Mentors

"Throughout my mentorship with Ms. Andrea Bobkowicz, wealth advisor at National Bank Financial, I gained knowledge in portfolio management and sector-specific developments along with professional growth. She consistently bridged theoretical knowledge and real-world application. I was very fortunate to have the opportunity to be invited to office tours, management meetings, and industry conferences, which greatly enhanced my professional exposure. Ms. Bobkowicz's unwavering mentorship, despite her demanding schedule, has been pivotal in my journey as a research associate. It has inspired me to approach the fund manager role with confidence and preparedness." – Garv Bhandari (Class of 2025)

"During my time as a research associate, I had the privilege of learning from my mentor, Charles Morison. Our discussions spanned a wide range of investment topics, including valuation techniques, thematic screening, and market reactions to economic and company-specific events. I gained a deeper understanding of assessing management incentives, identifying sectoral growth opportunities, and assessing company fundamentals. These mentorship sessions significantly refined my ability to critically and strategically analyze investment opportunities." – Sijia Liu (Class of 2025)

"As a research associate, I had the privilege to have Mr. Kevin LeBlanc as my mentor. Every quarter, I was able to receive Mr. LeBlanc’s guidance on various financial concepts and investment analysis at the Caisse de Dépôt et Placement du Québec. My mentorship with Mr. LeBlanc taught me beyond theory, as he enhanced my understanding of managing a portfolio. He offered me insights about the technology sector and improved my knowledge on how to value a company. Mr. LeBlanc’s mentorship benefited my learning as I could rely on him to deepen my curiosity and knowledge." – Zahra Ahmed (Class of 2025)

"Throughout my mentor meetings with Mr. Chester Ntonifor, a managing editor at BCA Research, I gained valuable guidance on approaching investment analysis through a macroeconomic lens. We frequently discussed the latest macroeconomic developments, enabling me to connect these insights to individual investment ideas. His mentorship broadened my perspective and deepened my appreciation for the critical role of macroeconomic factors in shaping investment decisions. I am profoundly grateful for the lessons I learned from Mr. Ntonifor and I look forward to applying them throughout my career." – Giovanni Di Nunzio (Class of 2025)

"As part of my first year in the program, I had the opportunity to be mentored by Mr. Alex Guarino, an investment analyst at Formula Growth. Over the course of our meetings, I gained valuable insights from Alex on how to approach a stock pitch, the importance of evaluating the management team, and the key technical aspects to focus on when analyzing a company. Our discussions also aligned seamlessly with my summer internship, where we delved into the significance of developing a differentiated opinion from the market. Alex’s guidance was critical throughout the entire year, from my initial work with the fund to my summer internship, helping me connect theory with practice and preparing me for future opportunities in company analysis." – Eli Marchesseault (Class of 2025)

"During my first year as a research associate, I was very fortunate to have Ms. Meaghen Annett, vice- president of U.S. and International Equities at Beutel, Goodman & Company, as a mentor. Ms. Annett helped me understand the dynamics of the consumer discretionary industry. Our discussions allowed me to learn how to properly value a retail company and reassess companies during economic downturns. Ms. Annett guided me throughout my internship, providing valuable insights into relative valuation and the key metrics to consider when valuing companies across different industries. Her mentorship deepened my understanding of equity management and the challenges involved when analyzing equities from various countries. Ms. Annett played a key role in my development of knowledge about the industry as a whole and in advancing my ability to balance risk and reward in a portfolio." – Hannah Wang (Class of 2025)

"Johann Tritthardt, executive director in the Private Funds Group at UBS, was an invaluable source of knowledge throughout my first year in the KWPMP. Mr. Tritthardt was key in broadening my understanding of real estate and its drivers from both a public and private market perspective. Through our discussions, Mr. Tritthardt taught me about key trends affecting private markets and factors to evaluate in infrastructure, which was instrumental in the creation of my report during my internship. Mr. Tritthardt’s mentorship has been highly beneficial in preparing me to become a fund manager." – Édouard Vézina (Class of 2025)

"Julian Tsang, Co-CIO at Baker Gilmore & Associates, has been instrumental in shaping my understanding of fixed income investing. His deep expertise and thoughtful guidance provided me with invaluable insights into managing this crucial component of our portfolio. Mr. Tsang’s mentorship was not only pivotal in helping me navigate the complexities of fixed income markets but also inspired a strong commitment to continuously refine my skills. I am deeply grateful for his support, which has left a lasting impact on my professional development." – Michael Kamel (Class of 2024)

"Martin Tzakov, CFA, partner at Pembroke Management Ltd., has been an invaluable mentor, significantly shaping my understanding of investment management and professional development. Through his guidance, I gained deeper insights into key areas such as financial analysis, valuation techniques, portfolio strategy, and effective decision-making. Mr. Tzakov’s ability to simplify complex concepts and emphasize the importance of critical thinking and collaboration has been instrumental in refining my analytical skills. His mentorship has profoundly enriched my learning experience and will continue to influence my growth in the field."  – Julian Diodati (Class of 2024)

"Ivana Miladinovic, portfolio manager at PineStone Asset Management, played a pivotal role in helping me bridge the gap between theory and practice by providing me with continued guidance on how to effectively apply our equity strategy to the portfolio. Her patience in answering my numerous questions was invaluable. As someone without prior internship experience in public equities, her mentorship was instrumental in building my confidence and enabling me to perform effectively in my role as an equity strategy fund manager. Ivana’s support has had a profound impact on my professional growth, which I am extremely grateful."  – Eyal Zelinger (Class of 2024)

"Michel Berger, vice-president of Corporate Development at Prosperity Life Specialty, provided invaluable mentorship that significantly enhanced my understanding of equity strategy and investment analysis. His guidance on my MSA Safety and VSE Corporation stock pitches, particularly in understanding the aviation industry and refining positioning strategies, was instrumental in sharpening my analytical skills. Michel’s insights into financial restructuring, value creation, and strategic decision-making helped me approach challenges with confidence and a well-rounded perspective. His mentorship was a pivotal part of my professional growth, equipping me with the tools to excel in finance and beyond." – Nicholas Cormier (Class of 2024)

"My mentor meetings with Kam Khorasani, vice-president at Fiera Comox, were invaluable to my development as a fund manager in the KWPMP. Kam was instrumental in helping me navigate key portfolio management decisions our cohort faced throughout the year, and he provided essential support in analyzing both the quantitative and qualitative challenges that arose from my stock pitch on Stella-Jones. He also introduced me to the intricate workings of the world of private credit and highlighted its relevance to my summer internship in private equity. Finally, Kam shared invaluable career advice that I will carry with me well into the future." – Roberto Lato (Class of 2024)