Federation Conference 2026

Opening Keynote

Andrew J. Kriegler is the CEO of the Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization (CIRO), formed through the 2023 amalgamation of IIROC and the MFDA. He previously served as IIROC's President and CEO since 2014, and before that as Deputy Superintendent at OSFI, overseeing prudential supervision of Canada's federally regulated financial institutions. Andrew brings 25+ years of private sector experience, including serving as Treasurer of CIBC and Chief Human Resources Officer of Moody's Corporation.

Master of Ceremonies

Kendra Thompson is a 25-year wealth management veteran and the founder of Epok Advice, a boutique consulting firm focused on helping Canadian wealth management organizations modernize how they grow. Her work centres on strengthening the advisor experience, improving consistency of client outcomes, and building scalable operating models that support sustainable, organic growth.

Over her career, Kendra has led and advised teams across global financial institutions and professional services firms including Merrill Lynch, HSBC, Raymond James, Accenture, and Deloitte, with a long-standing focus on the future of advice and investing.

Through Epok Advice, Kendra advises executive teams and boards on strategy and execution across organic growth acceleration, operating model design, advisor enablement, and M&A integration. She also leads work on AI-enabled workflow transformation and digital enablement, helping firms move beyond point solutions toward integrated, advisor-centric experiences.

Kendra is a frequent contributor to Globe Advisor, where she writes on the modernization of wealth management, advisor workflows, and emerging best practices shaping the Canadian market.

From Compliance to Competitive Advantage: Operationalizing Estate Planning for Advisor Growth

Unlock how leading firms are transforming estate planning into a strategic growth engine for advisors.

In this session, you'll discover how to:

• Systematize estate planning: Equip advisors with a repeatable framework to integrate estate planning seamlessly into client conversations and plans
• Differentiate through philosophy: Help advisors articulate a compelling Estate & Legacy Planning approach that sets them apart
• Position advisors as Personal CFOs: Elevate advisors to the centre of clients' wealth management, deepening relationships and trust
• Monetize estate planning: Translate expertise into measurable business outcomes while enhancing client engagement
• Convert estate plans into legacy opportunities: Coach advisors to generate high-net-worth referrals and multi-generational introductions

Dan Collison is the leading expert for financial advisors on turning technical aspects of wealth management into powerful marketing and prospecting opportunities. With a proven track record of coaching thousands of advisors across North America, Dan empowers them to elevate their practice by applying The 3 Confidences of Top-Producing Financial Advisors.

With over 30 years of experience as an advisor, branch manager, and coach, Dan is the co-founder and Managing Partner of Advice2Advisors, a leading financial education firm dedicated to training, mentoring, and coaching advisors of all tenures.

A respected industry leader, Dan served as a judge for the WP Awards from 2019-2024, contributed as a former FP Canada Research Foundation Board Member, and chaired its Research Committee. For 22 years, he also shared his expertise lecturing on Personal Financial Management in the MBA Program at the Schulich School of Business.

He is the author of The Financial Advisor's Guide to Excellence (2015) and Building Bigger & Better: Growth Strategies of Top-Producing Financial Advisors (2023).

With 20+ years at Citigroup, State Street, IFDS and Fundserv—launching four products to double-digit growth and founding Canada's first blockchain lab—Lina is now transforming wealth management with Sophie, an AI companion that builds comprehensive client personality blueprints from everyday conversations while eliminating 50% of administrative work.

Cracking the Multi-Generational Code: What Client Conversations Reveal About Women, Millennials, and Boomers

CIRO research confirms women invest less confidently than men, while dealers struggle to serve four generations simultaneously. This data-driven session reveals surprising behavioural patterns from cross-generational client conversations.

Key points:

• The gender confidence gap: How women's financial conversations differ from men's
• Generational anxiety patterns: How each generation expresses concern about retirement, inheritance, and market volatility differently
• Why Millennials discuss legacy planning earlier than Boomers (but won't respond to "estate planning" language)
• The longevity disconnect: Behavioural signals that predict which clients will plan for 100-year lifespans
• Scenario: One multi-generational family requiring four distinct conversation approaches

Key takeaways:

• Generational communication matrix for presenting concepts in age-appropriate frameworks
• Gender-aware conversation techniques that build confidence without patronizing
• Behavioural triggers for identifying clients ready for longevity planning
• Multi-generational service design templates for family wealth transitions

Sasha Haghani is Chief Product Officer at Muuvment, where he leads development of Muuvment IQ, the company's AI-powered assistant product, and of Muuvment Labs, which designs and implements bespoke AI solutions for clients in the financial and insurance industries.

