TPL Scotiabank Expedition: BEST OF CANADA Series – The Mackenzie Participants

Peter Aghar

Based in Toronto, Peter Aghar is the founder of Crux Capital Corporation, a value-add real estate investor and developer and venture capital investor.

He is a member of the Young Presidents’ Organization and participates on a variety of public and private boards.

An adventurer since his teens, he has climbed, paddled, scuba dived, cycled and trekked around the world.

Even so, the greatest adventure of his life is being a father to two teenage daughters.

To donate to Peter, click here.

Gary Breininger

As a highly regarded executive and organizational coach, consultant and trusted advisor, Gary has been helping senior leaders achieve higher levels of sustained performance and results through his company, BGR Coaching and Strategic Solutions, since 1997.

Prior to this, Gary spent 10 years rising through the ranks of the sales and marketing departments of two Fortune 500 corporations and left as National Director of Marketing for UPS Canada, where he oversaw a budget of over $10 million and led a team of 25 people.

Gary specializes and believes in helping clients get clarity and take action to excel in the three areas he’s learned through his many engagements over the years are key to successfully creating an inspired organization that delivers the very best results: purpose, strategy and people.

He brings each of these areas together through his company’s holistic and fully integrated Inspired Organization Blueprint Program.

As Gary has often been quoted saying, “while engagement is great, feeling inspired is even better”, and something today’s most forward-thinking and growth-oriented Presidents, CEO’s and other senior leaders are increasingly focusing on.

Research his company has conducted at organizations of various types and sizes also shows that feeling more inspired in their work is something employees want, and are willing to do their part to create. Gary has also seen first-hand that when you create an inspired brand, you attract the very best customers. Effectively connecting with and fully activating both internal and external stakeholders is what defines a winning strategy that allows an organization to ultimately achieve the improved results senior leaders want.

Active in the community, Gary has served as Executive Director of two non-profit business associations, and as a Board Director/Advisory Council Member for a number of not-for-profits and private companies.

Outside of work, Gary enjoys white water kayaking, golf, cycling, hiking and spending time with his wife, children, and two dogs.

To donate to Gary, click here.

Rick Byers

Rick Byers is a business consultant and Board Member, having completed a thirty-three career in infrastructure investment, public sector investment banking, government, and accounting.

From 2008 to 2015, Rick was Executive Vice-President of Borealis Infrastructure, the infrastructure arm of the OMERS Pension Plan, where he was co-head of the transaction team and led global capital raising efforts.

From 1991 to 2007, Rick was Managing Director with BMO Capital Markets where he led transaction and advisory mandates for diverse transportation and energy infrastructure investments, including the Greater Toronto Airports Authority, the 407 ETR, NAV Canada, VIA Rail and Atomic Energy of Canada Limited. Prior to that, he served in the Office of Canada’s Minister of Finance and started his career in accounting with Thorne Riddell (now KPMG).

Rick currently sits on the Board of the Toronto Transit Commission and the Advisory Board of InstarAGF Asset Management Inc., as well as the Boards of Trinity College School and the True Patriot Love Foundation. Rick was a member of the 2016 Antarctica True Patriot Love Scotiabank Expedition team.

To donate to Rick, click here.

Harry Culham

Harry Culham is responsible for CIBC Capital Markets, which provides integrated credit and capital markets products, investment banking advisory services, corporate lending, and top-ranked research to corporate, government and institutional clients around the world.

In this role, Mr. Culham is Chairman and CEO of CIBC World Markets Inc. and is a member of CIBC’s Executive Committee. He is also a member of CIBC Mellon’s Board of Directors and has oversight of CIBC Mellon from a CIBC perspective. Additionally, Mr. Culham is a member of the CIBC Pension and Benefits Investment Committee.

Prior to joining CIBC in May 2008, Mr. Culham was with a global U.S. bank in London as the Managing Director of Fixed Income, Currencies and Commodities. Previous to that, he was Managing Director and Head of Fixed Income, Currencies and Commodities in London for a large German bank. Mr. Culham has also held senior roles in capital markets with other global banks in Europe and Asia. He started his career with CIBC in the graduate training program.

Mr. Culham chairs the CIBC Children’s Foundation and is a member of the Faculty Advisory Board for the Sauder School of Business. He is also a member of the Women in Capital Markets Advisory Council. He graduated from the University of British Columbia, Sauder School of Business, and is a Portfolio Management Foundation (PMF) alumnus and Leslie Wong Fellow.

To donate to Harry, click here.

Kyran Culham

Kyran is 15 1/2 years old, has 2 younger sisters 6 and 12, and is very close to his extended family.

