Administration of Capital Accumulation Plans

Ana Nunes brings more than 30 years’ experience in the retirement savings industry as an actuary, investment, and governance professional. She is currently Chair of the Board of Trustees of the MoveUP/ICBC Pension Plan and runs her own consulting firm APN Advisory Canada Inc. She is also a Board Director of Achēv, a GTA-based not-for-profit, where she is Chair of the Finance & Audit Committee and is a member of the Strategic & Risk Management Committee.

Ana held various leadership roles during her 13 years at OMERS, one of Canada’s largest public sector pension plans, including Senior Vice President of Plan Risk, Senior Vice President of Pension Services, President of OMERS Investment Management, and Plan Actuary. During her 18-year consulting career at Mercer, she advised clients on the full spectrum of pension plan management.

Audrey Forbes is a senior business leader in the financial services sector with over thirty-five years of experience in Ontario's public service. She has worked at three large public sector pension plans, specializing in pension administration, operational policy, financial education, communications, change management, and people development.

Audrey has served on the board of the Toronto Chapter of the International Society of Certified Employee Benefits Specialists and as chair of the Governing Council of Quantitative Service Measurements (QSM). She is also chair of the Board of Achieve Potential Inc. and a member of the board of the Robert McLaughlin Gallery in Oshawa. Recently, she was appointed Senior Fellow at the National Institute on Ageing, Toronto Metropolitan University.

An inquisitive lifelong learner, Audrey finds fulfillment in writing, teaching, and policy discourse. After retiring, she co-authored a historical fiction children’s book titled The Day the Masks Went On with her daughter, Kerron.

Brian is partner in a business law group at Goodmans. His practice focuses on pensions and benefits, as well as trusts and estates. In his practice, Brian advises plan sponsors and administrators on pension and benefit plan governance, administration, design and all other regulatory matters. He also advises on pension and benefit issues arising in corporate transactions, including acquisitions, divestitures, mergers and corporate reorganizations.

Caroline is a senior leader in financial services with over 30 years of experience in regulatory affairs, banking, insurance, and consulting. She has a proven track record in leading large-scale transformation initiatives that drive sustainable outcomes. With expertise in complex, global business environments, Caroline excels at formulating innovative strategies, managing P&L, and building high-performing teams to achieve strategic objectives.

As the lead pension regulator in Canada, Caroline reshaped the regulatory landscape for the pension sector. Her background as an actuary and consultant in Canada and the U.S. has equipped her with a strong foundation in strategy, risk assessment, and financial management. She has served on investment and pension committees and corporate boards.

Caroline has chaired numerous stakeholder advisory committees at provincial and national levels, facilitating improvements in regulatory processes. A Chartered Director and Fellow of the Canadian Institute of Actuaries, she is committed to advancing thought leadership in her field and is a reviewer for reports published by the National Institute of Ageing. In 2024, she founded Blue Sun Partners, a consulting firm specializing in pension strategy, governance, risk management, and policy advice.

Colin Ripsman is the Founder and President of Elegant Investment Solutions, inc., a boutique investment consulting firm that supports DC and DB plan sponsors with a full range of investment consulting services and governance support.

Colin has more than 30 years of experience in the financial services industry, where he held leadership roles with several leading consulting and investment management firms. Colin’s experience has included leadership of Mercer’s global DC consulting practice and designing and launching the PH&N suite of target date funds.

Colin is a frequent industry author and speaker. He has been a lecturer for the Humber Longo Faculty of Business since 2018. He also a member of Canadian Cancer Society Investment Committee.

Faisal is an actuary who has been providing advice on the funding, accounting, investment management, and administration of Canadian pension plans for over thirty years. He is currently Managing Director, Actuary at the University Pension Plan Ontario where he has oversight of the plan’s internal and external actuarial valuations, is a strategic member of the plan’s asset-liability management and portfolio construction team, and he supports UPP’s corporate finance and university outreach activities. Prior to joining UPP, Faisal was employed at a number of large actuarial and management consulting firms providing advice to many plan sponsors in the private sector, public sector, and multi-employer pension plan markets.

