Dave Paterson is responsible for the management of Empire Life Multi-Strategy GIFs, a suite of segregated funds¹ which provide exposure to exchange traded funds (ETFs) and actively managed investments from third party managers.

Prior to joining Empire Life Investments Inc., Dave was Director, Public Markets Research & Analytics at a registered portfolio management firm where he was responsible for the sourcing, evaluation, and ongoing monitoring of investment products. In addition, he was also a Portfolio Manager, managing portfolios and a fund-of-fund portfolio program for registered third-party dealers.

Since 1994, Dave has specialized in investment fund research and performing ongoing analysis on thousands of mutual funds and exchange-traded funds. He produced a monthly “Investment Fund Ranking” report, a quarterly “Mutual Funds Focus List” and an “ETF Focus List” report.

Dave has a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Windsor and is a CFA charterholder.

_{1 Policies are issued by The Empire Life Insurance Company.}

Mark Sylvia joined Empire Life as President and Chief Executive Officer in June 2014. He is also Chair of the Board of Directors for Empire Life Investments. Mark has more than 35 years of experience in the financial services industry, many in a leadership role where he has successfully grown companies by focusing on service, simplicity and strategic partnerships.

Prior to joining Empire Life, Mark was President of Clarity Underwriting Managers Inc., an insurance consultancy firm he founded in 2010. From 1999 to 2010, he was CEO of Echelon General Insurance Company, President and CEO of Trent Health Insurance Service Corp. and Canadian Insurance Marketing Inc., all of which were affiliated companies of EGI Financial Holdings Inc. From 1988 until 1999, Mark was President and CEO of Hartford Life Insurance Company of Canada.

Mark is a Fellow, Chartered Insurance Professional (FCIP) of the Insurance Institute of Canada, and a Fellow of the Life Management Institute (FLMI) of the Life Office Management Association Inc., and is a member of the American Society of Safety Engineers and the Society for Risk Analysis.

Michael joined Empire Life Investments Inc. in 2024 as a Trader & Back Office Specialist, primarily focusing on executing equity/option trades across Global markets on behalf of the investment team. He also provides support to Portfolio Managers for trading related issues.

Before this, Michael was a Senior Associate in Trade Operations at a Canadian asset management firm, supporting daily trading activities on the equity and bond desk. He executed trades for portfolio FX hedging and rebalancing.

Earlier in his career, Michael held progressive roles in Fund Accounting and Trade Operations at a wealth management firm and a fund services provider. During this time, he was responsible for NAV review, holding reconciliations, and other operation tasks.

Michael is a CFA Charterholder and a member of the Toronto CFA Society.

Michael joined Empire Life Investments Inc. in 2025. As a member of the investments team, he is responsible for providing research on International equities.

Prior to joining Empire Life Investments, Michael worked as an Investment Analyst covering Global Equities at a Canadian bank. Michael holds a Bachelor of Accounting and Financial Management and a Master of Accounting from the University of Waterloo. Michael is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) charterholder.

Neeraj joined Empire Life Investments Inc. in 2023 and is a Portfolio Manager focusing on Global equities.

Neeraj has over a decade of investment experience, holding progressive roles at a Canadian investment firm. In his most recent role, Neeraj supported a high conviction all cap global equity investment team with primary research focus on Emerging Markets and Europe.

Neeraj holds a Bachelor of Engineering Degree from India and an MBA from Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto. He is a CFA Charterholder.

Sid joined Empire Life Investments Inc. in 2024, supporting the management of Empire Life Multi-Strategy GIFs with a focus on manager research and portfolio construction.

Prior to joining Empire Life Investments, Sid worked as a Senior Manager of Investment Funds at a leading Canadian full-service brokerage with manager research responsibilities across the Canadian mutual fund and liquid alternatives landscape. In addition, he was also responsible for the ongoing monitoring and evaluation of investment products on the mutual fund shelf. Sid has over a decade of experience in the Canadian financial industry, including roles in research, sales and relationship management.

Sid also holds a Master of Business Administration from Western University, is a CFA Charterholder and has earned the CAIA Charter.

Madhav Kathal joined Empire Life in 2024. As a member of Empire Life Investments Team, Madhav supports the management of private debt investments portfolio for Empire Life’s general fund, which supports our annuity and insurance products.

Madhav has over five years of fixed income research and analysis experience, having previously worked with a well-known credit rating agency. Madhav holds a Bachelor of Engineering degree from University of Delhi, India and an MBA from Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto. Madhav is a CFA charterholder.

Michael (Mike) joined Empire Life Investments Inc. in 2022.

He is responsible primarily for managing a portfolio of private debt investments within the fixed income portfolio of Empire Life’s general fund.

Mike has over 20 years of investment management experience, having worked in private fixed-income and commercial real estate lending for several leading Canadian institutional investors.

Mike holds a Bachelor of Commerce Degree from the University of Ottawa and an MBA from the University of Western Ontario. He is a CFA charterholder.

Ian joined Empire Life Investments Inc. in 2021 as a Portfolio Manager on the fixed‑income team.

He is a member of the Investments Team, providing investment management for segregated funds¹.

Ian is the lead manager of the Empire Life Bond GIF². He is a manager on Empire Life Monthly Income GIF², Empire Life Asset Allocation GIF², Empire Life Balanced GIF², Empire Life Income GIF², and Empire Life Global Balanced GIF².

Ian has more than 10 years of investment industry experience with a proven background of managing a variety of credit securities. Prior to joining Empire Life Investments, he managed credit portfolios and traded securities for several independent Canadian wealth management firms.

Ian holds a Bachelor of Arts, in Economics from Queen’s University, and is also a CFA charterholder.

_{1 Policies are issued by The Empire Life Insurance Company. 
2 This is the marketing name for the fund. The legal name excludes “Empire Life” and “GIF” and includes “Fund” at the end of the name.}

Albert joined Empire Life Investments Inc. in 2018 as a Senior Portfolio Manager focusing on fixed income.

He is a member of the Investments Team, providing investment management for segregated funds¹.

He is the lead manager of the Empire Life Short Term High Income GIF² and Empire Life Strategic Corporate Bond GIF², and a manager of Empire Life Global Asset Allocation GIF².

Albert has more than 16 years of investment management expertise with a proven background of investing in corporate credit across multiple industries globally. Prior to joining Empire Life, he co-managed a fixed-income portfolio at a leading global investment firm. Albert’s previous roles also included progressively senior positions within fixed income at both Canadian and U.S. institutions.

Albert holds a Master of Financial Economics (MFE) and Bachelor of Commerce both from the University of Toronto.

¹ _{Policies are issued by The Empire Life Insurance Company.}

² _{This is the marketing name for the fund. The legal name excludes “Empire Life” and “GIF” and includes “Fund” at the end of the name.}