Market Volatility Webcast with Focus Asset Management (March 13, 2020)

03/13/20 • 34 min

The Way Forward Webcasts with Leon Goren

Given the unusual circumstances with markets at the moment and the volatility across all sectors, we’ve asked Greg Thompson and John Kustec from Focus Asset Management to provide some insights and understanding of what may be in store.

For a recording of this session, please visit our COVID-19 Resource Centre by clicking here.

Greg and John discuss:

Historical events affecting the markets
How current events are affecting the markets

Greg Thompson & John Kustec

Chairman & Portfolio Manager

Focus Asset Management

Greg Thomson, Chairman, Focus Asset Management

Greg Thompson has been Chairman of Focus Asset Management since 2017. Greg is a member of the firm’s Investment Committee and is also dedicated to various aspects of the business, including client development and strategic direction of the firm. Prior to joining Focus, Greg spent over 20 years in capital markets where he was a ranked research analyst, founded a boutique investment bank and most recently, led the investment banking operations of a Canadian bank–owned investment dealer. Greg holds an MBA from Concordia University and an undergraduate degree from Bishop’s University. As well as sitting on the Investment Committee of the Sunnybrook Hospital Foundation, Greg is the founder of “Making a Difference” projects in needs-based schools within the Toronto District School Board.

John Kustec, Portfolio Manager, Focus Asset Management

John Kustec joined Focus Asset Management as a Portfolio Manager in 2012. John is a member of the firm’s Investment Committee and an integral part of Focus’ client service team. Prior to joining Focus, John spent eight years as a Portfolio Manager at a bank-owned investment counselling firm and was previously a Partner and Portfolio Manager in the private client group at an independently owned investment counselling firm. John has a bachelor of arts in math and economics from Queen’s University and is a CFA charter holder. John served on the Investment Committee and the Board of Directors of Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital Foundation. John also chaired Bloorview’s Investment Committee and served on its Board of Trustees.

For a recording of this session, please visit our COVID-19 Resource Centre by clicking here.

Greg and John discuss:

Historical events affecting the markets
How current events are affecting the markets

Greg Thompson & John Kustec

Chairman & Portfolio Manager

Focus Asset Management

Greg Thomson, Chairman, Focus Asset Management

John Kustec, Portfolio Manager, Focus Asset Management

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Corporate Health & Safety, Best Practices & COVID-19 Explained with Cleveland Clinic (March 26, 2020)

What are organizations doing to manage COVID-19 from an employee health and safety, business continuity and organizational risk perspective? What can leaders do to manage through this extraordinary time? Discussion of general trends, approaches and criteria for success.
Dr. Varley speaks on the following topics:

What can leaders do to protect their staff from an employee health and safety, business continuity and organizational risk perspective
Proper workplace etiquette during COVID-19 crisis
Proper public place (ie grocery store) etiquette during COVID-19 crisis
COVID-19 as it is understood today

Talia Varley, MD, Physician Lead of Advisory Services, Cleveland Clinic Canada:

Dr. Varley is the physician lead of Advisory Services and Cleveland Clinic Canada. She drives the Medical Director program to provide non-healthcare organizations with a Chief Medical Director (CMD), backed by our global enterprise. She complements her management role with ongoing medical practice in the growing fields of addictions medicine and chronic pain

Dr. Varley previously worked in management consulting at McKinsey & Company across a broad spectrum of corporate mandates, from due diligence and cost reduction initiatives to employee experience design and digital lab strategy & launch. Recent work included building a digital talent engine and launching an enterprise agility transformation.

Talia holds an MPH from Harvard University, MD & CCFP from McMaster University, and BSc from Western University. She previously worked at Harvard Business School, University of Toronto, McMaster University and SickKids Hospital.