Our Team

Chief Executive Officer, Portfolio Manager

Christopher Foster is the Chief Executive Officer at Foster and the founding client of the firm’s Family Office Group.

After a decade at a boutique commodity and currency trading firm, and another decade as a successful investment advisor at a big bank-owned investment dealer, Christopher founded Commodity Trading Advisor firm Blackheath Fund Management Inc. which, until recently, was one of Foster’s sister companies.

In 2016 Christopher took the helm at Foster where, leveraging his experience with Alternative Investments, he has made bringing institutional-grade wealth management to Canadian families a true passion project.

When not working, Christopher enjoys standup paddleboarding and kayaking.

cfoster@fostergroup.ca

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Chief Compliance Officer, Director

Matthew Laffrade joined Foster & Associates as Branch Manager in 2019, and became Chief Compliance Officer in 2020. With over a decade of financial industry experience, he is part of the management team, and responsible for the day-to-day supervision and managing of the sales force. He is also fully licensed to trade equities and options.

The depth and scope of Matthew’s professional experience provides Foster & Associates with a valuable perspective. Having held previous positions that include Account Manager, Investment Representative, Senior Branch Manager, and Compliance Supervisor, Matthew’s knowledge of our industry and holistic approach to solutions is a welcome asset to Foster & Associates.

mlaffrade@fostergroup.ca

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Chief Financial Officer

Nishant has been the Chief Financial Officer for Foster since March 2017.
Nishant is also the Treasurer and Risk Manager at Foster’s sister company, Blackheath Fund Management Inc. Prior to joining Blackheath in October 2011, Nishant was part of the volatility arbitrage team at Wealth Management Alliance for two years as an Analyst.

A graduate of the Sauder School of Business at the University of British Columbia with a Masters in Business Administration in Finance (2009), he also received a Bachelor degree in Mechanical Engineering from University of Pune (India) in 2002.

npatil@fostergroup.ca

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Chief Executive Officer, Portfolio Manager

Christopher Foster is the Chief Executive Officer at Foster and the founding client of the firm’s Family Office Group.

After a decade at a boutique commodity and currency trading firm, and another decade as a successful investment advisor at a big bank-owned investment dealer, Christopher founded Commodity Trading Advisor firm Blackheath Fund Management Inc. which, until recently, was one of Foster’s sister companies.

In 2016 Christopher took the helm at Foster where, leveraging his experience with Alternative Investments, he has made bringing institutional-grade wealth management to Canadian families a true passion project.

When not working, Christopher enjoys standup paddleboarding and kayaking.

cfoster@fostergroup.ca

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Portfolio Manager

Bill McIver and Martin Lochran have joined together to manage their clients’ wealth and investments using a team approach to ensure continuity of service, a great deal of experience and the ability to offer discretionary portfolios.

Bill has been an Investment Advisor for 40 years. Martin has been a Portfolio Manager for 14 years, entering the industry after a successful career as an executive of a multinational corporation. Collaboratively, Bill and Martin build and manage portfolios for a loyal group of clients who have diverse needs.

No matter the position you find yourself in financially, the McIver Lochran Group has the experience to offer you clarity and a solution for your financial needs and goals.

We would be pleased to meet with you to discuss how we can improve your financial affairs.

416.369.3204

McIver Lochran Group

mlochran@fostergroup.ca

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Managing Director, Portfolio Manager

Philip believes in individually tailored portfolio management. Every client’s wealth management needs are unique, and Philip takes a diligent approach to ensure each client’s portfolio reflects their objectives and meets their expectations. This goes beyond picking stocks. Philip performs a comprehensive assessment of all his client needs, including retirement planning and insurance.

A comprehensive portfolio manager, Philip explores investment opportunities beyond Canada, and particularly in the U.S., to help diversify and strengthen each client’s financial security.

Philip began his career at the onset of the Global Financial Crisis. He is keenly aware of the damage an imperfect portfolio can do as one reaches retirement age. He believes that some investors maintain a too-high exposure to volatile stocks as they seek higher returns than those currently offered in the fixed income markets. To mitigate these risks, he analyzes alternatives, such as REITs and MICs that can provide solid returns, offsetting the risk of volatility in the stock markets.

Philip is a McGill Commerce graduate. He lives in the Trinity Bellwoods area of Toronto. He is a big sports enthusiast, and is deeply involved in community and local charitable organizations.

