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Shawn founded K2 & Associates Investment Management in 1998 after working as an Analyst for Working Ventures Canadian Fund from 1996 to 1998. Shawn is currently the Chief Investment officer and chairman of K2. Shawn has spearheaded countless transactions over the years ranging from private placements to take-overs all while mentoring his staff and creating a dynamic team environment. He is involved in investment prospect generation, investment selection, capital raising, and portfolio company management. Shawn earned his B.A. from McGill University and is a M.B.A. graduate from the University of Toronto.
Charles joined K2’s investment team in spring, 2017 and is currently a Portfolio Manager with a focus on risk arbitrage and convertible arbitrage strategies. Previously Charles was a Managing Director on the institutional equities desk at BMO, where he focused on risk arbitrage trading. Prior to that role, Charles was an Executive Director at CIBC World Markets, including the institutional equities desk, where he was a senior trader in quantitative and programmatic trading. Charles is a CFA Charterholder with an Honours Bachelor of Commerce from McMaster University.
Andrew Kearns joined K2 as an Analyst in May 2015, and is currently a Portfolio Manager focusing on opportunities in equities. Prior to K2, Andrew was as an equity analyst at Galileo Funds and previously he was a mining analyst at Boswell Capital Corporation. Andrew is a CFA charterholder and holds a BASc in Mineral Engineering from the University of Toronto.
Francois joined K2 in February 2016. As a Portfolio Manager, Francois is predominantly focused on K2’s equity investments in the natural resource sector. Prior to joining K2, Francois spent 2 years in equity research covering the metals and mining industry. Francois holds a BASc in Materials Science Engineering from the University of Toronto, a Masters of Finance from UofT’s Rotman School of Management, and is a CFA Charterholder.
Louka joined K2 as an analyst in January 2023, focusing on long/short opportunities in equities and derivatives. Prior to K2, Louka spent two years in Equity Research at National Bank of Canada (Clean Tech) and previously was an Equity Analyst at Cambridge Global Asset Management. Louka holds a BCom from McGill University.
Eric Balshin brought his extensive experience in equity and derivative long/short opportunities to K2 in February 2024, joining as an Associate. Before his role at K2, Eric led a consumer-packaged goods (CPG) brand in Toronto, demonstrating his leadership capabilities further as the interim CEO of a publicly traded company. His deep understanding of capital markets is built on a foundation of over a decade’s experience, culminating in his position as a senior analyst at a Toronto-based long/short fund. His earlier career highlights include contributing to Canada’s top-ranked retail and consumer equity research team, showcasing his analytical prowess and market insight.
Eric is a CFA Charterholder and holds a business degree from Wilfrid Laurier University.