America’s new approach to trade is fueling volatility and deepening investor uncertainty. With disruptive and inconsistent policies sending shockwaves through the global financial system, businesses and investors alike are grappling with unpredictability and risk. How can they find stability amid the market chaos?
At Market mayhem: Investing amid chaos, a panel of leading experts—moderated by Ivey’s Dean, Julian Birkinshaw—will unpack today’s fractured investment landscape. They’ll explore the forces unsettling markets, assess the real risks at play, and offer level-headed strategies to navigate the storm.
Complimentary and open to the public, this virtual Impact Live event delivers critical insights for investors looking to stay steady in an era of unpredictability.
About the speakers
Aaron Bennett, MBA '01 | Panelist
Chief Investment Officer, University Pension Plan
Aaron Bennett is UPP’s Chief Investment Officer and leads all aspects of UPP’s global investment strategy and operations. A seasoned portfolio manager, Aaron brings over 23 years of investment experience, with expertise in strategic asset allocation and responsible investing. Across his roles at Jarislowsky Fraser Global Investment Management, Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan, and mid-sized Canadian investment banks, Aaron has supported systemic and robust investment analysis, policy formulation and strategic implementation across portfolios and asset classes. Aaron holds a B.Sc Honours in Biology from Queen’s University, an MBA from the Ivey School of Business Western University, and is a CFA Charterholder.
Dagmara Fijalkowski, MBA '94 | Panelist
Head, Global Fixed Income and Currencies, RBC Global Asset Management
As Head of Global Fixed Income and Currencies at RBC GAM, Dagmara Fijalkowski leads a global team managing more than $200 billion in assets. With over 25 years of experience in asset management, her areas of expertise include fixed income portfolio management, tactical asset allocation, and currency management. Dagmara is a co-chair of the Canadian Foreign Exchange Committee and volunteers with the Global Foreign Exchange Committee to advance the adoption of the Global FX Code. She also chairs the Women in Asset Management Advisory Council at Ivey Business School.
Stephen Foerster | Panelist
Professor, Finance, Ivey Business School
Steve Foerster is a Professor of Finance at Ivey Business School, where he has taught since 1987. He obtained the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation in 1997 and has taught Financial Management, Investments, and Portfolio Management courses in the HBA, MBA, and Executive MBA Programs. He has won numerous teaching and research awards. He has written several books and textbooks on investing, over 100 cases and technical notes, and has over 50 publications in leading academic journals.
Julian Birkinshaw, MBA ’91, PhD ’95 | Moderator
Dean, Ivey Business School
Julian Birkinshaw, MBA ’91, PhD ’95, became Dean of Ivey on August 1, 2024. He is a globally recognized expert in innovation, digital transformation, and strategic agility. Before returning to Ivey, he spent 25 years at London Business School, serving as Vice Dean (2022–2024) and leading major innovations in graduate and executive education. A Thinkers50-ranked thought leader, he has authored 15 books, over 90 articles, and 40 cases. A sought-after speaker and consultant, he advises companies like Pepsico, RBC, and Ericsson and is frequently cited in global media, including CNN, BBC, The Economist, and Sloan Management Review.
