Alumni Notes

Jennifer Newman (BCom) was named Vice-President, Investment Finance Operations, Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan, in July, and will be responsible for the operations of the Teachers’ Investment Finance division. She was formerly V-P Process Reengineering and Special Projects with CIBC, also in Toronto.

Paul Pellizzari, BCom, Artsci’92, joined Hard Rock International in July 2018 as vicepresident of global social responsibility. Before this, Paul led social responsibility for the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation, integrating responsible gaming into OLG’s strategy, and earning global recognition. OLG was twice named “Best Overall Responsible Gaming Program in the World” by the World Lottery Association. Hard Rock is based in Hollywood, Fla., and operates cafés, hotels and casinos in 74 countries. Paul has also taught corporate social responsibility to students in the Commerce program at Smith.

David Peters, PhD, is currently teaching Advanced Financial Accounting at the University of Guelph-Humber in Toronto. He is also busy fulfilling his responsibilities as executor of the estate of his late father, Dr. Douglas Peters, BCom’63, whose October 2016 passing was noted in the Winter issue.

Leigh Puddester (MBA) is the Chair of the Multi-Material Stewardship Board (MMSB), and also served as the agency’s Chief Executive Officer until his appointment in 2013 as Deputy Minister of Procurement Reform with the Government of Newfoundland & Labrador. Prior to joining the MMSB in 2009, he was President of K&D Pratt Group, one of the largest independent industrial distribution companies in Atlantic Canada. Leigh is active in the community as a member and past president of the Rotary Club of St. John’s East, and member of the Community Investment Committee of the United Way. He has also served as a part-time lecturer with Memorial University’s Faculty of Business Administration. He resides in St. John’s with his wife Tammy and their three daughters.

Tim Rider (MBA) has relocated from Whitby, Ont., to Nassau, Bahamas, to assume his new role as the Head of Commercial and Capital Markets for RBC Caribbean Banking. His responsibilities within the Caribbean region include  business, corporate and investment banking; sales and trading; and trust and mutual funds. Tim invites classmates and friends planning a visit to the Caribbean to contact him at tim.rider@rbc.com or via Facebook or LinkedIn.