Nilesh Paray, CFA, 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.
Currently, Nilesh is the President of the CFA Society of Edmonton, sits on the board of FC Edmonton soccer team, teaches finance (derivatives) at the University of Alberta and is a meal delivery driver for Meals on Wheels.
His passion remains the intersection of finance and technology, and helping companies navigate the financial markets by mitigating risks and also ensuring maximum value to stakeholders. The current companies he is helping are in the real estate, fintech, and AI application sectors. He values courage, honesty and integrity.
Valerie Gibbs, CFA, Vice 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, Treasurer
Ian founded the registered portfolio management firm, Qube Investments in 2011. Qube currently manages over $350M 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 hopes to complete the MQE from the CBV program in Sept of 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.
Adnan Brkic, CFA, Secretary
Adnan brings over 10 years of investment consulting experience as a Regional Director at CIBC Asset Management & Renaissance Investments. He graduated from Simon Fraser University with a Bachelor of Business Administration and received his Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation in 2018. Adnan is passionate about all things related to finance, consulting, and technology.
Adnan is an avid traveler and is always in search of new and interesting cuisine. When he's not sailing or windsurfing, Adnan can be found most weekends taking his dog, Choi, for a local hike or a walk by the river valley.
Rex Alex, CFA, Past President
With over 22 years of experience in banking and risk management, Rex currently works as an Assistant Vice President at CWB Financial Group, providing risk management oversight against operational, fraud, technology and cyber security risks. Rex gained his risk management expertise working with various Canadian Schedule I and Schedule II Banks, Crown Corporations as well as International Financial Organizations. Rex also teaches at the Concordia University of Edmonton as a Sessional Instructor and is a member of the Program Review Committee at NAIT.
Rex Joined the CFA Society Edmonton Board of Directors in July 2015. He actively supports and mentors candidates focused on writing exams & obtaining the CFA Charter. Rex has a Master's in Business Administration and Bachelors in Science degrees and was awarded his CFA Charter in 2013. He has also completed Executive level courses at Schulich Business School and New York Institute of Finance.
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.
Nakita Edwards, CFA, Director
Nakita works at Kingston Ross Pasnak as a senior manager and comes from a background of Big 4 audit experience. She has worked in both audit and advisory services and has served publicly listed clients from a variety of industries.
Nakita has over 16 years of accounting and audit experience and has worked on mainly publicly listed banking, investment and energy audits. Nakita specialises in International Financial Reporting Standards and has performed financial instruments advisory work in relation to these standards. In addition to her professional career, Nakita has worked as a College Professor where she lectured finance, accounting and general business courses.
Philip Shu, CFA, Director
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.
Denny Wu, CFA, Director