Disrupting Canadian Banking

Following the conversation, we invite you to join us light refreshments.

Michael Katchen, Co-founder and CEO, Wealthsimple

Mahima Poddar, Former Senior Vice-President & Group Head of Personal Banking, Equitable Bank

Som Seif, CEO, Purpose Unlimited; CEO, Purpose Investments

Moderator: Amanda Lang, Chief Financial Correspondent, CTV News; Anchor, Taking Stock, CTV

On Thursday, November 13, join us for Disrupting Canadian Banking, a thought-provoking conversation on how fintech challengers are transforming the way Canadians save, invest, borrow, and transact. CEOs and leaders at the forefront of Canada’s financial disruption will share what it truly means to be digital-first and scalable, how they are winning customer trust in an era of heightened expectations, and the unique opportunities and risks that come with shaking up a highly regulated industry. From new approaches to customer experience and product design to the technologies reshaping the sector, this discussion will reveal where the next wave of disruption is headed, and what it means for the future of banking in Canada.

Michael Katchen, Co-founder and CEO, Wealthsimple

Michael Katchen is the co-founder and CEO of Wealthsimple, a leading Canadian financial services company offering investing and saving products. Today, over three million Canadians trust Wealthsimple with more than $70 billion assets. In 2024, he launched Simple Ventures, a venture studio building the next generation of great Canadian-founded companies. Michael currently sits on the board of Intact Financial and Wealthsimple Foundation, an initiative that helps children from modest-income families save for post-secondary education.

Mahima Poddar, Former Senior Vice-President & Group Head of Personal Banking, Equitable Bank

Mahima Poddar is a seasoned financial services executive and entrepreneur, known for her track record of driving growth, innovation, and customer-centric transformation in Canadian banking. Until March 2025, Mahima served as Senior Vice-President & Group Head of Personal Banking at Equitable Bank, where she led EQ Bank, mortgages, insurance, consumer lending, payments, and marketing. During her tenure, Equitable became Canada's leading alternative lender and EQ Bank grew to over $9 billion in deposits, introduced category-defining products, and was named Canada’s Best Bank by Forbes for three consecutive years. She has been recognized as one of WXN’s Top 100 Most Powerful Women in Canada and received Globe and Mail’s Best Executive Award.

Som Seif, CEO, Purpose Unlimited; CEO, Purpose Investments

Som Seif is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Purpose Unlimited, which he formed following the sale of Claymore Investments to BlackRock Inc. in March 2012 and the Co-Founder of WealthSimple Technologies Inc. Prior to Claymore Investments, Som was an investment banker with RBC Capital Markets. He has a strong commitment to community and is currently Co-Chair of the UofT Defy Gravity Campaign, Vice Chair of the AGO Foundation Board and Chair of their Investment Committee, and a member of the Next Canada Board.

About the moderator:

Amanda Lang, Chief Financial Correspondent, CTV News; Anchor, Taking Stock, CTV

Award-winning business journalist Amanda Lang has been covering business in North America for 30 years. Lang is chief financial correspondent for CTV News. She is also the host of Taking Stock, a weekly national television program airing across multiple Bell Media networks including BNN Bloomberg, CP24 and CTV News Channel. She is also host of the Wonk podcast, produced by the Public Policy Forum. Previously, Lang was CBC’s senior business correspondent, reporting for its flagship nightly news program, The National, and host of The Exchange with Amanda Lang, a daily business program airing on CBC News Network.

Lang is also a best-selling author. “The Power of Why,” (HarperCollins, October 2012) explores the connection between curiosity and success. “The Beauty of Discomfort” (HarperCollins, April 2017) examines how difficult change can be, and set out strategies for how to achieve it.

This event is available to attend in-person only.Rotman Events is committed to accessibility for all people. If you have any access needs or if there are any ways we can support your full participation in this session, please email [[email protected]] no later than 2 weeks in advance of the event and we will be glad to work with you to make the appropriate arrangements.

• The event will be hosted in Desautels Hall at the Rotman School of Management (105 St. George St., Toronto, ON M5S 3E6). Your registration fee includes a seat at the session and light refreshments.

• Refunds will only be issued for cancellations received in writing NO LATER than 24 hours prior to the event. Please email [email protected] for processing.

Questions: [email protected]

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Rotman School of Management, 105 St. George Street, Toronto, Canada