Advisor Learning Series:
Alternative Investments
Tuesday, May 12, 2026
Vantage Venues, 150 King St W, Toronto
Private markets, real assets, liquid alternatives and more — Canada's top alternative investment managers discuss the asset class's potential for long-term returns.
Advisor Learning Series: Alternative Investments
Leading alternative investment professionals examine the growing role of private markets and other alternative investments in client portfolios. Never mind the headline-driven narratives — our focus is on substantive asset class discussions.
Speakers will address select areas of real estate such as private apartments, where structural supply-demand imbalances and sustained rental demand may support resilience, even in a softening market. They’ll deliver a practical review of retail access to private equity, private credit, infrastructure, real assets and liquid alternatives, emphasizing liquidity structures, valuations, fees, suitability, regulatory oversight and portfolio construction.
Our central theme is how alternatives can complement traditional holdings when aligned with long-term investment objectives and client risk tolerance. The agenda has been designed for advisors seeking a mix of strategic perspective and implementation insights. Attendees will have opportunities to network and speak with our presenters.
What You’ll Gain
In-depth knowledge of alternative investments
3 value-filled sessions about how to best utilize alternative investments in client portfolios
Receive up to 2 CE credits from CIRO Cycle 11 (IIROC and MFDA) and up to 2 credits from FP Canada
Your In-Person Benefits Include
Networking with 150+ professionals, including money managers, fellow advisors and financial journalists from Advisor.ca and Investment Executive
Access to leading alternative investment professionals at Speakers’ Corner
Breakfast and refreshments
A CE Corner membership — a $199 value, included free*
* Valid for new members only until December 31, 2026. Existing members will get $30 off their renewal.
Industry Leaders
Michael Dayan, CFA
Vice President, Portfolio Manager
Franklin Templeton Investment Solutions
Michael Dayan is a portfolio manager with Franklin Templeton Investment Solutions where he co-manages the Franklin Quotential, Franklin LifeSmart, and Franklin ETF Portfolios.
Amy Goldbloom
Managing Director & Head of Alternative Products
RBC Global Asset Management Inc.
Amy Goldbloom is Managing Director & Head of Alternative Products at RBC Global Asset Management (RBC GAM), leading product coverage and distribution for RBC GAM's alternative solutions platform, both public and private.
Stephen 'Harv' Harvey, CFA
Chief Investment Strategist
Sagard
Stephen Harvey brings more than 20 years of global investing experience to his role as Chief Investment Strategist at Sagard. Based in Toronto, he has held senior investment positions in Toronto, London, and New York.
Geoff Lang
SVP, Business Development
Equiton
Geoff Lang is a committed investment professional with over a decade of leadership experience in financial services and private equity landscape.
Jennifer Schillaci, CFA
Managing Director & Head of Real Estate Equity Investments
RBC Global Asset Management Inc.
Jennifer is a managing director and the head of the RBC GAM Private Markets Real Estate Equity Investments team at RBC GAM Inc., leading the team in the management of the existing solutions along with the development and launch of new funds.
Brendan Sims
Alternative Strategist
Fidelity Investments
Brendan Sims is a seasoned Alternative Strategist at Fidelity Investments who leverages years of Advisor Sales experience and close collaboration with Fidelity's portfolio managers to help advisors across Canada navigate the evolving alternatives landscape.
Michael Dayan, CFA
Vice President, Portfolio Manager
Franklin Templeton Investment Solutions
Biography
Michael Dayan is a portfolio manager with Franklin Templeton Investment Solutions where he co-manages the Franklin Quotential, Franklin LifeSmart, and Franklin ETF Portfolios. In addition to his portfolio management responsibilities he plays an active role in the firm's multi-asset investment process contributing to research and analysis that support global investment strategies.
Since joining Franklin Templeton in 2012 Mr. Dayan has provided strategic support to portfolio management teams around the world with expertise spanning portfolio construction, risk management, and trading across retail, institutional, and model portfolios.
Mr. Dayan holds a bachelor of commerce with a major in finance from York University and is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) charterholder.
Amy Goldbloom
Managing Director & Head of Alternative Products
RBC Global Asset Management Inc.
Biography
Amy Goldbloom is Managing Director & Head of Alternative Products at RBC Global Asset Management (RBC GAM). In this role, Amy leads product coverage and distribution for RBC GAM's alternative solutions platform, both public and private.
Amy joined RBC GAM in 2018. Prior to that, Amy spent 10 years working with the Institutional Global Equities team at RBC Capital Markets and 3 years as an Economist with the RBC Economics team.
Stephen 'Harv' Harvey, CFA
Chief Investment Strategist
Sagard
Biography
Stephen Harvey brings more than 20 years of global investing experience to his role as Chief Investment Strategist at Sagard. Based in Toronto, he has held senior investment positions in Toronto, London, and New York.
Before joining Sagard, Stephen was Chief Investment Officer at Titan Advisors, leading both the investment committee and portfolio management team. Prior to that, he was a Partner at Saguenay Strathmore Capital, where he specialized in risk management and portfolio construction. He began his career in the risk management group at the Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan.
