Top CFOs is pleased to announce The Top 25 CFOs of Toronto for 2024. Toronto is often referred to as the financial capital of Canada given many of Canada’s largest banks, including the Royal Bank of Canada, Scotiabank, and Bank of Montreal, are headquartered in the city. Moreover, Toronto has been on the rise thanks to its top-tier talent base, competitive business environment, and recent economic growth in major business sectors like technology, manufacturing, healthcare, and more. Notably, amidst this diverse backdrop, the need for financial leaders is vital to Toronto’s economic future. Fortunately, this year’s awardees have extensive experience steering their respective companies toward financial success.
First up, we recognize Jeannie Guzman, Chief Financial Officer of 1Password, who joined the company shortly after its series A funding and built many back office functions and operations from the ground up. Next, we have Amir Gorgi, Chief Financial Officer, Fairstone, who has over 20 years of experience in the financial sector, including past roles with TD and The Royal Bank of Canada. Finally, Cynthia Schyff, Chief Financial Officer of Fleet Complete has over 30 years of international management experience and is aiming to double the company in size through mergers and acquisitions in new markets and geographies.
These CFOs are recognized for their unmatched leadership qualities, strategic financial management, and significant contributions to profitability at their renowned organizations. Please join us in celebrating the accomplishments of The Top 25 CFOs of Toronto for 2024.
1. Pierre Danet
Chief Financial Officer, McCain Foods
Pierre Danet is the current Chief Financial Officer of McCain Foods, a Canadian multinational frozen food company. It is the world's largest manufacturer of frozen potato products, with one in four french fries being a McCain fry.
Before his current position, Danet served as the chief financial officer of Maersk Group's Transport & Logistics Division. Before that, he was the finance vice president of HP's Printing & Personal Systems business unit for Europe, Middle East, and Africa. Danet began his career at Procter & Gamble, serving as finance director of beauty care in SouthEast Asia before being promoted to finance director of Fabric Care in Western Europe.
Danet has an MBA in finance from ESSEC Business School, a certification from Duke Corporate Education in building resilience and preventing burnout, and a certification from Yale School of Management in fostering inclusion and diversity experience.
2. Vipin Khullar
Chief Financial Officer, Perseus Group Constellation
Vipin Khullar is the Chief Financial Officer of Perseus Group Constellation, a business that acquires and invests in software companies that provide mission-critical solutions for their industries. As an operating group of Constellation Software Inc., it helps improve companies through data-driven guidance, permanent capital, and the accumulation of knowledge from over 800 acquisitions.
Vipin is responsible for the company’s financial functions, including accounting, audit, financial planning and analysis, treasury, and taxation. He plays a crucial role in business acquisitions and working with business leaders to drive company performance.
Before joining Perseus Group Constellation, Khullar was a GTS finance controller at IBM Canada and a senior financial analyst in sales and marketing at Rogers Media. Earlier in his career, he worked with Deloitte Canada as a senior accountant (audit practice). Khullar graduated from Ryerson University with an undergraduate degree in accounting.
3. Wayne Gingrich
Chief Financial Officer, Bird Construction
Wayne Gingrich is the Chief Financial Officer at Bird Construction, a Canadian construction company operating from coast to coast and servicing all of Canada's major markets. Bird provides a range of construction including new construction for industrial, infrastructure, and buildings markets, industrial maintenance, repair and operations services, heavy civil construction, mine support services, and more.
Gingrich has extensive work experience in finance and executive roles, starting his career at General Electric in various positions. He then joined Earth Tech, a division of Tyco International, as the vice president of finance for Global Water Projects and Products. Following that, Gingrich joined AECOM as the chief financial officer for Canada and later became executive vice president of finance for North America. After leaving AECOM, he served as the chief financial officer at MMM Group. Gingrich pursued a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a minor in economics at Wilfrid Laurier University, focusing on accounting, finance, and economics.
4. Larry Froom
Chief Financial Officer, H&R REIT
Larry Froom is Chief Financial Officer of H&R REIT, one of Canada’s largest real estate investment trusts. It has ownership interests in a North American portfolio of high-quality residential, industrial, office, and retail properties comprising over 27.1 million square feet. Froom is responsible for financial reporting, raising equity, debt financings, investor relations, and acquisition due diligence.
Before this, he was vice president of finance at H&R Developments, overseeing financing and accounting of every division including residential apartments, condo developments, and single-family construction. Before joining H&R, Froom was a manager at Ernst & Young, where he serviced clients in the real estate industry. Froom earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting at the University of Witwatersrand in South Africa and holds a Chartered Accountant designation.
