Profile
“Every step taken in shaping Equiton has been infused with the experiences and insights gathered throughout my career. Seeing our vision come to life fills me with immense pride”
Helen Hurlbut
Equiton
Samantha Cleyn is passionate about collaboration and believes strongly in working with colleagues and competitors alike in the client's best interests.
As managing director and head of institutional sales and service at BMO Global Asset Management, she adeptly executes the firm’s institutional channel strategy. She leads a 10-person distribution team and oversees close to $40 billion managed on behalf of internal and third-party institutional clients.
Over her 15-plus year career, she has worked exclusively in service of the institutional market, covering a diverse client base of wealth management programs, foundations, insurers, public and corporate DB plans and DC plans, including some of the largest in Canada.
“I want to be remembered as fearless, someone not afraid to speak her mind or challenge the status quo,” she comments. “Above all else, as someone who never compromised her integrity and always did what was right for the clients. Being honest will get you farthest in the long run.”
Fearlessness, collaboration, and integrity have all been the key drivers of Cleyn’s success. BPM named her one of its inaugural Elite Women of 2024 in honour of her accomplishments and industry influence.
Cleyn has gained a unique perspective on the asset management industry by conducting 2,000-plus investment manager meetings and over 250 manager search projects globally across public and private asset classes.
She has earned a reputation as a valuable resource for her extensive knowledge and perspective on investment managers and their strategies, in addition to her expertise in selecting and monitoring investment programs. Close collaboration with large institutional clients has also strengthened her insight into their decision-making processes.
The industry has valued and benefited from the strong mentorship Cleyn has shown to those she has worked with as well as her ability to communicate effectively and build relationships with internal and external stakeholders to become a trusted advisor and partner.
Cleyn didn’t choose a career in finance initially. Instead, it chose her. After completing her undergraduate studies, she knew she wanted to work with investments and became an investment advisor. She also discovered that the retail environment was not for her and made the conscious decision to go back to school to do an MBA and pursue her CFA designation, which led to an internship at an investment consulting firm.
Her advice to aspiring young finance leaders is timeless.
“I’ve been blessed to have had a couple of great mentors and, importantly, to be a mentor to many young individuals in the industry during my career,” she notes. “Be willing to start at the bottom. Getting your foot in the door at the right organization to gain the right experience will be critical for your future success, even if it comes with a slightly longer road, less pay, or more hours today.”
Before joining BMO GAM, Cleyn was with T. Rowe Price Canada, managing the firm’s institutional efforts nationally. Her experience also includes more than 11 years in investment consulting.
First Canadian Place, 43rd Floor, King Street West, Toronto, ON M5X 1A1
+15142142773
samantha.cleyn@bmo.com
linkedin.com/in/samantha-cleyn-cfa-mba-59380920/
https://institutional.bmogam.com/ca-en/
Samantha Cleyn
Managing Director, Head of Institutional Sales and Service
BMO Global Asset Management
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“We continually invest efforts in fostering and nurturing a culture that promotes collaboration and teamwork as we continue to evolve and expand”
Helen Hurlbut
Equiton
2009–2015
2016–2020
2020–2023
2023–present
2021–present
Pavilion Advisory Group/Brockhouse Cooper
2009–2012: Research Analyst
2012–2014: Senior Research Analyst
2014–2015: Research Consultant and Research Team Lead
2009–
2015
Senior Investment Consultant Principal at Mercer Canada
2016–
2020
T. Rowe Price
2020–2022: VP, Head of Eastern Canada
2022–2023: Head of Institutional, Canada
2020–
2023
Managing Director, Head of Institutional Sales and Service at BMO Global Asset Management
2023–
present
2021–present: Senior Vice President, Group Benefits at Sun Life
2023–present: Member QIS (https://qisante.ca/)
2021–
present
Assistant Vice President and Senior Broker at MJ Hall & Company since 2018
Present
Milestones
Aug 2022
Milestones
Sept 2021
Feb 2022
Apr 2022
Jul 2022
Aug
2022
Suncorp Bank introduces Solar Home Bonus offer for customers who are choosing renewable energy for their homes
Sept 2021
Month-on-month market share growth commences
Feb 2022
Suncorp Bank wins the Canstar award for most outstanding value in investment loans
Apr 2022
Suncorp Bank wins Money Magazine’s Bank of the Year and Business Bank of the Year awards for the fifth year in a row
Jul 2022
Suncorp Bank’s turnaround times are the lowest they have ever been. The lender becomes Australia’s first certified carbon neutral bank for both its operation and transaction services
Aug 2022
Milestones
Kuhn says, “I would say my career has been one of more of chance and opportunities than a set plan. And it’s interesting how one decision has a ripple effect on putting you on a different path than maybe where you thought you would be.”
He highlights his spell at Endurance as his biggest professional achievement to date.
“It took some time, but we took them from really being viewed as a reinsurance company to being viewed as a global insurance company.”
It’s this type of innovative attitude that is powering Westfield Specialty forward so successfully.
Kuhn explains, “Westfield Specialty and I have been trying to make sure we are opportunistic in the marketplace and that has allowed us to grow profitably and create a broader and more diversified portfolio.”
Part of this has seen the firm acquire the existing Lloyd’s of London Syndicate 1200 in February 2023. It is also Kuhn’s ingenuity that has allowed Westfield Specialty to outperform expectations in challenging market conditions.
“I would say it’s been the understanding that there is a limited window of time. We're in this unique market, we need to be fast and decisive to take advantage of market opportunities before the market begins to move away,” he comments. “Additionally, I'd like to say we move with a lot of speed, but we do it in a thoughtful and methodical approach, not just to be the first.”
“In terms of leadership, I like to think I’m recognized for being assertive yet supportive – a blend of high expectations and drive while understanding the crucial elements that contribute to people’s success,” she reflects.
Scaling Equiton up to a team of 185 employees and counting has presented some of her most significant challenges. Recognizing the need for robust teams to support and sustain this expansion, she and partner Roque have prioritized the creation of strong leadership structures.
“Maintaining this growth while preserving a cohesive and collaborative company culture remains paramount,” adds Hurlbut. “We continually invest efforts in fostering and nurturing a culture that promotes collaboration and teamwork as we continue to evolve and expand.”
Reflecting on the legacy she’d like to leave, Hurlbut notes she aspires to establish a thriving company that allows all individuals to build successful careers.
“I aim to provide opportunities to excel, enabling team members to carve their mark on the industry as they advance and grow professionally,” she says. “I hope to also leave behind a legacy of empowerment and progression for women in our industry.”
That dedication to mentorship, particularly for women and marginalized groups, is evident through her roles at the Women Presidents Organization and within Equiton, where she champions diverse talent and fosters an inclusive environment.
Her commitment extends to community support, exemplified by Equion’s charitable endeavours, reflecting her ethos of giving back and making a meaningful impact.
Chief underwriting officer of executive risk at Chubb
President of financial insurance solutions at Kemper
Chief underwriting officer at Axis Capital
CEO of global Insurance at Endurance
CEO of global Insurance at Sompo International
Kuhn joined Westfield Specialty in the firm’s first year (2021) and has established the company’s presence in the specialty market. By the end of 2023, the firm is expected to surpass $1.3 billion in GWP after writing $300 million in 2021.
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