Mark Satov
Managing Partner
Mark is a business advisor who pushes his clients to do better. His early entrepreneurial background and consulting stint at Bain & Company has helped shape Canada’s leading boutique consultancy that business leaders trust today. Mark has experience across a range of industries, most notably retail and consumer goods, business services, and industrial services. Mark regularly acts as a facilitator for our clients where he’s known for his ability to manage tough discussions, from strategic planning to re-organizations.
Mark is a frequent commentator on business media, including BNN, The Globe and Mail, Yahoo Finance and the CBC, providing his views on business events and trends.
A firm believer in giving back to the communities in which he works and lives, Mark lends his time to a range of important causes, including Food Allergy Canada, The School of Social Entrepreneurs of Ontario, West Neighbourhood House and Help for Children.
David Saffer
Partner
David brings three decades of experience advising retailers and consumer goods companies. He leads our consumer insight practice and supports our clients in a range of areas from brand positioning to hands-on marketing planning and execution.
David was a founding partner of Groupe SECOR’s Toronto office (now KPMG Strategy) and later co-founded Jackman Reinvents where he built the management consulting and research practices. David began his career with Hill + Knowlton Strategies (DECIMA) before joining Saffer Advertising for several years prior to it being acquired by HAVAS.
David received his B.Sc. from the University of Toronto (Trinity College) and has served on the Board of Directors of Scotiabank CONTACT Photography Festival and the National Ballet of Canada. He is based in Halifax, N.S.
Chris Kirk
Principal
Chris brings over 20 years of experience advising and navigating businesses through a range of initiatives including strategy, performance improvement, M&A, organizational design and change management. He has worked across many sectors and has particular depth within financial services.
Chris started his career at Bain & Company where he worked his way up to become a leader in the firm’s financial services practice. After leaving Bain, he moved on to hold executive positions with leading Canadian financial institutions including CIBC, Scotiabank, and most recently, Canada Life where he took on the role of VP, Capabilities & Enablement.
Chris received his BASc from Queen’s University and his MBA from the MIT Sloan School of Management.
Beyond his work life, Chris enjoys experimenting in the kitchen and pursuing outdoor activities like rock climbing, hiking, fishing, and skiing. But above all, his time is focused on supporting and spending time with his family.
Andy Spears
Senior Advisor, Financial Services
Andy brings decades of deep experience in financial services, especially retail banking and lending, as a consultant, operating executive, and entrepreneur. Prior to joining SATOV, he was a Managing Director of Novantas, the VP Channel Management for Presidents Choice Financial at CIBC and the CEO of NewCan where he focused on bringing a new banking model to Canada. Andy spent his early consulting career at Bain & Company and Mitchell Madison Group.
Having advised financial institutions in Canada, US and UK, his breadth and depth of knowledge in the field is invaluable. His expertise includes retail banking strategy, distribution, product design, fintech pricing and consumer research.
Andy graduated from Yale University with a Master’s in Public and Private Management and from the University of Toronto with a B.A.
Louise Sherman
Senior Advisor, Process Management
Louise is a business process and project management professional with a unique ability to drive operational and organizational change. She holds an MBA from Queen’s university, is a PMI-certified Project Management Professional and has a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt.
Louise began her career at the Royal Bank of Canada where she was responsible for the process redesign and automation of the bank’s global banking infrastructure. After leaving the bank, she spent over a decade undertaking several successful entrepreneurial ventures.
Louise began at SATOV Consultants in 2004 and has since been working at the firm on and off. She specializes in process engineering, project management and post-merger integration across financial services, healthcare and business services sectors.
Natasha Raffa
Senior Engagement Manager
Natasha’s project experience includes corporate growth strategy and commercial due diligence. She has worked in various industries including retail, IT and manufacturing. Internally she supports SATOV’s financial services practice.
Natasha has an Honours Financial Mathematics degree and a BBA from the Lazaridis School of Business and Economics at Wilfrid Laurier University. She loves spending time in the kitchen with new recipes and getting outdoors to stay active.
Liam Johnson
Engagement Manager
Liam joined SATOV upon completion of his MBA from Ivey Business School. Prior to business school, he worked in financial planning and analysis for a telecommunications company, and developed marketing programs with a branding agency for clients in a variety of industries. Outside of work, Liam enjoys travelling, playing guitar, and both playing and watching many different sports.
