Profile
“Our mission is simple: we empower financial planners to spend more time building trust, deepening client relationships, and growing their business”
Chris Arthur, Bold Wealth
Helen Hurlbut is the president, CFO, and co-founder of Equiton, one of Canada’s fastest-growing private equity real estate firms. With over 35 years of experience in finance and real estate, she has led Equiton’s evolution from a bold startup to a national leader managing over $1.6 billion in assets and serving more than 17,000 investors (as at August 31, 2025).
A Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) with an Honours BA in Economics and Business from York University, Hurlbut oversees Equiton’s financial strategy, operational planning, development initiatives, and overall corporate growth. She is also responsible for ensuring financial integrity and long-term resilience across the organization.
Hurlbut’s leadership is defined by vision, integrity, and a people-first approach. She is deeply committed to making institutional-grade real estate investments accessible to everyday investors, an opportunity historically reserved for institutions and the ultra-wealthy.
Under her guidance, Equiton was founded on five core principles: expertise, entrepreneurial spirit, integrity, customer focus, and accountability. These values remain central to the firm’s culture, governance, and performance, and continue to guide Hurlbut’s strategic contributions to Equiton’s growth and impact.
1111 International Blvd., Suite 500, Burlington, ON L7L 6W1
905 635 1381
kgjamovska@equiton.com
linkedin.com/company/equiton-partners
equiton.com
Helen Hurlbut
President, CFO, and Co-founder
Equiton
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“Whether I’m in a strategy session or a hiring meeting, I try to lead with understanding. Financial planners are under immense pressure, and so are our internal teams. The best way to earn trust is to truly listen”
Chris Arthur,
Bold Wealth
1985
1985–1998
1998–2007
2014
2015–Present
Early career foundations: After earning her Honours BA in Economics and Business from York University and receiving her CPA designation, she entered the real estate sector through entry-level roles at Citicom, a company with ventures across Canada and the US.
1985
Rapid advancement: In her 20s, she advanced into senior financial roles, including treasurer and controller at Citicom, progress supported by mentorship from CEO Michael Herman, a former litigation lawyer. Herman opened doors by inviting her to leadership-level meetings.
1985–1998
Growth at Mattamy Homes: Following Citicom’s downsizing, she joined Mattamy Homes, then a growing company. She spent nearly a decade contributing to its substantial expansion and operational transformation, setting the stage for its growth into the industry-leading household name it is today.
1998–2007
Founding Equiton: She became involved in property management. In 2014, a call from Jason Roque about launching a private equity real estate firm marked a turning point. Despite limited exposure to private equity, Helen was drawn to Roque’s vision, leadership style, and entrepreneurial spirit, leading her to co-found Equiton.
2014
A purpose-driven venture: Inspired by the memory of her father, a pillar of their immigrant household, Helen co-founded Equiton to make institutional-grade real estate investing more accessible to Canadians. In addition to her contributions to finance and governance, Hurlbut also provides strategic leadership in talent acquisition and organizational culture.
Her work has earned her prominent recognition in the industry, including:
2022: 5-Star Leading Women in Wealth; featured by RENX for International Women’s Day
2024: Benefits & Pensions Monitor Elite Women in Business
2024: EY Entrepreneur of the Year Finalist
2024: Women2Watch Honouree
2025: Enterprising Women of the Year Honouree
Through these platforms, she continues to advocate for gender equity, mentorship, and long-term change in the finance and real estate sectors.
2015–Present
Assistant Vice President and Senior Broker at MJ Hall & Company since 2018
Present
Milestones
Aug 2022
Milestones
Sept 2021
Feb 2022
Apr 2022
Jul 2022
Aug
2022
Suncorp Bank introduces Solar Home Bonus offer for customers who are choosing renewable energy for their homes
Sept 2021
Month-on-month market share growth commences
Feb 2022
Suncorp Bank wins the Canstar award for most outstanding value in investment loans
Apr 2022
Suncorp Bank wins Money Magazine’s Bank of the Year and Business Bank of the Year awards for the fifth year in a row
Jul 2022
Suncorp Bank’s turnaround times are the lowest they have ever been. The lender becomes Australia’s first certified carbon neutral bank for both its operation and transaction services
Aug 2022
Milestones