Kyran attends UCC, plays on the football and golf teams, and has played in the various bands. He plays competitive hockey and high-level piano.

He is an avid outdoorsman, tripping last summer for 36 days. He is also involved in charitable giving through events and fundraising and is very excited to help the True Patriot Love organization.

To donate to Kyran, click here.

Rob Dolson

I was born in Hamilton, Ont. and raised in Buffalo, NY, USA and Hamilton.

After graduating high school and gaining some work experience, I joined the Canadian Armed Forces in 1994 and choose the P.P.C.L.I mostly because they were based in Western Canada.

I have been married to Christy for 12 yrs and have a daughter named Sierra who is 11-years-old.

I served overseas on operations in Kosovo (1999) and Afghanistan (2006) and numerous domestic operations.

I received the Canadian Expeditionary Force Commanders Commendation for my actions on the 4th of March 2006 in Afghanistan.

I enjoy the outdoors and camp often with my family and friends. I am also an avid soccer fan.

To donate to  Rob, click here.

David Faassen

David Faassen was appointed Senior Vice President and Head of Marketing at Mackenzie Investments in September 2016 and is responsible for leading the strategy, planning, research and creative development of marketing services across all channels.

David joined Mackenzie Investments in 2015 as Vice President, Marketing Planning and Strategy. Previously, he was the Founder of DRF Solutions, a marketing consulting firm with clients primarily across the financial services sector.

David has more than 20 years of marketing experience across multiple service industries and has executed extensive marketing and strategic initiatives within both the consumer and business sectors. He graduated with a BA in Economics from York University in Toronto and has an MBA from the Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto.

To donate to David, click here.

Dan Fralick

Hi, my name is Daniel (Dan) Fralick and I was raised in a small community called Sweetland in Nova Scotia, but I presently live in Comox, British Columbia.

I studied Carpentry after High School and then enrolled in the Canadian Forces as a Carpenter with the Canadian Military Engineers in 1996.

I will be releasing on 31 May 2017 due to PTSD after a 20+ year career.

I have three kids Payton (12 years), Dawson (9 years) and Sören (6 years).

I enjoy playing ice hockey in the winter and absolutely love the outdoors in the summertime. I enjoy muscle cars also and still have my 1977 Nova from my High School days.

To donate to Daniel, click here.

Philip Grosch

Philip Grosch is a Partner and National Leader of the Digital Services Consulting practice at PwC Canada, with more than 20 years of experience spanning many industries, including financial services, the public sector and communications in Canada and the U.S. Working out of PwC’s Toronto office, he and his team help clients harness the power of the new digital reality and disruption to drive innovation. Philip strongly believes in the importance of identifying, inspiring and supporting top talent as a critical driver of business success.

Philip is the founding sponsor and joint architect of PwC’s innovative leadership program targeted at top talent and women, called Women in Leadership. This six-month, immersive leadership journey focuses on empowering PwC women to achieve their full potential. Several graduates have become PwC partners and many others are well on their way to achieving this career milestone. The program has received two external Learning Engagement and Development Awards for Innovation in Leadership Development and Best Use of Social Collaboration and Knowledge Management.

As a member of PwC’s extended leadership team, Philip advocates for diversity and inclusion, encouraging his peers to develop and sponsor diverse talent. His reputation as a sponsor and champion also led to him being named as PwC Canada’s ‘HeForShe’ Role Model, one of four within PwC’s global network.

Philip is a 2016 Catalyst Canada Honours Champion in the Business Leader category,
recognized for his exceptional corporate leadership and transformational contributions to advancing women and inclusion in the workplace. He is a member of the advisory board for WXN’s ‘Canada’s 100 Most Powerful Women’, as well as a board member for WNORTH, a boutique conference for the top and aspiring women business leaders.

Philip is a strong supporter of Veterans with a focus on their successful transition to civilian life. He is on the board of Treble Victor Group (3V) and a member of Canada Company. He has been awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal as well as a Commendation from the Minister of Veteran Affairs for his support of the veteran community.

Martin Kenneally

Martin Kenneally served for 32 years in the Canadian Armed Forces as an Infantry Officer in the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry.

His operational experience includes tours in Cyprus, Croatia, Haiti, South Korea, Afghanistan and Israel and the West Bank as well as domestic operations including the Ice storm in Quebec. He served in locations from coast to coast, including Victoria, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Toronto, Kingston, Ottawa, St. Jean, Gagetown, and Halifax.

He retired as a Lieutenant Colonel and held command appointments from platoon to battalion, notably Company Commander in 2PPCLI Winnipeg and Commanding Officer of 3PPCLI Edmonton from 2007-2009. From 2009-2010 he was Deputy Commander of the Operational Mentoring and Liaison team in Afghanistan.

