Our Team
Our team has the multi-disciplinary experience and credentials necessary to deliver truly customized portfolio and wealth management services together with exceptional client service.
Michael Nairne
B. Comm. (Hons), RFP, CFP®, CFA
President, Chief Investment Officer
416-640-9961
Michael brings extensive investment expertise to the firm, as well as Canadian and U.S. business experience. He takes an integrated approach to wealth management, incorporating the client’s goals, balance sheet, risk tolerance and tax situation. Family Office clients benefit from his in-depth understanding of complex wealth management issues, as well as his knowledge of alternative investments, real estate and private equity in addition to more traditional investments.
Prior to co-founding Tacita Capital, Michael was the Chief Operating Officer of Loring Ward Inc., a family office located in New York and Los Angeles. Michael was also a co-founder and the Vice Chairman of Assante Corporation, Loring Ward’s original parent company. During his tenure, Assante grew from $1 billion to over $20 billion in assets under administration including $8 billion in leading tax-managed asset allocation programs.
Michael writes regularly on wealth management matters, and has co-authored a best seller on fund management. He has spoken internationally on advanced asset allocation and other investment topics relevant to high net worth families. He was also Chief Investment Strategist and chaired the Investment Committee of a California-based asset management firm with over $4 billion in assets.
Michael is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) charterholder and is a member of the CFA Institute and the Toronto CFA Society. He is a Registered Financial Planner (RFP), a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) professional, and graduated first in his class in Canada as a Chartered Financial Planner. Michael was the gold medalist in his graduating year from the Honours Commerce Program at the University of Manitoba. He is also a member of the Institute of Advanced Financial Planners.
Michael is currently a member of the Investment Committee of the Board of Governors for the Royal Ontario Museum.
Joanne Swystun
B.A., LL.B.
Vice President, Head of Wealth Management
416-640-9960
Joanne oversees the provision of wealth advisory services to the firm’s Family Office clients. Joanne brings an extensive professional background to the firm, and experience in dealing with clients who have complex affairs and multi-generational issues.
Prior to co-founding Tacita Capital, Joanne practiced tax law for over 25 years. She was a partner in the Tax Section of Stikeman Elliot LLP and previously, a partner in the Tax and Estate Planning Section of the law firm of Goodman and Carr. While in private practice, she was regularly listed in the Lexpert/American Lawyer annual Guide to the Leading 500 Lawyers in Canada.
Joanne has been a lecturer for the Masters in Tax Law program at Osgoode Hall Law School, a guest lecturer at Queen’s University Law School and an Instructor at the Canadian Bar Association’s annual Tax Law for Lawyers program.
Joanne has a B.A. from the University of Manitoba and an LL.B. from York University’s Osgoode Hall Law School. Following her call to the Ontario bar, Joanne completed the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants’ In-Depth Tax Course and earned the Chartered Financial Planner designation.
Garnet Anderson
CPA, CA, CFA
Vice President, Head of Portfolio Management
416-640-9962
Garnet is a director of Tacita Capital and the head of the Portfolio Management Group. He provides wealth advisory and portfolio management services to our Family Office clients. He also oversees the monitoring and regular rebalancing of client portfolios, and the management of TCI Premia Portfolio Solutions.
Garnet has over 27 years of experience in investment management. Prior to joining Tacita Capital, Garnet spent 14 years at Assante Wealth Management and its asset management arm, United Financial Corporation where he was Portfolio Manager of record and Chief Compliance Officer for the $8 billion invested in United’s portfolio solutions. He has extensive product development, investment analysis, and due diligence experience.
Garnet has an Honours Bachelor of Science degree from Queen’s University and earned his Chartered Accountant Designation (Ontario Honour Roll) while articling at Price Waterhouse in Toronto. He is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) charterholder and member of the CFA Institute and the CFA Society Toronto.
Harmish Naik
B.B.A. (Hons), MBA, CFP®, CFA
Senior Portfolio Manager
416-640-7369
Harmish is a member of the firm’s Portfolio Management Group and provides wealth advisory and portfolio management services to our Family Office clients. He is actively engaged in performing wealth and investment management research and analysis including investment due diligence and financial modelling.
