Members - SOLD OUT - Chinese Investment in Canada and Why Hong Kong Can Help

Speakers Bio

Tianpeng Wang, Partner - Mistral Venture Capital Partners

Tianpeng Wang is a Venture Partner with Mistral based in Ottawa. He has 15 years of experience providing professional legal and business advice relating to general corporate and securities transactions in China.

Before moving to Canada, Tianpeng was a partner at Jingtian & Gongcheng, a leading Chinese law firm headquartered in Beijing, where he was widely regarded as one of the top Chinese lawyers in private equity and venture capital investments. Previously, Tianpeng was a PE/VC lawyer in international law firms including Clifford Chance, Morrison & Foerster and Linklaters.

In addition to being an experienced China-related adviser, Tianpeng is also an angel investor and serves on the board of several technology companies.

Tianpeng holds a Bachelor of Law in International Economic Law from the University of International Business and Economics in Beijing and a Juris Doctor from Brandeis School of Law at the University of Louisville in Louisville, Kentucky.

David Adderley, Partner - Celtic House Venture Partners

David joined Celtic House in 2000. David is an investment partner, and also oversees the firm’s operational, legal and investor relations functions.

David has over 20 years’ experience in corporate and intellectual property law, counseling entrepreneurs, management and investors on company formation, governance, financing, technology transfers, M&A and IPOs. He has negotiated over 100 venture capital investments in more than 50 start-up companies and has represented Celtic House on over 20 successful M&A and IPO transactions.

David’s past investments include Camilion Solutions (acquired by SAP), Synad Technologies (acquired by STMicroelectronics), and ViXS Systems (TSX:VXS). David’s current investments include CanvasPop, FileFacets, Graphite Software, Klashwerks (Raven), Nuvyyo and Rare.io. Prior to joining Celtic House, David spent five years as a corporate and intellectual property lawyer at Gowlings LLP, one of Canada’s largest law firms.

He received a B.A. from Queen’s University, a Law Degree from the University of Western Ontario, and is called to the bar in Ontario.

Dr. Sarah Taylor, Director General, North Asia and Oceania - Global Affairs Canada

Dr. Taylor is the Director-General for North Asia and Oceania at Global Affairs Canada. She was Deputy Head of Mission and Minister for Political-Economic Relations and Public Diplomacy at the Embassy of Canada to the People’s Republic of China from 2011 to 2015, and Special Advisor to the Assistant Deputy Minister for Asia Pacific from 2015 to 2016.

Prior to her assignment in China, she worked from 2006 to 2011 in the Privy Council Office, the department supporting Canada’s Prime Minister. Within the Privy Council Office she served as acting Executive Director of the International Assessment Staff, and before that as Deputy Executive Director, and as Director of the Asia Division of IAS.

From 1990 to 2006 she was a Foreign Service Officer with the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade. In that capacity she served abroad at Canadian missions in Jakarta (2000-2003), Beijing (1992-1995) and Hong Kong (1991-1992). At headquarters she held positions including liaison officer and speech-writer for the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Deputy Director of the Southeast Asia Division and Director of the Development Policies and Institutions Division.

Drew Dorweiler, CBV, CPA/ABV, ASA, CBA, CFE, CVA, FRICS, Managing Director and Director of Asian Operations - IJW & Co and IJW Dorweiler Ltd.

Drew possesses over 33 years of professional experience, having valued several thousand companies for business valuation, mergers and acquisitions, corporate finance and litigation-support mandates on a global basis. He has frequently participated as financial advisor in corporate transactions and start-up businesses and in sourcing financing in North America, Asia and internationally.

Drew has testified as expert witness in more than 28 matters before Parliament of Canada, Quebec Superior Court, Ontario Superior Court of Justice, U.S. District Court, Tax Court of Canada, Court of Queen's Bench of Alberta and arbitration panels.

Drew is recognized as one of North America's pre-eminent valuators of professional sports franchises and properties. His valuation and transaction repertoire includes NHL, MLB, NBA, CFL, English Premier League, European and semi-professional sports teams, arenas, broadcasting and naming rights.

Drew has given numerous interviews featured in international TV, radio and print media on valuation, financial and sports business matters. He has spoken at myriad conferences and authored many articles in professional publications on business valuation, litigation support and fraud-related topics during the past 28 years. He was elected to the Board of Trustees of The Appraisal Foundation for 2013-2015 and 2016-2018 terms and to the Board of Directors of The Canadian Institute of Chartered Business Valuators from 2006-2009 (named Fellow in 2018). He was named Fellow of Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors in 2013.

