Our leadership
Sasha Jacob
Board Chair
Sasha is a prominent figure in the financial industry, currently serving as the Chairman & CEO of Jacob Capital Management Inc., an independent financial advisory firm that focuses on the renewable power and clean technology sectors. He has received recognition for his work in the industry, including being named one of the "5 Most Influential Emerging Players in Renewable Energy" by Institutional Investor. In addition to his professional pursuits, Mr. Jacob is also deeply committed to philanthropy, serving on the boards of several charitable organizations. He has held leadership positions such as Vice Chairman of WWF Canada, Director of Plan International Canada, Chair of the Board of Young Presidents’ Organization, YPO Maple Leaf Chapter and current Chair of Nature United.
Rita Theil
Board Director
Rita is a highly accomplished professional with a diverse background in law, investment banking, and business leadership. She currently serves as the CEO of JacKryn Holdings Inc, a privately held consulting company. Additionally, she is an equity partner at RvB Capital Partners Inc, which focuses on energy and infrastructure investments in Sub-Saharan Africa. Rita has a wealth of international experience, having worked in Canada, London, and New York. Furthermore, she is the founder of The Women's Mentor Initiative, a company that aims to empower women by mentoring and sponsoring them for leadership positions in senior management and board rooms in North America and Europe.
Ava Yaskiel
Board Director
Ava is an experienced attorney with a focus on public and private mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance, finance, and private equity. She offers strategic advice to various clients including issuers, investment banks, shareholders, and funds. Yaskiel has held leadership positions such as Global Head of Corporate, M&A, and Securities group and Canadian practice group head for the Business Law Group. She began her role as Associate Deputy Minister of Finance in 2018 and recently concluded her work with the government. Yaskiel brings a wealth of experience to PlanCatalyst with her transactional and advisory practice.
Pranay Samson
Managing Director
Pranay is a finance professional with extensive experience in the impact investment and social enterprise sectors. Prior to leading Plan Canada's work in Innovative Finance, including the establishment of PlanCatalyst, he led the corporate finance team at the Impact Investment Exchange (IIX) in Singapore, where he worked with social enterprises to help them grow and secure investment. Before that, he worked at Development Alternatives Group in India, where he incubated and scaled social enterprise models aimed at reversing rural migration patterns. Pranay has spent over a decade working at the intersection of development and finance and is passionate about using finance as a tool to create social change
