Alex Welch
MA Econ, PMP

Hive Advisor

Alex is a dynamic and collaborative business professional with over 15 years’ experience empowering organizations and their stakeholders to evolve and grow in a manner that is sustainable, economically viable, and pragmatic. He has worked with a wide range of companies across Canada and is recognized for designing effective solutions, delivering impactful outcomes, and inspiring teams that prioritize quality and stakeholder success. Most recently, Alex has focused on sustainable business strategy and has direct experience building effective sustainability programs and drafting ESG reports that align with leading global frameworks. Previously Alex held senior positions with BDO Canada, in the Strategy & Operations Consulting division, and InterVISTAS Consulting. Alex holds a master's degree in economics from the University of British Columbia and the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification. Recently, he completed the Sustainable Business Strategy program through Harvard Business School.

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Alfred Colas  
CPA, CA

Hive Advisor

As a finance executive, Mr. Colas brings over 18 years of mining and energy experience to our Hive Advisor network, including the development of two green-field projects (Pierina in Peru and Bulyanhulu in Tanzania), an expatriate assignment turning around the Veladero operation in Argentina, and corporate-finance and governance expertise gained with two smaller resource entities.  Mr. Colas was most recently Chief Financial Officer of a Potentia Solar Inc., a private solar-power producer from 2015-2016.  Prior to the solar company, from 2013-2015 Mr. Colas was Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of First Nickel Inc., a junior nickel-copper producer that increased its credit facility, restructured US$40M in shareholder debt and ultimately tackled the closure and reclamation of its sole operation.  Prior to joining First Nickel, from 2010-2013 Mr. Colas was Corporate Controller of Rainy River Resources, which was a junior gold explorer that was relocated from Vancouver to Toronto, implemented IFRS, established a robust control environment and graduated from the TSX Venture to the main TSX exchange, while defining a major, feasible gold deposit in northwestern Ontario and was ultimately acquired by New Gold.  Mr. Colas began his mining career by spending over 13 years with Barrick Gold Corporation, including as Director of Planning from 2004-2007 and culminating with the South American assignment from 2007 through 2010.  Mr. Colas obtained a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Toronto in 1992 and was admitted to the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ontario (now CPA Ontario) in 1995.  While articling with PwC in Toronto, Alfred was a key early member of a team that established an audit consulting practice in Havana, Cuba, liaising with a small local firm.  

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Claudio Mancuso

Hive Advisor

Mr. Mancuso brings strong mining industry and financial services knowledge and experience to our Hive Network. Claudio is currently the Managing Director, Canada for Patriot Equipment Finance Ltd.   In this role, Claudio advises companies regarding debt structuring and arranges financings ranging from traditional equipment debt to more complex structured finance products. Prior to Patriot Equipment Finance, Claudio spent most of his career in mining holding various senior finance positions at Agnico-Eagle Mines Limited and holding the CFO, and eventually CEO, positions at Colossus Minerals Inc. Throughout his career, Claudio has raised over $4 billion through debt issuances in the private and public debt markets in both Canada and the US. Claudio has also raised debt through credit facilities, bonding facilities, lease facilities, and innovative structures such as commodity linked notes and streaming agreements. Claudio has extensive international financing experience as well as debt structuring experience. Claudio obtained an Honors Chartered Accountancy degree from the University of Waterloo and honed his finance skills at the Ontario Securities Commission prior to moving to the mining industry in 2002.

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David Allen
CPA, CA

Hive Advisor

David has extensive experience in CFO and Controllership roles with complex international publicly traded, private-equity and owner-managed companies.  He has worked with a diverse range of entities with rapidly growing international operations from a start-up to public companies.  He has had significant exposure to acquisitions and divestitures, internal controls and risk assessments, financial reporting, strategic planning, tax, treasury, systems implementations and operations management. Most recently he was with a publicly traded, global, block chain technology company.  Prior to that he played a pivotal role at Canada Goose as revenue grew in excess of 30% per year, establishing retail and e-commerce channels, expanding its manufacturing base through acquisitions and co-lead of the company’s dual-listed IPO.  He has also worked for a start up company in biogas technology organizing the global reporting and finance functions, an international marine shipping and real estate organization, a forest products company and an environmental services concern.  He began his career in public accounting at Price Waterhouse where he obtained his CA designation and worked with entrepreneurs in private companies, subsidiaries of foreign firms, professional firms and not for profit organizations, gaining a wide variety of exposure in audit, tax and financial advisory services.  Industries included mining, construction, pharmaceuticals, retail, wholesale, manufacturing and technology.

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Doris Tian
CPA, CMA

Hive Advisor

Doris Tian is an accomplished and results-driven Finance Leader with strong business and commercial acumen, demonstrated through an outstanding record of driving efficiency and growth for Mining, Financial Services and Technology sectors.  Doris has worked for EY Canada, a top tier Management Consulting firm, where she assisted multiple Fortune 500 companies in solving complex challenges through technology implementation and process streamline.  She has also held Senior Finance role in Yamana Gold Inc, a mid-sized precious metal producer, where she assisted to improve the KPI reporting process and established a driver-based approach on Cash and Working Capital analyses. Some of her areas of expertise include:  EPM system implementation, Strategic & Operational Planning, Corporate Finance, Cost Benefit Analysis, Financial Modelling, Executive Presentations & Reporting, and Process Improvement. Doris graduated with an Honours Bachelor of Commerce degree from the Rotman School of Business at the University of Toronto.  She is a Chartered Professional Account.

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Evelin Wong
CPA, CA | CPA (Washington)

Hive Advisor

With over 15 years of experience in auditing, taxation and accounting, Evelin Wong has worked with a wide range of public and private enterprises ranging from the mining, cannabis and technology sectors as well as not-for-profits.  Evelin possesses strong competencies in financial analysis and reporting as well as financial forecasting and budget management. She has led teams through their audits and advised companies through complex accounting matters.   Evelin has worked with many foreign subsidiaries around the world including Africa, Australia and Europe.  Evelin possesses a bachelors degree from Wilfrid Laurier University and holds a CPA, CA.

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Geoff Moore
CPA, CGA

Geoff Moore is a committed and results-driven CPA with over 30 years experience in contract and owner organizations across the energy, transportation, utilities, telecommunications and heavy equipment retail sectors. Areas of expertise include Internal Controls, Business Process review and improvement, small project management, financial solution implementation and hands-on accounting leadership in companies ranging in market capitalization of $1M to $33B. Geoff is a flexible and practical professional who demonstrates sound judgement and common-sense approach when developing and delivering solutions to complex business challenges. Easy-going interpersonal skills, collaborates effectively in cross-functional team environments and contributes positively to achieving strategic goals.

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Ian Moore
PhD, MASc

Hive Advisor

Dr. Ian Moore is an experienced Data Scientist professional with over 10 years of experience working in Blockchain, IOT, Government and Healthcare, who is skilled in Machine Learning, Software Design/Implementation, Statistical Modeling and Research. Between 2011 and 2013, Ian was Co-founder of MetricAid whose ED optimization software is trusted by 100+ hospitals across North America, Europe and Australia. Between 2010 and 2014, Ian was an Adjunct Lecturer in Biostatistics at the University of Toronto where he taught graduate students in Medicine, Biostatistics and Epidemiology. He holds 3 patents, and has several highly cited first-authored publications in top peer-reviewed academic journals. Ian obtained a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) focused in Engineering Mathematics and Statistics from Queen's University in 2009.

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Iqbal Brar  
CPA, CA

Hive Advisor

Iqbal is a seasoned finance professional with both firm and industry experience. While working at PwC, Iqbal specialized in the asset management practice. His client portfolio included clients in the following industries: Investment Management, Insurance, Infrastructure Pension Plans, Real Estate, Mutual, Hedge, Private Equity and Venture Capital Funds. While at PwC, he completed a six-month secondment in New York City, working on clients in the private equity and investment management industry.   Iqbal received his Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Toronto. Subsequently, he worked to attain his CPA, CA designation.

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Ivan Latysh
MASc

Hive Advisor

Ivan has over 30 years of experience in information technology across multiple verticals. Throughout his career he was focused on building innovative culture that nurture high performers. Ivan has held a number of senior positions within the cannabis, marketing and professional services industries. Most recently, he held a position of the Cheif Technology Officer of The Flowr Corporation where he led a geographically distributed IT department. Prior to, Mr. Latysh held a position of Vice President of Information Technology at MedReleaf, where he owned company enterprise road map and was building and managing IT department in the fast growing company. Earlier, Mr. Latysh held a position of the Director of Technology at Sapient Nitro, a leading technology, marketing and insights consultancy. At Sapient-Nitro, Mr. Latysh acted as a delivery lead for e-commerce implementations for some of North America’s most well-known retail brands. This experience has provided Mr. Latysh with a deep understanding of governance of a successful IT. Throughout his career, Mr. Latysh has also effectively managed and led software development initiatives. Mr. Latysh holds an MA in Electronics Engineering and Computer Programming.

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Jasmin Brar 
CPA, CMA, MBA 

Hive Advisor

Visionary leader with an ability to help clients think outside of the box and provide innovative solutions. Jasmin has worked in a variety of capacities in her career such as project Management, strategy Development, process improvement, finance and accounting. She likes to work directly with clients to provide them advice and allow them to meet their objectives. Jasmin graduated from the Schulich School of Business where she received a degree in Bachelor of Business Administration (Distinction), Specialization in Finance. Subsequently, she worked to receive her CPA, CMA designation. Jasmin is also currently completing her MBA at Schulich School of Business specializing in Strategy and Finance. In her free time Jasmin likes to volunteer and spend time in the community.  

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Javier Lizarralde

Hive Advisor

Javier is a multi-disciplined and versatile consultant with more than 10 years of experience leading and executing a wide variety of projects in the areas of information technology, process improvement, business consulting, governance, risk management and compliance for a diversity of industries in the Latin America Region. Mr. Lizarralde has led internal controls over financial reporting (e.g., NI 52109, Sarbanes-Oxley, etc.) certification projects as an internal and external auditor for companies of Mining, Oil & Gas and Telecommunication industries located in Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia and Mexico. In addition, he had conducted projects of design, implementation and evaluation of effectiveness of internal control frameworks for processes related to the IT area and for different business processes. Mr. Lizarralde has also executed strategic and high impact business consulting projects related to IT and business processes, for the national telecommunications company of Cuba. Mr. Lizarralde has a bachelor’s degree in Information System from the University of Economic Sciences of Buenos Aires.

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Juan Jose Reategui
CPA, CISA, CIA

Hive Advisor & Hive Quality Reviewer

Juan Jose is a consummate professional with an extensive career portfolio showcasing outstanding expertise and experience in financial and operational internal audits, risk management and compliance programs. Astute and analytical problem solver, Juan Jose is also an engaging collaborator who strives to deliver audit services that enhance company performance by increasing confidence in cutting-edge systems of control, navigating ambiguity and dramatically reducing uncertainty in meeting strategic objectives. Juan Jose brings over 20 years of mining experience, including his tenure at Barrick Gold Corporation, where he spearheaded the Internal Audit function for Latin America and Asia Pacific, led the global ICFR assessment program to meet SOX and NI 52-109 requirements; and supported the development and implementation of the company’s Enterprise Risk Management under COSO and ISO 31000 frameworks. Juan Jose obtained a bachelor of Systems Engineering from the Peruvian University of Applied Sciences (UPC), Peru. He is a Chartered Professional Accountant from CPA Ontario, a Certified Information Systems Auditor from ISACA and a Certified Internal Auditor from the Institute of Internal Auditors.

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Julieta Viteri
COSO, ISO 3100

Hive Advisor

Julieta is an accomplished quality-driven consultant with over 18 years of international experience in risk management and transformative change in diverse industries. Throughout her career, Julieta has demonstrated a keen understanding of organizational processes, leveraging her expertise to enhance efficiency while maintaining stringent controls. Julieta offers extensive knowledge in designing, coordinating, and executing internal audits, conducting in-depth analyses of processes, risks, and key controls, spearheading transformation and process improvement initiatives, project management; leading SOX 404 consulting projects; and implementing Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) programs. Julieta is the owner and founder of a consulting company established in Colombia and previously she held a managerial position with EY (multinational audit firm) and was the Audit Director for two multinational insurance companies. Julieta's project portfolio spans the United States, Colombia, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Guatemala, Panama, Brasil, and Pakistan. Her projects have been on Gold Mining, Hospitality, Construction, Insurance, Airlines, Cosmetics, Education, Government, and Trade industries. Educationally, Julieta holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Engineering from the Catholic University of Colombia, is a Specialist in Assurance and Internal Controls from the Colombian university Pontificia Universidad Javeriana (PUJ), is certified in Internal Controls (issued by COSO), and certified in ISO 31000 Risk Manager (PECB).