5. Leon Wu
Chief Financial Officer, Roots
Leon Wu is the Chief Financial Officer of Roots, a Canadian lifestyle brand known for its premium leather goods, apparel, and accessories. It has more than 120 retail locations in Canada and the United States and more than 100 in Asia.
Wu joined Roots in 2016 and has increasingly taken on major roles in financial and operational matters. He oversees the company’s strategy, data analytics and insights, planning and allocations, real estate, and loss prevention functions. Previously, he served as vice president of finance and strategy, where he led the functional areas of financial reporting, financial planning and analysis, and corporate strategy.
Before Roots, Wu held roles at KPMG LLP, performing audits of public companies within the consumer retail industry, and APP Group. Wu is a CPA, CA, and holds a BBA with Distinction from the Schulich School of Business at York University.
6. Jeannie De Guzman
Chief Financial Officer, 1Password
Jeannie De Guzman is Chief Financial Officer at 1Password, a password manager, digital vault, form filler, and secure digital wallet. It gives clients complete control over passwords and other sensitive business information, secures access to any app or service, and safely shares everything clients need to work together including logins, documents, credit cards, and more.
De Guzman has over a decade of experience working in senior financial roles at some of the largest names in Canadian technology. She joined 1Password shortly after the company’s series A funding where she built many back office functions and operations from the ground up. De Guzman was part of 1Password’s Series B funding round, which doubled the company’s valuation, and its Series C round.
Before joining 1Password, she worked at OpenText, Canada’s largest publicly traded software company, as senior manager of corporate finance overseeing all treasury functions. De Guzman then moved on to the software company BlueCat Networks as vice president of finance, where she scaled the finance team and oversaw sales operations. Earlier in her career, she was an internal audit & operational risk at Ontario Power Generation. De Guzman graduated from McMaster University with an MBA in accounting and from the University of Toronto with an undergraduate degree.
7. Davinder Valeri
Chief Financial Officer and Commissioner of Corporate Services, Regional Municipality of Peel
Davinder Valeri is the Chief Financial Officer and Commissioner of Corporate Services at the Regional Municipality of Peel, one of the fastest growing municipalities in North America. Her forward-thinking leadership experience and expertise in financial management, business transformation, and sustainability make her a valuable member of Peel’s Executive Leadership Team. In her role, Valeri is responsible for ensuring Peel remains financially sustainable while continuing to deliver a suite of cost-effective, value-add and responsive business services. These services to support the organization include Information & Technology, Human Resources, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Climate Change & Energy Management and Communications.
Prior to joining Peel, Valeri worked at Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada as the Executive Director, Accounting for Sustainability (A4S) Canada and Director, Strategy, Risk and Performance Management. In this role, she led a team to conduct technical research to develop guidance and thought leadership on emerging and current issues related to technology, economy, sustainability, finance, strategy and risk and their impact on society, business and governments. Valeri also managed large private and public CFOs to incorporate sustainability into everyday decision-making and led the A4S network of CFOs in Canada and abroad to address global finance challenges.
Valeri’s past roles include Director, Global Infrastructure Advisory, KPMG LLP, and Director, Strategic Oversight and Partnership Management and Director of Strategic Planning and Stakeholder Relations, Ontario Power Generation. Valeri is a facilitator and panel speaker on climate change and sustainability. She also serves on the board of BGC Canada, the Research Advisory board of the Institute of Sustainable Finance at the Smith School of Business and the Steering Committee of Capitals Coalition Hub Canada. A Chartered Professional Accountant, Valeri holds an Honours Co-op Bachelor of Arts in Chartered Accountancy from the University of Waterloo and the Executive Leadership Program diploma from the Schulich School of Business.
8. Tamer Alibux
Chief Financial Officer, PartnerRe
Tamer Alibux is the Chief Financial Officer of PartnerRe, an international reinsurer that helps insurance companies reduce their earnings volatility, strengthen their capital, and grow their businesses. The company is a market leader with a reputation for financial stability and strength, and a commitment to rebuilding businesses and communities after risk events worldwide.
Previously, Alibux was a CFO at Athora Holding Ltd. and before that a senior manager at KPMG in Bermuda. Earlier in his career, he worked with KPMG Canada as a staff senior accountant. Alibux earned a master’s degree in management and professional accounting from the University of Toronto - Rotman School of Management and an undergraduate degree from McGill University.
9. Amir Gorgi
Chief Financial Officer, Fairstone
Amir Gorgi is the Chief Financial Officer for Fairstone Bank, a financial services provider of personal loans and mortgages. With a long-established Canadian history, the company is committed to improving the lives of Canadians with value-driven and accessible financial solutions.
