Meet the Viewpoint team

Dedicated to your success

Portfolio management, quantitative finance, data science, mathematics, and engineering — one team, fully aligned with our investors.

Founders

Mac Van Wielingen

Chairman

Mac is an investment management executive, corporate director, entrepreneur and philanthropist. He is founder and Chairman of Viewpoint Group, a private family-owned company, as well as Chairman of Viewpoint Investment Partners Corporation (VIP) and President of Viewpoint Foundation, a private charitable foundation. He is also a founder and director of ARC Financial Corp., a founder and former Chair of ARC Resources Ltd, and a former Chairman of Alberta Investment Management Corporation.

In addition, Mac is past director of numerous other companies within the energy sector and is active in various capacities in the community and the not-for-profit sector. He is a co-founder and Chair of the Business Council of Alberta (BCA), created for the purpose of “making life better” for Albertans and all Canadians. He is an Honours’ graduate of the Ivey School of Business in finance and has also studied post graduate economics at Harvard University.

To learn more about Mac, visit his website at www.macvw.ca.

Rob Van Wielingen, CFA

President & CEO, Portfolio Manager

Rob has extensive experience in the portfolio management, real estate, and technology sectors. He has been with Viewpoint since 2010, and has managed multi-asset, real estate, venture, energy, and public market portfolios throughout his career. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce with Distinction from the University of Victoria and is a CFA Charterholder and a registered Portfolio Manager.

Rob is passionate about the role of good governance, alignment, and transparency in the investment business, and he has deep knowledge of real estate, quant finance, behavioural finance, and financial markets.

As a born and raised Calgarian, Rob sits on various investee companies and non-profit boards. In his spare time, Rob enjoys a variety of sports, spending time with his wife Cat, and chasing their kids around various rinks and soccer pitches throughout the city.

Investment Management, Research & Data Science

Scott Smith, CFA

Chief Investment Officer & Portfolio Manager

Scott is the Chief Investment Officer at Viewpoint Investment Partners. He is responsible for providing strategic leadership to the investment and research team as part of the development and implementation of Viewpoint’s quantitative research into executable investment strategies. Through the publishing of innovative, high-quality research and commentary, Scott builds and maintains strong relationships with clients, institutional investors, and other key partners to help develop the Viewpoint brand.

He is passionate about macroeconomics, financial markets, and how quantitative approaches can be used to combat behavioural biases. With deep expertise in global financial markets, Scott is a contributor to news and media outlets such as Reuters, Bloomberg, the Wall Street Journal and BNN. Scott is a CFA Charterholder and a registered Portfolio Manager.

Amin Haji, CFA

Senior Vice-President, Investment Research, & Portfolio Manager

Amin is responsible for combining fundamental investment principles with quantitative methods to develop and improve Viewpoint’s systematic investment strategies. His roles include directing Viewpoint’s investment process, identifying new opportunities for innovation and improvement, and applying a risk-centric, holistic approach to portfolio management. Amin is passionate about transparency and alignment in capital markets and takes pride in moving conceptual ideas and robust research into actionable portfolios for Viewpoint’s investors.

Amin has been part of the Viewpoint team since 2016 and has gained experience in a variety of roles within the organization. He graduated from the Haskayne School of Business with a Bachelor of Commerce majoring in Finance. Amin is also a CFA Charterholder and a registered Portfolio Manager. During his time in university, he gained experience in investment analysis and portfolio management as a member of the Calgary Portfolio Management Trust (CPMT).

Amin is a born and raised Calgarian and has many areas of interest including personal finance, exercise science and nutrition, and behavioural psychology. He hopes to travel the world and experience all that its different cultures have to offer – especially through sport and cuisine.

Ben Reeves, CIM, CMT

Senior Vice-President, Data Science & Engineering

Ben Reeves leads the integration of software engineering, data science, and technology to drive innovation and efficiency across Viewpoint’s business units. Since joining Viewpoint in 2017 as the technical lead, Ben and his team have grown Viewpoint into a cloud-native, fully integrated quantitative investment manager. Ben honed his quantitative and cloud engineering practice in the energy-tech sector working with mission-critical big data SCADA systems. He brings his specialization in merging modern software practices with advancements in AI technologies to Viewpoint with the goal of making institutional-calibre quantitative portfolio management scalable and widely available.

