate: It’s a mad, mad, mad, mad world! | Panelist | 2:30 pm

Jay is the impassioned leader behind the diversified collection of businesses that make up the Durum Capital portfolio. He began his career at Deloitte & Touch where he focused on insolvency and corporate restructuring in the Financial and Special Services Department. Years later, Jay went on to create Simmons Financial Holdings Corp. (SFHC); a private holdings company that takes an active role in businesses that require either financial restructuring or patient and active capital to fund new ventures.

As founder and CEO of Durum Capital Inc., Jay is responsible for overseeing the management of all assets in the Durum portfolio. Often taking an active role in management, Jay sits as a corporate director of his investment companies. He has worked hard to create a culture that holds governance in high regard and is proud of the group of people assembled to govern each of the investments managed by Durum Capital Inc.

Jay received his Bachelor of Commerce degree from Dalhousie University. He also received his CPA, CA designation from the Institute of Chartered Accountants and his ICD.D designation from the Canadian Institute of Corporate Directors. When he is not in a boardroom, you can find Jay learning to kite surf or enjoying the views from his house in Vernon, BC.

PANEL 2 | Canadian Real Estate: It’s a mad, mad, mad, mad world! | Moderator | 2:30 pm

Mr. Coupland joined ICM in 2016 and is responsible for all legal matters, as well as aspects related to securities offerings on behalf of the ICM entities. Mr. Coupland has over 20 years of experience in private equity fund formation, registration matters, structuring private equity investments such as leveraged buyouts, venture capital, mezzanine capital and the creation of private equity investment funds, private and public mergers and acquisitions, equity and debt-related corporate finance transactions (acting for both issuers and underwriters), corporate reorganizations and recapitalizations, NYSE, TSX, and TSX Venture Exchange original listings and graduations, initial public offerings, takeover bids, and capital pool company transactions. Before joining ICM, Mr. Coupland was the Chief Legal Officer for a registered investment fund and portfolio manager with over $200 million in assets under management. Prior thereto, Mr.Coupland was a corporate lawyer with the international law firm, Bennett Jones LLP. Mr.Coupland holds a Bachelor of Education (with distinction) and LLB from the University of Calgary.

PANEL 1 | The New Alberta Advantage; an Access to Capital Stampede | Exclusive PCMA Engagment | 2:05 pm

Brett Wilson is best known as a “Dragon Emeritus” from 3 seasons on CBC’s hit reality TV show Dragons’ Den. He has built extensive holdings in the power generation, hydrocarbon production, real estate development, cannabis, agriculture, sports and entertainment industries.  His business and philanthropic leadership have brought him considerable recognition including the Order of Canada (2011) and the Saskatchewan Order of Merit (2012).  Brett continues to simplify and organize his life to focus on what is most important – his family, friends and health.  His is semi-autobiography “Redefining Success: Still Making Mistakes” is an all-time best-selling business book in Canada.

PANEL 1 | The New Alberta Advantage; an Access to Capital Stampede | Panelist | 2:05 pm

The New Economy division works closely with staff from across the ASC coordinating efforts to energize Alberta’s capital markets, enhancing public and private capital raising alternatives, including for those focused on the innovation economy. The division also leads the ASC’s inter-departmental team, addressing the intersection of securities law and emerging financial technologies, including through the CSA’s Regulatory Sandbox Committee. A key focus of this division is engaging with market participants to better understand challenges faced by Alberta businesses and to help them navigate the securities regulatory regime and enhance their awareness of relevant initiatives that may assist them.

PANEL 1 | The New Alberta Advantage; an Access to Capital Stampede | Moderator | 2:05 pm

Craig Skauge is the President of Olympia Trust Company and the Executive Vice President and a Director of Olympia Financial Group Inc. (TSX: OLY). He is a founder and President of the Private Capital Markets Association of Canada. Previously Mr. Skauge was a member of both the Ontario Securities Commission’s Small and Medium Enterprises Committee and Exempt Market Advisory Committee. Mr. Skauge is recognized as a leader and national subject expert on the Canadian Exempt Market and has been featured in the National Post, the Globe and Mail, and the Investment Executive.

