Portfolio Managers

The top names in the business, working for you.

Desjardins Funds combine our expertise with that of some of the world's top investment portfolio managers. This know-how is put to work for you, to offer a range of innovative and competitive funds, for a portfolio that's right for you.

Monthly Portfolio Manager Update

Get the latest key economic, market and product insights directly from our Portfolio Managers.

Subscribe External link. This link will open in a new window.

  • $77.1 billion in assets under management1
  • Headquartered in Montreal, Canada
  • 84 investment professionals
Desjardins Global Asset Management

Desjardins Global Asset Management (“DGAM”) is a major Canadian market player known for thorough analysis.

The team is united by the values of discipline and diligence.

With a client base consisting primarily of Desjardins Group entities, DGAM strives to generate competitive returns while carefully weighing risk/return ratios.

Areas of expertise

  • Managing fixed-income securities and equity investments
  • Developing strategies based on a beta strategy management
  • Developing custom investment strategies
  • Optimizing risk-adjusted returns
  • Structuring portfolios and developing investment policy
  • Providing financial product development advice

Mandate(s) assigned to this portfolio manager2

  • $613 billion in assets under management 1
  • Headquartered in Edinburgh, United Kingdom
  • 483 investment professionals
abrdn

abrdn is a global expert in asset management serving clients consisting primarily of pension funds, foundations, mutual funds, and individuals.

The firm uses a consistent investment approach, regardless of market conditions.

Aberdeen's management teams are local to the markets they invest in.

Guiding principles

  • Onsite visits with company executives before investing
  • Bottom-up fundamental approach
  • Securities held over a long horizon (low turnover)
  • Valuations based on in-house research

Mandate(s) assigned to this portfolio manager2

  • $32.3 billion in assets under management 1
  • Headquartered in Montreal, Canada
  • 58 investment professionals
Addenda Capital

Addenda Capital is a leading multi-asset investment firm, creating value and confidence for investors through long views, broad assessments and close partnerships. A privately-owned investment management firm, it also looks after pension, private wealth, insurance and foundation assets.

Guiding principles

  • Add long-term value through innovation, discipline and integrity, in close partnership with our clients and for a better future
  • Rigorous fundamental analysis
  • A disciplined approach to wealth creation that integrates sustainable investing practices, such as ESG factors.
  • Sustainable Investing is not an afterthought; it is part of their DNA.

Mandate(s) assigned to this portfolio manager2

  • $875.9 billion in assets under management1
  • Headquartered in Nashville, USA
  • 483 investment professionals
AllianceBernstein

AllianceBernstein is a global firm serving institutional and individual investors.

This global firm is experienced in identifying investment opportunities and providing innovative solutions.

Bernstein's research platform is among the most sophisticated in the industry, covering fundamental, quantitative and economic research.

The firm's fixed-income team is a leader in bond management.

Mandate(s) assigned to this portfolio manager2

  • $11.4 billion in assets under management1
  • Headquartered in Greenwich, USA
  • 14 investment professionals
Altrinsic Global Advisors

Altrinsic Global Advisors is an independent private management company owned primarily by the partners of the firm which is based in Greenwich, Connecticut with offices in Canada and Australia. It is dedicated to the management of global, international, and emerging market equities. It offers its management services to a clientele of public pension funds and companies, foundations, charities, private funds and sub-advisers with which it has maintained a long-term relationship. The firm has been a signatory of the United Nations Principles for Responsible Investment since September 2020.

Mandate(s) assigned to this portfolio manager2

  • $364.1 billion in assets under management 1
  • Headquartered in Edinburgh, United Kingdom
  • 194 investment professionals
Baillie Gifford Overseas

Founded in 1908, Baillie Gifford Overseas invests in companies with a sustainable competitive edge in their industry, along with high earnings and cash flow growth.

The firm's investment philosophy is to add value over the long term by actively managing investments.

Baillie Gifford Overseas' growth management style is based on a bottom-up fundamental approach.