416.369.3186

pmarion@fostergroup.ca

Foster Family Office

Ridgeline Financial

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Portfolio Manager

Gareth brings more than 15 years of experience from institutional equities research, where he covered numerous companies across sectors as diverse as Consumer Staples, Industrials, Information Technology, and Real Estate. In addition to his skills as a fundamental analyst, he has built and refined a quantitative model that he uses to find investment opportunities from more than 2,000 North American stocks across multiple sectors.

Gareth’s background includes brand management (Unilever and PepsiCo Foods), as well as experience as an officer and director of an early-stage e-learning company where he was responsible for daily operations, financial planning and analysis, and raising capital.

Gareth earned an MBA degree from the Schulich School of Business and is a Chartered Financial Analyst. When not working on investment ideas, you will find him performing ‘80s New Wave hits across southern Ontario.

Wheelhouse Research

416.369.3202

gtingling@fostergroup.ca

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Portfolio Manager

Managing the investment portfolios – through bull and bear markets, for high-net-worth individuals, families, and businesses, in Canada and worldwide – is what Raj does passionately!

With an equally unique and systematic approach that honed over twenty-plus years, Raj deploys a distinctive combination of fundamental and quantitative analysis to pinpoint market sectors and high-quality stocks with a promising investment outlook in the mid to long term. Volatility in the market means opportunity and advantage. Depending on each client’s situation and comfort with risk, Raj personalizes the investment strategy and asset allocation across equities and fixed income in the well-diversified portfolios.

Raj’s love for investing in stocks began as a kid in grade school. He earned his bachelor’s in engineering from the world-renowned Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) and his master’s in management from the Missouri University of Science and Technology. Raj has explored artificial intelligence, robotics, electric vehicles, and genomics. He digs deep into futuristic trends which shape business transformation globally.

Married for twenty-six years and a grateful father of two, Raj enjoys outdoors, camping and nature-walks immensely.  Years earlier, he nearly struck the Guinness Book of World Records by holding his newborn baby while muddling through his CFA charter examinations.

416.306.8499

rarora@fostergroup.ca

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Portfolio Manager, Financial Planner

Victor is a financial services professional who brings a wealth of practical and academic knowledge to his Financial Planner role at Foster.  As an experienced investment advisor, he draws from his diverse life experience to help clients tackle their most complex situations and meet their financial goals.

As an advocate of financial literacy, Victor teaches financial planning courses at Centennial College in Toronto.  He also volunteers with Junior Achievement Canada, promoting financial literacy among youth, and at Rise Asset Development, a Toronto not-for-profit organization providing guidance and financing to entrepreneurs overcoming mental health and addiction challenges.

Victor holds an MA in Economics from the University of Toronto.

416.369.3188

vtodorovski@fostergroup.ca

LinkedIn

Associate Investment Advisor

Alixandra’s  enthusiasm for technology and aptitude for finance is a welcome addition to the team.

Alixandra brings a unique range of experiences to her work, from fashion and web design to accounting and marketing.  She is an Associate Investment Advisor and has most recently completed the Chartered Investment Manager coursework, with her sights now set on becoming an Associate Portfolio Manager.

Alixandra holds a BA in Psychology & Sociology from Trent University.

416.306.8139

aalbert@fostergroup.ca

Karpiuk Group

Ridgeline Financial

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Investment Advisor, Funds & ETFs

Karen brings a diverse business background to the table for the benefit of her clients.

Her journey to finance comes through culinary arts, nutrition, entrepreneurship, and martial arts. These experiences enrich her advisory approach, blending perseverance with adaptability, and underscore her resilience and determination.

After two years specializing in life insurance, critical illness, disability, and health benefits, Karen has now integrated diverse investment strategies into her practice to provide a more comprehensive range of services.

Karen’s guiding principle revolves around transparency and prioritizing her clients. She is dedicated to empowering her clients to make well-informed financial decisions confidently. By cultivating lasting connections, she aims to assist clients in achieving both their short-term and long-term financial goals.

416.369.3209

kbarbalat@fostergroup.ca

Book a Meeting

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Senior Wealth Advisor

Steve brings over 23 years of investment experience to assist you in achieving your investment goals and objectives. Backed by the expertise of the Foster team, and combined with his extensive training and personal experience, Steve is able to offer you exceptional service as they strive to achieve above average returns.

Steve’s team attempts to add value through proactive portfolio recommendations, based on the concepts of Benjamin Graham and Warren Buffet. This methodology attempts to build wealth over the long term, while minimizing risk.