Stephen holds an Honours degree in Economics from York University and has been a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) charterholder since 2003.
Outside of work, he lives in the Toronto area with his wife, Cori, and their twin boys, whom he helps coach in baseball. A native of England, Stephen alternates his sporting loyalties between the UK and Canada—depending on the game.
Geoff Lang
SVP, Business Development
Equiton
Biography
Geoff Lang is a committed investment professional with over a decade of leadership experience. His exposure to private equity in all its forms affords him a unique perspective on the asset class and the benefits it offers.
Geoff develops and implements strategies for Equiton's investment solutions, focusing primarily on the financial advisory community. His top priority is to ensure high levels of client satisfaction both at the advisor partner and individual investor level.
Geoff has an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Global Studies with a minor in Finance from Wilfred Laurier University.
Jennifer Schillaci, CFA
Managing Director & Head of Real Estate Equity Investments
RBC Global Asset Management Inc.
Biography
Jennifer is a managing director and the head of the RBC GAM Private Markets Real Estate Equity Investments team at RBC GAM Inc. In this role, she leads the team in the management of the existing solutions along with the development and launch of new funds.
Prior to joining the organization in 2023, Jennifer worked for 20 years at Manulife Financial in progressively senior positions, including global head of separate accounts, real estate; chief investment officer of a listed overseas REIT; and managing director and senior portfolio manager of a Canadian core open-end real estate fund.
Her direct experience spans portfolio management, asset management, leasing, and investment execution within the North American real estate industry, where she was responsible for strategy, growth, and ongoing management of real estate portfolios. Jennifer had earlier worked across the firm in various investment positions within the high-yield bond, private equity and private debt asset classes in both Toronto and the U.S. She started her career in the investment industry in 2003.
Brendan Sims
Alternative Strategist
Fidelity Investments
Biography
Brendan Sims is an Alternative Strategist at Fidelity Investments. In addition to staying abreast an ever-evolving alternative landscape here in Canada, Brendan works alongside Fidelity's alternative PMs to best communicate current positioning and outlook with our sales teams and advisor clients across the country.
A CPA by trade having begun his career in public accounting, Brendan then later perued his passion for capital markets and has since obtained the Chartered Investment Manager designation.
Event Agenda
Tuesday, May 12, 2026 · Vantage Venues, 150 King St W, Toronto
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Registration & Breakfast
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Opening Remarks
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Keynote Session to be announced
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Beyond the Headlines: Understanding Private Apartments' Resilience in a Softening Market
In a market dominated by headlines around softening real estate and liquidity concerns, it's critical to separate perception from fundamentals. Not all real estate is created equal. This asset class may benefit from structural tailwinds — supply-demand imbalances, declining affordability and sustained rental demand — supporting performance across market cycles.
Presented by: Geoff Lang, SVP Business Development, Equiton
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Networking Break (Coffee, Breakfast Pastries) + Speakers' Corner
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Delivering access to alternative investments
As alternatives move from institutional-only to mainstream portfolio allocation, wealth advisors face a fundamental question: not just can clients access alternatives, but should they - and if so, how much and when? This panel brings together leaders from Franklin Templeton, Fidelity, and Sagard to explore the strategic rationale behind alternatives allocation in today's market environment.
Presented by: Michael Dayan, CFA, Vice President, Portfolio Manager, Franklin Templeton Investment Solutions
Stephen 'Harv' Harvey, CFA, Chief Investment Strategist, Sagard
Brendan Sims, Alternative Strategist at Fidelity Investments -
Unlocking the potential of private markets in portfolios
Private markets offer an expansive investable universe and are an essential component of a well-diversified portfolio. Investing in private markets, particularly infrastructure and real estate, allows for a long-term perspective. The fundamental characteristics, when aligned with investment objectives and risk tolerance, can help investors achieve their long-term financial goals. This discussion will focus on the role of real assets in portfolios and the key considerations involved in accessing this segment of the market.
Presented by: Amy Goldbloom, Managing Director & Head of Alternative Products, RBC Global Asset Management Inc.
Jennifer Schillaci, CFA, Managing Director & Head of Real Estate Equity Investments, RBC Global Asset Management Inc. -
Closing Remarks
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Speakers' Corner
Our Sponsors
Gold Sponsors
Equiton
Founded in 2015, Equiton is a recognized leader in private real estate asset management and development, providing clients with access to institutional-grade investments designed to deliver tax-efficient income, support portfolio stability and the pursuit of long-term returns.
With over $1.7 billion in assets under management (as at Dec 31, 2025), our investment solutions have generated investor benefits including monthly cash flow and the potential for capital appreciation through an active management approach.
Equiton's success is driven by a seasoned leadership team with deep expertise in real estate, a disciplined approach to governance, and an unmatched commitment to transparency. As of Feb 1, 2026, more than 17,000 investors trust Equiton to help grow and preserve their wealth through all market cycles.