A software industry leader with over 25 years of engineering management, product design, and software architecture experience, Sasha has managed the delivery of software processing hundreds of thousands of global transactions every day, worth $250 million in annual revenues for large enterprises serving ecommerce leaders like Amazon and eBay.

Proactive Cybersecurity in the Age of AI

Sasha joins the cybersecurity panel at the 2026 Federation Conference, bringing his expertise in AI-powered solutions and software architecture across the financial and insurance industries.

IE Dealers Report Card: The Unreleased Research

Kevin and Katie present exclusive, unreleased findings from Investment Executive's annual Dealers Report Card research.

Editorial Director, Advisor.ca & Investment Executive

Kevin has built a career in financial journalism since 1996. He was part of the editorial team that launched Advisor's Edge in 1998. Over his career, he has covered multiple industry segments including group and retail insurance, institutional and retail investing, employer-sponsored benefits and retirement programs.

Manager of Research Initiatives, Newcom Media

Katie is the research lead managing strategy for Newcom Media's B2B brands. She has been collecting insights from advisors and their firms for nearly 10 years through Investment Executive. She brings a deep understanding of the advisor-client journey from her years reporting on wealth management.

Michelle Schriver has reported on the financial services industry for more than a decade. As Managing Editor of Advisor.ca and Investment Executive, she covers the issues that matter most to advisors and the firms they work with.

Her work has been recognized by the National Magazine Awards for excellence in journalism.

Dealer Panel Moderator

Michelle moderates the Dealer Panel discussion.

Richard Korble manages CIRO's operations in Western Canada, directing Compliance, Registration, Enforcement and Surveillance activities across the region.

Prior to his current role, Richard was a partner and Chief Compliance Officer for a private equity dealer. He also brings experience from his time with the Alberta Securities Commission and the Investment Dealers Association (IDA).

Richard is a CFA Charter holder and holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Calgary.

John Novachis serves as Executive Vice President of Advisor Growth & Succession at Investment Planning Counsel, where he focuses on driving the success of IPC and their team of independent financial advisors.

With over 25 years at IPC, John has led initiatives related to advisor recruitment and transitions, business valuation, succession planning, and development of corporate culture. He believes the starting point for success is fostering a team-based, client-focused, and entrepreneurial environment.

John is a Federation board member, bringing valuable industry perspective to governance and strategic initiatives.

Unlocking Opportunities & Driving Innovation

John will share his perspective on where opportunities lie for independent dealers today, innovation in systems and processes, and what it takes to move ahead successfully into the future.

Kelly MacDonald is an accomplished senior executive with more than two decades of experience helping financial services organizations navigate complex and rapidly evolving risk landscapes. She currently serves as National Innovation and Growth Strategy Leader at BFL Canada, where she partners with leadership teams to deliver innovative risk advisory solutions aligned to business strategy, governance, and sustainable growth.

Kelly brings deep expertise in professional and financial risk management, with a strong focus on emerging risks impacting financial advisors and their firms — including cyber risk, the accelerating use of artificial intelligence, technology-enabled exposures, and regulatory change. As AI adoption expands across advisory businesses, Kelly works closely with clients to address the resulting shifts in cyber threat vectors, data governance, professional liability, and operational resilience.

She has led large-scale initiatives spanning bespoke education programs, strategic risk management frameworks, and innovative risk transfer solutions designed to translate complex risks into practical, actionable strategies. Previously, Kelly led a global firm's Professional Liability and Financial Institutions Practice, where she expanded the team, strengthened client partnerships, and delivered tailored solutions addressing high-stakes professional and cyber exposures.

Kelly holds the Fellow, Chartered Insurance Professional (FCIP), Registered Professional Liability Underwriter (RPLU), and Canadian Risk Manager (CRM) designations. She is recognized for her strategic mindset, collaborative leadership style, and ability to bridge technical risk insight with real-world application across industries.

