Planning Through Uncertainty: A Guide for High-Net-Worth Families
The Wealth Exchange
In this episode, Vanessa Flockton, President of Private Wealth at Nicola Wealth, addresses the questions on every investor’s mind: How do you plan and invest when the world feels anything but stable? From rising geopolitical tensions and tariff wars to market volatility and inflation concerns, Vanessa shares a grounded approach to navigating uncertainty through disciplined financial planning. With a sample case study of long-time clients, Vanessa illustrates how Nicola Wealth’s disciplined approach, grounded in personalized planning, diversified asset allocation, and a focus on...
info_outline
Pattern Recognition and Persistence: Hard-Won Lessons from a PE Veteran
The Wealth Exchange
What does it take to build a lasting career in private capital? In this episode, Nicola Wealth’s Rob Olsen sits down with Mike Mazan, longtime private equity leader, board member, and co-founder of KingsPeak Partners, to explore the evolution of Canada’s private capital landscape over the past two decades. From early lessons at McKinsey and Rogers to landmark investments at Birch Hill Equity Partners, including early backing of Constellation Software, Mike reflects on the wins, the pivots, and the leadership values that shape successful long-term investing. He shares his transition...
info_outline
Canadian Markets vs. Tariff Headwinds: Q2 2025
The Wealth Exchange
Markets may be rising, but risks are too. In this quarterly edition of The Wealth Exchange, Nicola Wealth Portfolio Manager and Investment Strategist Ben Jang joins host Jasmine Maricic to unpack the sharp contrasts of the second quarter of 2025 — from tariff shocks and interest rate uncertainty to surprising equity rebounds. Together, they explore where Nicola Wealth sees opportunity in today’s complex environment, including fixed income, public equities, and secondary private markets. They also touch on reporting transparency, the importance of rebalancing, and strategies to help...
info_outline
People First, Profit Follows: Building a Legacy of Generosity
The Wealth Exchange
Mark Therriault, Vice President of Business Succession and Estate Planning, sits down with Mike and Karen Heppell, founders of Longboard Architectural Products. From betting the farm on a manufacturing startup to creating one of Abbotsford’s most admired workplace cultures, the Heppells share their journey of grit, vision, and leading with purpose. They share how they built a thriving business grounded in people-first values, operational excellence, and community impact, and why generosity is now embedded in their culture, from philanthropy to employee engagement.
info_outline
Going on a Bear Hunt: Four Market Factors to Consider
The Wealth Exchange
Recorded live on June 3 in Victoria, Nicola Wealth Advisor | Client Relationship Manager, Chris Warner, hosts a timely discussion on the forces shaping today’s investment environment. Ben Jang, Portfolio Manager, Investment Strategist, opens with a compelling analysis of the four key indicators that have preceded every bear market over the past 200 years, and why all four are now in play. Shaun Blythen, Vice President, Real Estate Investments & Portfolio Strategy, provides an update on Nicola Real Estate’s development activity in Victoria and discusses the long-term role of real...
info_outline
How Altos Ventures Built Success by Thinking Long Term
The Wealth Exchange
In this episode, Rob Olsen, Head of Private Capital at Nicola Wealth, and Jason Luo, Senior Director of Venture Capital, speak with Han Kim, Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Altos Ventures, a global venture capital firm known for backing breakout companies like Roblox, Coupang, and Woowa Brothers. Han walks through Altos’ early challenges, from launching a fund just before the Asian financial crisis to navigating the dot-com bubble, and explains how those experiences shaped a long-term, founder-first approach to venture investing. The conversation explores what it means to invest with...
info_outline
The Uncertainty Premium: Finding Value When Markets Fear Change
The Wealth Exchange
Recorded live on May 29 at the Nicola Wealth Vancouver Strategic Insights event, this episode features Chairman, CEO, and CIO John Nicola in conversation with the firm’s senior investment leaders. Together, they explore how the team is approaching today’s market environment and identifying opportunities across real estate, private capital, and public assets. Featuring: Alex Messina, Managing Director, Nicola Real Estate Robert Olsen, Head of Private Capital Ben Jang, Portfolio Manager, Investment Strategist William John, Co-Head, Public Assets – Fixed Income This episode shares our...
info_outline
John Nicola on Strategy, Succession & Serendipity
The Wealth Exchange
In this special episode recorded live at the Canada Private Markets Meeting in Toronto, Nicola Wealth’s Founder, Chairman, CEO and CIO, John Nicola joins Michael Kaumeyer, Vice Chair, Nicola Family, for an insightful conversation on leadership, legacy, and navigating uncertainty. John reflects on the unexpected path that led him into financial services and the deliberate decisions that shaped Nicola Wealth’s unique model, one built on integrated planning, long-term thinking, and shared ownership. From early lessons in sales to building a multi-generational firm, John shares what he’s...
info_outline
The Role of Private Debt in Today’s Market with Rob Olsen, Matt Choi and Rahman Vahabzadeh
The Wealth Exchange
In this episode of In the Ring with Rob, host Rob Olsen is joined by Nicola Wealth’s Matt Choi and guest Rahman Vahabzadeh, Managing Director at Audax Private Debt, one of the most established firms in the space with over $24 billion in assets under management. Together, they explore how private debt has evolved into a key component of today’s investment portfolios, why it’s gaining traction with both institutional and individual investors, and how firms like Audax are navigating an increasingly complex and competitive market. From the rise of unitranche financing to what makes a...
info_outline
Carney and Trump, What's Next?
The Wealth Exchange
In this timely episode, Gary Mar, President and CEO of the Canada West Foundation and former Alberta Cabinet Minister, joins Ben Jang, Portfolio Manager and Investment Strategist at Nicola Wealth, to discuss the recent Canadian federal election and what the results could mean for the economy, energy, and national unity. The conversation explores the potential for cross-party cooperation, the evolving relationship with the United States, and how Canada can strengthen its position through productivity, infrastructure, and Arctic strategy. Together, they offer a thoughtful and wide-ranging...
info_outlineIn this timely episode, Gary Mar, President and CEO of the Canada West Foundation and former Alberta Cabinet Minister, joins Ben Jang, Portfolio Manager and Investment Strategist at Nicola Wealth, to discuss the recent Canadian federal election and what the results could mean for the economy, energy, and national unity.
The conversation explores the potential for cross-party cooperation, the evolving relationship with the United States, and how Canada can strengthen its position through productivity, infrastructure, and Arctic strategy. Together, they offer a thoughtful and wide-ranging discussion on the decisions that could shape Canada’s economic future.