Profile
“I will continue to empower and encourage my staff to perform at their best as I have done for the last decade. I will continue to advocate for my clients, embracing new technology and being open to business and industry changes”
Ken Dixon,
Dixon Insurance Services
Oricia Smith is the president of SLGI Asset Management Inc. and senior vice-president of Investment Solutions for Sun Life Canada.
Her successful career began with a summer job at the Calgary Stock Exchange in 1993.
“I started with a focus on money. Over the years, I shifted my career to focus on meaning – the human side – helping Canadians achieve lifetime financial security and live their most meaningful lives. The investment industry is fundamentally about helping people build long-term wealth.”
It’s been a steep rise for Smith, who in her current role oversees investment outcomes totalling over $54B of clients’ capital across a broad suite of products including mutual funds, alternative investment funds, institutional group and individual segregated funds, and accumulation and payout annuities. Behind her business ambitions, she is passionate about changing the investment management industry for the next generation of women.
“Women are progressing in their careers and have more money and influence than ever before,” Smith says, pointing to the statistics:
1 York Street, Toronto, ON
416 408 7976
oricia.smith@sunlife.com
http://ca.linkedin.com/company/sun-life-global-investments
http:// sunlifeglobalinvestments.com/en
Oricia Smith
President, SLGI Asset Management Inc. and Senior Vice President, Investment Solutions, Sun Life Canada
Sun Life Global Investments
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Bio
Milestones
“To be able to give back to the community is rewarding and fulfilling. I am honoured to be in a position where I can raise funds for those less fortunate and in need”
Ken Dixon,
Dixon Insurance Services
1995–1997
1999–2016
2016–2019
2019–2020
Oct 2020–present
Started her career in the investment banking division of TD Securities
1995–
1997
1999–2016: Vice President, Product Research and Development at Invesco Canada
2006–2009: Vice President, National Accounts at Invesco Canada
2016–2016: Vice President, Business Strategy – North America Institutional at Invesco Canada
1999–
2016
Vice President, International Investment Centre (IIC) at Sun Life Financial
IIC is an investment consulting and manager research team that maintains relationships with more than 100 investment management companies.
2016 – 2019
She expanded her role to include accountability for SLC Management’s product development, CRM, and sales analytics teams.
Senior Managing Director, Head of International Investment Centre, Product Development and Analytics at SLC Management
2019-
2020
President of SLGI Asset Management Inc. and Senior Vice President of Investment Solutions for Sun Life Canada
2022: Received Canada’s Most Powerful Women Award among Executive Leaders by the Women Exchange Network (WXN), recognizing her leadership both within the organization and the community, as well as her dedication to championing equality and breaking down barriers for the next generation of leaders
Oct 2020-present
Assistant Vice President and Senior Broker at MJ Hall & Company since 2018
Present
Milestones
By 2028, Canadian women will control $4 trillion in assets, doubling the $2.2 trillion they control today
Women stand to receive 70% of intergenerational wealth transfers totalling $71 trillion globally
And yet…
Only 37% of Canadian women work with an advisor
73% reported not having a financial plan
Smith sees an opportunity to build a stronger, more equitable industry. Progress has been made at Sun Life. Notably, 36% of advisors in Sun Life’s Retail Advice & Solutions distribution business are women.
“As a leader in a traditionally male-dominated industry, I saw the need to challenge the industry to break boundaries and attract even more diversity. Wealth management not only has an impact on families and their financial security, but on our society by supporting our future economic growth.”
Notable roles Smith has occupied include:
Former trustee of the Sun Life Benevolent Fund
Former Executive Sponsor of Sun Life’s InvestHER Women’s Network
Co-founder of 100 Women Who Care Toronto West
Recipient of 2022 Most Powerful Women Award among Executive Leaders by Women’s Exchange Network
Smith is also motivated to better serve the needs of Canadians in retirement.
“Financial planning is more than just rate of return on investments – multiple solutions are needed to mitigate risks and meet retirement and estate transfer goals. We’re focused on the distinct needs of investors, so they are confident with how their money is invested, when they withdraw savings during retirement and transfer their money to the next generation,” Smith says. “My vision is to create an investment management business that ensures clients’ investments reflect what matters most to them.
Underpinning her achievements is Smith’s unwavering approach based on optimism, curiosity and trust. “I have gotten to where I am because of my passion and the relationships I have. Cultivating relationships can empower new insights, outcomes and opportunities – which was extremely valuable to me as I built my career.”
