Suhail Hafiz
Finance Expert
Location
Toronto, ON, Canada
Toptal Member Since
September 25, 2019
Suhail, a veteran who has worked at renowned Canadian private and public equity firms like Onex and Gluskin Sheff, has invested $3+ billion of capital. Now a corporate finance professor at York University, he started his career in the capital markets group at CIBC, helping underwrite $5+ billion of debt facilities. Suhail has collaborated with global family offices and many pre-series B technology companies as a freelancer. He has helped with all activities tied to raising capital.
Suhail is available for hire
Hire SuhailCareer Highlights
Strategic Advisor
Hum Capital
CEO | Founder
Contrarian Investment Partners Ltd
Adjunct Professor
York University
Education
Master of Business Administration (MBA) Degree
Schulich School of Business—York University
Case Studies
Leveraged Buyout Model
Leveraged Buyout (LBO)Leveraged Buyout Modeling
Presentation Outlining Investment Opportunity in a Public Company
Investment IdeasPresentations
Discounted Cash Flow
Discounted Cash Flow Analysis
Expertise
Comparable Company AnalysisCorporate FinanceCredit UnderwritingEquity Research AnalysisFinancial Planning & Analysis (FP&A)Investor PresentationsMergers & Acquisitions (M&A)Three-statement ModelingWork Experience
2019 - PRESENT
Strategic Advisor
Hum Capital
- Oversaw the credit function of the investment team. Closed key transactions and underwrote 50+ businesses seeking venture debt.
- Assisted the executive team in creating a firm strategy. Built a large number of product and investor presentations to outline and drive strategy.
- Collaborated closely with the engineering team to help identify key product features and provide a user based review.
- Created the investor materials, data room, and financial model for the seed and Series A raises for $20MM+ in capital raised.
Focus areas: Fundraising, Venture Debt, Venture Capital, Business Strategy, Fractional CFO
2019 - PRESENT
CEO | Founder
Contrarian Investment Partners Ltd
- Founded a firm focused on providing retainer and project-based advisory services to pre-Series B technology companies, venture capital funds, and family offices that do not want to build out large finance and strategy teams in-house.
- Built a direct investment arm where Contrarian owns minority positions in private technology business and helps them accelerate their growth while minimizing dilution.
- Brokered a partnership with a global IT services firm to lead their North American M&A effort.
Focus areas: Investing, Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A), Fractional CFO, Advisory
2017 - PRESENT
Adjunct Professor
York University
- Taught advanced corporate finance to BBA and MBA students at the Schulich School of Business.
- Created a new course curriculum that incorporated real-world experts to improve students' success rate after graduation.
- Taught introduction to corporate finance to BBA and MBA students at the Schulich School of Business.
Focus areas: Finance
2017 - 2019
Investment Analyst
Crimson Asset Management
- Worked as the lead analyst supporting the CEO and founder to build and establish a new asset manager.
- Helped build a North American small-cap portfolio from inception—researching and developing a repository of 100+ North American “dream team” companies complete with financial models, research packages as well as investment letters, leading 50+ management meetings.
- Contributed 12 ideas to an investment portfolio of 25 names, four of which grew to be 5%+ weights in the fund and one of which grew to become a core 10% portfolio position.
- Worked on business development and sales, personally securing a high net worth client for the firm.
- Built the firm’s presentation decks and marketing materials and managed the finance and operations activities, including the NAV reporting functions.
Focus areas: Excel Modeling, Analysis, Focus Groups, Surveys, Primary Research, Research, Investing
2016 - 2017
Equity Analyst
Gluskin Sheff & Associates, Inc.
- Worked as the sole analyst assisting the portfolio manager in managing a $3 billion Canadian equity portfolio.
- Built discounted cash flow models and conducted in-depth industry research on mid and large-cap equities.
- Initiated coverage of 30+ companies across consumer staples, consumer discretionary, industrials, materials, technology, and non-bank financial sectors.
- Developed strong relationships with sell-side analysts and company management teams, attending 100+ management diligence meetings and leading 30+ sessions individually.
Focus areas: Interviews, Focus Groups, Surveys, Primary Research, Research, Investing
2012 - 2016
Analyst
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce
- Conducted fundamental credit analysis of counterparties in the financial services industry.
- Assisted in managing a portfolio of 40+ clients contributing over $20+ million in revenue for the bank.
- Underwrote various bank and fund credits accounting for $5+ billion in credit limits.
Focus areas: Credit Risk, Lending, Corporate Finance
2011 - 2011
Portfolio Analyst
Canada Pension Plan Investment Board
- Researched, analyzed and evaluated hedge fund managers pursuing fundamental strategies.
- Created deal sheets and investment recommendation materials.
- Built models to verify the valuation thesis presented by hedge funds.
Focus areas: Investing
2011 - 2011
Research Analyst
Onex Corporation
- Prepared research packages outlining company strategy, financial position, and industry trends for 50+ North American private and public companies.
- Assisted in negotiating non-disclosure agreements with various investment banks.
- Conducted comparable company, precedent transaction and strategic analysis of target companies.
Focus areas: Strategy, Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A)
2010 - 2010
Strategic Planning Analyst
Pepsi Beverages Canada
- Built an Excel-based model to optimize routes used by Pepsi’s delivery fleet conducting calls with internal stakeholders to refine the model; initiative projected to yield annual savings of over $3 million.
- Developed an Excel-based tracking system for forecasting expiries resulting in $400,000-$500,000 annual savings.
Focus areas: Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A), Strategy
Education
2014 - 2015
Master of Business Administration (MBA) Degree in Finance
Schulich School of Business—York University - Toronto, Canada
2008 - 2012
Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration
Wilfrid Laurier University - Waterloo, Canada