Due Diligence Panel Moderator

Michael moderates the Due Diligence Panel, facilitating a deep dive into the evolving world of product due diligence for independent dealers.

Michael Hogan is the Chief Revenue Officer at Four Eyes Financial where he works closely with independent dealers across Canada to implement scalable solutions for Account Opening, KYC, KYP, and post-trade surveillance.

Michael is a firm believer that regulatory obligations shouldn't be a barrier to scale; rather, through the right digital tools and innovation, they can be the foundation for efficient, sustainable growth.

Bill is a Senior Compliance Consultant at AUM, with extensive knowledge and experience with wealth management and distribution firms. In his role, he provides senior level advisory services to registered individuals, firms and dealers, on all aspects of their securities regulatory compliance obligations and the implementation of securities regulatory requirements.

Bill has particular experience in navigating compliance for Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization (CIRO) investment dealers and mutual fund dealers. He works with registered dealer firms, portfolio managers and investment fund managers, as well as engaging with securities regulators in connection with conduct matters, complaints, investigations, audits and remediation plans. He also provides support for the application and interpretation of complex business conduct policies and procedures.

Bill provides in depth "real life" training to executives, staff and representatives of firms in areas such as identifying and mitigating conflicts of interest, KYC, KYP and assessing suitability.

Product Due Diligence Panel

Bill joins the Product Due Diligence Panel to discuss practical compliance considerations for dealer firms evaluating investment products.

Richard Owen is the CEO and one of the founders of Buckler and brings more than 25 years of experience in wealth management, technology and product innovation to the organization.

He has held senior roles with several technology companies, wealth management firms and was an investment advisor for several years. He is an MBA from York University and lives in Toronto.

Carlos Da Costa Frias is Director, Product Shelf at Sun Life, where he leads platform strategy and investment product governance. With over 20 years of experience in investment product development and an MBA from McGill University, he specializes in building scalable solutions for advisors and clients.

Carlos has traveled to over 50 countries, bringing a global perspective to financial innovation and market trends.

Dealer Panel

Toni joins the Dealer Panel at the 2026 Federation Conference to share his perspective on growth strategies and innovation in the dealer channel.

With 15+ years in the advisory business, Toni has supported advisors through platform optimization, dynamic growth, asset allocation, transitions and succession.

Toni builds long-term relationships and trust with advisors to identify suitability and support of their current platform, positions value and structures customized transition strategies for advisors looking for more out of their dealer.

Richard Williams is the President of WFG Insurance Agency of Canada and WFG Securities of Canada, part of the World Financial Group family of companies.

Dealer Panel

Richard joins the Dealer Panel at the 2026 Federation Conference to share his perspective on the independent dealer landscape.

Proactive Cybersecurity in the Age of AI

Matt moderates the cybersecurity panel at the 2026 Federation Conference, drawing on his expertise in AI compliance, cyber-resilience, and data protection law across multiple Canadian jurisdictions.

As a senior counsel on Borden Ladner Gervais' (BLG) national team, Matt's dynamic practice in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and data protection involves advising regional, national, and international clients on key aspects of AI compliance, organizational cyber-resilience, and incident response practices in Canada. A seasoned strategic advisor with a global outlook and a rich professional background, he keeps a keen eye on the evolution of cyber-attacks involving AI, insider threats, and other types of data incidents for clients in both the public and private sectors (and particularly those dealing with critical infrastructure).

Matt has established himself as a leading voice in technology law, health information, privacy and data protection in 2026 and is recognized by several legal directories, including Best Lawyers in Canada (Privacy and Data Security Law; Corporate and Commercial Litigation), The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory (Data Protection & Privacy), and Lexpert Special Edition on Canada's Leading Technology and Health Sciences Lawyers.

Matt is called to the bar in Ontario, Quebec, and Nova Scotia. Before joining BLG, Matt was a senior member of Deloitte Legal's cybersecurity practice in Halifax and Montreal; a partner at Cox & Palmer, one of Atlantic Canada's largest law firms; and litigated complex commercial disputes at the Toronto office of the global law firm, Baker McKenzie. Earlier, Matt had a successful consulting career in Vancouver, managing a varied portfolio of public health security projects for clients across North America.