Ben is committed to making Calgary a Canadian leader in the high-tech sector. To that end, he acts as one of the Founding Directors and Chair of the Board at the YYC Data Society and sits on the board of the Venture Capital Association of Alberta. Through his various roles he merges entrepreneurship, direct investment, and community building to empower the Calgary ecosystem.

Chris Derewonko

Trader

Chris Derewonko is a Trader at Viewpoint, responsible for executing the firm’s equity strategies across North American and international markets. He brings more than a decade of institutional buy-side trading experience, with a focus on achieving best execution in complex liquidity environments while supporting portfolio construction and rebalancing. Chris works closely with our portfolio managers and research team, pairing market insight with data-driven execution to translate investment decisions into efficiently implemented portfolios.

Before joining Viewpoint, Chris spent more than a decade as a senior equity trader with leading global asset managers — most recently as a Director and Senior Trader at ClearBridge Investments, and prior to that at Franklin Templeton Investments — executing and managing global equity exposures on behalf of institutional portfolios. Earlier in his career he held trading and research roles at Adroit Investment Management, the Alberta Investment Management Corporation (AIMCo), and ATB Financial. Chris holds a Bachelor of Commerce in Finance from the University of Alberta and has completed Level II of the CFA Program.

Chris calls Calgary home and is happiest in the mountains. A dedicated outdoorsman and avid mountain biker, he spends as much time as he can on the trails of Kananaskis and the Canadian Rockies.

Andrew Sullivan

Staff Software Engineer

Andrew designs and builds the cloud-based data platforms that power the firm’s quantitative strategies. With nearly a decade of experience in the finance and energy sectors, Andrew leverages cutting-edge technologies to transform financial operations and mitigate risk. He is passionate about creating user-friendly interfaces that increase transparency and empower investors. Andrew obtained his degree in Engineering from the University of Calgary and stays active through playing basketball, squash, skiing and cycling. He has traveled extensively around the world but takes pride in calling Calgary home.

Private Wealth

Garry McCulloch, CIM

Founding Partner & Portfolio Manager, Viewpoint Private Wealth

Garry’s investment career began at a leading Canadian financial firm, where he managed portfolios for institutional and not-for-profit sectors, high-net-worth clients, estates and trusts, and First Nations communities. In 2001, he joined an independent investment counseling firm, mentoring under one of Canada’s foremost investment managers, Mr. Ned Goodman. He later transitioned to Richardson Wealth in 2012. Now, as he joins Viewpoint Private Wealth in 2025, Garry brings over 30 years of experience, combining deep technical expertise with a passion for helping clients build, preserve, and protect their wealth.

Garry is committed to providing highly personalized service to a select number of clients, fostering genuine, long-term relationships while ensuring investment decisions are meticulously researched and thoughtfully executed. His extensive experience includes advising management boards, executives, entrepreneurs, and prominent families across Canada. He holds the Chartered Investment Manager (CIM®) designation and is a registered Portfolio Manager.

Beyond his professional career, Garry is actively involved in his community. He serves as Chair of Special Olympics Calgary, Co-Chair of the Sinneave Foundation, and a member of the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) Advisory Group, among other philanthropic endeavors.

Mat Sawin, CFA

Portfolio Manager

Mat brings over 15 years of portfolio management, investment analysis, and entrepreneurial experience to Viewpoint. Mat uses the skills gained from his broad exposure across the finance industry to create investment strategies that assist Viewpoint clients in meeting their long-term investment objectives. He has a passion for creating investment products that are transparent and client focused.

Mat spent much of his career in New York working as an Investment Analyst and Portfolio Manager, before moving back to Canada in 2018. Mat’s deep knowledge of financial markets spanning from securities analysis to asset allocation shapes the strategic direction of our VPW division. He holds a BBA in Finance from the Tippie College of Business, is a CFA Charterholder, and is a registered Portfolio Manager.

