Jonathan Aikman
Adjunct LecturerOverview
Jon is an adjunct faculty member at Smith School of Business, Queen’s University (2011) in the finance area. He has taught courses on alternative investments, impact investments, artificial intelligence and finance, finance for global managers, advanced portfolio management, fintech and other graduate and executive courses.
Download Full CV Download Image 
Academic Area
- Finance
Interest Topics
Faculty Details
Profile
Full Bio
Jon is an adjunct faculty at Queen’s University and other leading universities. He teaches graduate and executive courses in the Master of Finance, MBA, MFIT, and MMA.
Jon is currently researching the application of artificial intelligence in financial and legal services applications, including with environmental, social and governance issues.
Jon is the co-founder of an artificial intelligence firm, NordaI Analytics and is the founder of Matrix Law, a law firm. Previously, Jon was Chief Investment Officer and Portfolio Manager for an alternative investment firm focused on alternative equity and private debt strategies. He was previously with Citigroup investment bank in London, U.K. Jon has a law degree from Queen’s University, an MBA from Oxford University, and has completed advanced certificates on artificial intelligence and fintech from MIT. Jon is a Chartered Investment Manager and qualified lawyer in Ontario, England & Wales.
He sits on the investment committee of the endowment and pension fund of Victoria College at the University of Toronto. He was a member of a think-tank with the Federal Reserve of Chicago focusing on risk management and systemic risk issues.
He is the author of “When Prime Brokers Fail” published by Bloomberg Press.
Academic Degrees
Fintech: The Future of Commerce (Certificate) - Artificial Intelligence (Certificate)
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (2018)
MBA
University of Oxford, Saïd Business School, Brasenose College (2006)
JD, Juris Doctor
Queen’s University, Law School (1999)
MA, Philosophy of Science and Ethics
University of Guelph (1996)
BA (Honours), Philosophy
University of British Columbia (1994)
Academic Experience
Smith School of Business, Queen’s University
Adjunct Lecturer (2011 - Present)
SC Johnson College of Business, Cornell University
Adjunct Lecturer (2020 - Present)
Rotman School of Management & UTM, University of Toronto
Lecturer (2009 - Present)
Publications
2021 “Modern Investments”, Book (in progress)
2019 “Hedge Funds: The Complete Guide”, Course, Udemy
2016 “Time for a second look at your prime broker?”, Commentary, HFM
2013 “Hedge Fund Dreams Face Tough Reality”, Globe & Mail Newspaper, January 31
2012 “Paradigm Shift”, Hedge Fund Journal
2012 “The Evolution of Prime Brokerage”, White Paper, Royal Bank of Scotland
2011 “A weaker position in a more dangerous world”, Article, Canadian Hedge Watch
2010 “When Prime Brokers Fail”, Book, Bloomberg Press / John Wiley & Sons
Teaching
Smith School of Business, Queen’s University Courses (Finance)
|
Period |
University |
Level |
Courses |
|
2021 |
Queen’s |
MFIN/MBA/MBIE |
Impact Investments: Smith Enrichment Program |
|
2021 |
Queen’s |
Graduate (MFIN) |
Alternative Investments |
|
2021 |
Queen’s |
Graduate (MFIN) |
Artificial Intelligence & Finance |
|
2021 |
Queen’s |
Graduate (MIB) |
Finance for Global Managers |
|
2020 |
Queen’s |
Graduate (MFIN) |
Equity Analysis & Valuation (1) |
|
2020 |
Queen’s |
Graduate (MFIN) |
Equity Analysis & Valuation (2) |
|
2020 |
Queen’s |
Graduate (MFIN) |
Alternative Investments |
|
2020 |
Queen’s |
Graduate (MFIN) |
Artificial Intelligence & Finance |
|
2020 |
Queen’s |
Graduate (MIB) |
Finance for Global Managers |
|
2020 |
Queen’s |
Graduate (MBA) |
Advanced Portfolio Management |
|
2019 |
Queen’s |
Executive (MBA) |
Fintech: Executive Program |
|
2019 |
Queen’s |
Graduate (MIB) |
Finance for Global Managers |
|
2019 |
Queen’s |
MFIN/MBA/MBIE |
Fintech Innovation and Technology |
|
2019 |
Queen’s |
Graduate (MBA) |
Financial Strategies |
|
2019 |
Queen’s |
Graduate (MBA) |
Advanced Portfolio Management |
|
2019 |
Queen’s |
Graduate (MFIN) |
Alternative Investments |
|
2019 |
Queen’s |
Graduate (MFIN) |
Artificial Intelligence & Finance |
|
2018 |
Queen’s |
Graduate (MIB) |
Finance for Global Managers |
|
2018 |
Queen’s |
Graduate (MFIN) |
Alternative Investments |
|
2018 |
Queen’s |
Graduate (MFIN) |
Artificial Intelligence in Finance |
|
2017 |
Queen’s |
Graduate (MFIN) |
Alternative Investments |
|
2016 |
Queen’s |
Graduate (MFIN) |
Introduction to hedge funds |
|
2015 |
Queen’s |
Graduate (MFIN) |
Introduction to hedge funds |
|
2014 |
Queen’s |
Graduate (MFIN) |
Introduction to hedge funds |
|
2014 |
Queen’s |
Graduate (MFIN) |
Derivatives |
|
2013 |