Giorgi is responsible for all finance functions at Fairstone Bank, including financial accounting and reporting, performance management, treasury and capital management, and corporate development. He has over 20 years of experience in the financial services sector, having held various roles of increasing responsibility across all finance functions.
In his previous roles, Giorgi was the controller for RBC’s largest division, personal and commercial banking. He also spent 7 years at TD Bank, overseeing Digital investments as the chief financial officer of Direct Channels. Gorgi completed his bachelor’s degree in accounting and economics from the University of Toronto. He also received his CPA designation from the Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada (CPA Canada) and a CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) certification from the CFA Institute, specializing in financial analysis.
10. Fabrice Sepulchre
Chief Financial Officer, Plan Group
Fabrice Sepulchre is the Chief Financial Officer of Plan Group, a construction company that designs, builds, integrates, and maintains innovative and noteworthy spaces in Canada. It started as a boutique electrical firm and today is growing into a global player in the electrical, mechanical, and ICAT industries.
Sepulchre first got his start in 2010 as an administration and finance officer at Bouygues Construction. From there, he went on to Bouygues Bâtiment Ile-de-France, before eventually rising to finance and strategy business development at Bouygues Energies & Services, where he led negotiations for several high-profile hydrogen and smart city projects. Sepulchre graduated from ESCP Business School with a master's degree in strategy and from Lycée Henri IV with an undergraduate degree in economics.
11. Matthew Unruh
Chief Financial Officer, Enercare
Matthew Unruh is the Chief Financial Officer of Enercare Canada, one of Canada’s largest home and commercial services companies, providing heating, cooling, plumbing, electrical, water heating, and water purification products and services. Enercare Inc. is owned by Brookfield Infrastructure Partners LP (“Brookfield”), a global leader in the management of alternative assets across real estate, infrastructure, renewable power, and private equity.
Unruh brings a wealth of experience in financial leadership to Enercare. He joined Brookfield’s Infrastructure Group in 2016 and has held several senior finance positions within the organization, including chief financial officer of its North American operations, senior vice president of corporate finance, and most recently chief financial officer of its global portfolio management function.
Previously, Unruh worked in many finance and business development roles, primarily in the financial institution industry, and began his career at PwC in the assurance and business advisory practice. Unruh has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the Richard Ivey School of Business and is a member of the Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada.
12. Anna Giagkou
Chief Financial Officer, Rakuten Kobo
Anna Giagkou is the Chief Financial Officer of Rakuten Kobo, a digital bookseller and company headquartered in Toronto that sells ebooks, audiobooks, e-readers, and tablet computers. Giagkou is responsible for the company’s financial management and accountability, as well as guiding future growth. She oversees strategy, performance, and growth across all business pillars.
Before joining Rakuten Kobo, Anna was the chief financial officer at Cox Automotive Canada, where she was responsible for developing financial strategies, supporting the optimization of operations, managing and reporting finances, and driving results across all lines of business. She has also held roles in finance at Numeris, BBM Canada, and Nielsen. Giagkou graduated from CPA Ontario with a CPA and CMA in accounting and finance.
13. Eric Swanger
Chief Financial Officer, Medcan
Eric Swanger is the Chief Financial Officer of Medcan, a global leader in proactive health and wellness services. It is devoted to providing care for individuals, families, and employers, and is grounded in the latest evidence-based practices, technologies, and treatments.
Swanger is an accomplished senior executive with nearly 25 years of experience in financial management and strategic planning. Previously, Swanger was a vice president of finance at LifeWorks and before that a vice president of finance at ECN Capital. Earlier in his career, he worked with Deloitte & Touche as a senior auditor. Swanger earned his Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation with Deloitte and received a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Southern California.
14. Ken Tsang
Chief Financial Officer, AGF Investments
Ken Tsang is the Chief Financial Officer at AGF Investments, a group of wholly owned subsidiaries of AGF Management Limited, a Canadian reporting issuer. AGF Investments offers a broad range of actively managed equity, fixed income, alternative and multi-asset strategies covering a spectrum of objectives from wealth accumulation and risk management to income-generating globally-focused solutions. Tsang is responsible for the oversight of AGF's financial management, corporate development, financial reporting and controls, accounting and taxation, as well as the firm's Investor Relations function.
He started his career at Credit Suisse First Boston in the Technology Investment Banking Group, where he held roles as an associate and a vice president. He then co-founded and managed The Hina Group, a China-focused merchant bank specializing in cross-border private equity investments and M&A advisory services. He was most recently the chief financial officer at Capital One Canada.