Steve’s clients receive personalized investment solutions to meet their financial priorities. Through a disciplined investment process and outstanding service, he has become the preferred partner for numerous affluent individuals and families, helping them manage, protect, grow and transfer their wealth.

In his spare time, Steve enjoys the outdoors, playing tennis and practicing on the newly-acquired sport of golf.

647.479.8832

scarinci@fostergroup.ca

Steven Carinci

LinkedIn

Senior Wealth Advisor

Paul sees his role as a loyal captain of his client’s financial affairs. More than just selecting individual stocks and bonds, Paul is committed to discovering unique and inventive solutions to address the individual requirements of his clients.

This can mean doing the hard work to truly understand alternative investment products, and then working just as hard to help clients understand how these products can help them achieve their investment objectives. Or, it can mean investigating select new issues and private placements that may offer unique opportunities, or working with outside experts to customize Individual Pension Plans or other estate planning solutions.

When it comes to portfolio construction, Paul has found that careful diversification of assets, including cash, fixed income and equities is the best way to  mitigate market risk, and the key to producing a positive client experience.

Paul is a graduate from the University of Guelph and took his Commerce degree from the University of Windsor.  He has been serving clients in the Toronto area since 1998.

416.369.3208

pkarpiuk@fostergroup.ca

Karpiuk Group

Foster Family Office

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Instagram

Investment Advisor

Bill McIver and Martin Lochran have joined together to manage their clients’ wealth and investments using a team approach to ensure continuity of service, a great deal of experience and the ability to offer discretionary portfolios.

Bill has been an Investment Advisor for 40 years. Martin has been a Portfolio Manager for 14 years, entering the industry after a successful career as an executive of a multinational corporation. Collaboratively, Bill and Martin build and manage portfolios for a loyal group of clients who have diverse needs.

No matter the position you find yourself in financially, the McIver Lochran Group has the experience to offer you clarity and a solution for your financial needs and goals.

We would be pleased to meet with you to discuss how we can improve your financial affairs.

416.369.3196

McIver Lochran Group

bmciver@fostergroup.ca

LinkedIn

Investment Advisor

Celeste is dedicated to helping clients achieve their financial goals through comprehensive financial planning and investments. She takes a holistic approach to financial planning, tailoring her services to meet each client’s unique needs and situations.

Celeste’s expertise encompasses a wide range of financial services, including budgeting, debt management, retirement planning, and investments. She is well-versed in insurance, covering life insurance, critical illness, disability, and health benefits, ensuring that her clients’ finances are both growing and protected from unexpected challenges.

With a background as a Professional Project Manager and Professional Engineer, Celeste excels in creating and executing long-term financial visions. She values client input and focuses on their priorities throughout the planning process. Additionally, her experience as a Certified competitive swimming and triathlon coach has provided her with valuable insights into health and wellness, as well as setting and achieving long-term goals.

Celeste’s diverse skill set and commitment to client success make her a valuable partner in your journey towards financial security and prosperity.

416.369.3198

cmerey@fostergroup.ca

Book a Meeting

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Senior Wealth Management Advisor

With more than 25 years of directing individuals and corporations on financial issues, Howard’s first priority is to clearly understand both your current financial situation and your intended financial destination.

Howard’s value to you is not only his ability to work hand-in-hand with you to build that financial bridge between today and your future… but also to create a money management strategy that allows you to feel good about your finances.

By creating plans around your cash sources and uses, Howard helps you achieve greater flexibility to make your money available when you need it.
While you may not understand all of the intricacies of investing, you do know what you need and want out of life. By acting as your financial strategist, Howard will add clarity to the complexities of navigating investment, taxation, estate planning and risk management. Helping you to get where you want to be.

416.369.3180

hschwartz@fostergroup.ca

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Investment Advisor

Avery’s successful career has spanned several economic cycles in his 25 plus years as an Investment Advisor.  He specializes in formulating customized investment strategies with a main focus on capital preservation, growth and lower taxes.

Avery is committed to the ongoing monitoring of client accounts to maximize opportunities and ensure his clients objectives are met or surpassed. His many years of service and educational background makes him skilled at recognizing investment opportunities and market trends. This translates into a greater ability to focus on maximizing profits reducing tax while preserving capital.

Avery’s level of dedication and top notch attention to his individual client’s needs is unparalleled. He is very proactive and client centric; always striving to exceed client expectations.

As a dedicated husband and father, Avery knows what it means to be there for you in the long haul.