Faisal is a member of Ontario’s Financial Services Tribunal, is an instructor with Humber College’s PPAC program, is a frequent presenter at pension industry events, and has chaired many pension and actuarial committees and task forces on behalf of the CIA and SOA.

Gareth Gibbins is a seasoned pension and policy expert with over two decades of experience spanning plan design, governance, legal frameworks, regulatory compliance, research and advocacy. This broad expertise has positioned him as a trusted voice in the field—known for making complex systems understandable and impactful.

Driven by a passion for excellence and innovation in the pension sector, Gareth contributes to leading industry bodies and global initiatives, serving on the International Advisory Board for the World Pension Summit, as an Associate Fellow with the National Institute on Ageing, and as a working group co-lead at the International Centre for Pension Management. He is also active in Canadian pension and policy activities, having held senior roles with one of Canada’s largest pension plans, and has chaired committees across different industry organizations, including Ontario’s pension regulator and the Ontario Bar Association.

Gregory is a Principal Legal Consultant with the National Governance, Legal, Compliance & International Practice at TELUS Health. Gregory joined Morneau Shepell in Halifax in 2012 and transferred to the Toronto HQ in 2015. Prior to 2012 he articled and was in private practice with a leading Atlantic Canada law firm where he focused on advocacy and civil litigation.

Gregory advises colleagues and clients on a broad range of legal issues related to pension and benefit plans, including plan governance, compliance, design and documentation. He is well versed in drafting relevant and effective policies and procedures, as well as educating and advising boards with establishing and administering prudent, effective and appropriate governance frameworks. He has continued to support the defined benefit and defined contribution pension administration practices at TELUS Health for many years.

Gregory is a contributing author and co-editor of the “Morneau Shepell Handbook of Canadian Pension and Benefit Plans”, 16th & 17th editions, and he is also a contributor to the Morneau Shepell “Summary of Pension Legislation in Canada” and regularly drafts industry articles for internal and external clients advising of recent pension and benefit related news and issues.

Greg is a Consulting Actuary in KPMG Canada’s Life & Pensions Actuarial Practice, based in Toronto. He leads the area of the practice that provides advisory services related to pension and non-pension post-employment benefits to both external clients and internal KPMG teams as a subject matter expert. Greg has over 18 years of experience providing consulting services in the following primary areas of focus:

• Consulting and advisory services for the maintenance and operation of retirement and healthcare benefit plans, with a focus on pension risk transfers and other de-risking activity, including plan amendments and conversions, liability-driven investing approaches, longevity swaps, and buy-in and buy-out annuities.
• Transaction due diligence for compensation and employee benefits programs;
• Financial statement audit and internal audit for pension and non-pension post-retirement benefit plans;
• Funding and accounting valuations of defined benefit pension and benefit liabilities of company-sponsored plans;

With more than a decade of experience working with various defined benefit pension plans, Ibrahim Toor is an accomplished industry leader with diverse experiences in pension plan design, risk management, asset management and actuarial analysis. Ibrahim currently serves as the Director of Pension at Waterloo Regional Health Network (formerly Grand River Hospital), where he oversees all aspects of the hospital's Defined Benefit pension plan. With over $650 million in assets under management, Ibrahim ensures the retirement security of more than 3,500 current and former employees.

Before joining Waterloo Regional Health Network, Ibrahim worked in pension related roles at CIBC, the Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario (FSRA), CAAT Pension Plan, and Aon, further honing his diverse skill set in pension management. In 2024, Ibrahim was recognized as an industry leading executive by Benefits and Pensions Monitor in their list of "Top Financial Executives and Professionals in the Benefits, Pensions, and Institutional Investment Industries: Hot List 2024.

