Building Operator

Laura Lenz appointed new head of OMERS Ventures. Longtime VC replaces Saar Pikar after third executive departure in three years. OMERS Ventures has appointed a new leader after a spate of executive changes at the early-stage fund. The news: The Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System (OMERS) announced on Thursday that Laura Lenz will serve as the new head of OMERS Ventures, the pension fund's venture investment arm. Lenz replaces Saar Pikar, who left the fund in July. Lenz, who joined OMERS Ventures in 2019, led the fund's Canadian investment activity and has had an extensive VC investing career, backing Canadian tech companies including Float, Hopper, and Solink. From the source: "There has been a lot written about whether Canadians are ambitious enough. I pushed back on that argument when it surfaced a couple of years ago. I didn't think our founders lacked ambition then, and I don't think they do now," Lenz wrote in a LinkedIn post. "The question is whether the ecosystem around them is prepared to match that ambition with patient capital, early customers, global networks, open markets, and institutions willing to use their scale to help Canadian companies succeed." The context: The appointment comes two months after former head Saar Pikar left to become president at Kensington Capital - the third executive change in as many years for OMERS Ventures, which is considered one of Canada's top tech investors. Last year, Pikar took over from Michael Yang as managing partner, head of ventures and growth. Yang had replaced Damien Steel, who left two years earlier to become CEO of carbon-capture tech company Deep Sky. Final thought: Lenz's promotion also follows a "strategic shift" at OMERS Ventures to focus more on Canadian investing. Amid Prime Minister Mark Carney's push to stimulate domestic investment and renewed calls for pension funds to participate more in Canada, the new leadership direction at OMERS appears well-timed with buzz around Canadian investment. Feature image courtesy OMERS Ventures.

Omers appoints CAAT exec to lead private equity funds strategy. * July 31, 2026 * - 9:14 am Omers has appointed Adam Buzanis as head of funds as the Canadian pension fund continues to expand its private equity fund investment platform and increase its focus on co-investments and external manager relationships, according to a report by Bloomberg. Buzanis joins from CAAT Pension Plan, where he most recently served as head of private markets after previously leading the organisation's private equity strategy. He will take up the new role on 3 August and report to Michael Block, who oversees private capital investments at Omers. The appointment comes as Omers continues to reshape its private equity business, placing greater emphasis on fund investments and partnerships with external managers rather than traditional direct buyouts. In his new position, Buzanis will be responsible for developing Omers' external private equity funds strategy while helping expand the pension plan's co-investment programme. The hire is the latest in a series of senior leadership changes within Omers' investment division. Former chief investment officer Ralph Berg recently departed to join Temasek, while earlier this month Omers promoted Michael Hill to global head of infrastructure and private equity and broadened Block's responsibilities across private capital. Omers has been repositioning its private equity platform over the past two years, including ending direct buyout activity in Europe in favour of investing alongside strategic partners and through third-party private equity fund managers.

FSRA announces appointment of Julie Giraldi as Chief Human Resources Officer. The Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario (FSRA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Julie Giraldi, CHRE, ICD.D, as its new Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO), effective July 13, 2026. Julie joins FSRA with extensive executive leadership experience in human resources, organizational transformation, talent strategy, culture, and governance. She is recognized for her ability to build high-performing teams, strengthen organizational culture, and align people strategies with business objectives in complex and evolving environments. Most recently, Julie served as Chief Human Resources Officer at CAAT Pension Plan, where she led all aspects of people and culture, including talent management, leadership development, employee engagement, succession planning, total rewards, and employee communications. During her tenure, she played a key role in leading the organization through a period of unprecedented growth - including a 500% increase in headcount, while increasing employee engagement to 85%. Her leadership contributed to CAAT's recognition as an employer of choice. She left CAAT in the summer of 2025. Prior to joining CAAT Pension Plan, Julie held senior leadership positions at OMERS, the Ontario Hospital Association, eHealth Ontario, and TTC where she led major initiatives focused on business transformation, organizational effectiveness, workforce development, and change management. She has also contributed extensively to governance and board leadership through roles with organizations including the Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP), National Diabetes Trust, and Diabetes Canada. Most recently, Julie was appointed to the Board of Directors of Yee Hong Centre for Geriatric Care, further demonstrating her commitment to governance excellence and serving the broader community. Julie holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Toronto, is a Certified Human Resources Executive (CHRE), and has earned the prestigious ICD.D designation through the Institute of Corporate Directors and Rotman School of Management. As CHRO, Julie will lead FSRA's people and culture function, supporting the organization's commitment to fostering a high-performing, inclusive, and engaged workplace while advancing strategic talent and leadership priorities. FSRA continues to work on behalf of all stakeholders, including consumers, to ensure financial safety, fairness, and choice for everyone. Announcements