416.670.7781

awislesky@fostergroup.ca

LinkedIn

Investment Advisor

Bill’s investment advisory career spans 35 years, which includes time he served as Vice President at TD Waterhouse and at CIBC World Markets.

An active member of his community, Bill has sat on gala banquet charity committees for the United Way Blossom Ball, the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, the Lupus Foundation of Canada and the University of Toronto Asia Pacific Ball. Bill has served on the Board of Directors of the Wongs’ Association of Ontario as Chair of youth development. In 2006, Bill served as the Chief Financial Officer for the International Dragon Boat Federation World Competition held in Toronto. A graduate of Winchester public school in Toronto, Bill has been the benefactor of the William Wong Academic Award at Winchester school since 1986.

From 2013 to 2017, Bill served as a fundraiser for the Randolph Academy for the Performing Arts, a Canadian registered Private Career College. The Academy includes a private children’s program for the performing arts. Bill helped raise money on an annual basis for underprivileged kids to join the program. Currently, Bill is involved with the Native Child & Family Services of Toronto in raising money to enhance its Summer Lake Grundy Camp Program for inner city indigenous children. In 2002, Bill received the Queen Elizabeth ll Golden Jubilee Medal, an award given to those individuals who made significant contributions to their fellow Canadians.

Bill received his Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Toronto, has two sons and lives in Toronto.

416.369.3205

bwong@fostergroup.ca

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Vice President, Operations

With over 25 years in financial services, Karen has a deep understanding of the financial services business. She has an eye for detail, is passionate about delivering a superior client experience and has always earned the trust and respect of colleagues and clients.

A proud mother of a teenage son, Karen loves the outdoors, family, friends, music and new experiences.

416.369.3183

kparente@fostergroup.ca

LinkedIn

Human Resources Generalist

Holding one of the broadest mandates of any employee at Foster, Candace serves all Foster employees on benefits, payroll, recruiting and onboarding. In addition, she works as a key member of our Support Team, serving advisors and clients on documentation, custody, tax, and regulatory matters.

Candace has a keen interest in training, learning & development and change management. She is a member of the Human Resources Professionals Association (HRPA) and the Institute of Performance and Learning (I4PL).

Outside of the office, she enjoys learning and teaching languages, music, and volunteering.

416.369.3194

cbrereton@fostergroup.ca

LinkedIn

Administrative Assistant

As a seasoned Administrative Assistant, Adijena’s attention to detail, dependable work ethic, and strong interpersonal skills contribute to our Support Team’s success.

Adijena graduated from Leeds Metropolitan University in the UK with a Bachelor of Arts Honors, English with Related Studies and is fluent in five languages.

She has completed the Life License Qualification Program (LLQP), and has her sights set on obtaining her IIROC license.

In her free time, she loves the outdoors, spending time with family and friends, music, and exploring new places.

416.369.3181

aarifi@fostergroup.ca

Administrative Assistant

Divina provides exceptional administrative support to both individuals and businesses, helping them navigate complex processes with ease. As an Administrative Assistant at Foster, she handles key tasks such as account openings, updates, banking support, and transfers, ensuring smooth operations and contributing to the firm’s overall efficiency. For Divina, the most rewarding part of her role is supporting advisors in delivering outstanding client service.

She holds a degree in Business Administration. Most recently, she earned her diploma in Executive Office Administration from Centennial College.

Outside the office, Divina enjoys leisurely walks in nature, watching movies, and exploring new cuisines.

416.369.1980

dty@fostergroup.ca

LinkedIn

Board Chair

Richard Stone is a highly experienced financial services executive who began his career in 1979. In 1994, he founded Stone Asset Management Limited, serving as Chairperson, CEO, and CIO. Richard holds an ICD.D designation and serves as an Independent Director of Eloro Resources Ltd., as well as on various private and philanthropic boards.

His extensive experience and passion for corporate culture make him an ideal leader for our Board. With this appointment, Foster reaffirms its commitment to delivering excellence in financial services.

rstone@fostergroup.ca

Independent Director

Prior to starting his relationship management and consulting services in January 2020 and his family real estate investment business in February 2021,  Joe spent over 27 years working in the financial services sector employed with a number of Canadian investment dealers where he held senior-level roles ranging from Vice-President to CEO.

During his professional career, Joe has helped steward these firms by successfully implementing corporate strategies, resulting in increased revenue, operational efficiencies and bottom-line profitability.

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