Harmish has over 15 years of wealth and investment management experience. Prior to joining Tacita Capital in 2011, he worked for a national investment firm.
Harmish earned a Masters of Business Administration from the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management, with a concentration in Portfolio Management and Investment Banking. He also has an Honours Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Wilfrid Laurier University. Harmish is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) charterholder and a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) professional.
James Nairne
B.A. (Hons), MBA, CIM®
Senior Portfolio Manager
416-640-9965
James is a member of the firm’s Portfolio Management Group and provides wealth advisory and portfolio management services to a number of Family Office clients. He is a senior member of the team that undertakes the due diligence and monitoring of private investments. James also works with Canadian advisory firms and their representatives on portfolio construction and investment tax planning with TCI Premia Portfolio Solutions.
James has nearly 15 years of experience in the investment management industry. Prior to joining Tacita Capital, James worked at a high net worth investment management boutique in Miami, Florida.
James earned a Masters of Business Administration from the University of Miami School of Business, with concentrations in Finance and Marketing. He also has an Honours Bachelor of Arts degree from Trinity College at the University of Toronto. James holds the Chartered Investment Manager (CIM®) designation.
Laila Ierullo
B.B.A. (Hons), CFA, CIM®, CAIA®
Associate, Investment Analytics
416-640-7371
Laila is a member of the firm’s Portfolio Management Group, the Trade Analytics team, and is a key member of the Hedge Funds Committee. She works in close collaboration with our portfolio managers, dealer-brokers and service providers to ensure optimal trade execution across a diverse range of asset classes. She also plays an integral role in analysing and monitoring our clients’ portfolios, asset class mandates and investment models.
Prior to joining Tacita Capital, Laila spent several years working at a prominent financial institution in Toronto.
Laila earned an Honours Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Wilfrid Laurier University with a concentration in Finance. She is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) charterholder, a Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA®) charterholder, and holds the Chartered Investment Manager (CIM®) designation.
Brian So
B. Comm. (Hons), CFP®, CFA
Associate Portfolio Manager
416-640-4083
Brian is a member of the firm’s Portfolio Management Group and provides wealth advisory and portfolio management services to our Family Office clients. Brian is often engaged in assisting clients with complex wealth management issues. He is also responsible for portfolio and investment vehicle monitoring, portfolio audits, developing and implementing transition plans and performing investment analysis. Brian sits on the firm’s Private Investments and Non-model SMA and Specialty Investments committees.
Prior to joining Tacita Capital, Brian worked for a multi-national stock transfer company where he handled a variety of share transactions.
Brian has an Honours Bachelor of Commerce degree from McMaster University. He is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) charterholder, a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) professional, and a member of the CFA Institute and CFA Society Toronto.
Vishesh Udeshi
B. Comm. (Hons), CFP®, CFA
Portfolio Management Analyst
416-640-6741
Vishesh is a member of the firm’s Portfolio Management Group and is responsible for generating portfolio audits, transition plans and wealth planning analyses. In addition, he assists portfolio managers in servicing our Family Office clients. Vishesh also sits on the firm’s Active and Passive ETFs and Mutual Funds committee.
Vishesh has several years of experience in the financial services industry. Prior to joining Tacita Capital, he worked for several financial institutions including one of Canada’s largest banks.
Vishesh has earned an Honours Bachelor of Commerce degree from University of Mumbai with a concentration in Financial Markets. He is also a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) charterholder, a member of the CFA Institute, and a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) professional.
Raven Lowden
B. Comm. (Hons), CPA, CA
Vice President, Finance
416-640-6738
Raven is the head of our Finance team and oversees all aspects of our financial operations. She is responsible for budgeting, forecasting, and the accuracy and timeliness of our corporate and client reporting. Raven also chairs the firm’s Valuation Product committee.
Raven has over 20 years of accounting experience. Prior to joining Tacita Capital, Raven worked for various financial institutions in Canada and offshore including serving for 5 years as a Vice President at a major international investment firm.