Matt's academic experience includes common and civil law degrees from McGill University, an LL.M in international criminal law from the University of Sussex, an M.A. in political science from Simon Fraser University, and a B.A. in political science and philosophy from Bishop's University.

Larry Keating is the founder and president of NPC DataGuard. Through NPC, he invented and brought to market his industry's first secure managed endpoint computing solution.

Larry is also the president and CEO of Keating Technologies, which he founded in 1987. The company has generated more than $2 billion in technology sales and services to Canadians and is a three-time national winner of Canada's 50 Best Managed Companies award.

Larry served as the founding chairman of the Ministers' Technology Advisory Group for the Province of Ontario, a member of the Chair's Advisory Council on e-Government, and senior technical advisor to the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario for the Indigenous Computer Literacy Program. He was the first Ambassador for Privacy by Design for the Information & Privacy Commissioner of Ontario, a member of the Investment Industry Association of Canada's Cyber Security Committee, and the past chairman of the board of Vanity Software Corp. He was recently appointed a Senior Fellow for the global AI for Developing Countries Forum (AIFOD), based in Geneva, and serves as the Chairman of the Data Sovereignty and Governance Committee for AIFOD.

He is a frequent speaker and writer on a variety of topics, including data security, cybercrime, AI, privacy legislation, technology trends, and economic opportunity through the adoption and deployment of new technologies. He has spoken at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., to federal financial investigation agencies and at the UN Palais des Nations on AI.

Larry is active on community advisory boards and committees. He is a former member of the Seneca College Campaign Cabinet and the Markham-Stouffville Hospital Foundation, a past vice-chair of the Premier's Technology Dinner, and member of the York University Impact Campaign Cabinet. Larry and his companies support not-for-profit organizations, including Ability Online, Operation Herbie, Yellow Brick House, and Youth Unlimited. He has received the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, as well as the Lieutenant Governor's Hilary M. Weston Community Volunteer Award for distinguished public service.

Proactive Cybersecurity in the Age of AI

Larry speaks on cybersecurity at the 2026 Federation Conference, drawing on decades of experience in data security, AI, and technology deployment across the financial services industry.

Tony is the Chief Executive Officer of CANFIN Wealth Management, which operates CANFIN Magellan Investments Inc., a CIRO-regulated mutual fund dealer, alongside CANFIN Private Wealth, an OSC-registered Portfolio Manager.

With more than three decades in the financial services industry, Tony has built a reputation for leading firms through increasingly complex compliance, suitability, and conduct-risk environments. His approach emphasizes strong supervisory frameworks, evidence-based Know-Your-Product and Know-Your-Client processes, disciplined oversight of advisor practices, and alignment with CIRO's evolving expectations around proficiency, risk management, and client outcomes.

Tony has guided CANFIN's growth by embedding compliance into the firm's operational DNA—designing systems, workflows, and governance structures that allow mid-sized dealers to remain competitive while meeting high regulatory standards.

A long-time educator, former Chair of the Canadian Institute of Financial Planners, and active contributor to national and international professional bodies, he continues to advance principles of professionalism, ethics, and investor protection in the wealth management sector.

His mission is simple and unwavering: to elevate fiduciary-minded advice and build structures that support advisors in delivering compliant, client-focused financial planning.

Sean Shore is a lawyer at Canadian Compliance & Regulatory Law and represents investment dealers, mutual fund dealers, portfolio managers and other registrants in the Canadian investment industry. He has acted as a compliance monitor for CIRO registrants as well as registrants overseen by provincial securities commissions in support of the remediation of findings pertaining to know-your-client, know-your-product, suitability, conflicts of interest and other business conduct issues.

He has also been engaged by the Fitch Learning/Moody's Analytics/Canadian Securities Institute as a subject matter expert in regulatory compliance. Between 2006 and 2014 he was employed and worked with investment dealers within their compliance departments, in particular, from 2008 to 2011, he was registered and worked as the Chief Compliance Officer and the Chief Anti-Money Laundering Officer for the Wellington West Group of Companies (Wellington West) and, following the acquisition of Wellington West by National Bank Financial Inc. (NBF) in 2011, in a senior compliance role with NBF from 2011 to 2014.

He is also a Hearing Panel Member for the Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization.