SciVest brings together both science and investing – in our name and in our portfolio management.
SciVest is a fast-growing, London Ontario based investment manager and financial technology (“FinTech”) company founded by a Western University PhD in Finance, and Professor of Portfolio Management and Investments, Dr. John Schmitz.
Scivest's mission is to deliver efficient, technology-enabled, investment management solutions and services directly to the Canadian mass market, across a wide range of diversified, superior quality investment strategies, at a client cost-structure that is amongst the lowest in Canada.
John J. Schmitz, PhD, CFA
Portfolio Manager, CEO
John has been a senior executive professionally managing global equity investment portfolios for over 25 years, and prior to that he acted as a consultant to investment management firms and funds. John specializes in portfolio management of global equities and equity derivatives leveraging both advanced quantitative and traditional fundamental methods. He is also considered an expert in asset allocation and portfolio formation.
John is currently an adjunct Associate Professor (parttime) of Portfolio Management teaching in the MBA and MFE graduate programs at Western University, and for years he was an adjunct Professor of Investments at the Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto. John holds a BESc (Mech Eng), a BA (Econ), a DHS (Econ) and a PhD (Finance) from Western University, a MA (Econ) from the University of Toronto. He also holds the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation.
Carolyn Schmitz, CIM, CFP
Wealth Advisor, Client Relationship Manager
With over 25 years of experience in the financial advisory industry, Carolyn has established a respected career in investment advice, wealth management, and financial consulting.
Carolyn holds both the Chartered Investment Manager (CIM) and Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designations, demonstrating her commitment to professional excellence. A native of London, Ontario, she earned an undergraduate degree in finance from Western University, followed by an Honours Commerce degree (BComm) from the University of Windsor.
As a Key member of the SciVest Team, Carolyn applies her extensive experience to managing client accounts, and also serves as the first point contact for new clients. She is dedicated to a client-first approach, ensuring tailored financial strategies that align with individual's goals.
Sahil is a candidate for the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation, driven by a profound interest in financial markets. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration as well as an MBA, both specializing in Finance from Brock University, where he developed a solid foundation in financial principles and practices. Sahil is involved in the day-to-day operational tasks that keep financial operations running smoothly. His responsibilities include monitoring market developments, preparing detailed reports and working on various marketing initiatives.
Sana Irshad, BSc, MFE
Associate Investment and Portfolio Analyst
Sana holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Economics and Finance from the University of Nottingham, UK, and a Master’s in Financial Economics from Western University. With a strong interest in investment research, management, and portfolio analysis, she applies her skills to creating and streamlining financial research at SciVest. She also works with in-house quantitative techniques to optimize portfolio asset allocation and enhance investment decision-making.
Daniel Hart
Advisory Board Member
Daniel Hart is the co-founder and principal consultant at EV Angels, where he leverages his entrepreneurial experience in the start-up community to help founders scale their businesses in the Canadian market. Known for his strategic vision and expertise in scaling companies, Daniel has led organizations through periods of rapid growth and transformation, positioning them as industry leaders in competitive markets.
He holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Software Engineering from Western University, which laid the foundation for his career in technology and innovation. As the former CEO of Masterkey and founder of Airlist, two pioneering real estate software companies based in Dubai, he played a key role in redefining the digital landscape for the real estate industry across the Middle East.
Brad Farquhar
Advisory Board Member
Brad Farquhar is an experienced senior corporate executive and director of several publicly traded companies, serving on numerous board committees. He is the co-founder, director, CFO, and Executive Vice President of Security Services Corp. (TSXV: SSC) which employs over 3,000 people and provides physical, cyber and electronic security services across Canada. In addition to his senior corporate and board experience, Brad is also a trained financial planner, thereby bringing a unique collection of skills and experiences to SciVest. He received a Master of Public Administration degree in Electoral Governance from Griffith University in Australia, studied political science at Carleton University, and completed a BA in Liberal Arts at Providence College.
Geoff Wagget, CPA
Advisory Board Member
Geoff Wagget is a Chartered Professional Accountant with more than 20 years of experience in financial management, corporate governance, and operational leadership. He has extensive experience overseeing financial reporting, budgeting and forecasting, capital management, and the design and implementation of internal controls and financial systems. Throughout his career, Geoff has supported organizations through periods of growth, capital financing, and strategic transactions. His experience includes managing banking and lender relationships, developing financial reporting frameworks for senior management and boards of directors, and implementing enterprise systems to improve financial oversight and operational efficiency. Geoff has worked with organizations operating in technology, SaaS, and international business environments, where he has been responsible for financial governance, risk management, and regulatory compliance. He holds a CPA designation and a Bachelor of Arts in Statistics from Western University.
