Joseph C. Canavan
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Joseph (Joe) Canavan has over 20 years of leadership experience in the wealth management industry. He began his career as a financial advisor with Burns Fry Ltd. In 1989, he joined Fidelity Investments as Vice President and Director, National Sales, helping grow $60 million in assets into $6 billion in four years. In 1994, he launched GT Global (Canada), which became the fastest-growing mutual fund company in Canadian history. Under Mr. Canavan’s leadership, the company gained $2.4 billion in assets in less than 30 months.
Prior to joining Assante, Mr. Canavan was the President and CEO of Synergy Asset Management, a wealth management company he founded in December 1997 – an organization which quickly became known as one of Canada’s most innovative mutual fund companies. Synergy was acquired by CI Financial in October 2003.
At the annual Canadian Investment Awards in December 2004, Mr. Canavan was recognized by the industry for his outstanding professional achievements by being awarded “Person of Influence of the Decade.” In 2006, he was honoured as Concordia University’s “Alumnus of the Year.”
In addition to his professional responsibilities, Mr. Canavan is active in a wide range of industry and community organizations. He is Vice Chairman of the Children’s Aid Foundation, Chairman of North York General Hospital’s Paediatric Giving Campaign and is on the Board of the National Ballet of Canada.
Mr. Canavan has a Bachelor of Business Administration from Concordia University and has completed Harvard University's three-year executive management program for owners and presidents of companies.
