Sun Life Global Investments

An experienced team - with a singular focus

The Sun Life Global Investments Multi-Asset Solutions Team is devoted to fund manager selection, oversight, and building managed solutions to deliver risk-adjusted returns for Canadian investors.

An experienced team - with a singular focus

The Sun Life Global Investments Multi-Asset Solutions Team is devoted to fund manager selection, oversight, and building managed solutions to deliver risk-adjusted returns for Canadian investors.

Meet our team

A dedicated team of analysts and investment professionals supports the group, providing ongoing research to new managers, investment strategies and market exposures, as well as market conditions. 

Chhad Aul, Chief Investment Officer and Head of Multi-Asset Solutions, SLGI Asset Management Inc.

Joined the industry in 2004

Joined Sun Life Global Investments in 2014

As Chief Investment Officer and Head of Multi-Asset Solutions, Chhad Aul is responsible for the development, evolution and execution of the investment philosophy, process and investment team managing SLGI Asset Management Inc.’s funds, separate accounts and strategies. This includes chairing the Asset Allocation Committee and Investment Oversight Committee and leading the activities of the Multi-Asset Solutions team to drive performance and manage risk.

When Chhad joined the company in 2014 he brought with him deep expertise in quantitative strategies, asset allocation and investing with derivatives. He uses these strengths to build and manage sophisticated solutions for Canadian investors seeking broadly diversified portfolios.

To increase investor knowledge, Chhad connects with advisors and consultants across Canada to discuss the market and his team’s investment process.

Prior to joining Sun Life Global Investments, Chhad was Vice-President and Senior Portfolio Manager at State Street Global Advisors where he managed a broad number of equity strategies – from traditional long-only funds to alternative strategies and hedge funds. Earlier, he was Associate Portfolio Manager at Hillsdale Investment Management and a Quantitative Analyst at TD Securities.

Chhad holds a Bachelor of Applied Science degree in Engineering Science and a Master of Mathematical Finance degree, both from the University of Toronto. He is also a CFA Charterholder.

Aly Somani, CFA, CPA, CA, Portfolio Manager

Joined industry in 2007

Joined Sun Life Global Investments in 2012

Aly joined SLGI Asset Management in 2012 He is a member of the team’s Asset Allocation Committee, using his skills and experience to support the committee’s strategic and tactical asset allocation, quantitative modeling and derivative strategies. This includes conducting fundamental and quantitative global macro and cross-asset research to form investment conclusions as well as recommending specific investment strategies that can be used to enhance return and/or reduce risk in the team’s multi-asset solutions. Aly also serves as portfolio manager on several of the team’s strategies and funds.

Prior to joining SLGI, Aly spent four years in public accounting. It was through this experience that Aly saw how large organizations use derivatives and other financial instruments to achieve various objectives. Since joining SLGI, Aly has significantly contributed to team’s efforts in using derivatives and other financial instruments optimally. Aly also supports the team’s communications with advisors, consultants and the media, particularly when it comes to sharing the team’s asset allocation views and how the team is managing investor portfolios.

Aly holds an Honours Bachelor of Commerce degree (Magna Cum Laude) from the University of Ottawa and is a Chartered Professional Accountant, Chartered Accountant, CFA Charterholder and Certified Public Accountant (US). He has also completed Options, Futures and Derivatives licensing courses from the Canadian Securities Institute.

Christine Tan, MBA, CFA, Portfolio Manager

Joined industry in 1997

Joined Sun Life Global Investments in 2018

Christine joined SLGI in 2018, bringing extensive experience in fundamental bottom up portfolio management and expertise in emerging markets, including country macroeconomic analysis. She is a member of the Investment Oversight Committee and the Asset Allocation Committee, and serves as portfolio manager on several of the team’s strategies and funds. Her role also includes leading the evolution of SLGI’s DC OCIO platform and leadership of the Investment Product Specialists representing the team’s investment philosophy, process and portfolio strategy.

Prior to joining SLGI, Christine was Chief Investment Officer and Senior Portfolio Manager at Excel Investment Counsel Inc. In addition to oversight of all sub-advised funds, she had portfolio management responsibility for the Excel Emerging Markets Fund. Christine has travelled extensively in emerging market countries for due-diligence meetings with corporate management teams.

Christine was previously Vice President and Portfolio Manager at Gluskin Sheff + Associates, a prominent wealth manager serving high-net-worth clients, where she co-managed a top-quartile, $1.5-billion Canadian equity portfolio. Prior to Gluskin Sheff, Christine was a Canadian equity manager at a boutique asset manager and an investment banker at a major Canadian bank focused on mergers and acquisitions.

Christine holds a Bachelor of Science Honours from University of Alberta and earned her MBA with honours from the Schulich School of Business. Christine is also a CFA charterholder. 

Anthony Wu, CFA, Portfolio Manager

Joined industry in 2009

Joined Sun Life Global Investments in 2015

Anthony joined SLGI Asset Management in 2015. He is as a member of the Asset Allocation Committee, providing global macro and cross-asset research to the committee and serves as portfolio manager on several of the team’s strategies and funds. Anthony is also responsible for overseeing operational aspect of portfolio implementation, working collaboratively with operations, traders, and external managers to resolve issues. Anthony supports the team in sharing its global asset allocation views and positions to stakeholders and helps mentor and develop junior members of the team.

