Our Team
Adam Spence (he/him)
Founder, CEO, and UDP
Adam’s career has focused on advancing social, environmental and economic justice through community action, impact investing, and cross-sectoral systems change. Adam leads on partnerships and strategic projects, while providing support and oversight on education, advisory, fund, and platform activities at SVX. Ask Adam about collaboration opportunities, sector trends, and exploring food in Toronto.
Ameeta Vijay (she/her)
President
Ameeta is a CPA, CA with over 20 years of regulatory, compliance, audit, risk and international work experience. Ameeta joined SVX in 2015 where she oversees compliance with relevant laws and regulations, as well as governance and financial operations. Ask her about finance, compliance, karate and raising 3 boys!
Kevin Taylor (he/him)
Vice-President
Kevin is a serial entrepreneur with a background in technology and management consulting. He leads the Fund Design and Management practice at SVX as well as heading up the SVX US Operations. Ask Kevin about raising capital, creating an investment fund, or pretty much anything related to Disney.
James Chan (he/him)
Associate Director
James works with people, places, and partnerships to foster civic participation, promote equitable urbanism, and grow our social economy. He leads the advisory team at SVX, which helps organizations raise or invest impact capital. Ask him about advancing social equity through investments and philanthropy, experiential learning programs, and urban design.
Wali Zia (he/him)
Finance Manager
Wali is a MBET graduate from the University of Waterloo. His love for helping others led him to support the growth of impact investing. He works as the Finance Manager at SVX. Ask him about analysis, problem solving, financial processes, innovation, business improvement, soccer, space, architecture, and dinosaurs.
Helen Zhou (she/her)
Manager, Education and Technology
A graduate of UBC in Philosophy and Political Science, Helen pursued the goal of making a positive impact in several sectors before landing in impact investment. She joined SVX to create knowledge products and various other marketing projects. Ask her about writing, web and graphic design, and caring for houseplants!
Paula Sahyoun (she/her)
Manager, Systems Change and Social Finance
Paula leads investor and venture education programming. Paula has spent the last few years deeply engaged within Canada’s social innovation ecosystem working within Ontario’s Social Enterprise Unit and the McConnell Foundation. Ask Paula about WOSEN, SVX accelerators, and dystopian fiction.
Noa Shiohara (she/her)
Marketing & Communications Analyst, Intern
Noa is a second-year Rotman Commerce student at the University of Toronto, specializing in Finance and Economics with a Focus in Data Science. She has developed marketing experience through her involvement in student organizations and previously worked as a consultant for a health-tech startup. At SVX, Noa supports marketing and communications initiatives, helping to engage and connect with external audiences. Outside of work, she enjoys baking, cooking, and drawing.
Diem Le (she/her)
Senior Associate
Diem, an MBA graduate from Ivey Business School, has had various roles across the venture capital landscape. She now channels her expertise on driving impactful innovation at SVX, where she designs and manages funds aimed at generating positive outcomes. When she’s not shaping the future of investment, Diem can be found energizing her days with indoor cycling and curating music playlists.
Paula Delgadillo (she/her)
SVX Colombia Project Manager
Paula has rich experience in alternative assets and private equity. She found a life purpose working in impact investing. At SVX she is a Project Manager in Colombia. Ask Paula about alternative assets, impact investment in Colombia, and hairstyling.
Samantha Andrea Gómez Rojas(she/her)
Junior Associate
Mizan Hemani (he/him)
Advisory Services Analyst
Mizan is an Analyst with experience in private investment research and impact measurement. He holds a BCom from McGill University, specializing in Managing for Sustainability and Finance. Prior to joining SVX, Mizan held roles at Boann Social Impact and Genus Capital Management, where he supported due diligence and blended finance strategy. He now supports the Advisory Services team in helping social purpose organizations and funds navigate impact investment opportunities.
Jasmine Pabla (she/her)
Senior Operations Associate, Technology
Jasmine is an Information Technology graduate with experience in creating and supporting platforms servicing different business streams. At SVX, Jasmine supports SVX’s internal and external-facing digital platforms and technology systems. Ask her about technical admin, robotic process automation or cooking.
Gabriella Yapp (she/her)
Senior Communications Associate
Gabby is a Creative Industries graduate from Toronto Metropolitan University. A previous start-up founder, Gabby has 4+ years of experience in the Canadian startup ecosystem. At SVX, Gabby oversees outbound marketing and communication strategies and activities. Ask her about aquarium-keeping and scriptwriting.
Zaira Campo Arias (she/her)
SVX Colombia Project Coordinator
Zaira is an economist holding a master’s degree in International Affairs with over 10 years of experience in the non-governmental organization sector. There, she promoted the social and economic inclusion of people with disabilities, women, and youth. Additionally, Zaira is an entrepreneur in the services sector. In her spare time, she enjoys cycling and discovering new restaurants!
Jessica Vu (she/her)
Advisory Services Associate
Jessica recently graduated from the University of Calgary with degrees in Business and Global Development. She brings a diverse range of experience from both the private and public sectors. Passionate about community development and cross-sector collaboration, Jessica is now applying her skills to enhance SVX’s Impact Index. Beyond her professional pursuits, she enjoys traveling both internationally and domestically, as well as seeking out new experiences to add to her ever-growing checklist.
Salina Tellis (she/her)
Advisory Intern Analyst
Salina is a final year student in the Integrated Business and Humanities program at McMaster University, minoring in Sustainability. She is looking forward to applying previous experiences across finance, assurance, and sustainability, at SVX to support social and environmental impact! Ask her about LitFic, hockey (Go Leafs!), and hikes!
Hayley Ngo (she/her)
Impact Investing Analyst, Intern
Hayley is a fourth year student studying Finance and English at the University of Calgary passionate about increasing access to capital for underrepresented organizations and people. Her past work experience at Tapestry Community Capital and Sandpiper Ventures has spanned research, reporting, impact measurement, and more. At SVX she will be supporting advisory projects and research. Some of her favourite interests are reading, baking and crochet.
Canada Core Team

