Speakers

Darryl Sittler, born in Kitchener, Ontario on September 18, 1950, rose to prominence as a star player for the Ontario Hockey Association’s London Knights before becoming a beloved figure in Toronto Maple Leafs history. Selected eighth overall in the 1970 Entry Draft, Sittler's offensive prowess quickly made him a standout player, and at 24, he became the second-youngest captain in team history. He achieved legendary status in 1976, setting an NHL record for the most points in a single game with 10, a feat that remains unmatched. His remarkable career saw him inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1989 after playing for the Maple Leafs, Philadelphia Flyers, and Detroit Red Wings. Beyond hockey, Sittler's philanthropic endeavors, including support for charities like Special Olympics Canada and Colon Cancer Canada, highlight his commitment to community service. Today, he remains actively involved in various corporate and charitable initiatives while enjoying leisure activities like fishing, golf, and spending time with loved ones.

Conrad Black, a prominent financier, author, and columnist, has made significant contributions to publications across Canada, the US, and the UK, including the National Post and National Review Online. His extensive literary works encompass biographies of notable figures such as Maurice Duplessis, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and Richard M. Nixon, along with strategic histories like "Flight of the Eagle" and "Rise to Greatness: The History of Canada from the Vikings to the Present." Recent publications include "Forgotten History: Civil Rights in Canada" and "The Political & Strategic History of the World, Vol.1." Formerly the publisher of renowned newspapers like The Telegraph and The Spectator, Black is now the honorary chairman of Conrad Black Capital Corporation and a member of the British House of Lords. As "Historian in Residence" at The Democracy Fund in Canada, his insights continue to reach audiences through his columns and appearances on various news outlets and podcasts worldwide.

Mr. Anastasopoulos oversees TMX Group’s Capital Formation businesses, including global listings on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) and TSX Venture Exchange (TSXV), and leads proactive marketing efforts across the organization. He ensures TSX and TSXV adhere to their public interest mandate and continuously updates policies to reflect global market trends. With a global business development team spanning Canada, the United States, China, Israel, Brazil, Peru, and the United Kingdom, he also manages TSX Trust Company, guiding it to become the largest Canadian-owned transfer agent. Joining TMX Group in 2006, Mr. Anastasopoulos has held various senior roles, leveraging over 20 years of experience in financial services and capital markets, including stints at Scotia Mcleod and National Bank Financial before his tenure at TMX Group.

Roman Dubczak serves as the head of senior client relationships and client strategy at CIBC Capital Markets, where he oversees the Office of the Group Head and sits on the executive committee. With a tenure at CIBC spanning back to 1992, Dubczak has held various leadership roles within the capital markets division, including leading global investment banking and equity capital markets. He also chairs the boards of CIBC Mellon Global Securities Services Company and CIBC Mellon Trust Company. Beyond his corporate responsibilities, Dubczak is deeply engaged in community service, having served as Chair of the St. Joseph’s Health Centre Foundation and the Investment Industry Association of Canada (IIAC), among other roles. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Toronto, an MBA from the Schulich School of Business, and several professional designations.

Dr. Pandes, an Associate Professor of Finance at the University of Calgary’s Haskayne School of Business since 2009, brings a wealth of academic and research expertise to his role. Holding a Ph.D. in Finance from the Schulich School of Business and a Master’s in Economics from York University, he is a respected authority in empirical corporate finance. Dr. Pandes's research, focusing on securities issuance, investment banking, and financing decisions, has earned him recognition, including research grants from institutions like SSHRC and the University of Calgary. His work, often cited in the press, has garnered accolades such as the Bank of Canada best paper award and the CFA Society Toronto and Hillsdale Canadian Investment Research Award. Additionally, he frequently shares his financial and economic insights with various media outlets, further solidifying his impact beyond academia.

Jason holds both an HBA and MBA from the Ivey School of Business plus international work experience across marketing, manufacturing, merchant banking, institutional sales, trading and deal origination.  Currently a Managing Director at Canaccord Genuity, he has held senior roles at News Corp, Merrill Lynch and Bank of Nova Scotia.  Responsible for helping finance +$2 billion for growth-oriented businesses, Jason prides himself on helping good Canadian companies achieve their goals in complex environments while driving towards a higher regulatory standard.  Similarly, Jason is highly focused on helping both retail and institutional investors achieve better outcomes through new technologies and process efficiencies while collaborating with multiple industry stakeholders.   

​Mr. Kalafatis is currently Managing Partner at KalNes Capital Partners and Founder & CEO of Aegis Sports Labs. Previously, he was CEO & Managing Partner at Independent Trading Group (ITG) Inc., Managing Director & Global Head, Equity Execution and Prime Services Group at CIBC Capital Markets. He was also Vice-President, Sales & Trading, TSX Group, and held roles with increasing responsibility in Corporate Finance and Wealth Management in New York City and Toronto.