Drew graduated with a Bachelor of Arts, Economics, Dartmouth College. He obtained a dual MBA, Corporate Finance and Accounting, Lubin Graduate School of Business, Pace University.

Amy Willis, MBA, CPA, CMA, President - Hong Kong Canada Business Association (Ottawa) and Director of Pinnacle Global

Amy is President of Hong Kong Canada Business Association - Ottawa and a Director with Pinnacle Global, specializing in investment services for Chinese investors and consulting services that help both Chinese and Canadian companies expand and penetrate markets in both Canada and China. She is a regular visitor to Hong Kong and China, and is passionate about fostering closer business ties, facilitating international trade and investment between Canada, Hong Kong, and China while promoting the concept of “Think Asia – Think Hong.

Amy has over 10 years’ experience in strategic planning and execution, finance and operations, and investment and partnership development in Canada and Asia. Having spent half of her life in China and the other half in Canada, she has first-hand knowledge of doing business in both China and Canada, including founding and scaling up a start-up to over 160 personnel in four years with the opening of a branch office in China. Her innovative entrepreneurial leadership and unbridled passion for making a real difference have earned her a proven record of success, which has been featured on CBC, CTV, Rogers TV, and in the Ottawa Citizen.  Amy has earned the reputation as an entrepreneur at heart while possessing a corporate mindset with the utmost integrity. She is a service-oriented consensus builder with a robust set of well-versed skills in business and financial management that are supported by a natural attitude for excellence.

Amy is fluent in English and Mandarin. She received her MBA from Queen’s University and Honours Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) from the University of Ottawa. She is also a Chartered Professional Accountant, Certified Management Accountant (CPA, CMA) and holder of the Certificate for Responsible Leadership from Queen’s School of Business. Amy also serves on the Board of the Financial Management Institute of Canada (FMI IGF) - Capital Chapter.

Lynette Gillen, Vice-President Trade (Canada) RBC Global Services, Royal Bank of Canada

Lynette Gillen is the Vice-President of Trade Finance for RBC Royal Bank.  She is responsible for leading Trade Finance across all platforms, from Commercial Banking through Capital Markets.  Her team supports Canada’s largest companies in growing outside of Canada and mitigating the risks inherent in global expansion.

Lynette began her career in financial services in the early 1990’s, and has held progressively senior and leadership roles in the areas of Wealth Management, Retail Banking, and most recently Global Services.  Lynette joined RBC in 2011 and has held the roles of Regional Vice-President, Integrated Markets and Regional Vice-President, Commercial Financial Services for Ontario North and East prior to her current National role.

Lynette is passionate about improving access to resources for people experiencing mental health issues.  She sits on the Board of Governors of the Royal Ottawa Mental Health Center, and has previously served on the Board of Directors of the Hospitals of Regina Foundation and the Advisory Board for the Levene Graduate School of Business at the University of Regina.

Lynette holds an MBA from Dalhousie University.

Sophie Chen, Market Director - Invest Ottawa

Currently working as the Market Director, Asia at Invest Ottawa, Sophie has been leading the development of trade, investment and partnerships opportunities for the Ottawa region in the Asian market. She also sits on the board of the Ottawa Health and Life Sciences Cluster (OHLSC) and the Advisory Committee of La Cite College to provide strategic support.

Over the past decade, Sophie has built extensive knowledge and expertise through her experiences working in areas such as international trade and investment, international government relations, and international partnerships. Prior to Invest Ottawa, Sophie has held various positions at the Ottawa Centre for Research and Innovation including Director of Data Research and China Program.

Sophie holds an MBA degree in International Business from University of Ottawa and a Master’s Degree in International Relations from the Norman Paterson School of International Affairs, Carleton University.

Noah Fraser, Director, Ontario Chapter - Canada China Business Council       

Noah has over 10 years of progressive international career experience across multiple industries, including government and corporate affairs, manufacturing, education, and life sciences spanning public, private, and non-profit sectors. He was most recently Director of Marketing and Business Development for a manufacturer of medical devices, overseeing all marketing, sales, and communications activities, driving international strategy for emerging markets with a specific focus on Greater China. He has returned to this position to focus on building Ontario’s presence in Canada-China business and affairs.

Noah holds a Bachelor of Social Sciences in International Development and Globalization (Honours) with a minor in Business Administration from the University of Ottawa, partially completed at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, and a certificate in Mandarin Chinese from Nanjing Normal University. Additionally, he has completed the Ivey Business School Certificate in Sales Management. Noah is proficient in Mandarin Chinese and French, and has spent five years living in China and Hong Kong.