Tsang has a bachelor’s degree in chartered accountancy from the University of Waterloo and an MBA in Strategic Management from The Wharton School. Tsang also holds certifications as a Chartered Accountant from the Chartered Professional Accountants of Ontario (CPA Ontario) and as a Chartered Financial Analyst from the CFA Institute.
15. Robert Orr
Chief Financial Officer and Chief Compliance Officer, Centurion Asset Management
Robert Orr has over 25 years of experience in the financial services sector, and currently serves as the Chief Financial Officer at Centurion Asset Management Inc. In this role, he oversees the accounting and financial reporting of Centurion's $7.4 billion portfolio, comprising of multi-family apartments, student housing, mortgage, and equity investments. Robert plays a pivotal role in ensuring Centurion's financial integrity and strategic direction, focusing on internal controls, regulatory compliance, public market quality financial reporting, stakeholder communication and strategic planning. Prior to Centurion, Robert held senior positions at a Canadian hedge fund and at a global financial services company. He is a Chartered Accountant registered with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ontario and holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of British Columbia.
16. Gil Muñoz Zulueta
Chief Financial Officer, YMCA of Owen Sound Grey Bruce
Gil Muñoz Zulueta is the current Chief Financial Officer of the YMCA of Owen Sound Grey Bruce, a charity dedicated to building a caring, healthy community by creating opportunities for all people to achieve personal growth.
Zulueta oversees the finance department and provides support to the Finance & Audit Committee of the Board of Directors. He brings over two decades of strategic and financial management expertise in private, public, and not-for-profit organizations, including the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) and ROM Governors, Ontario Tech University, Toronto Region Research Alliance, and the University Health Network (UHN).
Early in his career, he held several increasingly responsible positions as an internal auditor, finance manager, controller, and business manager in large, complex, and international corporations, an international American school, not-for-profit institutions, and public accounting practices. He is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA), Certified General Accountant (CGA), and Certified Public Accountant (CPA).
17. Domenic Ali
Chief Financial Officer, NEXEYA
Domenic Ali is the Chief Financial Officer of NEXEYA, a French company specializing in the design and development of electronic equipment for the aeronautics, defense, energy, rail, and aerospace sectors. The company manufactures and maintains highly critical electronic products, cyber security equipment, and hydrogen-based energy solutions.
Ali is a certified Accounting professional and finance leader with over 20 years of experience in progressive roles across broad functions. His skill set includes financial reporting, accounting, financial analysis, consolidation, and more.
Before joining NEXEYA, Ali was a vice president of finance at Mircom Group and before that a vice president of finance at The IntraPac Group. Earlier in his career, he worked with PricewaterhouseCoopers as a manager. Ali graduated from Schulich School of Business - York University with an undergraduate degree in business.
18. Nelson Isabel
Chief Financial Officer, Ironshore Therapeutics
Nelson Isabel is the Chief Financial Officer of Ironshore Therapeutics Inc., a pharmaceutical company with experience developing and commercializing first-in-class therapeutic products and treatment options to improve the lives of patients and caregivers.
Before joining Ironshore, Isabel spent seven years at Biovail Corporation (now Bausch Health), Canada’s largest publicly traded pharmaceutical company, where he served on its finance leadership team and was responsible for all investor relations activities. Prior to Biovail, Isabel was an equity research analyst covering the North American healthcare industry with CIBC World Markets and Desjardins Securities.
Isabel has a bachelor’s degree in biology (experimental animal physiology) and an MBA from the Schulich School of Business in Toronto.
19. Cynthia Schyff
Chief Financial Officer, Fleet Complete
Cynthia Schyff is the Chief Financial Officer of Fleet Complete, a leading global provider of IoT solutions in the connected commercial vehicle space and mobile workforce management. Its connected fleet solutions help businesses optimize efficiency, driver safety, dispatching, fleet tracking, regulatory compliance, sustainability, and mobile staff management.
Schyff has over 30 years of international management experience, developed in high-growth and innovative technology industry environments. As CFO, she is responsible for driving the next phase of Fleet Complete's business strategy, aiming to double the company in size through mergers and acquisitions (M&A) in new markets and geographies.
Previously, Schyff was a CFO at Blue Ant Media and before that a CFO at Algorithmics, an IBM Company. Earlier in her career, she worked with EY as a staff accountant. Schyff earned an undergraduate degree in accounting and finance from Queen's University.