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Laura Aceves
CPA, CGA, EMBA

Hive Advisor

Laura is an accomplished financial professional with 15+ years of international and national experience, who has successfully planned, controlled and reported business performance and provided the financial perspective for operating decision, with a talent for creating more effective business processes through continuous process improvements. She is a hands-on professional with strong technical and analytical skills, in-depth knowledge of ERP systems, GAAP, IFRS, and a proven ability to develop and motivate financial teams to support overall business’ strategies.  Laura is fully bilingual (English, Spanish).  Laura’s background and hands on business experience on a wide range of industries allows her to liaise easily between business compliance requirements and business needs.  Laura possesses a Certified Public Accountant designation from the Certified General Accountant of Ontario; an Executive Masters Degree of Business Administration from the University of Fredericton, School of Business; a Bachelors degree from The National Autonomous University of Mexico, and a Certified Public Accountant designation from the Mexican Institute of Certified Public Accountants

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Liliya Valihun
IT, Big Data Analytics

Senior Business Development Advisor and Consultant

Liliya is employee- and customer-centric, passionate about social enterprises and giving back culture. Liliya founded NGO, IT Academy for Graduate Orphans in Ukraine, as well as HebronSoft, software company with multi-disciplinary teams which combine business expertise with practical and user-friendly design, high-level engineering and experience using modern frameworks and tools to optimize business processes. Liliya’s experience living and working with various startups in Silicon Valley, California, brings thoughtfulness, creativity and respect to client’s needs. BA in international relations from Ivan Franco Lviv National University, Ukraine; MA in applied linguistics from Penn State University, USA. Big Data Analytics certified.

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Luis H. Souza
CIA, CPA, CMA

Hive Advisor

Luis H. Souza is an experienced chartered professional accountant and certified internal auditor specializing in audit, risk, and compliance. Passionate about driving organizational excellence, Luis has led cultural transformations, revamped methodologies, and conducted audit and compliance projects across diverse areas such as finance, supply chain, operations, information technology, capital projects, treasury, privacy and confidentiality, and investigations. Leveraging automation tools, data analytics, and advanced technologies, he consistently enhances the efficiency and effectiveness of the projects he participates in or leads. Fluent in Spanish and Portuguese, and with an extensive global experience spanning Canada, the United States, Brazil, Mexico, Australia, South Africa, and other relevant countries, Luis’s expertise extends across multiple industries, including mining, manufacturing, banking, pharmaceuticals, and utilities. Skilled at navigating all levels of the organization, Luis forges strong work partnerships with business units, executives, and senior leadership. Luis' focus lies in restructuring, developing, and running transformative internal audit, internal control over financial reporting, and regulatory compliance programs and projects, deploying a modern risk-based approach coupled with a business partnership mindset.

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Martin Reid
mBA

Hive Advisor

Mr. Reid brings more than 25 years of experience in finance, treasury, and risk & insurance management, largely in the mining industry.  He has demonstrated technical, negotiation, and business analytics skills and has successfully raised billions of capital through equity offerings, bank debt, as well as public market debt in Canada and the United States.  He has also led a complex and global insurance program, which included the negotiation of large property and business interruption claims worth more than $100 million.  Mr. Reid was most recently Assistant Treasurer with Kinross Gold where he spent 12 years in Treasury, establishing structure, processes, and a high-performing team.  He also worked at Luna Gold, Barrick Gold and Placer Dome where he was responsible for various areas of financial and risk management activities.  In addition to the mining industry, he brings experience from the banking industry, spending time with BMO Financial Group and VanCity Credit Union where he managed interest rate risk.  Mr. Reid holds an MBA from Simon Fraser University (BC) and a Bachelor of Mathematics from the University of Montreal (Qc).

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Matthew McGuire  
MAcc, CPA, CA, CFF, DIFA, CAMS, AMLP

Hive Advisor & Quality Reviewer

Matt is an internationaly recognized expert in anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing. He has been assisting financial institutions to assess and reduce financial crime and related regulatory risks for fifteen years. He has served as an advisor to Canadian and foreign governments on development of their laws and financial intelligence functions, and a consultant to the UN office on Drugs and Crime. Matt's current projects involve leading large-scale regulator-ordered KYC remediation exercises at global investment banks; allignment of FINTECH initiatives with Canada's new AML legislation for large banks; and forensic  investigatory work. Matt serve for five years as a member of the Department of Finance Private/Public Advisory Committee on AML/ATF and Chair of the AML Committee of CPA Canada. In addition, Matt was the leader of the National Anti-Money Laundering Practice and Ontario Region Investigative and Forensic Services Group at MNP LLP. He has been qualified by the Ontario Superior Court of Justice as an expert witness in forensic accounting and money laundering; has testified before both the Senate committees and the House of Commons Parliamentary Committee (i.e., money laundering/terrorist financing).