Adam Spence
Founder, CEO, and UDP
he/him

Ameeta Vijay
President
she/her

Kevin Taylor
Vice-President
he/him

James Chan
Associate Director
he/him

Wali Zia
Finance Manager
he/him

Helen Zhou
Senior Manager
she/her

Diem Le
Senior Associate
she/her

Gabriella Yapp
Senior Communications Associate
she/her

Jasmine Pabla
Senior Operations Associate, Technology
she/her

Jessica Vu
Advisory Services Associate
she/her

Mizan Hemani
Advisory Services Analyst
he/him

Hayley Ngo
Impact Investing Analyst, Intern
she/her

Noa Shiohara
Marketing & Communications Analyst, Intern
she/her
Laura Ortiz Montemayor
Founder and Director of Purpose
Laura is the Founder and Director of Purpose of SVX Mexico with experience in investment banking.
Ask her about building a regenerative economy and being an entrepreneurial mom.
Stevie Smyth Valdez
Executive Director
Stevie is the Executive Director and Partner with experience in social finance and business development. Ask her about investing with a gender perspective and hiking.
Miriam Magallon
Administrator
Miriam leads on administration and accounting, with experience in banking and early stage companies. She loves reading and enjoying time with her family.
Aaron Lozano
Impact Investing Fellow
Aaron is a Finance and Banking student, with experience in social entrepreneurship and focus on rural areas dependent on agricultural activities. Ask him about technology and its application for problem solving.
Héctor Pérez
Community and Education Fellow
Héctor is a Business Administration student with a specialization in finance and experience in project management and organization of student events. Ask him about leadership and impact investing.
Eric Lara
Associate
Erick is an Associate consultant with experience in finance and data analysis. Ask him about achieving a paradigm shift in investments and ensuring sustainable development.
Pablo Galvan
Associate
Pablo is an Associate with experience in corporate banking and equity analysis. Ask him about environment, economic inclusion, poverty alleviation and animal welfare.
SVX Colombia

