Headquarters:

#500, 1010 142 Street NW, Edmonton, AB, T5N 2R1

Year founded:

1939

Number of employees:

Phone:

1 800 661 9582

Email:

info@atrf.com

Website:

atrf.com

LinkedIn:

ca.linkedin.com/company/atrf

“We don’t just do spreadsheets and decks, we take the lead on execution and communication, and really take care of our clients in ways others don’t in the industry”

Joseph Chan, Looniewell

ALBERTA TEACHERS’ RETIREMENT FUND (ATRF)

Rod Matheson

Chief Executive Officer

Alwyn Christian

Vice President, Information and Technology Services

Julie Joyal

Vice President, Pension Services

Leadership

Rod Matheson is responsible for the operation and management of ATRF. He leads the Executive Leadership Team and oversees ATRF’s strategic direction for the entire organization. He has an extensive background working with the Government of Alberta, where he served in various capacities for over 30 years. His last government role was assistant deputy minister, treasury and risk management with the Alberta Treasury Board and Finance. Matheson holds a Bachelor of Commerce and an MBA from the University of Alberta. He is also a CPA, CMA, and CFA, and holds an ICD.D designation.

Chief Executive Officer

Rod Matheson

Alwyn Christian spearheads ATRF’s technology strategy, driving transformative initiatives and strengthening IT infrastructure and cybersecurity to align with organizational objectives. With over 20 years of experience in the technology sector, Christian specializes in cybersecurity, IT risk management, enterprise architecture, and large-scale technology transformations. Before joining ATRF, he held leadership roles at KPMG and various provincial ministries, where he led critical IT functions and delivered high-impact projects. Christian holds a bachelor’s degree in engineering, a Diploma in Information System Security, and certifications including CISSP, CISM, and CRISC.

Vice President, Information and Technology Services

Alwyn Christian

Julie Joyal is responsible for the strategic direction and management of the Pension Services department, overseeing the provision of pension benefits as well as services and information to plan members, employers, and plan sponsors. Prior to joining ATRF in 2016, Julie was director, pension and benefits with Canada Post. Before that, she was vice president at Aon. She holds a B.Sc. degree in mathematics and is a Fellow of the Canadian Institute of Actuaries and the Society of Actuaries. Joyal is a Board member of the Association of Canadian Pension Management (ACPM) and the Chair of its Alberta Regional Council.

Vice President, Pension Services

Julie Joyal

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Myles Norton

Vice President, Finance

Myles Norton is responsible for leading ATRF’s financial services, which includes pension payroll, contributions, refunds and transfers, financial reporting, investment accounting, and enterprise risk management, as well as overseeing the planning and budgetary process. Myles holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) from the University of Alberta, in addition to CPA, CMA, and CFA designations. He is also a member of CPA Alberta, the CFA Institute, and the Edmonton CFA Society.

Vice President, Finance

Myles Norton

Andrew Tambone

Vice President, Investments and Funding

Andrew Tambone is responsible for leading the investment strategy and coordinated management of the plan’s assets and liabilities. This includes oversight and monitoring of the implementation of the ATRF Investment Policy to ensure appropriate investment performance, alignment, and effectiveness. Tambone is a seasoned investment professional with over 30 years of experience. Prior to ATRF, he was most recently the chief investment officer with the Special Forces Pension Plan, chief risk officer at AIMCo, and chief investment officer at WCB Alberta. He holds a BA (Hons) in Business Studies and a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation.

Vice President, Investments and Funding

Andrew Tambone

Alberta Teachers’ Retirement Fund (ATRF) is united in its mission to support and secure Alberta’s teachers’ pensions through diligent stewardship. Founded 85 years ago, ATRF has amassed a wealth of experience in managing teacher pensions. “We bring a high level of expertise to our work, including both the management of our plans and the strategic oversight of our investment portfolio,” CEO Rod Matheson says. This deep understanding of its members’ unique needs sets ATRF apart in an industry fraught with complexity. But it’s not just about numbers and investments. ATRF prides itself on a culture that thrives on excellence, dedication, and mutual support. Anchored by strong corporate values of inclusion, purpose, courage, and integrity, the organization fosters an environment where employees and members feel valued and respected. Benefits and Pensions Monitor recognized ATRF as one of its Top Employers of 2024. Facing significant changes in governing legislation, ATRF managed a substantial transition that touched nearly every part of its operation. Its leaders managed that transition strategically and with expert oversight, resulting in the organization emerging strong and on a solid, long-term footing. Leadership plays a crucial role in ATRF’s success. The leaders model integrity in every interaction and balance high standards with a genuine passion for teamwork and the people they serve. The organization offers unique advantages that make it an attractive place to work. It provides a collaborative atmosphere, professional development opportunities, and initiatives promoting work-life balance. Community involvement is also key, with employees given two days each year to volunteer their time. This year, team members have given back by volunteering at Tools for Schools, Meals on Wheels, and planting trees. When it comes to employee compensation, ATRF offers competitive salaries that reflect current market standards and acknowledge employees’ experience and contributions. A comprehensive annual incentive program recognizes outstanding performance and a robust benefits package supports employees’ physical, financial, social, and emotional well-being. Continuous learning is paramount, underscored by a culture of professional growth that offers many opportunities for learning and development through a talent strategy. Employees can access leadership development training and regular sessions covering effective communication and project management. There’s also financial support for external education programs aligned with employees’ career goals, with no cap on reimbursement amounts. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are integral to ATRF’s identity. “When we work together, we produce superior results,” Matheson adds. “We care for and respect each other and our unique perspectives.” While they’re beginning a more formal DE&I journey, their dedication to building an equitable and inclusive workplace is unwavering. Employee retention and satisfaction are critical components of ATRF’s strategy. The company has an annual performance process to ensure employees receive regular feedback and coaching. In early 2023, an employee engagement survey revealed an overall score of 74 percent, highlighting strengths in communication, work-life balance, and a focus on clients’ needs. Looking ahead, ATRF is undertaking a multi-year modernization program to increase long-term system stability and organizational efficiency. “It is an exciting time as this work looks at nearly every system and process to maximize benefits and minimize risks,” says Matheson. Current priorities include rolling out a refreshed employment brand, continuing to provide opportunities for employee development, and conducting another engagement survey to enhance organizational culture further.