Opening & Closing Remarks | 2:30 pm

Tommy is the CEO and founder of WhiteHaven Securities. He has earned the right to use the CFA designation and the CPA, CA designation. WhiteHaven Securities is a dynamic, fully integrated financial firm based out of Quebec and expanding its operations across Canada. WhiteHaven Securities’ multi-license platform is anchored on discretionary portfolio management, exempt products, insurance and mutual funds.

Presently, WhiteHaven Securities is a pioneer in the retail exempt space in Quebec and with Tommy’s dedication and passion, hopes to promote the exempt market not only in his home province but throughout the country. Tommy began his career at PwC working as an auditor where he focused on the financial industry and manufacturing industry. At PwC, he worked on mandates like the Molson-Coors merger and the spinoff of Novelis from Alcan. He then pursued his career working for a large private manufacturing company called Lallemand, based out of Québec. There, he gained a significant amount of corporate finance experience, working in the private sector across multiple continents, participating in mergers, joint ventures, acquisitions, restructuring, cash pooling and currency hedging strategies among other things. After many years with Lallemand, Tommy started his own consulting firm helping SMEs with various financial and operational issues. With his in depth knowledge of both the financial and the operational sector, the natural transition was for Tommy to create WhiteHaven Securities.

PANEL 4 | Capital Raising 101 | Moderator | 3:40 pm

Nancy Bacon is currently the Managing Director of Chase Alternatives, a boutique independent consulting firm with a focus on private markets within Canada. Ms. Bacon brings over 17 years of professional experience in the Canadian capital markets, the last 12 of which have been devoted entirely to private markets.While not a licensed or practicing lawyer, Ms. Bacon is legally trained and works with securities lawyers across the country and abroad to ensure understanding and conservative interpretation of jurisdictional regulation on the private markets. Ms. Bacon has spent considerable time abroad and has explored such markets as the UK, parts of the EU, Africa, Australia & Asia in efforts of furthering understanding of global interest due to the noted increase of allocation towards private investment, and how it could be of value to Canadian participants. She is of regular assistance to national industry associations, consults informally with provincial regulators, and has extensive relationships with many leading professionals including dealers, family offices and other service providers devoted to private markets. She is considered a devoted industry expert and advocate. In her free time you can usually find Ms. Bacon in the mountains or on a plane off to explore another country – she has visited 66 countries to date. She volunteers her time for animal conservation or rescue efforts, and offers considerable pro bono support to the advancement of private markets as a whole.

PANEL 6 | Post Pandemic Outlook – a Positive Perspective  | Moderator | 5:10 pm

In 2000, Wallach began his career in Canadian commercial real estate and was later invited to join a group of senior negotiators who bought an established real estate brokerage firm in 2001. Wallach’s extensive experience in real estate and his diverse knowledge in the business and financial sector, made transitioning his position within the firm a natural leap forward. In 2003, Wallach assumed the leadership role of President with a strong team of almost 30 employees. In 2004, the brokerage firm was rebranded under the name “Barclay Street Real Estate”. In 2012, Wallach brought his commercial real estate knowledge to the international stage as a board member in an advisory role on the TCN board and served two (2) terms as the Regional Vice President of the Canadian Region. In April of 2016, Wallach was appointed to Co-Chairing the Calgary Economic Development and Real Estate Advisory Committee. Wallach earned the designation of Certified Commercial Investment Member (“CCIM”) Delegate in 2013. With his strong knowledge of the real estate industry and his desire for Barclay Street to continue to grow, he earned the delegation successfully. The CCIM designation is earned after successfully completing a designation process that ensures CCIMs are proficient not only in theory, but also in practice.