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Malika Arora
CPA, CA

Hive Advisor

Malika Arora is transformational finance and accounting leader with over sixteen years of experience, inclusive of over eight years within the mining sector, financial reporting, finance/accounting systems implementations, development of internal controls, as well as the establishment of policies and procedures. She has successfully implemented business process improvements delivering quality results that have a proven impact on increasing bottom-line performance. She possesses a well-earned reputation for dynamic organizational leadership skills, in addition to a keen dedication to excellence and attention to detail. She is an internationally trained professional with expertise in the fields of financial reporting throughout multiple jurisdictions.

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Manisha Khatri
CPA, CGA

Hive Advisor

Manisha is a thoughtful consultant and accountant whose experience lends to sixteen (16) years of leadership and expertise for a number of industries ranging from mining, renewable energy technologies to professional service entities. Her expertise in financial reporting and accounting includes financial statement preparation; monthly and year end close procedures; inter-company fund accounting; financial planning, forecasting, budgeting; as well as event analysis. She also possesses expertise in handling accounting systems and implementing new ERP systems. She is passionate about working on special projects for process improvement, development and documentation of accounting policies and procedures, as well as developing strategies to improve efficiency. Manisha has completed a Bachelors of Commerce in Advanced Accounting and Auditing as well as a Master of Commerce in Cost Accounting and Industrial Management from South Gujarat University of India, in addition to an Advance Diploma in Business Administration Accounting from the Sheridan Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning with high honors.

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Mark Thorpe
M.Sc., Ph.D

Hive Advisor & Hive Quality Reviewer

Mark is an ESG guru who has over 30 years working in ESG in the mining business in roles ranging from Environmental Technical (at the start), to General Manager and CEO. After growing up in a coal mining town in England, Mark emigrated to Canada to complete his PhD in miner land rehabilitation. From there Mark started a journey living on four continents and working in over 40 countries. More specifically, Mark has successfully led 14 resettlements, obtained seven environmental approvals in 5 years in Mexico, and completed a full environmental impact assessment document within 10 months under full COVID-19 restrictions. In community work, Mark was the first person to apply behavioural economics to community development agreements and also developed an economic ecosystem model to move mining operations out of the center of the economic development wheel. Bilingual in English and Spanish, Mark is at home at all levels from negotiating at the level of minster to guiding the implementation of safety programs in the processing plant with the operations team. Mark is also currently the Chair of the Board of the Canada Mining Innovation Council where he worked with the CEO to lead transformational change allowing the commercialization of new technology. 

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Michelle Harvey
CPA, CMA

Hive Advisor & Hive Quality Reviewer

Michelle is a financial modelling and accounting professional with over 15 years of experience dedicated to assist organizations achieve their financial goals. Michelle has lead and executed on a multitude of projects for a wide variety of companies within the natural resources, manufacturing, consumer package goods (CPD) and technology sectors. Michelle possesses strong competencies in mergers and acquisitions; financial analysis and reporting; ERP and IT system; as well as detailed financial forecasting and budget management. Her work experienes include senior positions at some of Canada’s largest CPG and technology companies, as well as a top tiered accounting and consulting firm. Michelle possesses an honors bachelors degree from Wilfrid Laurier University and is a Certified Professional Accountant.

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Milane Segal
MBA

Hive Advisor

Milane is a senior strategy leader with more than 20 years’ experience in Financial Services.  She specializes in solving complex problems and building solutions tailored to client needs.  Milane has held multiple strategic leadership roles, including the end-to-end management of the High Net Worth business for Life and Health at RBC Insurance. In this role, she led a large and complex P&L as well as projects with multi-million dollar impact.  She is astute in her understanding of client and partner needs, with demonstrated success as the relationship manager to key external partners.  Milane has held positions in product management and actuarial, and has experience leading a credit facility as well as universal life, annuities, and travel insurance products.  She holds a BSc. in Actuarial Mathematics from Concordia University and an Executive MBA from Rotman School of Management.  In conjunction with her role as a Hive Advisor, Milane is a freelance Management Consultant for small businesses. She is driven by the desire to meet clients' unique needs.  In addition to her entrepreneurial projects, Milane volunteers her time as a business mentor at an incubator for startups within the University of Toronto. 