Paula Delgadillo
Project Director

Zaira Campo Arias
Senior Associate

Samantha Andrea Gómez Rojas
Junior Associate

Felipe Orjuela
Advisor
SVX Mexico

Laura Ortiz Montemayor
Founder and Director of Purpose

Aaron Lozano
Impact Investing Fellow

Stevie Smyth Valdez
Executive Director

Héctor Pérez
Community and Education Fellow

Laura "Lia" Figón Ávila
Associate

Erick Lara
Associate

Miriam Magallon
Administrator

Pablo Galvan
Associate
Craig Jonas
Managing Partner
Craig is a lifelong entrepreneur with a history of success across the fields of business, academics, and athletics. He has over 30 years of experience in management with a passion for team-building and drawing individuals with big ideas together. Craig founded CoPeace in 2018, put together a highly-talented team and board, and quickly helped CoPeace achieve Certified B Corp. and Public Benefit Corporation (PBC) status. He launched CoPeace’s holding company with strong initial investments in sustainable infrastructure and impact-related services. In order to democratize access to the equity game, Craig spurred the creation of a successful crowdfunding investment vehicle.
Brian Beckon
Managing Partner
Brian is an attorney with over twenty-five years of experience working for nonprofits, start-ups, and publicly-traded companies. As a principal of Cutting Edge Counsel, Brian’s work is now focused on direct public offerings, entity structuring, and community capital strategies that help build a more equitable economy.
Kim Arnone
Managing Partner
Kim specializes in developing community capital raising strategies for impact funds, social enterprises, cooperatives and nonprofits. She works primarily on investment offerings that can be publicly offered and that are open broadly to her client’s community members and supporters.
Farah Momen
Ecosystem Development Lead
Farah’s role at SVX US is to foster community and support for impact organizations, businesses, and funds using the SVX US platform and resources.
Farah is a social entrepreneur, connector and chef. Her background spans start-up support, program management and communications. She holds an M.A. from The Fletcher School at Tufts University, a B.A. from McGill University – and usually, a cat in her lap.
SVX US

Craig Jonas
Managing Partner

Brian Beckon
Managing Partner

Kim Arnone
Managing Partner

Farah Momen
Ecosystem Development Lead
Grace Lee Reynolds
Chief Executive Officer, Toronto Artscape Inc.
Grace Lee Reynolds leads Artscape, a not-for-profit social enterprise that makes space for creativity and transforms communities. Grace is a leader committed to driving positive impact and the core of Artscape’s work is the development of real estate projects, programs and services to enable artists and creatives to thrive.
Robert Peterman
Chief Commercial Officer, Toronto Stock Exchange
Robert is responsible for domestic and international business development activities for TSX and TSXV; including the Beijing office and TSX and TSXV’s presence in the United Kingdom and Israel.
Lina Bowden
FCPA, FCMA, MA
Lina is the catalyst behind VERGE Capital, a community-led collaborative that creates local investment for local impact in London and Southwestern Ontario. Since 2012, Lina has been instrumental in bringing together key community stakeholders to create a strong ecosystem for local impact investing.
Kevin Doyle
President of The Michael and Sonja Koerner Charitable Foundation
Kevin was previously the Executive Vice President of Canada Overseas Investments Limited, as well as previously responsible for Corporate Strategy at the TMX Group for ten years, having worked as a consultant with McKinsey & Company for the three years prior. He also serves on the boards of Central Wire Industries, the AGO Foundation, the CAMH Foundation, and reBOOT Canada.
Raj Dewan
Partner, DLA Piper (Canada) LLP
Raj has an active legal practice that is focused on advising public and private companies in high-growth sectors (TMT, energy and agriculture), mid-market investment banks, venture capital funds and family offices. Raj is currently a mentor with SuperCharger Accelerator, a leading fintech accelerator in Asia with offices in both Hong Kong and Malaysia.
Board of Directors

Grace Lee Reynolds
Chief Executive Officer, Toronto Artscape Inc.

Raj Dewan
Partner, DLA Piper (Canada) LLP

Robert Peterman
Chief Commercial Officer, Toronto Stock Exchange

Lina Bowden
FCPA, FCMA, MA

Kevin Doyle
President of The Michael and Sonja Koerner Charitable Foundation
Founding Partners
Global & National Partnerships