PortfolioHiWay is a Canadian wealth management technology firm created to seamlessly connect investors, advisors and third-party managers. Our goal is to simplify investing by offering an improved client experience at every level. Through proprietary technology, PortfolioHiWay helps clients streamline processes, enhance scalability and reduce operational risks while expanding their investment universe and lowering overall costs. We do this by combining innovative technology and enhanced service offerings to automate many day-to-day aspects of running a business so that advisors can focus on their clients – at any wealth level.
John founded Canso Investment Counsel in 1997 and is currently President & Chief Investment Officer (CIO) of the firm. He began his investment career at Mutual Life of Canada as a private placement and corporate debt analyst. Subsequently, John joined TAL Investment Counsel Ltd. as Vice President, Fixed Income, responsible for credit analysis and specialty fixed income products. His last role prior to founding Canso was with Foyston, Gordon & Payne, where he was the partner responsible for fixed income and preferred share investments. John is a graduate of the Royal Military College of Canada where he obtained a Bachelor of Arts (Commerce) degree and served as an Royal Canadian Air Force navigator. He then earned an MBA degree from Queen’s University (Dean’s List, Award in Finance). He later completed the Chartered Financial Analyst program and received his CFA charter.
Lee founded Toogood Financial Systems in 1997 and currently serves as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the firm. Lee began his investment career at the Royal Insurance Company of Canada in 1988. He then went on to help found Burgundy Asset Management Ltd. in 1990, which has since become a very successful investment manager, before moving to Foyston, Gordon & Payne as a partner with ultimate responsibility for trading, operations and equity analysis. Lee has served as a director of Lysander Funds Ltd. since its founding in 2009. He graduated from the University of Toronto with a Bachelor of Science degree (Computer Science, Mathematics and Actuarial Science) and was later awarded the CFA charter.
Mark is PortfolioHiWay’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Chief Financial Officer (CFO). He began his career in auditing before becoming CFO of the Connor Clark group and later serving as director, President and COO. The firm was sold to RBC in 1999 where Mark served as a Senior VP. He then joined JC Clark Ltd., an investment dealer and alternative fund manager, where he served as COO and CFO. Mark left JC Clark to co-found Caledon Trust Company, a federally-chartered trust company, and CommonWealth Fund Services Ltd., an alternative fund administrator, where he served as director, President and CEO. Together with Toogood Financial Systems he established Jesselton Capital Management Inc., where he is the President. Mark graduated with a Bachelor of Accountancy from The University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa and holds the designation of CPA, CA.
Helen is Chief Operating Officer (COO) and Chief Compliance Officer (CCO) of PortfolioHiWay. Helen started her investment career at Canadian ShareOwner Investments, which was later acquired by Wealthsimple, where she held the roles of VP and CCO and continued to scale digital business operations, working closely with regulators and other fintech businesses. Most recently, she was VP Digital Investment Programs for Canso Investment Counsel. Helen has completed various industry courses, including the CSC, CPH, PDO, CCO, Traders Trading Course, BMC and EMP. She brings more than 20 years of investment industry experience in leading client relations and digital experiences, product and platform development, online trading, compliance, strategic development and scaling businesses. Helen also mentors for Women in Capital Markets and is Co-Lead of the Global Distance Mentorship Program at Women in ETFs.
Bill joined the firm to lead the development, deployment and oversight of a digital investment platform as Chief Experience Officer (CXO) and Chief Investment Officer (CIO). Bill began his financial career as an investment advisor with RBC Dominion Securities, moved to Talvest Fund Management, working up to VP, Regional Sales, then with sister company, TAL Private Management, as VP & Portfolio Manager. He then joined McLean Budden as VP & Portfolio Manager, where he worked for the next decade. Exposure to European family offices inspired him to study this business model and ultimately led to him co-founding Patrimonica, a Montreal-based family office, in 2011. Bill was a Partner, as well as President and CIO until he joined PortfolioHiWay in early 2020. Bill has a Bachelor of Commerce (Finance) from the John Molson School of Business and a Master of Science (Financial Economics) from the University of London. He is a CFA charterholder and most recently completed a FinTech Professional Certificate at the University of Hong Kong.