Since leaving the CAF he has served as Senior Director of Security for the Pan Am Games in Toronto in 2015, Director of Events at Exhibition Place, City of Toronto, and Regional Vice President of Healthcare Services for Western Canada for Compass Group.

To donate to Martin, click here.

Robyn May

I was born in Sudbury, Ontario.

I joined the CAF in 1984 as a Vehicle Tech then remustered to Aeroengine Tech.

I love (and live for) hockey.

I’m a First World War historian.

I volunteer at the National Air Force Museum of Canada doing restoration work on Second World War Aircraft.

I love animals.

To donate to Robyn, click here.

Susan McArthur

Susan McArthur is a Managing Partner at GreenSoil Investments, a growth equity firm focused on investing in Real Estate Technology and Agro Food Technology. In her previous role as an investment banker, Ms. McArthur advised corporate clients on a broad range of transactions including acquisitions and divestitures, public and private equity and debt financing, capital restructuring and other strategic initiatives.

Currently, Ms. McArthur sits on the Board of Directors of Great West Lifeco (GWL), Investor’s Group (IGM) and is a trustee of Chemtrade Logistics Income Fund (CHE.UN). She also sits on the Member Council of Sustainability Development Technology Canada. She has previously served as a Director on a number of boards, including Chair of the Canada Revenue Agency Board of Management, Director of First Capital Realty (FCR), Globalive Wireless Management (Wind Mobile), UBS Bank Canada, The Canadian Club of Toronto, Les Jardins de Metis Inc., Luminato and The Toronto International Film Festival. Ms. McArthur participated in the 2014 True Patriot Love (TPL) Arctic Expedition and Co-Chaired the TPL Canada 150 Mackenzie Expedition in Northern British Columbia.

Ms. McArthur is a graduate of the University of Western Ontario and speaks French fluently.

Jerome Morse

Jerome Morse conducts a trial and appellate advocacy practice in the field of civil litigation. His practice areas include personal injury and fatalities involving motor vehicle collisions, medical (health care) malpractice, product liability, public authority, aviation and occupier liability; casualty, property and disability insurance litigation; professional negligence (physicians/lawyers/ engineers/accountants); corporate commercial and commercial insurance (including directors and officers) litigation; banking litigation; and class actions.

Jerome is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers (ACTL). ACTL’s qualification requirements approve membership as a Fellow only to trial lawyers “who are unquestionably and eminently qualified… outstanding and considered the best in a state [or province] … [who have] high ethical and moral standards and excellent character … and are actively engaged in trial work as their principal activity.”

In 1990, Jerome was certified by the Law Society of Upper Canada as a specialist in the area of civil litigation. Jerome has been named one of Canada’s 500 Leading Lawyers by Lexpert®, which identifies Jerome as a frequently recommended practitioner in personal injury, medical negligence (plaintiffs) and product liability and a repeatedly recommended practitioner in commercial insurance litigation.

The 2009 edition of Best Lawyers in Canada has identified Jerome in the specialties of personal injury litigation and product liability law.

Jerome has conducted numerous trials throughout Ontario. He also has obtained privileges and has conducted litigation in Nova Scotia, Alberta, and Quebec.

To donate to Jerome, click here.

Angus Murray

Angus Murray comes to True Patriot Love with over 30 years’ experience guiding and coordinating trips around the world.

He climbed Vinson Massif in Antarctica with TPL in January, 2016. He is the past Program Director at Outward Bound Canada where he guided trips from coast to coast to coast!

He has over 3,000 overnight field days guiding trips: white-water canoeing, hiking, sea kayaking, high altitude trekking, climbing, biking, and skiing.

He is climbing the Seven Summits and only has two left to scale! On May 21, 2008, Angus became the 50th Canadian to summit Mt. Everest.

Shaun Peterson

He joined the CF in Victoria BC in 1985. He has served in all 3 Battalians of his Regiment the PPCLI (Princess Patricia Canadian Light Infantry). He has also served with 408 sqn as a tactical helicopter observer and as a Ranger instructor with the first Canadian ranger patrol group based in Yellowknife, NWT.

He has many tours including Cyprus, the Balkans and 2 tours of Afghanistan.

His honours and awards include 2 Chief of defence staff commendations. The first for pulling a man from a burning truck that exploded during the process and the second for jumping into Frobisher Bay NU during a blizzard and saving two children who had fallen into the water off a breakwater. He was also part of Task force Orion in which 1PPCLI has received the Commander in Chief unit commendation for exceptional determination and courage during relentless combat in Afghanistan in 2006 from his Excellency the right honourable David Johnston. WO Peterson has been awarded two wound strips for being wounded in combat. The first from an RPG while engaged in a dismounted attack and the 2nd from an IED.

