Each year, the MMF program appoints an industry leader as the class patron. Through guest lectures and by leading case discussions, patrons share their wisdom and learnings to further ensure student success. By linking theory and practice the class patron mentors and helps to nurture the bright financial minds of tomorrow.
Joanie Grimard – MMF Patron Class of 2023/2024
Joanie Grimard graduated from the Master in Management Program in 2018.
She is now working at BMO as Institutional Equity Sales Vice-President. Upon graduation, she did a rotational Corporate Banking program at HSBC for one year, then transitioned to the capital market side as an Institutional Equity Sales associate at TD Securities for 3 years.
After graduation, Joanie remained implicated with the MMF program by mentoring students and helping them learn more about the capital market sector.
Yan Wang – MMF Patron Class of 2022/2023
Yan Wang (MBA ’02) is a Partner and Chief Emerging Markets & China Strategist of Alpine Macro. Founded in 2017, Alpine Macro is a leading independent global investment research firm based in Montreal, Canada.
Born and raised in Mainland China, Yan came to Montreal to pursue his MBA at McGill, which inspired his interest and started his career in global macro research. After graduation, he joined BCA Research and spent 15 years as the Chief China Strategist, where he developed a reputation as a distinguished economist and investment expert on China and emerging markets among global institutional investors.
Prior to coming to Canada, Yan worked in Mainland China and Hong Kong as an equity analyst. Yan holds an MBA in Finance from McGill University, an M.A. in Economics from Tianjin Institute of Finance and a B.A. in Finance from Nankai University. He also holds the CFA designation.
Nadia Marley – MMF Patron Class of 2021/2022
A native of Montreal, Nadia Marley completed both her Bachelor and MBA degrees at McGill University, graduating in 2003. Upon graduation, she began her career at Scotiabank in Toronto through the International Associate Development Program, and went on to grow her career within the organization, developing broad generalist experience ranging across 3 business lines, including risk management, international banking and retail lending. Nadia went on to hold a management role within ScotiaMocatta, Scotiabank’s Base & Precious Metals business within the Global Banking & Markets Division, leading a globally diverse team.
In 2018, Nadia took an opportunity at TD Securities to grow their Global Metals business. Her responsibilities within Global Counterparty Credit included strategy, policy, credit analysis, risk management and business development for marketing centres around the world. Last year, Nadia expanded her mandate to oversee all Credit Strategy and Policy for the Commodities Business at TD Securities, with an exciting mandate in a growing global business within TD Securities.
Through TD, Nadia has expanded her alumni involvement with McGill, and helped create the Annual TD x McGill Mentoring event. Though based in Toronto, Nadia works largely with offices globally, and more importantly tries to get back home to Montreal as often as possible.
David Stenason – MMF Patron Class of 2020/2021
David Stenason (MBA’80) is Co-founder and Managing Director of Rempart Asset Management, a diversified portfolio management firm specializing in discretionary investment management for individuals, private corporations and foundations.
David spent nearly two decades as an oil and gas, energy services, pipelines and utilities analyst with four of Canada’s leading investment dealers, including CIBC Wood Gundy, Gordon Capital, Scotia Capital, and beginning his career with Gulf Canada Ltd.
David was a founding board director of Canadian Hydro Developers Inc. in 1989. The company grew to become Canada’s largest publicly traded renewable energy (hydro, wind, and biomass) firm, and later sold to TransAlta in 2009. David has also served as a director on the boards of CanScot Resources Inc., Greenfield Resources Inc., and Whitemud Resources.
David has also been involved as a volunteer in several not-for-profit enterprises, serving as Chairman of the Board of Bishop’s College School, Chairman of the ECS Foundation, Chairman of the MAB-Mackay Foundation, Member of the Investment Committee for Western University’s endowment funds, and as Treasurer on the board of his Montréal area golf club.
Christine Decarie – MMF Patron Class of 2019/2020
Christine Decarie (BCom'86) is a highly respected investment specialist with more than 30 years of experience in investment management. She has managed the Investors Québec Enterprise Fund since its creation in 1999. From 2010 to 2015, as Head of Research, she managed the North American and the Global Research analyst teams. Since 2016, with her knowledge and expertise, she has been supporting Consultants on investments and market development for private wealth clients.
Christine has received a variety of industry recognition for her accomplishments. In 2010, she was nominated as one of 100 women leaders of the future in Québec by Entreprendre magazine. In 2012, Premières en affaires magazine designated her as one of the eight best women in finance in Québec. She earned the title of Woman of Distinction 2014, Business and Professional category, of the “Y des femmes”. In 2015, Christine was nominated “Portfolio Manager of the Year” at the Finance et Investissement Top 25 gala. In 2017, the Quebec Enterprise Fund was awarded a Thomson Reuters Lipper Award as well as an A+ FundGrade award.
Furthermore, The Investors Quebec Enterprise Fund was in the top category of the Corporate Knights EcoFund Ranking in 2016 and 2017.
Christine is actively involved in giving back to her community through the l’Oeuvre du Père Sablon and the Mira Foundation.
Mark Smith – MMF Patron Class of 2018/2019
Mr. Mark Smith (BCom'82, DPA'83) is President of Pandion Investments Ltd., a private investment management company. Mr. Smith is a chartered accountant and graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce from McGill University in 1982, where he was a Rhodes Scholar finalist. After joining Touche‐Ross (now Deloitte & Touche) in 1982, Mr. Smith joined the Claridge Group in 1986, the private investment management holding company that manages the affairs of the Charles R. Bronfman Family. Mr. Smith was the President of Claridge SRB Investments, Chief Operating Officer of Claridge Israel and Senior Vice‐President of Investments of Claridge Inc.
Mr. Smith has a wide range of investment experience in many areas including telecommunications, technology, food, pharmaceuticals, media and entertainment, health care and medical services, defense, agro‐chemical and financial services industries.
Tullio Cedrashi – MMF Patron Class of 2017/2018
Mr. Tullio Cedraschi (MBA’68) served as the Chief Executive Officer and President at CN Investments. Mr. Cedraschi joined the CN Investment Division in 1968 as a Financial Analyst. Mr. Cedraschi was subsequently appointed Investment Officer, Manager and General Manager. He was appointed as the Chief Executive Officer and President in November 1977. Mr. Cedraschi serves as a Governor of National Theatre School of Canada and served as its President. He served as the Chief Executive Officer and President of CN Investment Division at Canadian National Railway Company Until February 2008. The CN Investment Division achieved an annual rate of return of 11.6% during the 30 years that Mr. Cedraschi was president. Mr. Cedraschi is a Member of the Accounting Standards Oversight Council. He serves on the Boards of several corporations and Governor of McGill University and the National Theatre School and serves on the Investment Committee of Royal Victoria Hospital.
