Ryan’s professional background spans several sectors over 20 years. Ryan currently works with the Government of Canada as Senior Strategic Advisor, where he develops and integrates business, data, and technology strategies to guide investment decision-making in the national social services portfolio. He is interested in the prospects for using fintech solutions to improve financial health and inclusion, and in promoting sustainable finance more broadly. Previously he has conducted research and lectured at the universities of Bristol and Oxford with a primary focus on scientific methodology.

Deirdre is a retired Judge and lawyer. After practicing for 22 years, including 12 with her own business, she sat as a Provincial Court Judge for a further 20 years. Those years of experience brought home to her the financial challenges of many of those who appeared before her. As a result, she spent much of her time in her judicial role in trying to address those challenges with these individuals. This took various forms including education, referrals and even coaching. It became clear that financial vulnerability underlay much of the behaviour that caused individuals to come into conflict with the law and those around them. She became an Institute Director as a way to help those people who need a new way of identifying their financial issues in order to improve their lives.

James is a serial entrepreneur and CEO of the global social enterprise Klimat X. As a global expert on climate change, James advises governments and companies on climate change globally, and was the Founder and CEO of Offsetters. As a University Professor with interests in impact investing covering environment, sustainability, social determinants of health, climate change and social entrepreneurship, James teaches at Sauder MBA, EMBA and Executive Education programs and is a leader in business and social enterprise innovation.