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Nicole Guilmette
CPA, CA, CPA (Illinois)

Hive Advisor

With over 15 years of experience in auditing, taxation and accounting, Nicole has provided services to a wide range of public and private enterprises.  She has managed companies transition to IFRS, led teams through their audits and advised companies through complex accounting matters.  She has consulted with companies in completing reverse takeover and initial public offering transactions.  Nicole has worked with many foreign subsidiaries around the world including Africa, Australia, Europe and South America.  Since 2018, Nicole has been a practice inspector for CPA Ontario where she reviews the work of other accounting firms to ensure they adhere to professional standards.  Nicole obtained her Masters of Accounting and Bachelor of Arts, Accountancy Studies from the University of Waterloo and holds a CPA, CA and CPA (Illinois).

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Olivier Heurzeau
CIA

Hive Advisor

Olivier is a risk management, internal audit and control professional with over 17 years of experience for both consulting and industry/services firms. Olivier has a mix of industry and firm experience working with some of the world’s Top Tiered Consulting firms including Ernst & Young and Deloitte Risk Advisory. He has conducted numerous assignments related to internal control framework and testing, risk mapping, Internal Audit assignments and Internal Audit department assessments for big Companies in France such as Orange, Danone, Disney Land Paris, Publicis. Olivier’s industiry experience includes working for Alcan, travelling worldwide, on financial and operational audits. As well, for the past 5 years Olivier was enterprise risks director for Ingenico Group: a global leader in in-store, online and mobile payments operating worldwide. He was in charge of driving development and implementation of Group risk strategy, in strong coordination with managing directors from 40 subsidiaries and Heads of corporate functions; providing robust and consistent methods for risk identification, assessment and documentation; challenging and monitoring action plans in close relationship with operations and business units; ensuring a high level of compliance with regulatory requirements; reporting to group executive committee and Group Audit Committee quarterly and reviewing all aspects of risk, internal control and internal audit during due diligence acquisition process. Olivier has Master in Management from NEOMA Business School in France (One of the top 10 French business schools), a Master's Degree in management control, accounting and financial managementand is a Certified Internal Auditor.

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Peter Ritchie
CPA CA, CBV

Hive Advisor

Peter is an accomplished strategic finance leader with over 20 years of experience focused on the design and execution of pragmatic business solutions that add shareholder value. He has deep experience in business strategy, financial modelling, corporate governance, performance analytics, financial and regulatory reporting, enterprise risk management, acquisitions and financings.  Peter is a strong communicator with a proven ability to communicate effectively with people at all levels of the organization.  Peter recently worked with the CEO of a leading London based pharmacy operator with acquisition financing, including extensive modelling on acquisition targets.  He also recently worked with the CEO of a cannabis distribution business to develop a comprehensive financial model that was used for both financing and operational planning.  Peter was the CFO and CRO of Tracker Networks, an enterprise risk management software company. Prior to that, he was CFO in Citigroup’s Canadian consumer finance businesses in which he had responsibilities related to business strategy, corporate governance, financial and regulatory reporting, enterprise risk management, financing and acquisitions.  He was also the Treasurer in an electricity generation income fund in which he managed key financial models and played a key role in $150 million in acquisitions. He spent the early part of his career working in the Corporate Finance practices of Deloitte and PricewaterhouseCoopers in which he led approximately $500 million in acquisition and financing transactions.

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Phares Sekalala   
CFE, CISA, CPA

Hive Advisor

Phares is a Security and Risk Assurance Consultant with a solid background in financial controls and audit with a steady growth into InfoSec assurance spanning over 20 years.  Phares has deep knowledge and experience around Cyber Security, PCI-DSS, Systems Process Assurance (SPA), Internal Audits as well as Controls with extensive years of consulting experience  covering areas of Financial Auditing, Internal Controls, Basel, SOX/Bill 198, ISO, HIPPA compliance work, Process Re-Engineering and Forensic Accounting expertise acquired internationally from Public practice and a series of large multi-national corporate engagements.

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Raj Dhillon
PMP, CISA

Hive Advisor

Raj is experienced IT audit and compliance leader with 20+ years of experience in IT audit, IT compliance, and governance roles. An innovative team leader skilled in managing process improvement projects, identifying compliance issues and helping clients better leverage their finance systems. Partners with leadership teams and collaborates effectively across organizations. Adept at understanding complex governance and compliance requirements such as SOX, Bill 198 and IFRS and leading the required change management efforts to meet them.  Experienced in conducting IT audit procedures for SOC2 engagements, internal audit design assessments, and external audit support projects.