Born in Edmonton and a graduate of the University of Iowa, where he was a member of the collegiate tennis team, Mat embodies a unique blend of tenacity and strategic thinking. Away from the world of finance, Mat finds joy in playing golf and cherishing moments with his growing family.

Brenden Soley, CFA

Partner & Portfolio Manager, Viewpoint Private Wealth

Brenden joined Viewpoint Private Wealth in 2025, bringing a strong background in investment management and a passion for delivering institutional-calibre investment strategies to clients of all backgrounds.

His investment career began with internships as a research analyst for a private family office and a boutique investment counseling firm. He later held positions as a Portfolio Manager and Investment Advisor at McCulloch & Partners Wealth Counsel and as an Associate at Richardson Wealth.

Brenden is committed to building long-term relationships with his clients, ensuring they have access to high-quality investment solutions tailored to their unique financial goals. He earned the Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA®) designation in February 2017, is a registered Portfolio Manager, and is an active member of the Calgary CFA Society.

A graduate of the University of Western Ontario (May 2011), Brenden has a lifelong passion for sports. He played competitive hockey from a young age, was drafted to the Sudbury Wolves of the Ontario Hockey League in 2005, and spent several years playing Junior A hockey in Ontario before pursuing his university education.

Vanessa Stack

Executive Assistant & Financial Administrator

Vanessa is a seasoned professional with extensive experience in executive support and office management. Currently, she serves as the Executive Assistant and Financial Administrator at Viewpoint Investment Partners, where she provides administrative support to Portfolio Manager Mathew Sawin. Vanessa joined Viewpoint in 2025 and brings 16 years of administrative excellence to the team.

Vanessa holds a Bachelor of Business Administration Degree in Marketing, which she earned from the NAIT JR Shaw School of Business in Edmonton, Alberta. Her academic achievements have equipped her with a strong foundation in marketing and business administration, which she has effectively applied throughout her career.

Native to Edmonton, Alberta, Vanessa enjoys participating in the city’s various activities. She also loves traveling with her young family, whether it’s for ski trips or to sunnier destinations.

Rosa Golanowski

Executive Assistant

Rosa joined Viewpoint Private Wealth in 2025, bringing with her an extensive background in financial services and a strong dedication to client relationships.

She began her career at TD Bank, holding various positions over 13 years before transitioning to the investment industry. In 2000, she joined Dynamic Mutual Funds as an Assistant to the Regional Manager, supporting a team of three Sales Associates. In 2004, Rosa moved to Dundee Securities Corporation as an Executive Assistant in Energy Investment Banking, where she supported the Energy team until 2012. Demonstrating her ability to adapt and excel in a dynamic environment, she then spent six years providing key support to the Institutional Sales and Research team.

In March 2018, Rosa joined McCulloch & Partners Wealth Counsel, where she further honed her expertise in wealth management operations and client service. In 2025, she made the transition to Viewpoint Private Wealth, where she continues to prioritize exceptional client experiences and long-term relationship building.

Born and raised in Calgary, Rosa is a proud mother of two and a grandmother. She is passionate about yoga and has earned both her 200 HR YTT Certification and a Senior Yoga TT Certification.

Finance, Operations & Compliance

Paula Sexsmith, DMS

Chief Compliance Officer

Paula is responsible for regulatory compliance, derivatives risk management, contributing to corporate governance, and maintaining counterparty relationships. Additionally, Paula aids in oversight of investment operations, portfolio accounting, and reporting.

With over 28 years of investment industry experience, Paula has worked in various roles at three local investment fund managers and spent 15 of those years as a cross-asset trader. In 2016, she directed her strengths to found the Prairie Securities Traders Association where she currently sits as President. To keep members current and ensure the Prairies have a voice at a national level, Paula is a Past-Chair and former Governor on the Board of Directors for the Canadian Security Traders Association (CSTA). In addition, Paula is also a former Governor on the Security Traders Association (USA) Board of Directors. Paula is currently a member of the Alberta Securities Commission’s Market Advisory Committee.

