Session Overview:
Join us for Convera Live! on November 6th, 2025 from 6pm to 9pm at the St. Regis hotel for an evening of insights, networking, and preparation for a successful 2026.
Whether you are navigating global markets or optimizing treasury strategies, this is the event to help your company stay ahead. Key themes covered by the panel discussion include:
- What are the key financial and operational challenges facing Canadian companies expanding internationally?
- How can organizations navigate the fiscal and regulatory complexities of different markets?
- In what ways do geopolitical uncertainties influence international growth strategies?
- What best practices or recommendations should guide companies in preparing for 2026?
AFP Toronto members have exclusive access to Convera Live! and will earn 1.2 CTP credits.
Bring a co-worker or friend to the event at no additional cost! Please be sure to select "Add Guest" during the registration process.
Featured Speakers:
Sonia Baxendale
Sonia Baxendale is President & CEO of Global Risk Institute (GRI). In this role, Sonia brings together leaders from industry, academia and government to focus on emerging risk issues.
Sonia has extensive experience as an executive and non-executive in the financial services industry globally.
Sonia is an active corporate director who sits on the boards of Laurentian Bank, Definity Financial Corp., and Intermediate Capital Group (ICG). She is past Chair of the Board of SickKids Foundation. In 2023, she was appointed to a three-member investment committee overseeing the $23.4 billion First Nations Child and Family Services settlement fund.
Prior to joining GRI, Sonia held senior roles at CIBC, including Senior Executive Vice President and President of CIBC Retail Markets, where she led the Retail & Commercial Banking and Wealth Management businesses. She played a key role in developing strategy and direction for CIBC. Prior to CIBC, she held various positions with American Express Canada and Saatchi & Saatchi.
Sonia is a graduate of the University of Toronto, where she was named the Victoria College Alumni of Distinction in 2017. She was named one of the “Top 100 Most Powerful Women in Canada” for three years in a row and then joined the ranks of the Top 100 Hall of Fame in 2010. In 2000, she was recognized as one of Canada’s Top 40 Under 40.
Vincent Caron
For three years, Vincent held positions of increasing responsibility at Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters, a national association representing manufacturers all sizes, in all subsectors across Canada, including most recently as Vice President, Ontario Government Relations and Member Advocacy.
In that capacity he worked with member companies and the Government of Ontario to promote policies that lower costs and increase investment. He made a major impact by securing the implementation and expansion of the Ontario Made Manufacturing Investment Tax Credit, among other measures, in a time of economic disruption. Vincent represented CME on national podiums, in the media and testified at Queen’s Park, while also leading policy committees and regional member engagement to support major reports on the future of Ontario’s workforce.
Prior to his work at CME, Vincent worked in the governments of Ontario and Canada for 15 years. He has worked for six federal ministers in various departments, including Industry Canada and Public Safety Canada, where he had primary responsibility for the implementation of the Canada/U.S. Beyond the Border Action Plan.
He was also exposed to international trade issues in the Corporate Affairs department of the LCBO, one of the world’s largest purchasers of beverage alcohol.
Originally from Quebec City, Vincent has a master’s degree in public policy from the University of Bristol in England. He is a proud father of two girls.
Stuart Pasternak
Stuart is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CA) and fractional CFO based in Vaughan/Woodbridge, with a diverse expertise in finance, business, and leadership.
With over 30 years of experience, he has expertly navigated complex challenges across strategic planning, financial reporting, treasury, risk management, and representation at the International Trade Tribunal and Department of Justice.
Stuart’s expertise in mergers and acquisitions (M&A) and cross-border transactions reflects his strategic insight and deep understanding of global markets. His ability to identify and leverage growth opportunities while guiding organizations toward their objectives ensures long-term financial stability and compliance.
Stuart is a member of the York – Simcoe CFO team serving Greater Toronto.
David Renta
David is Senior Managing Director and Global Head of Hedging at Convera. David has over 20 years of experience in FX and hedging, including being the Head of Hedging and Head of US Corporate at Western Union where he had full oversight and P/L responsibility for the Global Hedging line of business within the Business Solutions division. Prior to Western Union David spent 17 years at KeyBank in Cleveland, OH where he worked in various roles leading teams and crafting FX execution and hedging strategies to help corporate and private equity clients manage their transaction, translation and net investment exposures.
David is a past faculty member of Kent State University where he taught courses on the structure and regulation of various financial markets as well as investment portfolio theory.
David has a BS in Finance with a concentration in Investment Management and a MA in Banking and Finance with a concentration in Financial Engineering from The University of Alabama.