He has always been a supporter of many charities and volunteers his personal time to help as much as he can. Red Fridays, the Salvation Army, the Stollery Children’s Hospital, Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital and numerous others. He is always one of the first to step up and volunteer for non-work-related task or events. His hobbies include Scrambling, Mountaineering, canoeing, and back country skiing. His most memorable feats on hobby are the Yukon quest, both summer, and winter, traversing Quttinirpaaq National Park on Ellesmere Island and climbing Mount Warrior with Laurie Skreslet.

He has been married for 28 years to Wendy and they have 2 adult children, Mark and Emilee.

He is presently serving as the Regimental Warrant Officer for the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry in Edmonton.

To donate to Shaun, click here.

Alex Pym

I am 26 years old and I hail from Winterpeg, Manitoba, although I currently live in Kingston, Ontario.

I come from a family with rich military history and I joined in order to carry on the family tradition and become a fourth generation pilot in the RCAF.

For medical reasons, I have been released from the military and I am working hard to pave a different path and to find another way to serve my country.

I love being outdoors, playing sports (especially hockey), and going to school. However, with my medical condition, I have had to change my lifestyle significantly.

I am currently working towards my MASc in Aeronautical Engineering and am striving each day to learn to live with my conditions and keep moving forward!

To donate to Alex, click here.

Gillian Riley

Gillian Riley was appointed Executive Vice President, Canadian Commercial Banking of Scotiabank in December 2015. As a member of the Executive Management team, she is responsible for the overall strategic positioning, growth, and direct management of several key integrated business areas that provide financial offerings, including corporate finance solutions, to businesses across Canada. Gillian is also a member of the Risk Policy and Senior Credit Committees at the Bank.

Prior to this, as Senior Vice President and Head of Deposits, Payments, and Lending, Gillian was responsible for leading the operations of Dundee Bank and overseeing Scotiabank’s Retail Deposits portfolio, which included implementing enhanced product strategies to drive significant new deposit volume growth. Since joining Scotiabank in 1989, Gillian has held a variety of senior leadership and executive sales management roles in retail, small business, and commercial banking and operations.

Gillian is an active business and community leader. She is the Chair of Roynat Capital and President-Elect for the Canadian Club of Toronto. She has also held a number of director and advisory roles for various health, government and financial services organizations.

Gillian holds a Master of Business Administration from the Barney School of Business at the University of Hartford in Connecticut, and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of Western Ontario (Western University).

In 2016, she was recognized as one of Canada’s Top 100 Most Powerful Women by the Women’s Executive Network (WXN), which recognizes the professional achievements of strong female leaders across the country.

Gillian lives in Toronto with her husband, Chris, and their three children.

To donate to Gillian, click here.

Greg Smith

As President and CEO of InstarAGF Asset Management, Mr. Smith brings more than 20 years of unparalleled experience in the investment, operation, acquisition, and financing of public and private infrastructure, real estate, power, and utility businesses. Prior to founding InstarAGF, Gregory was Managing Partner and head of Brookfield Financial’s Global Infrastructure Advisory Group. Gregory was also the President of Macquarie Capital Funds Canada Ltd. where he was responsible for the establishment, growth, and operations of Macquarie’s unlisted and listed funds business in Canada along with the active management of Macquarie’s Canadian assets owned by off-shore funds. Prior to Macquarie, Gregory was Managing Director and Co-Head of RBC Capital Partners – Mezzanine Fund and a Managing Director at Deloitte & Touche Corporate Finance.

Mr. Smith has held various positions on the Board of Directors and acted as an observer/advisor to Board of Directors for several reporting issuers including 407ETR International, AltaLink Management Ltd., and Leisureworld Senior Care GP Inc. as well as private companies such as Sea-to-Sky Highway Investment Limited Partnership and Erie Shores Wind Farm. Mr. Smith currently sits on the advisory boards of the Canadian Council of Public-Private Partnerships, a national not-for-profit non-partisan, member-based organization, Lighthouse Equity Partners, a private equity provider, and Avrio Ventures, an agriculture technology fund. Active in the private equity and venture capital sector since 1994, Gregory previously served for a number of years on the Board of Directors of Canada’s Venture Capital & Private Equity Association, including as Chair and President.

Gregory is a Chartered Accountant and a Chartered Business Valuator and holds an Honours Bachelor of Commerce degree from Queen’s University.

To donate to Greg, click here.