Each week, we summarize notable moves across the financial industry.
- Jean-Frederic Gagne has joined CIBC as managing director and head of CIBC Family Office, a newly created role. Gagne brings extensive experience with ultra-high-net-worth (UHNW) clients in Canada and internationally, having spent a decade working in single-family offices in Asia, on cross-border investments, governance and complex strategic matters. In his LinkedIn profile, Gagne said a national team of regional heads is also being established to lead coverage and delivery in each region, and he will “hold direct coverage responsibility for a select portfolio of UHNW relationships alongside them.” Gagne was previously managing director of Scotiabank’s Global Family Office Group, and just before joining CIBC, he was managing direct and head of transaction execution and corporate finance at BDG & Partners.
- Anshul Nanda has been appointed COO of North America affiliated wealth channel at Manulife Wealth & Asset Management (Manulife WAM). He joined Manulife WAM in 2023 as managing director of strategic partnerships and business management, and earlier this year took on the role of head of business planning and growth enablement. Nanda got his start at GE Capital, then spent more than 14 years at Scotiabank in various roles, ending as a senior director, business within the office of the chief operating officer, supporting strategic planning. In his new role, he’ll be focusing on business transformation, advisor capabilities, strategic partnerships and the use of data, technology and AI.
- Sarah Chapman has been appointed global chief marketing and customer experience officer at Manulife, effecting Jan. 1, 2027, and will join the executive team. She is currently chief marketing officer for Manulife Canada.
- Camila Porto has been named chief compliance officer at Hamilton ETFs. She previously held various analyst and supervisory roles at financial institutions in Brazil, including XP Inc., Standard Chartered Bank and Citi.
- Jordan Tostenson has been appointed regional vice-president, advisor distribution, TD Asset Management (TDAM). Tostenson joins TDAM from CI Global Asset Management, where he had a short stint as district vice-president (VP). He previously spent more than 10 years with Invesco Canada Ltd., starting in business development and later moving up to regional VP.
- Nila Chowdhury has been promoted to director, enterprise risk governance at BMO. She’s worked in various risk and business process roles at BMO since 2010.
- Cassandra Cross has been appointed regional director, private wealth at Nicola Wealth. Cross, who was previously a wealth advisor and client relationship manager for three years, will lead growth across the Prairies and interior of British Columbia. She previously spent more than a decade with MD Management Ltd., including as a senior financial consultant.
- Vivian Abdelmessih has been named president and CEO of the Global Risk Institute, effective Oct. 26. She brings three decades of executive leadership, governance and policy experience. She previously spent 17 years with TD in various senior roles including as executive vice-president and chief risk officer for TD’s Canadian banking, wealth and insurance businesses. She also spent 14 years at Royal Bank of Canada, where her last role was as director, global financial institutions and head of the USA Insurance Group.
- Brandon Szambor has been appointed managing director at the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions Canada (OSFI). He joined OSFI in 2013 as an analyst. In his new role, he’ll lead the supervision quality assurance division.
- Ron Helmhold and Hugh O’Reilly have been appointed to the board of directors at Alberta Investment Management Corp. for three-year terms. Helmhold was chief financial officer of the Workers’ Compensation Board – Alberta for 20 years, ending this year. O’Reilly was president and CEO of OPTrust for four years, a partner and head of the pension, benefits and insolvency group at Cavalluzzo Hayes, and a partner at Torys.
The Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) of Ontario is looking for new members for its Stakeholder Advisory Committees, to begin in fall 2026. It’s put the call out for six committees, including: financial advisors/financial planners, life and health insurance, credit unions and pensions. New members will serve a one-year term.
Interested candidates should send their resume and cover letter to SAC@fsrao.ca no later than Oct. 5. Information on each committee’s mandate and selection criteria are available on FSRA’s website.
If you know of other people moves in the financial industry and/or would like us to consider your announcement, email Alisha Hiyate at alisha.h@newcom.ca.