MEET THE TEAM
Lending Team
Andrea Mejia
Andrea oversees investment and portfolio management at the Community Forward Fund and Canadian Co-operative Investment Fund. She has over ten years of experience in financial institutions, including in underwriting, credit risk management, internal controls, and audit. She has also provided consulting services to nonprofits focused on at-risk youth in the GTA and a cooperative organization promoting women’s economic empowerment in Colombia.
Darren Chang
Darren supports the financial operations and analysis across the New Market Funds platform. His previous experience includes private investment valuation at Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan, as well as financial institution and real estate audit at KPMG. Darren holds a BCom from the University of British Columbia.
Huda Al-Asad
Huda supports investment analysis and the deal process across the New Market Funds platform. She has experience working in the multifamily, hospitality, and commercial real estate sectors.
Finance, Operations and Management
Derek Ballantyne
Derek manages and oversees the business and strategy for the Community Forward Fund and the Canadian Co-operative Investment Fund. He has more than 20 years of experience leading community housing and development corporations as CEO of Toronto Community Housing and COO of Build Toronto. He has deployed over $500M in real estate in Canada. He holds a BA from Carleton University.
Lauren Giroday
Lauren manages financial operations and analysis across the New Market Funds platform. She has over 9 years of financial and management experience in a combination of public, private and social enterprise. She holds a CPA,CA designation and a BAcc (Hons) from Brock University.
Lisa Ainooson
Lisa supports the financial operations and analysis across the New Market Funds platform. She has over 7 years of finance and accounting experience working in fund administration and asset management.
Robin Goulding
Robin supports the day-to-day and strategic operations across the New Market Funds platform. She has over 8 years of operations management experience with nonprofits, INGOs, and purpose-driven business in Canada and internationally.