Mandate(s) assigned to this portfolio manager2

  • $11,645 billion in assets under management1
  • Headquartered in New York, USA
  • 2,239 investment professionals
BlackRock Asset Management Canada Limited4

BlackRock Asset Management Canada Limited is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of BlackRock Inc. with operations in 38 countries. BlackRock Inc. is a leader in investment management, risk management and advisory services for institutional and retail clients around the world. BlackRock Inc. offers products that cover the spectrum of risks to meet client needs, including active and index-based strategies in markets and asset classes.

Mandate(s) assigned to this portfolio manager2

  • $205 billion in assets under management1
  • Headquartered in New York, USA
  • 88 investment professionals
ClearBridge Investments

Founded in 1962, ClearBridge Investments is a well-established global investment. manager. A signatory to the UN's Principles for Responsible Investment since 2008, ClearBridge specializes in actively managing low-volatility products, income portfolios and responsible investment mandates.

Mandate(s) assigned to this portfolio manager2

  • $602.3 billion in assets under management1
  • Headquartered in Toronto, Canada
  • 690 investment professionals
Fidelity Investments Canada3

Fidelity Investments was founded in 1946 in Boston by Edward Johnson II. In 1969, the firm opened its first offices around the world, beginning with Tokyo, and then London and Hong Kong, and is now established worldwide. In 1987, the company expanded northwards and Fidelity Investments Canada was created.

The firm’s investment strategy combines a fundamental approach carried out by Fidelity analysts with a quantitative approach to portfolio construction which aims to minimize volatility.

Mandate(s) assigned to this portfolio manager2

  • $158.7 billion in assets under management1
  • Headquartered in Montreal, Canada
  • 229 investment professionals
Fiera Capital Corporation

In Canada, Fiera Capital Corporation is one of only a handful of independent investment firms providing expertise in fixed-income, Canadian and foreign equity, asset allocation and non-traditional investment solutions.

The firm's strategies are tailored to asset class, market capitalization and preferred management style.

Research is the basis of all of Fiera Capital's management processes.

In-house economic and market research determines asset allocation, which is designed to maximize returns while preserving capital.

Mandate(s) assigned to this portfolio manager2

  • $198 billion in assets under management1
  • Headquartered in Sydney, Australia
  • 222 investment professionals
First Sentier Investors (First Sentier Investors (Australia) IM Limited)

A member of Mitsubishi UFJ Trust and Banking Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, the firm manages equity, fixed income, real estate and infrastructure mandates.

The firm’s client base consists of institutional investors, pension funds, distribution networks, financial advisors and their clients.

In 2007, First State Investments, now known as First Sentier Investors, put together an investment team specializing in listed infrastructure securities management.

This team has established a robust and distinctive investment process that ranks each company according to value and quality criteria. Fundamental research provides an in-depth understanding of each company, its industry and its positioning.

Mandate(s) assigned to this portfolio manager2

  • $6.2 billion in assets under management1
  • Headquartered in Salt Lake City, USA
  • 35 investment professionals
Grandeur Peak Global Advisors, LLC

Grandeur Peak Global Advisors is a micro to mid-cap global equities investment firm that was launched on July 1, 2011. Bottom-up approach using disciplined global screening, rigorous company due diligence and close attention to valuation to find what they believe to be the best investment opportunities around the world.

Mandate(s) assigned to this portfolio manager2

  • $66 billion in assets under management1
  • Headquartered in London, United Kingdom
  • 278 investment professionals
Hermes Investment Management Limited6

Founded in 1983, Hermes Investment Management is a global leader in active responsible investment. The firm is guided by the conviction that responsible investing is the best way to create long-term wealth that enriches investors, society and the environment. It offers investment capabilities in public and private markets, including equity, fixed income, private markets, liquidity and stewardship. Federated Hermes Limited, the parent company of Hermes Investment, was a founding member and chair of the drafting committee that created the United Nations-supported Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) and is a signatory since 2006.

