Kinnect Vancouver: The Modern Family Office – What’s Changing and What Should Families Be Rethinking?
October 21 @ 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm PDT
Facilitator
Barb Schimnowsky , CMC, FEA
Partner, Watson Board Advisors
As a Certified Management Consultant and Family Enterprise Advisor, Barb brings more than 35 years of executive search experience, grounded in the foundational work required to truly understand an organization before any search begins. Her industry-wide reputation is built not only on identifying exceptional leaders, but on ensuring the conditions are right for them to succeed.
Barb works closely with boards and owners to surface the real issues beneath leadership transitions — clarifying strategy, defining decision rights, aligning family and board expectations, and articulating the capabilities required for the next stage of growth. She helps organizations prepare for the successful introduction of an external CEO or independent directors by establishing clear criteria, governance discipline, and shared alignment.
Balancing objectivity with empathy, Barb guides families through founder transitions, next-generation leadership, and governance evolution. She blends the art and science of search — rigorous process, thoughtful diagnostics, and sound judgment — so when a leader is appointed, the stage is fully set for long-term success.
Panelists
Julian Carson, CFA, CA
Vice President, JH Investments
Julian leads the Houssian family office, overseeing their operating businesses and investment portfolio held within JH Investments. Julian works with senior leadership to develop and manage the execution of business strategies and leads the finance, tax, treasury and investment management activities for the group of companies and the family members.
Chris Donkers, CFA, CPA, CA
Chief Financial & Investment Officer, McLean Group
Chris Donkers is the Chief Financial and Investment Officer of the McLean Group, a Vancouver-based single-family office, where he leads the family office and is responsible for the family's investment strategy, capital allocation, finance, tax, treasury, and governance across a diversified portfolio of public and private investments.
Chris brings more than two decades of experience advising families and managing capital across public markets, private investments, and alternative assets. Prior to joining the McLean Group, he was a Senior Portfolio Manager at Richter Family Office, Senior Investment Officer at one of Canada's largest single-family offices in Victoria, and Head Trader and Portfolio Manager at Fairfax Financial, where he spent nearly a decade managing institutional investment portfolios.
Chris is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CA), and holds an Honours Business Administration degree from the Ivey Business School at Western University.
Ada Lam, CPA, CA
Major Rock Corporation
Ada Lam is the Executive Director for Major Rock Corporation. She is responsible for the development and execution of strategy for the Armstrong family office, wealth and risk management of the Armstrong shareholders, and general oversight of all entities in the Major Rock group including various operating businesses, investment holding companies, trusts, and a private foundation. She works with the boards and leadership teams of the Armstrong operating subsidiaries, including Armstrong Collective (Rocky Mountaineer) luxury rail, Invictus Properties real estate, and Alder Bay private equity, in their capital allocation, succession planning, and corporate governance. She is also a director on the board of The Arts Club Theatre Company.