Valerie Gibbs, CFA, President
Valerie brings more than ten years of experience in the finance industry to her role as an Investment Counsellor with RBC PH&N Investment Counsel. Supported by seasoned investment managers strategically located in key markets around the world, Valerie provides customized wealth management solutions to high net worth individuals, their families, businesses, foundations and not-for-profit organizations. Valerie is a member of the RBC PH&N IC Investment Committee and has earned both her CFA designation and CFP designation. She is also passionate about having an impact in the community as Vice-President of the CFA Society Edmonton and Co-Chair of Edmonton Women in Finance.
Ian Quigley, CFA, Vice President
Ian founded the registered portfolio management firm, Qube Investments in 2011. Qube currently manages over $400M in private wealth, while employing a small team of local finance professionals and students. Qube passionately follows a valuation-based investment methodology. Ian's academic training includes a graduate degree in Business Administration (MBA), as well as an undergraduate degree in research and analysis (Honors Program Physical Geography). Both from the University of Alberta. Prior to this, he attended the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) completing an honors diploma in Finance and has completed the study programs for the CFP, CIM, CLU, SIPC and CEA designations. Ian also gained the chartered business valuator designation (CBV) in 2022.
In his spare time, Ian loves to sport climb, bicycle and motorbike backroads in Canada and beyond. He has two daughters that greatly define his life and was lucky enough to have married the love of his life over 30 years ago. He also has a dog named Roary.
Muhammad Usman, CFA, Treasurer
Muhammad Usman currently works at RBC as an Associate Director, Real Estate Markets in Edmonton. Usman has over 10 years of diverse experience in various analytical and relationship management roles in commercial and corporate banking, private equity/venture capital, and credit rating agency. He brings a unique perspective of living and working in three different continents and being a member of CFA Societies in London, Dubai, Calgary and now Edmonton
Philip Shu, CFA, Secretary
Philip has accumulated an impressive 28 years of experience in the financial industry, distinguished by a broad and diverse range of roles. His career has spanned positions in retail banking, custodian banking, trading floors, and various leadership roles within the private wealth sector at multiple global banks. He has also dedicated his time to serving on various charitable and professional organizations in a voluntary capacity over the years.
In addition to his extensive professional background, Philip maintains strong connections with influential figures across numerous global regions.
Nilesh Paray, CFA, Past President
Nilesh Paray is a seasoned professional in the financial industry. Although he trained as an electronic engineer with Rolls Royce, Nilesh quickly moved to Goldman Sachs in London where he participated in the equities and derivatives departments of the trading floor for several years. After his MBA, he worked at BMO Corporate Finance and subsequently joined a long short hedge fund. For the last few years, Nilesh has been busy in real estate development projects across Canada.
Nilesh also brings an impressive breadth and depth of education to all his endeavours. Fluent in four languages, Nilesh graduated first in his class with a Master of Engineering in Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering from the University of Birmingham and McGill University. He earned his MBA from the University of Alberta in 2015, and he received his Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation in 2017.
Patrick Carleton, CFA, Director
Patrick brings broad and deep experience, and extensive credentials in financial management to the CFA Society Edmonton board. Prior to investment management industry, Patrick held progressively senior management roles in large public companies, for over 20 years including 15 years with ATCO Group of Companies. Patrick has led financial reporting, strategic planning and analysis, compliance, operational accounting and treasury functions. Patrick is currently Equity Markets Managing Director at Accountability Capital Management, responsible for developing and implementing active strategies including hedging and yield enhancement techniques, and risk management. Patrick's credentials include BCom, MBA, CPA, CMA, CGA, CPA (U.S), CGMA (U.S). He is also a CFA Charterholder.
Jesse Little, CFA, Director
As the Director, Funding Strategy at Alberta Teachers Retirement Fund, Jesse is responsible for monitoring the asset and liability risks inherent in the ATRF plans. In particular, he works to analyze how asset allocation decisions along with economic scenarios can impact the long-term ability of the pension plans to achieve their funding objectives. Jesse graduated from the University of Alberta with a BSc in Statistics and Applied Probability with Distinction and later on with his MBA. Jesse is a Fellow of the Canadian Institute of Actuaries, a Fellow of the Society of Actuaries and a CFA Charterholder.
David Lee, CFA, Director
David is an Associate Investment Counselor at ATB Investment Management. He is responsible for supporting the Private Investment Counsel team with providing investment counseling and portfolio management services to ATB’s high net worth clients. David graduated from the University of Alberta in 2019 with a Bachelor of Commerce degree and began his career at ATB, gaining progressive experience in investment compliance, developing fund content and reporting, and supporting product research and manager oversight. David is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) charterholder and a Certified Financial Planner (CFP).
Cameron Nelson, CFA, Director
Cam works to help advisors & private wealth professionals overcome the challenges of running their own practice by helping them grow their book of business through optimal business building and portfolio management.
Cam graduated from the University of Victoria with a BSc in Economics with Finance & Business options. After graduating University in 2015, Cam later obtained his CFA Charter in 2021. Cam has spent nearly six years working at Invesco and is currently a Regional Vice President helping Invesco clients in Northern Alberta and Saskatoon.
Cam loves most sports, and his current favorites are golf, tennis, hockey and climbing. Although these favourites often change every few years!
Walter Viale, CFA, Director
Walter Viale is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), Master in Business Administration (MBA) with specialization in Finance and Energy, Actuary, and Bachelor of Commerce majored in Finance with 22 years of treasury and corporate finance professional experience in the Oil, Natural Gas, LPG, Renewable Energy, Power Generation, Tobacco, Post-Secondary Education, and Government sectors.
Has contracted for large publicly traded, privately owned, post-secondary education, and governmental organizations for the past 22 years. Enjoys working in the field of finance, treasury, and energy and has worked on a number of remote sites in Canada and abroad in both intermediate and senior roles.
As a professional committed to the investment, finance, and broader business community, Walter has been a member of the Argentinean Finance Executive Association (IAEF) and actively volunteers and participates in educational, professional, and non-for profit associations in Edmonton, Canada; promoting dialogue and connection among students, young professionals, and business communities as well as providing finance guidance, acumen, and governance to non-for profit boards.
He is currently working for Strathcona County as a Senior Cash Management Advisor leading, guiding, and empowering the Cash Management and Investment teams.