Leslie is a senior legal pension consultant with a focus on pensions, employee benefits and employment law issues. She earned her Law degree from the University of New Brunswick. Leslie advises consultants and clients on pension and benefits plan design, interpretation and compliance, pension issues in corporate transactions, plan implementation and related regulatory matters as well as fiduciary and governance training and DC plan consulting. She also contributes to thought leadership on industry changes and emerging issues affecting clients’ ability to meet their governance and business goals.

Lindy Charles is a senior actuarial professional with more than 20 years of experience in pension plan administration, funding, operations, and implementation. As Senior Director, Actuarial at the University Pension Plan Ontario (UPP), she helps guide the delivery of pension administration solutions through principles-based decision-making and collaboration with stakeholders across regulatory, unionized, political, and corporate contexts.

Her work reflects a steady focus on regulatory compliance, sound governance, and service to plan members. Lindy approaches her role with a practical, data-informed mindset and values working closely with others to find effective, forward-looking solutions.

Before joining UPP, Lindy held senior positions at organizations including Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan and the Financial Services Commission of Ontario (FSCO). Her previous roles included regulatory actuarial work on a range of files, including solvency relief measures and family law reform.

Mark Zigler is a senior partner in the Pensions and Benefits Group with over 40 years of experience. Mark served as the firm’s managing partner from 2006 – 2012.

Mark advises trustees of pension and benefits trusts and unions and groups of employees and pensioners. He has acted as counsel in many high-profile cases across Canada involving pensions, benefits and other employment related issues. He is co-editor and author of Employee Benefits in Canada. In 2009 he was named to the Ontario Advisory Council on Pensions & Retirement Income. In 2018-2019 he served as lead Commission counsel to the Gillese Inquiry into Long-Term Care Homes in Ontario.

Mark has consistently been recognized as a leading practitioner in the field of Pensions and Employee Benefits and has won many awards. Mark has also served as an adjunct professor of law at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem in 2015 and 2018.

Mary was a pension lawyer for 40 years in the Toronto office of the law firm of Dentons Canada. She advised plan administrators, pension committees and other stakeholders in the world of Canadian retirement savings programs. She retired from the practice of law in 2023. Mary is a member of several pension committees and pension industry organizations, including committees of the Ontario pension regulator and the Accounting Standards Board of Canada. She frequently teaches and writes on pension topics.

Michelle Rival is a senior legal consultant in Willis Towers Watson’s Benefits Advisory and Compliance group in Toronto and has more than 25 years of industry expertise.

Michelle specializes in defined benefit and defined contribution pension and benefit design, legislative compliance, plan documentation, pension and benefit issues relating to corporate transactions and employment-related issues. Michelle leads an internal team across Canada that provides support and guidance on issues relating to pension valuation and division in Canada. She also advises clients, boards and their pension committees on fiduciary matters and the governance of employee benefits and retirement plans.

She is a member of the Pension and Benefits Section of the Ontario Bar Association and serves on the executive committee. She is also a member of the Law Society of Upper Canada and the International Pension and Employee Benefits Lawyers Association. Michelle was part of the Legal Advisory Committee for the Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario and Family Law Technical Advisory Committee.

Michael has 25+ years of experience in marketing and communications in the benefits and pension world, having served in corporate, consulting, and publishing fields. Prior to launching a communications and customer service consulting firm in 2015, Michael was a communications consultant for Eckler Partners Ltd., Canada’s largest independent actuarial consulting firm, and Buck Consultants, an integrated HR, pensions, and employee benefits services firm.

Earlier in his career, Michael was Director of Client Relations for Manulife Financial and Publisher and Editorial Director of Benefits Canada, Advantages, and Group Healthcare Management magazines. Michael graduated from Seneca College in Marketing Management and is a Florida State University Certified Customer Service and Business Development Trainer.

When not helping others to communicate the promise of pensions and benefits plans, Michael is a motorcycle touring enthusiast and avid skier who resides with his spouse and 3 dogs in Bromont, Quebec.