“Our philosophy is to be honest, ethical, and transparent with our clients; focus on what’s in their best interest; and help their business thrive” 

Joseph Chan, Looniewell

Adam Little

Partner

Karen Vigmond

Partner

Lara Fitzgerald-Husek

Partner

Liane Brown

Partner

Adam Little believes that achieving exceptional results in personal injury claims requires creativity, dedication, perseverance, and hard work. He strives to apply those qualities on behalf of all his clients.

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Adam Little

Karen Vigmond is committed to assisting personal injury victims and their loved ones achieve the best possible outcomes. Her practice focuses solely on personal injury law, including accident benefits, motor vehicle accidents, medical malpractice, and occupiers’ liability cases.

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Karen Vigmond

Lara Fitzgerald-Husek joined Oatley Vigmond after practicing insurance defence at a leading national firm. The experience of representing many of Canada’s largest insurers has provided Lara with valuable insight into personal injury claims, allowing her to better serve her clients.

Partner

Lara Fitzgerald-Husek

Liane Brown is committed to representing individuals who have suffered serious personal injuries and to families who have suffered the loss of a loved one. Her practice concentrates on personal injury law, including accident benefits, motor vehicle collisions, medical malpractice, occupiers’ liability, product liability and wrongful death cases.

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Liane Brown

Partner

Liane Brown

Ben Irantalab enjoys the complexities of personal injury litigation. His practice is exclusively devoted to representing clients with brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and severe orthopedic injuries. For him, the cases that require special creativity and thinking outside the box are the most gratifying.

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Ben Irantalab

This modern mindset extends to how Looniewell manages client interactions.  “We don’t hide our commission, our clients know exactly how we’re compensated,” explains Chan. “We strive for same-day response and acknowledgement. Oftentimes we respond and at least acknowledge within an hour.”  As a result, the firm’s client retention is “very high” and a by-product of the trust built upon Looniewell’s methods of operation.  Eager to keep evolving and offering more to the market, Chan is considering expanding beyond consulting services to provide Software as a Service (SaaS) for Total Rewards through platform and analytics.  Chan comments, “Our philosophy is to be honest, ethical, and transparent with our clients; focus on what’s in their best interest; and help their business thrive.” 

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“We will continue to strengthen our service proposition and customer experience as a key differentiator, as we build on the momentum we have achieved to date across multiple business lines and territories,” says McLean. “Our im is to continue to grow our market relevance and strengthen our partnerships with our strategic brokers as we expand our leadership position in key sectors. “We will also continue to invest in talent. We are committed to drawing from the broadest pools of talent, and to creating an environment that attracts and retains stellar employees. We recognise the importance of building teams that are diverse, collaborative, and innovative and are dedicated to cultivating a supportive and inclusive workplace culture in which all our employees can thrive.”

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ALBERTA TEACHERS’ RETIREMENT FUND (ATRF)

There is also an absence of ‘consulting speak’ and corporate red tape as Looniewell provides clients with the top-quality fundamentals of measurable results and a highly responsive team.  An example of how focused the team is on delivering the best work possible, Chan prohibited the acceptance of gifts/meals from vendors/partners to ensure there is never any potential conflict of interest.  He says, “We put our clients first and advocate for them.”  Looniewell’s rapid rise has been driven solely by organic growth, and its customer base is the result of referrals, which include organizations with over 10,000 employees to start-up operations seeking to scale.  The firm’s team of consultants have been attracted by the progressive and innovative work environment that features: 

· Global Office – work up to two weeks from anywhere in the world · Work from anywhere – not hybrid, no office, 100 percent remote · Proprietary tools and best technology to support digital-first work · Immediate benefits coverage from day one · Unlimited vacation · No corporate red tape, no hierarchy, no nonsense – staff are empowered to focus on meaningful client work and professional development

· Day-to-day Shout-outs – to award outstanding work, employees can exchange earned points for gift vouchers of up to $150 · Quarterly Stars Award – employees demonstrating core values have the chance to win $500 · Annual Hero’s Celebration – manager-nominated and peer-voted awards where outstanding employees earn a $5,000 bonus

Ben Irantalab

Partner

Ben Irantalab

Partner

Ben Irantalab

Partner

Liane Brown