20. Ambuja Rajaratnam
Chief Financial Officer, Maropost
Ambuja Rajaratnam is the Chief Financial Officer of Maropost, a commerce platform that provides software and support to help businesses execute their customer journey better. Its platform includes commerce (online and retail), marketing, service, and payment management products to meet its customers’ needs.
Rajaratnam is a finance leader in software and SaaS from medium to high- growth to public companies. She has many years of experience in the areas of strong technical accounting, strategic business management, information technology and system implementation and project management.
Before joining Maropost, Rajaratnam was a senior vice president & head of finance at SOTI and before that a director of finance acquisitions (M&A) at OpenText. Earlier in her career, she worked with AT&T as a finance manager.
21. Joseph Wilke
Chief Financial Officer, Mevotech
Joseph Wilke is the Chief Financial Officer of Mevotech, a trusted North American leader in the engineering and design of driveline, steering, and suspension aftermarket auto parts. Since 1982, the company has improved the technician experience through design best practices, superior materials, and rigorous quality control standards.
As CFO, Wilke drives strategy and is responsible for the company’s overall finance function, including treasury, tax, reporting, risk management, and financial planning and analysis.
He started his career in 1988 as an auditor and consultant at Grant Thornton. From there, he went on to Ernst & Young, before eventually rising to SVP, finance at Mattamy Homes. Wilke graduated from the University of Waterloo with an undergraduate degree in finance and accounting.
22. Bill Demers
Chief Financial Officer, POINT Biopharma
Bill Demers is the Chief Financial Officer of POINT Biopharma, a medicine company dedicated to transforming science into healing to improve the lives of individuals globally. Utilizing the tools of biotechnology, chemistry, and genetic medicine, its scientists are pushing the boundaries of science to address some of the most pressing health issues worldwide. Demers is responsible for all planning, implementation management, and operation of all financial activities at POINT.
Previously, Demers was a CFO at AgMedica Bioscience Inc. and before that a CFO at Contract Pharmaceutical Limited. Earlier in his career, he worked with Ernst & Young as an assurance partner and Canadian national IPO leader. Demers earned an undergraduate degree in accounting and business management from Wilfrid Laurier University.
23. Scott Fischer
Chief Financial Officer, KingSett Capital
Scott Fischer is the Chief Financial Officer at KingSett Capital, a Canadian private equity and real estate investment business that creates and co-invests in real estate investment solutions to deliver sustainable, premium risk-weighted returns. Founded in 2002, KingSett has raised $15 billion of equity for its growth, income, urban, mortgage, and affordable housing strategies.
Fischer is responsible for KingSett’s accounting, finance, budgeting, treasury, and tax functions. Before joining KingSett in 2018, Fischer was senior vice president and chief accounting officer at Great Gulf Group. He also previously worked for affiliates of Magna International Inc., and in his last five years held the position of vice president of finance. Fischer obtained his Chartered Accountant designation while working at KPMG and holds an undergraduate degree from McMaster University.
24. Michael Ali
Chief Financial Officer, The Lamb Company
Michael Ali is the Chief Financial Officer at The Lamb Company, a food and beverage service that supplies the North American market with superior lamb products from New Zealand and Australia. The company has direct access to farmers and meat production suppliers, which enables them to consistently offer the highest quality products at prices that represent good value for consumers and excellent margins for their customers.
Ali's work experience showcases his expertise in finance and leadership and a track record of driving growth and implementing strategic initiatives. Prior to his current role, Ali served as the senior vice president of finance at Burnbrae Farms. He then worked as the CFO at UCS Forest Group. He also spent nearly a decade at Mother Parkers Tea & Coffee as the vice president of finance. His earlier experience includes positions with Labatt Breweries and Ernst and Young. Ali attended Queen's University where he received a bachelor’s degree in economics. He attended the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ontario where he pursued CPA, CA.
25. Roy Dalton
Chief Financial Officer, NuraLogix
Roy Dalton is the Chief Financial Officer of NuraLogix, the world's first AI-powered solution for instant health and wellness data from your smartphone. The company developed a technique called Transdermal Optical Imaging™ (TOI™) which utilizes a conventional video camera to extract facial blood flow information from the human face, which can predict physiological and psychological effects.
Dalton is responsible for all aspects of financial and management reporting, budgeting and forecast modeling, and internal control compliance, including international expansion outside North America. Previously, Dalton was a CFO at Opus One Solutions and before that a CFO at Regen Energy. Earlier in his career, he worked with Ruggedcom Inc. as a CFO. He earned an undergraduate degree in finance and economics from the University of Toronto Mississauga.