Born and raised in Calgary, when not networking or keeping current on regulations and capital markets, Paula has a broad spectrum of hobbies, from quilting and gardening to cars and sporting clays.

Karen Macdonald, CPA, CA

Director

Karen is the Executive Director of Viewpoint Group and leads the Family Office Services team, which provides a suite of services to the families it serves. As part of this role, she manages the philanthropic strategy for Viewpoint Foundation, a private family foundation, and is a Director of Viewpoint Investment Partners Corporation.

Prior to working with Viewpoint, Karen held financial related positions with private equity, manufacturing and accounting firms. Along with her strong financial acumen, Karen has deep experience in family office management and private company governance. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting from the University of Alberta, is a CPA and a Family Enterprise Advisor.

Karen is a third-generation member of a business family, which led her to become very interested in the interconnectivity of family and business and has an appreciation for the unique dynamics inherent in family enterprises. She sits as a director of several private entities and enjoys being involved in the community. She acts as an advisor and mentor to many young professionals and is most engaged when her guidance enables others to tackle their most pressing challenges.

Karen has worked as a volunteer for many not-for-profit organizations and is currently a director with CAWST (Center for Water and Sanitation Technology), a director of Family Enterprise Canada, a member of the Management Advisory Committee at the University of Calgary Haskayne School of Business and a member of the Canadian Avalanche Foundation Investment Committee. Karen loves the outdoors and enjoys her time skiing, cycling, and hiking with family and friends.

Alida Holt, CPA, CA

Vice President, Finance

Alida joined the Viewpoint team in 2016 after eight years in audit at a big four accounting firm. In 2009, Alida graduated with Distinction from the University of Calgary with both a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Accounting and a Bachelor of Kinesiology degree. In 2012, she attained her Chartered Accountant designation after being named to the National Honour Roll on the 2011 Uniform Final Examination.

Alida was born and raised in Calgary. She is passionate about sports of all kinds and plays competitive soccer. She also spends as much time as possible with her husband and young family.

Malory Church, CPA, CA

Controller

Malory has over 15 years of finance and accounting experience. She is responsible for financial reporting, cash and treasury management, tax compliance and investment-related reporting.

Malory was born and raised in Red Deer, Alberta. She worked at a financial institution for five years before moving to Calgary, where she completed her Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting from the University of Calgary. She attained her Chartered Accountant designation while working as an auditor with PricewaterhouseCoopers. Malory built a strong background in financial reporting, accounting, and treasury, working for a public construction company for nearly eight years before joining Viewpoint.

She loves spending time with her husband, young children, and dog. She also enjoys mountain getaways, hiking, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.

Aleksandra Kulczynska

Financial Accountant

Aleksandra is an accomplished financial accountant with a diverse background and over ten years of experience in accounting. She has worked with clients across a variety of industries, gaining extensive experience in tax planning and returns, financial statement preparation and bookkeeping.

Originally from Poland, Aleksandra has a unique perspective that she has gained from her experiences living abroad. Aleksandra holds a Master’s degree in Marketing and Management from a prestigious university in Poland. After moving to Canada, she pursued her interest in accounting and landed her first job in a chartered accounting firm.

When not working, Aleksandra enjoys spending time outdoors, but her focus is currently on her family, and she finds joy in watching her son grow. Her passion for both her work and personal life is evident in her dedication to achieving company goals while maintaining a healthy work-life balance.

Inez Kwok

Finance & Treasury Analyst

Inez has extensive experience working with major asset management firms and wealth management teams in Canada, the United States and Asia. In her previous role, she worked closely with Compliance and Business Development teams to resolve complex operational issues.

She grew up in Hong Kong, and then lived in California for more than ten years during which time she studied Psychology at the University of California, Berkeley. She has a Master’s degree from the Singapore Management University and Swiss Banking School joint program.

Inez loves travelling and enjoys experimenting with new recipes.