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Randy Margalith
CFA, CPA, CA

Hive Advisor

An entrepreneurial and multi-disciplined finance executive with over 10 years in experience the manufacturing, distribution and technology sectors. As CFO of a Medical Device Company, Randy validated and managed strategic projects, overseeing the company’s growth by more than twofold. The business was sold to a multinational backed by Investors AB Group. He enjoys leveraging his entrepreneurial experiences to advise clients on matters of corporate finance, financial reporting, budgeting and working capital management. Notable recent mandates (i) IFRS 16 adoption for Dorel Industries, (ii) post acquisition integration for a leading venture backed mattress distributor, Kingsdown, (iii) fundraising for sports betting algorithm company. On his personal time, Randy runs a project management app to assist home improvement pros with their daily business tasks.

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Rob Harding
CPA, CMA, ICD.D

Hive Advisor

Rob is a highly accomplished executive with over 30 years of executive and management experience across markets including life sciences, ESG, oil and gas exploration and production, engineering/procurement/construction, and bulk highway transportation. His expertise includes M&A, capital markets, financial planning and analysis, risk management, internal controls, systems selection and implementation, and leading teams in small startups and high growth through to large complex entities. Rob was the CFO for ZYUS Life Sciences in Saskatoon (where he led preparation for a TSX-V listing and finance/IT back-office for commencement of sales), CFO for Radicle Group Inc. (where he helped lead creation of a $40M “green fund” and prepare the company for eventual sale to BMO Capital Markets), CFO for Athabasca Oil Corporation (where he helped lead over $2B of debt and equity financings including a $1.3B IPO), and prior thereto other executive and senior finance roles with Total E&P Canada, Sherritt, Ras Laffan LNG, Fluor, and Trimac. Rob has served on various not-for-profit boards and committees including currently serving as a Board Member and Chair of the Finance and Audit Committee for Canadian Mental Health Association – Calgary Region. He is a Chartered Professional Accountant and holds a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Manchester as well as the ICD.D designation from the Institute of Corporate Directors/Rotman School of Business.

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Robert Romeo
CPA, CA

Hive Advisor

Rob is an accomplished finance professional with nearly a decade of experience in Accounting, Tax, and Valuations. He specializes in the real estate industry, having been involved in over $1 billion worth of transactions. Rob currently serves as the Vice President of Accounting & Finance at Clifton Blake Asset Management, a Toronto based real estate asset management firm. During his time at Clifton Blake, Rob has built out the entire reporting, FP&A, and internal control framework for the firm, while also implementing multiple systems to streamline investor reporting. Prior to his tenure at Clifton Blake, Rob held management positions at both Slate Asset Management and Deloitte LLP, where he earned his Chartered Accountancy designation. Rob holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from the Schulich School of Business.

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Rupy Dhadwar
CPA, CA

Hive Advisor & Hive Quality Reviewer

A strategic Chartered Professional Accountant with over eight years of experience in senior management roles within the mining industry. Mr. Dhadwar served as the Chief Financial Officer of Excellon Resources Inc., a junior mining silver company with multiple operations in Mexico from 2012 to 2019. During this tenure, Mr. Dhadwar help raise a total of $30 million of financings through a combination of convertible debt, royalty issuances, and public and private equity placements. Mr. Dhadwar started his career as an auditor at MacGillivray Partners before joining the mining industry where he gained considerable experience in budgeting, financial modeling and forecasting, financial analysis & reporting, and regulatory compliance. His hands-on approach leadership style as CFO was instrumental in transforming how financial and non-financial data was used to assess operational performance and enhance operational decisions.  Mr. Dhadwar brings considerable first-hand experience in metal accounting and reconciliation in the mining value chain and how to implement internal controls and procedures from a risk-management perspective and also to maximize shareholders' return. While CFO, he managed and executed annual concentrate sales strategies under different market conditions and how to implement effective price and currency hedging strategies. At the same time, he also performed logistic management for coordination and transportation of ore and concentrate sales from mine to the final destination.

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Stephen Peters
CPA, CGA

Hive Advisor

Stephen is a driven and versatile Financial Professional (CPA-CGA) with a track record of delivering practical and financially astute solutions to a wide range of financial and operational issues utilizing a solid mix of strategic and hands-on problem solving styles. Stephen brings significant experience in the Canadian banking sector in both domestic and foreign based banks with prior experience in both the technology and manufacturing spaces. 

