More than a year and a half after InBC Investment Corp. was created, the $500 million strategic investment fund finally has a chief investment officer (CIO). Leah Nguyen, currently an investment director for the Telus Pollinator Fund for Good, will assume the role effective April 4, 2022.

As InBC’s CIO, Nguyen will be tasked with developing the fund’s investment policy statement, overall investment strategy and executing on investment decisions.

“I am incredibly honoured to join Jill Earthy, CEO, and the board of directors in this new role and look forward to helping realize the vision of InBC to help the province’s companies grow and prosper," said Nguyen in a statement. “I feel passionately that by supporting entrepreneurs from diverse backgrounds, industries, and regions of the province to pursue their business goals and ambitions, we are creating a better economic future for British Columbians.”

At Telus, Nguyen has helped to lead sourcing and deal execution on investment opportunities that align with the firm’s impact mandate, experience that positions her well to tackle InBC’s triple bottom line mandate. Prior to Telus, Leah was a management consultant with Accenture and a project manager at Lululemon Athletica.

Announced in September 2020, InBC is a key pillar of the government’s StrongerBC Economic Plan. The organization is modelled after strategic investment funds in other jurisdictions including the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund, Danish Investment Fund and the Scottish National Investment Bank. 

Nguyen’s background sets her up for success, according to chief executive officer Jill Earthy, who Nguyen will report to. “Leah is an accomplished investment leader who brings direct experience in private equity, growth capital and impact investing,” said Earthy.

"We embrace her proven expertise in building a strong network of partnerships across the B.C. business and investment community and her ability to develop and activate funding solutions that align with our triple bottom line mandate.”

As we kickoff Women’s History Month, it’s worth noting that InBC is led by a female board chair (Christine Bergeron), CEO (Eathy), and now CIO (Nguyen). It’s likely one of the largest investment funds in Canada shepherded by women in an industry dominated by men.