Raven has an Honours Bachelor of Commerce degree with distinction from the University of Saskatchewan and earned her Chartered Accountant Designation while articling at KPMG.
Bo Zhang
B. Acc., CPA, CGA
Senior Accountant
416-640-1935
Bo is responsible for the firm’s financial and regulatory reporting and oversees account reconciliations, general ledger entries, and investment fee collection. She also manages treasury operations and plays a key role in coordinating annual audits.
Bo has over 15 years of accounting experience. Prior to joining Tacita Capital, Bo worked in the manufacturing and financial services industries where she honed her skills in financial analysis.
Bo holds a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from the Southwestern University of Finance and Economics and obtained her Chartered Professional Accountant designation in 2010.
Jenny Wu
B.Sc., MMF
Investment Accountant
416-640-7375
Jenny is responsible for the integrity of the firm’s investment reporting, as well as trade reconciliations and other compliance and investment related tasks. She is an active member of the firm’s Valuation Product committee and is responsible for verifying month-end portfolio security prices. She also assists in the preparation of monthly client reports and accountant summaries.
Before joining Tacita Capital, Jenny worked for a multi-national financial services company where she gained experience in investment financial reporting and analysis.
Jenny has a Masters of Management in Finance from McGill University and a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Pennsylvania State University. She is currently a CFA level 1 candidate.
Ali Babwani
B. Comm. (Hons)
Client Services Coordinator
416-640-7372
Ali is responsible for opening and maintaining client accounts and processing cash and asset transfers. He also assists our Portfolio Management team with the assembly of all required AML and KYC information for our clients and the preparation of detailed client profiles.
Before joining Tacita Capital, Ali worked for one of Canada’s major banks where he held various positions, the most notable of which was Investment Representative.
Ali graduated from the University of Mumbai with an Honours Bachelor of Commerce in Finance and Accounting. He has completed the Canadian Securities Institute’s Canadian Securities and Conduct and Practices Handbook courses and is a CFA level 1 candidate.
Danish Khizar
B. Comm. (Hons)
Associate, Client Account Analytics
416-640-7376
Danish maintains the firm’s information and document management system in addition to coordinating client account administration and on-boarding. Danish sits on the firm’s Compliance and Marketing and Sales committees.
Danish has several years of experience in client administration and operations in the financial services industry. Prior to joining Tacita Capital, he worked for several financial institutions including one of Canada’s largest banks.
Danish has an Honours Bachelor of Commerce from Ryerson University. Additionally, he holds an Advanced Diploma in Business Administration from Humber College. Danish has completed the Canadian Securities Institute’s Canadian Securities, Investment Management Techniques and Portfolio Management Techniques courses.
Alexander Nairne
B.A. (Hons), MSc
Marketing Manager
416-640-7368
Alex is responsible for the development and implementation of Tacita Capital’s internal and external marketing initiatives and digital marketing strategy. He also engages in fund analysis and financial research for the firm. Alex chairs the Marketing and Sales committees for Family Office and TCI Premia Portfolio Solutions.
Prior to joining Tacita Capital, Alex gained experience as a business analyst at a digital consultancy in London, England, and as a marketing team lead at a digital advertising agency in Toronto, Canada.
Alex earned a Masters of Management with a specialization in Digital Business from Imperial College Business School London. He also obtained an Honours Bachelor of Arts degree in History from McGill University.
Zoe Shnier
BMOS (Hons)
Junior Marketing Associate
416-640-6740
Zoe is a member of Tacita Capital’s marketing team and supports the execution of the firm’s digital marketing and communication strategies. She is also responsible for office administration and client experience duties. Zoe sits on the Marketing and Sales committees for Family Office and TCI Premia Portfolio Solutions.
Prior to joining Tacita Capital, Zoe gained experience as a marketing assistant in Vancouver, British Columbia, and a public relations intern in Toronto, Ontario.
Zoe holds an Honours Bachelor of Management and Organizational Studies degree from Western University.