Advisory Committees
The work of our board and staff is helped by three advisory committees:
- Governance Advisory Committee
- Investment Advisory Committee
- Sector Advisory Committee
While decision-making authority remains with the Board, these committees extend and strengthen us, improving our decisions and informing our work. They provide crucial advice on organizational practices, on investment policies and processes and on local and specialist perspectives.
Governance Advisory Committee
The Governance Advisory Committee (GAC) supports us by:
- Establishing and reviewing governance practices
- Establishing and reviewing governance practices
- Evaluating the functioning of committees
- Overseeing the process of recruiting candidates to be recommended as committee members
The GAC advises the Board; the Board makes final decisions. Maximum four members.
Rita Andreone
Private equity investment and corporate lawyer (retired) | British Columbia
“I look forward to helping the Social Finance Fund achieve its strategic goals and to accelerate the growth of Canada’s social finance market. This mandate appeals to my desire to combine purpose, experience and skills and to work with people who share these goals.”
Asha Daniere
Strategic Advisor | Ontario
“I believe in the power of this novel public-private partnership model to innovate for positive social change at scale. I also believe that many investors are looking for opportunities to finance organizations that produce social and economic dividends, and I want to use my skillset to help make that happen.“
Audrey Wubbenhorst
Professor, Humber College | Ontario
“I am privileged to support this initiative by serving on the Governance Advisory Committee. I look forward to learning from my peers and contributing to this important work.“
Investment Advisory Committee
The Investment Advisory Committee (IAC) supports us in making sound, prudent and informed investment decisions, rooted in diversity and inclusion of all communities in Canada. The IAC:
- Provides expert knowledge and guidance in areas such as investment strategy, portfolio construction and portfolio management
- Reviews policies, due diligence reports and strategic plans to ensure investment decisions are aligned with the mandate of Realize Fund I
The IAC advises the Board; the Board makes final decisions. Maximum seven members.
Kira Gerwing
Chief Real Estate Investment Officer, Sacha Investments | British Columbia
“By serving on the Investment Advisory Committee for Realize Fund I, I’m looking forward to sharing what I’ve learned and to learning from others. My goal is to grow our collective practice and understanding about how social finance and impact investing can incubate, accelerate, and scale mission-driven solutions to wicked problems communities across Canada are grappling with.”
Jean Olemou
Co-Founder, GreenDev | Ontario
“My involvement is fueled by a profound commitment to marrying technological innovation with impactful investment. I look forward to leveraging my comprehensive insights, and rich professional journey, to contribute significantly to our shared goal of fostering a sustainable, equitable and prosperous future.”
Maria Clara Rendon
Director, Responsible Investing, University Pension Plan | Ontario
“Throughout my career I have helped investors and companies align sustainability factors with investment objectives. Joining this committee aligns seamlessly with my dedication to responsible investing and I am enthusiastic about the opportunity to contribute my insights and expertise. I look forward to playing a part in achieving its mandate and furthering the goals of the Social Finance Fund and Realize Fund I.“
Taylor Sekhon
Independent Consultant | Ontario
“The Social Finance Fund can help make Canada a global leader for innovation in social finance and impact investing. In doing so, it can help address some of Canada’s most pressing issues. I’m grateful to be able to contribute my experience to Realize Capital Partners’ efforts to activate and scale the fund managers who can help make this future a reality.”
Justin Sweeney
Community Social Finance Consulting & Management | New Brunswick
“Witnessing the challenges in communities starved for investment and opportunity has made me an advocate for social finance tools that reach these individuals and communities in dignified ways. I look forward to helping the Realize Fund I team push to ensure the social impact of the Social Finance Fund is felt across as many underserved populations as possible.”
Sector Advisory Committee
The Sector Advisory Committee supports us in making sector-informed decisions, rooted in diversity and inclusion of all communities in Canada. The SAC:
- Helps identify and build relationships with key stakeholders and networks who may be potential partners, investors or collaborators
- Focuses specifically on advancing the goals of social equity, gender equality and Indigenous reconciliation in Realize Fund I’s strategy
The SAC advises the Board; the Board makes final decisions. Maximum nine members.
Filsan Farah
Program Lead, VERGE Capital | Ontario
“I am honoured to be part of this committee, driven by a deep belief in the transformative power of community-centered initiatives. The Social Finance Fund is a critical milestone, and centering community voices and advancing equity throughout its implementation is important to achieve meaningful impact. I look forward to its contribution to a more equitable, inclusive and impactful future.”
Omar Goodgame
Youth Engagement Coordinator, EveryMind Mental Health Services | Ontario
“I became part of the committee driven by a desire to contribute to the growing landscape of Canada’s social innovation and finance sector. This fund, with its powerful mandate, presents an incredible chance to showcase the profound impact of addressing complex social and environmental challenges. I believe this fund will be a catalyst for positive social change for many communities and I look forward to being part of shaping a thriving and more equitable future for all Canadians.”
Tamara L. McCarron
Director of Development and Strategic Partnerships, Women in Need Society | Alberta
“I am passionate about social entrepreneurship and how as a social enterprise we can access the social finance fund to further our work. I am personally motivated by building new programs and services to support the nonprofit sector as we move towards sustainability.”
Velina Serafimov
Chief Impact Officer, impak Analytics | Québec
“I eagerly anticipated an initiative like the Social Finance Fund in Canada to address the issue of social inequalities, which sometimes goes overlooked by financiers due to misconceptions about impact investing. I hope to contribute to Realize’s mission through my understanding of impact, ensuring that funds are allocated with appropriate consideration for vulnerable end beneficiaries.”
Juvarya Veltkamp
Senior Advisor - Green Ports Forum, C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group | British Columbia
“In today’s climate, we need an approach to finance that puts people first, rectifies historic wrongs, responds to the climate emergency, and promotes wellness and belonging. I’m delighted to positively contribute to the Realize Fund, which champions organizations delivering a brighter future that are often overlooked by conventional approaches to finance.”
Committee Recruitment
Bias can never be eliminated but we worked hard to reduce it when creating these committees. We were advised by an external DEI consulting team throughout – reviewing the terms of references and application questions, providing bias training to interviewers and sitting in on candidate interviews. We ran a public, four-week recruitment period, promoting widely (over 20 recruitment channels) to be as inclusive as possible. Candidates were given questions in advance so that the ‘fast thinkers’ weren’t at an advantage, and all candidates were scored against the same criteria to ensure consistent clear decision-making across interviewers.
We intend to grow our committees over time and currently have openings in each committee. Interested? Review the terms of reference and apply today. New committee members will be considered for a late-2024 intake.