As CFO of a foreign bank’s operations in Canada, Stephen has extensive experience in financial matters including reporting, planning, forecasting, strategic decision making, new business entity creation, integrations and finance transformations. After a strategic decision was made for the Global Bank to exit Canada, Stephen became Principal Officer and led the project to successfully close the Canadian operations ensuring compliance with appropriate regulatory and legal requirements. Stephen has a passion for creating value through the identification of the key drivers of a business and developing and putting into production appropriate and simplified reporting through the creation of dashboards and scorecards that allow business management to focus on the key issues. Stephen also holds certifications for the Partners, Directors and Officers exam, Chief Financial Officers Qualifying exam and Chief Compliance Officer qualifying exam from the Canadian Securities Institute. 

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Susan Diano
CPA, CA

Hive Advisor

As a finance leader with over 18 years of experience helping clients achieve business outcomes by transforming organizations through design and implementation of innovative solutions, enabling technologies and process optimisation, Susan has been serving clients across industries with responsibility for the delivery of strategy an operations, financial management and technology implementation projects both in Canada and globally (U.S., Japan, South Korea). A trusted team-builder and change manager focused on coaching high performing teams and managing corporate functions focused on delivering quality and an exceptional client experience, Susan has focused on delivering estimated returns on investment, applying both depth and breadth of experience to a variety of business problems, cultures and industries. Susan was most recently Finance Director for the consulting practice at Ernst & Young, a professional services firm from 2017 to 2020. Working directly with the practice managing partner, Susan was a member of the consulting leadership team responsible for providing strategic insights, analysis, reporting and planning for the practice. She was also a member of deal oversight, assisting teams in developing pricing and reviewing pricing prior to client submission. Prior to this role Susan worked as a management consultant at both Ernst & Young (2009 to 2017) and Deloitte Consulting (1998 to 2006) focused on finance and business transformation, including target operating model develop, systems implementation, continuous improvement. In between these two roles, Susan joined RBC in their internal consulting practice, focused on process improvement across various functions within the bank including insurance, AML, and Finance. and Susan obtained a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Toronto and was admitted to the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ontario (now CPA Ontario).

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Teresa Van Berkum-Kiu
CPA, CGA, FCCA, CRMA, CIA, CISA

Hive Advisor

Teresa is a Governance, Risk and Compliance Executive with 25+ years of work experience in Big 4 firms, private-equity-owned & publicly-traded companies, across diverse industries (media & entertainment, food & beverage, oil & gas, power, retail, manufacturing). She has lived and work in Canada, the Netherlands, Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong. Teresa’s expertise is in building best- in-class bespoke IA departments, ERM and SOX/C- SOX Compliance programs. An advocate of good corporate governance, including commitment to ESG principles, she works closely with Board, Legal, IT, Executives, management and stakeholders to ensure these programs drive cultural change, support sustainable long-term value creation and stay ahead of evolving regulatory requirements. A seasoned Project Manager with a natural flair for technology and delicate change management, Teresa excels in the execution of complex audits and remediation of myriad high-risk deficiencies that range from supporting finance/business transformations, implementing entity level processes and redesigning business process controls and ITGCs. Respected People Leader known for building high calibre and cohesive teams.

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Tomas Sipos
Eng. MBA

Hive Advisor

As a senior executive, Mr. Sipos brings 30 years of international finance and corporate development experience to the HIVE Advisor network. Recent roles include CFO for a private North American cannabis company and Vice President Corporate Development for TSX listed mining companies operating in Africa (Banro in DRC from 2011-2015 and Teranga Gold in Senegal/Burkina Faso from 2015-2017). Assignments included implementation of Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) systems, raising equity (including seed capital) and debt in the capital markets, IPO/RTO transactions and the acquisition of Gryphon Minerals in Burkina Faso. From 2007-2009, Mr. Sipos was Senior Investment Officer for the International Finance Corporation (World Bank Group) out of Washington DC where he successfully restructured and privatized the Albanian national electricity utility. Previous corporate finance roles included Vice President at Ernst & Young Corporate Finance in Toronto and Assistant Vice President Australia and New Zealand Bank in New York City. Assignments included M&A, strategic review/restructuring and corporate debt transactions. He is currently on the Board of Directors of a publicly listed healthtech company and actively involved in early-stage equity. Mr. Sipos obtained a B.Sc. in Chemical Engineering (with Honours) from Queen’s University in 1985 and an MBA (Finance Major) from the University of Toronto, Rotman School of Management in 1988.

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