Mandate(s) assigned to this portfolio manager2

  • $62.1 billion in assets under management1
  • Headquartered in London, United Kingdom
  • 64 investment professionals
Impax Asset Management

Founded in 1998, Impax Asset Management (“Impax”) is a leading investment firm.

A signatory to the UN's Principles for Responsible Investment since 2008, Impax specializes in resource optimization and responsible investment products.

The firm has offices in the United Kingdom, North America, and Asia. Impax is a proud holder of a Queen's Award for Enterprise: Sustainable Development and numerous other prestigious industry accolades.

Mandate(s) assigned to this portfolio manager2

  • $51.9 billion in assets under management1
  • Headquartered in Montreal, Canada
  • 75 investment professionals
Jarislowsky Fraser Ltd.

Founded in 1955, Jarislowsky Fraser manages equity, bond and asset allocation mandates.

A leader in corporate governance and defender of minority shareholder rights, Jarislowsky Fraser specializes in Canadian equity management with a conservative approach.

The firm serves a wide range of clients, including mutual funds, pension funds, foundations and private investors.

Jarislowsky Fraser's objective is long-term capital growth while maintaining low risk.

The firm avoids speculative securities and selects financially sound companies to minimize overall portfolio risk.

This strategy is combined with extensive in-house securities analysis.

Mandate(s) assigned to this portfolio manager2

  • $249.2 billion in assets under management1
  • Headquartered in New York, USA
  • 282 investment professionals
Lazard Asset Management LLC

Lazard Asset Management, a subsidiary of Lazard Group, is known primarily for equity management and security selection focused on financial productivity and valuation.

The firm prefers to invest in companies rather than markets.

Strategies are grounded in disciplined analysis combined with a thorough investment approach.

The firm manages fixed-income securities, alternative strategies, private wealth and asset allocation mandates. Its clients include distribution networks, institutional investors and high-net-worth individuals.

Lazard Asset Management's active management model focuses on team work and the free flow of ideas.

Mandate(s) assigned to this portfolio manager2

  • $123.4 billion in assets under management1
  • Headquartered in Chicago, USA
  • 19 investment professionals
LSV Asset Management

Founded in 1994, LSV Asset Management favours a quantitative approach and value management style.

The firm targets undervalued equities that offer potential for short-term appreciation. These securities will generate above-average returns, provided their future growth outpaces low market expectations.

The team uses in-house models built on research by the firm's founders.

These models consider investor behaviour and the results of contrarian investment strategies.

Mandate(s) assigned to this portfolio manager2

  • $39.3 billion in assets under management1
  • Headquartered in Paris, France
  • 110 investment professionals
Mirova

Mirova is a wholly owned subsidiary of Natixis Asset Management that specializes in responsible investment.

The firm has developed an engaged approach to responsible investment, designed to combine value creation and sustainable development.

Mirova has been a signatory to the UN's Principles for Responsible Investment since 2013.

Mandate(s) assigned to this portfolio manager2

  • $58.7 billion in assets under management1
  • Headquartered in London, United Kingdom
  • 53 investment professionals
Mondrian

Mondrian Investment Partners (“Mondrian”) is an employee-owned investment management firm with offices in the United Kingdom and the United States. They are value investors across the globe in both equity and fixed income asset classes. Founded in 1990, Mondrian has employed a rigorous fundamental research process that is the foundation of their success. Mondrian’s well-resourced investment team manages assets on behalf of many institutional clients.

Mandate(s) assigned to this portfolio manager2

  • $226 billion in assets under management1
  • Headquartered in London, United Kingdom
  • 258 investment professionals
Ninety One North America

Founded in South Africa in 1991, Ninety-One is a global portfolio manager with emerging market roots. Their heritage and approach bring a different perspective to active and sustainable investing. Their investment expertise spans equity, fixed income, multi-asset and alternative asset classes across global, emerging and frontier markets. Ninety One is a signatory to the United Nations-supported Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) since 2008.

