The Investment Funds Institute of Canada has announced that Ross Kappele, EVP & head of distribution, BMO Asset Management Canada, was elected chair of IFIC’s board at the association’s annual meeting held Sept. 7.

In this role, Kappele succeeds John Adams, CEO, Primerica Financial Services Canada, who held the position of Chair of IFIC for the past two years.

Carol Lynde, president & COO, Bridgehouse Asset Managers, was elected first vice-chair.

Rapid change on many fronts

“I am pleased to be taking the helm of IFIC at this compelling time,” stated Kappele in an announcement. “In the face of rapid change on many fronts, companies from all corners of the investment funds industry – from integrated firms to independent dealers and managers – are united in our mission to protect and grow investors’ wealth so they can have the financial future they want.”

IFIC also announced the elections of several board members who will serve three-year terms. They are: Paul Bourque, president & CEO, IFIC, Sian Burgess, SVP fund oversight, Fidelity Investments Canada, Jonathan Durocher, president & CEO, National Bank Investments, Chris Enright, president & managing director, Aligned Capital Partners, Judy Goldring, EVP & COO, AGF Investments, Glen Gowland, senior VP & head, asset management, Scotiabank, Duane Green, president & CEO, Franklin Templeton, Bernard Letendre, president, Manulife Investments, Damon Murchison, SVP and head of retail distribution, Mackenzie Investments, Michael Stanley, president, Sterling Mutuals, Stéphane Blanchette, EVP, CCO and CFO, Investia Financial Services Inc., and chair of CFIQ, and Yanic Chagnon, VP investment products at Manulife and vice-chair of IFIC.