RBC Global Asset Management
RBC Global Asset Management (RBC GAM) is the asset management division of Royal Bank of Canada (RBC). RBC GAM is a provider of global investment management services and solutions to institutional, high-net-worth and individual investors through separate accounts, pooled funds, mutual funds, hedge funds, exchange-traded funds and specialty investment strategies. RBC Funds, BlueBay Funds, PH&N Funds and RBC ETFs are offered by RBC Global Asset Management Inc. (RBC GAM Inc.) and distributed through authorized dealers in Canada. The RBC GAM group of companies, which includes RBC GAM Inc. (including PH&N Institutional), manage approximately $790 billion in assets and have approximately 1,600 employees located across Canada, the United States, Europe and Asia.
Silver Sponsors
Fidelity
Fidelity Investments Canada is a leading investment management firm offering a wide range of mutual funds, ETFs, managed solutions, alternatives, and institutional mandates. Founded in 1987 and based in Toronto, it manages hundreds of billions in assets for more than 2.1 million Canadians. With deep research capabilities and a global team of investment professionals, Fidelity provides diverse equity and income strategies along with tools, education, and advisor resources to help Canadians build and manage their wealth.
Franklin Templeton
Franklin Templeton. Your trusted partner for what’s ahead™
At Franklin Templeton, we believe success requires more than just expertise – it demands powerful partnerships. As a forward-thinking asset manager, we build dynamic relationships to understand your goals and navigate complex markets together. Leveraging cutting-edge strategies and deep industry insights, we unlock opportunities to help grow wealth. With Franklin Templeton by your side, you’re not just preparing for the future – you’re shaping it.
Sagard
Sagard was created in 2002 at the initiative of Power Corporation of Canada, a major investor in Europe and North America.
It finds its roots with entrepreneurial families but has grown with the support of renowned institutional investors, including Canada's pension plans, family offices, financial institutions and other corporates in a shared commitment to supporting talented entrepreneurs.
Today, Sagard has developed into a global alternative asset manager active in venture capital, private equity, private credit, real estate. Since 2016, Sagard has experienced significant growth, with assets under management increasing to over US$33B¹, some 440 professionals joining the team and over 190 companies in the portfolio.
Earn Continuing Education Credits
This event qualifies for professional development credits.
Accreditation Details
- Up to 2 CE credits from CIRO Cycle 11 (IIROC and MFDA)
- Up to 2 CE credits from FP Canada
CE accreditation for this event is pending approval. Attendees must be present for the full event to receive CE credits.
You will receive an email notification from CE Corner when your CE certificate is ready. This can take up to six weeks.
If you do not yet have a profile on CE Corner, you will need to create one to obtain your CE accreditation. If you have any questions, please contact support@cecorner.ca.
Attend the event in-person to receive a CE Corner membership – a $100 value, included free*
CE Corner gives you ongoing access to accredited learning resources to keep building your knowledge well beyond May 12th. It's the most cost-effective CE investment you'll make this year.
Join Us In Person* Valid for new members only until December 31, 2026. Existing members will get $30 off their renewal.
Speakers' Corner
An exclusive opportunity for in-person attendees to engage directly with our expert speakers in an intimate, open-floor setting after the main sessions.
Secure Your In-Person Seat
Speakers' Corner access is included with all in-person registrations.
Event Location
Easy to access in the heart of downtown Toronto
Vantage Venues
Vantage Venues is conveniently located in the heart of downtown Toronto making it easily accessible.
Address
150 King St West, 16th Floor
Toronto, ON M5H 1J9
Canada
Room: Garden Hall
Getting There
Click here for detailed instructions on getting to our venue.
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about attending the event
- ✓ Advisors active in selling alternative investments
- ✓ Advisors developing their understanding of the asset category for future sales
Your registration includes:
- ✓ Networking with 150+ professionals, including money managers, fellow advisors and financial journalists from Advisor.ca and Investment Executive
- ✓ Access to leading alternative investment professionals at Speakers' Corner
- ✓ Breakfast and refreshments
- ✓ A CE Corner membership — a $199 value, included free*
* Valid for new members only until December 31, 2026. Existing members will get $30 off their renewal.
Refunds are only available up to 24 hours after the initial purchase. Please send an email with "Refund Request" in the subject line to service@newcom.ca within 24 hours of your purchase. Even if we do not reply immediately, your refund will be granted if the request is received within the 24-hour window. It may take up to 14 days for the reversed charge to appear on your statement.
Purchases are transferrable which can be done in the registration portal by April 21, 2026. Should you require additional assistance, please email service@newcom.ca.
Interested in sponsoring this or future events with us?
Please reach out to Kathy Liotta, Director, Business Development, Financial Group Sales & Marketing at Newcom Media Inc. at kathyl@newcom.ca.
Register for Alternative Investments
Join 150+ financial advisors on May 12, 2026.
- Up to 2 CE credits from CIRO CYCLE 11 (IIROC and MDFA) and up to 2 credits from FP Canada
Questions? Contact us at service@newcom.ca