For 17 years, Michael Gentile was as an institutional money manager — his dream career since studying finance at the John Molson School of Business.
Then, in 2018, he realized that working a full-time job would be too challenging because of two major changes in his life.
“I was blessed with twin daughters — and already had three kids,” Gentile says. “With five kids under eight staring at me, I realized my old job was not compatible with that lifestyle.”
Gentile reinvented himself as a home-based strategic investor, financing junior mining sector companies with his own capital and guiding them to success as a long-term advisor.
In 2021, he returned to the money management industry by co-founding Bastion Asset Management alongside fellow Concordia grad Charles Haggar, BComm 03, GrDip 17.
On institutional investing vs. strategic investing
“It's kind of like dating versus being married. As a strategic investor, if there is a problem, you’ve really got to fix it to make sure the company is successful for the long term.
My experience has been very helpful because I know what it takes to be successful on a larger scale, apply that to a small company and give them what they don't have.”
Industry trends
“When choosing a commodity, you want an investment that is out of favour. You will get really good value, especially if you see a thesis where the commodity will be revalued higher.”
The Concordia factor
“I met Charles Haggar at Concordia in the Kenneth Woods Portfolio Management Program. We became really close friends and shared a passion for investing. The program allowed us to spread our wings and get some amazing hands on-experience.”
Ongoing involvement with Concordia
“For 10 years, I taught a practical course called Applied Investing. I showed students the ins and outs of how to be an institutional money manager and how to invest in the market.”
Career satisfaction
“I get to wear two hats. I'm still doing my consulting advisories, teaching and investing, but I’m also involved in the institutional money manager business, which is my first passion.”