Global Risk Institute selects new president and CEO

“Dr. Maila is highly regarded in the international circles where financial services sector risk issues are being discussed” said Cantor. “He is well suited to building GRI’s standing as a source of important research, to enhancing our understanding of risk issues and providing valuable insights to practitioners and policy-makers.”

GRI has been established with the support of the governments of Canada and Ontario and 17 leading firms and professional associations in Canada’s financial services sector. The Institute will pursue applied research and offer education across multiple risk management disciplines. It will help foster a deeper understanding of risk, and serve as a forum for dialogue between financial sector practitioners, policy-makers and regulators, and the academic community.

“The Institute will leverage Canada’s strong record in the financial services sector, our reputation as effective risk managers and Toronto’s highly skilled and diverse workforce,” said Janet Ecker, president, Toronto Financial Services Alliance (TFSA), whose organization recommended the creation of GRI and facilitated its founding. GRI and the TFSA will work closely together.

Maila served as vice president, risk management, at the International Finance Corporation (the Washington-based private sector arm of the World Bank Group) during the crucial period from 2007 to 2010. Previously, he worked with BMO Financial Group for 22 years, rising to the position of executive vice president and head of corporate risk management. Before coming to Canada, Maila worked with Citibank and American Express, where he gained corporate and investment banking experience while based in Beirut, Athens, Dubai, Amman and London.

Maila earned his Ph.D. in International Finance from the University of Chicago.