Jonathan Aikman
LecturerOverview
Jon is a lecturer at Smith School of Business, Queen’s University 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.
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Academic Area
- Finance
Interest Topics
Faculty Details
Profile
Full Bio
Jon Aikman is the founder of an artificial intelligence consulting firm, and the owner of a law firm. He also holds academic appointments as an adjunct faculty member at Queen’s University and Cornell University, where he teaches courses on fintech, finance, and investments. His academic portfolio includes instruction on alternative investments, artificial intelligence and finance, global financial management, advanced portfolio management, crypto economics, impact investments, and fintech for graduate students and executives.
Jon’s professional career spans leadership roles in finance, investment management, and corporate law. He previously served as Chief Investment Officer and Portfolio Manager for an exempt market dealer and alternative investment firm, where he managed a private debt fund that earned the Portfolio Management Association of Canada award for exceptional investment fund performance. He also held the role of Managing Director at a publicly listed alternative investment firm with a global focus on hedge funds, private equity, and private debt. In this capacity, he led the research, acquisition, and management of alternative investment portfolios across jurisdictions in North America, Europe, and Asia.
Earlier in his career, Jon served as Vice President and Counsel a bulge bracket investment bank in London, U.K. He also practiced corporate finance law at a prestigious "silver circle" law firm in London, where he specialized in structuring, capital raising, and transactions for hedge funds and private equity.
Jon holds a Juris Doctor from Queen’s University and an MBA from the University of Oxford (Brasenose College). He has also completed advanced certifications in artificial intelligence and fintech from MIT and holds the Chartered Investment Manager (CIM) designation. Additionally, he is a licensed lawyer in Ontario and England & Wales and has earned an advanced certification in ESG Investments from the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Institute in the U.K.
Jon is a dedicated contributor to the academic and financial communities. He serves on the investment committee of the Victoria University Endowment and Pension Fund at the University of Toronto and is a member of the advisory board for the Master of Financial Innovation & Technology program and Master of Finance programs at Queen’s University. His expertise in financial regulation and risk management has been recognized through his participation in a Federal Reserve of Chicago think tank focused on systemic risk and market stability.
In 2006, Jon was appointed a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts (RSA), recognizing his contributions to industry and society. He is also the author of When Prime Brokers Fail (Bloomberg Press, 2010), a widely regarded book that examines the 2008 global financial crisis and is completing another book on Alternative Investments.
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
Lecturer (2024 - Present)
Adjunct Lecturer (2011 - 2024)
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