The sure hand and vast business experience of Ben Vendittelli has strengthened Mach Capital, the private equity investment firm he leads and helped launch in 2019. Playing a key role in the privatization of Cominar REIT, Vendittelli also helped consolidate Groupe Mach as one of the largest private real-estate owners and developers in Canada.
Now managing partner of Mach Capital and executive vice-president and chief investment officer of Groupe Mach, Vendittelli was previously chief executive officer of Laurentian Bank Securities, where he ran the capital markets subsidiary of the bank. The CFA charterholder also managed the risk on more than $5 billion of financial inventory.
Proudest career moment
“When my mentor at the time decided to retire and informed me that I would take over as chief executive officer at Laurentian Bank Securities. It was the culmination of numerous milestones throughout my career that allowed me to run capital markets for the bank.”
Career challenge
“There have been many. Because the Quebec financial community is such a tight-knit group — a network that I didn't have access to at the start of my career — I had to prove myself, the quality of my work and capabilities, including having to move to Toronto for a couple of years to hone my skills before returning to Montreal.”
The Concordia factor
“The people I met during my MBA are not only an integral part of my network, but they've become lifelong friends. And in one case, quasi-family.”
Influential professor
“Derek Hirsch (finance) was a dynamic, out-of-the-box thinker. He showed me how to look at things differently. He ultimately recommended me for the MBA program.”
Career advice
“Many people tend to chase the next hot thing or career. These come and go over time, but I advise young people to follow their passion. Stick to what you love doing. Eventually, no matter how few seats there might be in a given field, if you do it because you're passionate about it, you will become one of the best in that field and it won’t matter how ‘hot’ the subject matter might be (or not).”