Michelle Ly, CPA

Accounting Manager

Michelle joined the Viewpoint finance team in 2024 after five years of audit, assurance, and tax experience in public accounting. During that time, she worked closely with business owners for their bookkeeping, financial reporting, and tax planning, filing, and compliance needs. She was exposed to a variety of industries including professional corporations and partnerships, commercial real estate, technology start-ups, construction, and non-profits.

Michelle was born and raised in Calgary. She graduated from the University of Calgary with a Bachelor of Science Honours in 2015 and completed the CPA bridging program for accounting in 2018. She passed the Common Final Examination in 2020 and received her Chartered Professional Accountant designation in 2021.

Outside of work, Michelle enjoys reading, baking, cooking, hiking, and traveling.

Jessica Ratushniak, MPP

Communications & Philanthropy Coordinator

Jessica is the Communications & Philanthropy Coordinator for Viewpoint Investment Partners Corporation and Viewpoint Foundation. She also does internal and external communications for both entities.

Jessica rejoined Viewpoint in January of 2023 after having worked here previously from 2015-2017, and she is excited to be back! She has a Bachelor of Arts in Honours Sociology from St. Francis Xavier University and a Master’s degree in Public Policy from the University of Calgary.

Jessica loves staying active, and when she isn’t spending time with her family and friends, she is teaching Barre fitness classes.

Administration

Kari Lancaster

Manager, Client Service & Administration

Kari is responsible for investor-related communications, management and administration for the office. As the main point of contact for Viewpoint’s clientele, she cultivates and strengthens client relationships by representing Viewpoint’s values of excellence and authenticity. Additionally, she oversees the day-to-day operations of the office, while developing and improving the administrative policies and procedures. She enjoys the collaborative and nurturing environment provided at Viewpoint, which has allowed her to work on projects in many areas of the company over the years.

Prior to joining Viewpoint in 2016, Kari developed her administrative skills in various industries, including the legal, human resources and executive search fields. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from the University of Calgary, specializing in deviance and social control.

A native Calgarian, Kari loves spending time with her family and friends, and traveling to exotic places. She also enjoys hiking and snowshoeing in the mountains, depending on the season.

Shereen Coward

Senior Executive Assistant to Mac Van Wielingen

Shereen Coward is the Senior Executive Assistant to Viewpoint’s Founder and President Mac Van Wielingen. She is an administrative professional who is responsible for providing support for all of Mac’s business, philanthropic, and personal endeavors.

Shereen joined Viewpoint in 2014 after working in the regulatory not-for-profit sector. Her background also includes working in industries such as technology and property management. She values community and engagement in the workplace, which she believes are organizational strengths at Viewpoint, and she has developed a keen interest in investment management and organizational development.

Shereen is originally from Swift Current, Saskatchewan, but has called Calgary her home for a number of years. She enjoys yoga, traveling, reading (non-fiction), volunteering with Habitat for Humanity, and spending time with her family and friends. She is terrified of heights but loves zip lining and rollercoasters, which continues to confound her co-workers.

Sandi Hines

Administrative Assistant

Sandi’s expertise lies in managing day-to-day administrative tasks, organizing events and keeping track of Viewpoint’s office inventory. Sandi’s dedication to providing outstanding support to the team makes her an essential part of the Viewpoint family.

She is also an excellent communicator who excels at building relationships with team members, clients and vendors alike. Her friendly demeanor and approachable personality make her a go-to person for any questions or concerns about the office.

Sandi’s dedication, work ethic and willingness to take on new challenges have earned her the respect and admiration of her colleagues, and she continues to uphold the highest standards of excellence in her work.

Marianne Rahi

Office Administrator

Marianne brings a wealth of experience and a keen eye for detail to our team as the Office Administrator. With a background in administrative support and experience in the banking sector, she ensures our office runs smoothly and efficiently. Marianne’s skills in organization and customer service are complemented by her dedication to excellence and proactive approach, making her an invaluable asset to our team.

Born and raised in Victoria, BC, Marianne has called Calgary home for over 10 years. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family, reading, and is an active member in the school community.