Mandate(s) assigned to this portfolio manager2

  • $1,043.6 billion in assets under management1
  • Headquartered in Newark, USA
  • 283 investment professionals
PGIM

Founded in 1875, PGIM is built on strength and stability. PGIM Fixed Income provides global asset management and active portfolio solutions across all fixed income markets.

Their investment strategy centers on rigorous research with an emphasis on bottom-up research-driven security selection conducted by career analysts, including senior analysts.

Managing assets for many clients worldwide, including some of the Fortune 500 companies, and some of the 100 largest global pension funds, as well as a few sovereign wealth funds and central banks.

Mandate(s) assigned to this portfolio manager2

  • $2,358.6 billion in assets under management (PIMCO)1
  • Headquartered in Newport Beach, USA
  • 532 investment professionals worldwide
PIMCO Canada Corp.

Founded in 2004, PIMCO Canada Corp. is a subsidiary of Pacific Investment Management Company (“PIMCO”).

Known as one of the world's largest fixed-income securities managers, PIMCO is a global investment solutions provider focused on a single mission: to manage risks and deliver returns for their clients. The firm manages investments for a wide range of clients.

The team's proven investment process encompasses both cyclical (short-term) and structural (three- to five- year) macroeconomics views. These forecasts are combined with in-depth research, security analysis and portfolio risk management.

PIMCO's global scale is a clear advantage, enhancing its ability to drive value added.

Mandate(s) assigned to this portfolio manager2

  • $30 billion in assets under management1
  • Headquartered in London, United Kingdom
  • 41 investment professionals worldwide
Sarasin & Partners LLP

Sarasin & Partners LLP takes a global, thematic approach to investment, finding opportunities within the themes shaping the world of tomorrow. They invest on behalf of charities, individuals, intermediaries and institutions according to the belief that responsible companies make better investments. Using their dynamic asset allocation process, portfolio managers draw upon a wide range of asset classes to create bespoke portfolios, charity funds, model portfolios, funds of funds and unitised multi-asset funds.

Sarasin & Partners LLP's five megatrends, underpinned by stewardship, drive their investment approach: Digitalisation, Automation, Ageing, Evolving Consumption and Climate Change.

Mandate(s) assigned to this portfolio manager2

  • $1,557.3 billion in assets under management1
  • Headquartered in Boston, USA
  • 947 investment professionals
Wellington Management Company LLP

Founded in 1928, Wellington Management Company (“Wellington”) is one of the largest private investment managers in the world.

Wellington focuses exclusively on managing investments, from global equity to fixed-income securities, through hedge funds, currency, and commodity portfolios.

The firm has earned a solid reputation for discipline and skill thanks to its knowledgeable team of professionals.

One of the cornerstones of Wellington's approaches to management is the independent research carried out by a group of seasoned analysts.

Mandate(s) assigned to this portfolio manager2

  • $535 billion in assets under management1
  • Headquartered in Pasadena, USA
  • 137 investment professionals
Western Asset Management Company

Western Asset Management Company, LLC ("Western Asset") is a globally integrated fixed-income manager, sourcing ideas and investment solutions worldwide. Founded in October 1971 by United California Bank, Western focuses on long-term fundamental value investing that employs a top-down and bottom-up approach.

Mandate(s) assigned to this portfolio manager2

Assets under management as at December 31, 2022

Mandated by Desjardins Global Asset Management

Fidelity Investments Canada is a registered trademark of 483A Bay Street Holdings LP. Used with permission.

BlackRock® is a registered trademark of BlackRock, Inc. and its affiliates (“BlackRock”) and is used under license. BlackRock makes no representations or warranties regarding the advisability of investing in any product or the use of any service offered by Desjardins Funds. BlackRock has no obligation or liability in connection with the operation, marketing, trading or sale of any product or service offered by Desjardins Funds.

Fiera has retained the services of PineStone Asset Management Inc. (formerly StonePine Asset Management Inc.) who provides sub-advisory services to Fiera for the Desjardins Overseas Equity Fund.

Hermes Investment Management Limited is an affiliate of Federated Hermes Limited.