Queen’s |
Graduate (MFIN) |
Introduction to hedge funds |
|
2012 |
Queen’s |
Graduate (MFIN) |
Introduction to hedge funds |
University of Toronto Courses (Finance)
|
Period |
University |
Level |
Courses |
|
2019 |
Toronto |
Graduate (MBA) |
Hedge Funds: Advanced Research |
|
2018 |
Toronto |
Graduate (MBA) |
Introduction to hedge funds & broker-dealers |
|
2017 |
Toronto |
Graduate (MBA) |
Introduction to hedge funds & broker-dealers |
|
2017 |
Toronto |
Graduate – Exec. ICBC |
Global Leadership Development Program (UTM) |
|
2016 |
Toronto |
Graduate (MBA) |
Introduction to hedge funds & broker-dealers |
|
2015 |
Toronto |
Graduate (MBA) |
Introduction to hedge funds & broker-dealers |
|
2014 |
Toronto |
Graduate (MBA) |
Introduction to hedge funds & broker-dealers |
|
2013 |
Toronto |
Graduate (MBA) |
Derivatives, Options and Futures |
|
2013 |
Toronto |
Graduate (MBA) |
Introduction to hedge funds & broker-dealers |
|
2013 |
Toronto |
Undergraduate |
Corporate Finance (Commerce undergrad program) |
|
2012 |
Toronto |
Graduate (MBA) |
Introduction to hedge funds & broker-dealers |
|
2011 |
Toronto |
Graduate (MBA) |
Introduction to hedge funds & broker-dealers |
|
2010 |
Toronto |
Graduate (MBA) |
Introduction to hedge funds & broker-dealers |
University of Guelph Course (Philosophy)
|
Period |
University |
Level |
Courses |
|
2014 |
Guelph |
Undergraduate |
The Philosophy of Finance |
Presentations
Speaking
2020 “Blue Ocean Strategy”, Globe Series (Vancouver, CA)
2019 “Current issues in Risk Management”, Queen’s University (Toronto, CA)
2009 - 2019 World Alternative Investment Symposium Canada, Speaker (Niagara, CA)
2015 “Hedge Fund Investing”, High Commission of Canada (Hong Kong, CN)
2015 “Securities Lending and Short Bans”, lecture for Guotai Junan (Shanghai, CN)
2015 “Global Hedge Funds” lecture series for investors (Tokyo, JP, Singapore, SG)
2014 “Global Legal Issues in Derivatives & Prime”, Lecture for Axiom (New York, US)
2012 Institutional Investor, Speaker, Synthetic Finance (London, UK)
2012 Royal Bank of Scotland, Speaker for institutional clients (London, UK)
2009 CIBC World Markets, Investment Bank, Speaker (Toronto, CA)
Awards
2018, Portfolio Investment Award (Calgary, CA)
PMAC Award for the Pinnacle Absolute Return Trust
2016, Nominated for Professor of the Year, Queen’s University (Kingston, CA)
MFIN Program
2013, Excellence in Teaching Award, Rotman, University of Toronto (Toronto, CA)
MBA Program
2006, Royal Society of Arts (RSA) (London, UK)
Entrepreneurship award & RSA fellow
1997 - 1999, Queen’s Law School, Queen’s University (Kingston, CA)
Robinson-Ryan Award (1999)
Queen’s Legal Aid Award for excellence in legal services (1997)
1996, Blakes LLP Law School Entrance Scholarship (Toronto, CA)
Law School Academic Entrance Scholarship
Service
Advisory Positions
2020 – Current, Financial Innovation and Technology Program, Queen’s Univ. (Kingston, CA) Advisory Board Member
2016 - Current, Victoria University at the University of Toronto, Board of Regents (Toronto, CA)
Investment Committee Member, Pension & Endowment
2018 - 2019, Vise AI, Advisor (San Francisco, US)
Advisor, AI-driven investment management firm
2014 - 2016, Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, Working Group Member (Chicago, US)
Member, Working Group for “Confronting Systemic Risk & Ensuring Stability.”
Volunteer & Research Positions
2019 - Current, Institute of Sustainable Finance (ISF) (Toronto, CA)
Independent research on sustainable finance and ESG issues
2017 - Current, Finposium.com
Founder of website and conference
2014 - 2016, Aspen Valley Wildlife Sanctuary
Director, Board of Directors
2012 - 2014, University of Guelph Alumni Association
Director, Board of Directors
1996 - 1999, Queen’s Legal Aid
Volunteer Group Leader & Caseworker
Memberships
2016 - Current, Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence (US)
Member
2008 - Current, Law Society of the England & Wales (London, UK)
Solicitor on the Roll
2001 - Current, Law Society of Upper Canada (Ontario, CA)
Barrister & Solicitor
2014 - 2019, New York State Bar Association (New York, US)
Member
2014 - 2019, American Bar Association (US)
Business & International Section Member
2014 - 2016, Alternative Investment Management Association (Toronto, CA)
Research Committee
Qualifications & Skills
2021, Certificate in ESG Investing, CFA Society, UK
2021, Approved as Advising Representative (Portfolio Manager) and Dealing Representative (Exempt Market Dealer) by the OSC
2012 - Current, Chartered Investment Manager (CIM), CSI
2017, Derivatives & Options Licensing Course
2017, Futures Licensing Course
2011, Portfolio Management Course
2011, Investment Management Techniques Course
2010, Partners, Directors & Officers Course