Moh is a Senior Director at TELUS Health in the Retirement & Financial Solutions Practice and has worked in the pension industry for over 35 years. In his role as DC Business Solutions Architect, Moh is heavily involved in the introduction of new retirement products/tools. He is a subject matter expert in the administration of all types of DC plans, including pension plans, registered and non-registered savings plans, and decumulation plans such as Registered Retirement Income Fund (RRIF), Life Income Fund (LIF) and Variable Benefit Account (VBA). Over the years Moh has successfully completed a number of industry related courses including the Canadian Securities Course, Pension Plan Administration Certificate (PPAC – Humber College), Retirement Plan Associate (RPA – CEBS), and Administration of Capital Accumulation Pans (ACAP – Humber College).

Pat Leo is an industry expert with over 20 years of experience. He focuses on delivering innovative solutions, thought leadership and dedicated service to institutional clients across Canada. He has experience in financial services, defined contribution pension consulting, client management and business development at Mercer, Sun Life Financial and Sun Life Global Investments. He holds an M.A. degree from U of T, and a B.Ed. degree from Western University. Additionally, Pat is a CFP.

Paul E. Owens is the newly appointed Chief Executive Officer for the Alberta Carpenters and Allied Workers (ACAW) Pension and Health and Wellness Trust Funds. He has just completed a three-year contract with the Ellement Consulting Group in Edmonton, Alberta as Senior Vice President, Pension Policy.

Previously, he was the Deputy Superintendent of Pensions for the Government of Alberta for 9 years where he was responsible for the regulation and monitoring of pension plans registered in Alberta under the Employment Pension Plans Act. This encompassed over 600 pension plans covering 940,000 members with $130 CAD billion in assets.

Raymond is an actuary with experience in both private and public sector pension plans. Supported by a team with various professional background (pension, actuarial, payroll), Raymond is responsible for the actuarial services functions as well as the management of membership data and employer relationship at the Teachers’ Retirement Allowances Fund (TRAF), the pension plan for public school teachers and other eligible employees in the Province of Manitoba.

Raymond is a Fellow of the Society of Actuaries (FSA) and a Fellow of the Canadian Institute of Actuaries (FCIA). Raymond is a Vice Chair (Education & Examination Committee) for the Society of Actuaries and has been serving on the committee since 2012. Raymond is also a facilitator at the Fellowship Admission Course of the Society of Actuaries. In addition, Raymond was an External Examiner for the University Accreditation Program of the Canadian Institute of Actuaries.

Robbin has over 16 years of experience with Canada Life Group Retirement Services and over 26 years of experience in the investment industry. Before joining Canada Life, he spent nine years working for several investment consulting firms, advising pension plans and foundations.

In his role, he provides investment support to our group capital accumulation plan, defined benefit pension plan, community foundations and endowments, and reserve account clients and advisors and consultants across Canada. He understands the needs of institutional clients and provides fund reviews and recommendations, as well as strategic and tactical asset mix management, and is available to discuss global markets, their economies and how they relate to the performance of the portfolios.

Tyler is a Senior Actuarial Consultant, associate actuary, and people manager within the Retirement and Financial Solutions practice of TELUS Health in Toronto. He has 13 years of experience in working with both large and small clients across multiple lines of business, supporting their registered pension plans (RPPs), supplementary arrangements (SERPs), and post-employment benefits (OPEBs).

Tyler is a frequent presenter of TELUS Health’s Financial and Retirement Wellbeing Education Seminars, and a frequent facilitator for the Pension Plan Administration Certificate (PPAC) course offered by Humber College’s Centre for Employee Benefits.

Tyler graduated from Queen’s University with an Honours Bachelor of Science, majoring in Mathematics and Statistics, along with a minor in Economics. He is currently an Associate of the Society of Actuaries and the Canadian Institute of Actuaries.