Prior to joining SLGI, Anthony was an Associate at Segal Rogerscasey Canada and provided oversight to private wealth platforms and conducted due diligence on external managers across all asset classes.

Anthony is a CFA Charterholder and holds a Bachelor of Mathematics, Honours Actuarial Science degree from University of Waterloo. He has also completed the Futures and Options licensing courses from the Canadian Securities Institute.

Jason Zhang, CFA, Portfolio Manager

Joined industry in 2007

Joined Sun Life Global Investments in 2022

Jason joined Sun Life Global Investments in 2022.  He is a member of our Asset Allocation Committee and a Portfolio Manager for our Granite series of funds and other select strategies. Jason has more than a decade of comprehensive experience in multi-asset portfolio management. This includes managing Target Date and Target Risk portfolios, determining the glidepath, strategic asset mix & manager allocations. He has an in-depth understanding of macroeconomic principles and global capital markets, manager research and selection, and asset/liability modeling.

Prior to joining Sun Life Global Investments, Jason was a Managing Director, Portfolio Manager, Multi-Asset Solution Team, at Manulife Investment Management, providing day-to-day monitoring and portfolio management of the multi-asset solutions team’s Canadian-based asset allocation portfolios. 

Jason is a CFA Charterholder. He also holds a Bachelor’s degree in Applied Mathematics from Peking University, a Master’s degree in Statistics and Actuarial Sciences from Western University, and a Master’s degree in Quantitative Finance from the University of Waterloo. 

Jenifer Rush, CFA, CAIA, Head of Responsible Investing and Manager Research, Sun Life Global Investments.

Joined industry in 1997

Joined Sun Life Global Investments in 2022

In her role as Head of Responsible Investing and Manager Research, Jenifer is responsible for enhancing our multi-manager capabilities and accelerating our focus on responsible investing.  Jenifer leads a team of dedicated investment professionals in the research, selection, and ongoing oversight of external and affiliated asset managers. She is also responsible for the integration of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) considerations within our manager research function and represents SLGI Asset Management Inc. in various corporate sustainability initiatives across the Sun Life group of companies.

Prior to joining Sun Life Global Investments in 2022, Jenifer was AVP, Head of Global Manager Research, Canada, at a leading wealth management firm.  In her previous role, Jenifer played a key role in augmenting the focus on ESG for managers on the platform.  She brings with her over 25 years of industry experience across manager research and portfolio management.

Jenifer holds an MBA from Queen’s University as well as the CFA and CAIA designations. She has successfully completed the CFA Certificate in ESG Investing and the CFA Certificate in Climate and Investing. Outside of work, she shares her experience by teaching courses in portfolio management at her alma mater. Jenifer is actively involved in the Toronto CFA Society, as an advisor to the Professional Development Committee.  Jenifer is also a Board Member of the North York Women’s Centre. 

  • Deep expertise to back your portfolio

    The Sun Life Global Investments Multi-Assets Solutions Team has managed institutional and retail portfolios for over a decade. Bringing together a talented group, we have over 200 years of combined investment experience. 

     

  • Philosophy

    No single company is the best in every single category. Sub-advisor selection is based on the potential to enhance risk-adjusted returns, provide global diversification, and preserve capital.

  • Multi-manager approach

    We research and analyze fund managers from around the globe—and we only invest with fund managers we believe to be the best in each category. The team is not bound by any proprietary limitations or contractual obligations.

Committees and Key resources

The Solution Oversight Committee (SOC) provides primary oversight of SLGI Asset Management’s retail and institutional internally managed investment mandates (SLGI Managed Solutions).

The President of SLGI Asset Management chairs the Committee made up of investment professionals from across the organization independent from SLGI Asset Management’s Portfolio Management Team. 

The Investment Oversight Committee (IOC) is responsible for the selection, replacement and monitoring of sub-advisors and third-party managers in SLGI Asset Management’s managed solutions, as well as those available on a standalone basis. The IOC is supported by the International Investment Centre for manager selection and investment governance.

Additionally, the Risk Governance team provides guidance and support to the IOC to ensure compliance with all SLGI policies and regulatory requirements. 

The Asset Allocation Committee is responsible for establishing, reviewing, and updating the high-level strategic asset allocation of the funds and strategies managed by the team. They also establish, monitor and update overall tactical asset allocation views of the team.

The portfolio management team also has access to research and resources from the full breadth of Sun Life’s investment expertise, including the International Investment Centre (IIC).

The IIC functions as an independent investment research engine for the Sun Life group of companies with relationships of over 100 asset managers globally. The IIC provides independent research and consulting services to Sun Life wealth, pension, and insurance businesses around the world. The portfolio management team engages the IIC to provide guidance and research support related to external manager selection and oversight. 

Our insights

  • From the desk

    Stay up to date on the latest market insights from the team.

  • Quarterly fund reviews

    Sun Life Granite Managed Portfolios

    Commentary, asset allocation and key tactical changes for all seven Granite funds.

  • Monthly Tactical Update

    Sun Life Granite Managed Portfolios

    Update on the tactical changes and highlights for the past month.