Adam Kovalcik
Engagement Manager
Adam’s project experience includes corporate strategy, commercial due diligence, implementation, and salesforce effectiveness. He has worked in industries including commercial manufacturing and services, residential products and services, financial services, technology, private healthcare, and retail. Internally, Adam supports SATOV’s analytics and knowledge management capabilities.
Adam holds an HBA from the Ivey Business School and a BESc in Software Engineering at Western University. Outside of work, he enjoys travelling, running, and discovering new restaurants.
Sophie Lewick
Research & Communications Manager
Sophie’s project focus is in consumer research, specifically conducting research for our commercial due diligence and strategy engagements. She has worked with clients in media, healthcare, consumer goods, financial services, and education. Sophie also helps develop and execute SATOV’s communications and marketing initiatives including content creation, newsletters, and events.
Sophie has a B.A. in Psychology from McGill University. Outside of work, she plays hockey and tennis, and enjoys painting and graphic design.
Hayley Hummel
Senior Research Analyst
Hayley’s project focus is in consumer research. Her project experience includes managing qualitative and quantitative research programs, and conducting research for commercial due diligence engagements. She has worked with clients in various industries including education, healthcare, and consumer goods.
Before joining SATOV Hayley worked at Ipsos in marketing research and brand health tracking. She has a B.A. in Political Science and Global Studies from Wilfrid Laurier University. Outside of work, she enjoys playing volleyball, reading, and trying new restaurants around Toronto.
Hayden Carver
Senior Analyst
Prior to joining SATOV, Hayden worked in various industries including SaaS, IT, and Financial Services. He attended Wilfrid Laurier University, where he earned a BBA degree with a specialization in Finance, along with an International Policy Option and a Minor in Economics. Outside of work, Hayden enjoys golfing, reading, exercising, and is an avid sports fan.
Alison Schouten
Senior Analyst
Before joining SATOV, Alison worked in multiple industries including Insurance, Financial Services, Luxury F&B and Corporate Strategy. She received a BBA degree from Wilfrid Laurier University with a concentration in Strategic Management. She loves to travel and has spent time living in Vancouver and Spain throughout her academic career. In addition to travelling, Alison likes doing anything outdoors, particularly running and hiking, but she also enjoys reading with a cup of tea in hand.
Owen Holland
Senior Analyst
Before joining SATOV, Owen worked in both the technology sector and in pharmaceutical consulting. He completed his MSc in business analytics from Ivey Business School and his BSc in life science from Queen’s University. Outside of work, Owen enjoys playing hockey, cooking, reading, and playing fantasy sports.
Roan Beattie
Analyst
Prior to joining SATOV, Roan completed financial due diligence as part of KPMG’s Deal Advisory team. He holds an HBA from the Ivey Business School at Western University. Outside of work, Roan spends most of his time with friends; he also enjoys exercising, cooking, and travelling.
Ariana Ghavami
Analyst
Prior to joining SATOV, Ariana worked as a Private Equity Analyst. She earned her HBA at the Ivey Business School at Western University. In her free time she enjoys cooking, exercising, and reading.
Michael Zhang
Analyst
Michael earned his HBA from the Ivey Business School at Western University. Prior to joining SATOV, he was an operations intern at a financial institution and an analyst in supply chain consulting, where he advised multinational clients in retail, apparel, and fintech. He is passionate about sustainability and climate investing. In his spare time, he enjoys playing basketball and jazz piano.
Jamie Samson
Research Analyst
Jamie is a member of our consumer research team. Her role at SATOV includes managing qualitative and quantitative research programs and conducting research for commercial due diligence engagements. She has worked with clients in various industries including consumer goods, healthcare, and governmental services.
Jamie previously worked in the non-profit sector in corporate donor relations and data processing at United Way. She has a B.A. in Economics and International Development Studies from McGill University. Outside of work, she plays hockey and soccer, and also enjoys running, hiking, and reading.
Kayla Whitnell
Analyst, Intern
Kayla is currently pursuing an HBA at the Ivey Business School at Western University. Prior to joining SATOV, Kayla completed internships in financial services and in marketing and consumer insights. She also has experience as a young entrepreneur, having launched and operated a swim school for children. Outside of work, she enjoys daily exercise, travelling, thrilling outdoor activities, and trying new restaurants.
Tanner Spadafora
Analyst, Intern
Tanner is currently pursuing his HBA degree at the Ivey Business School. His internship at SATOV follows his other successful internship roles, including working for a search fund as an analyst, as well as for a multi-national mining, rail, and industrial services company in a strategy role. Outside of work, he is an avid skier, with a particular love for Lake Louise.
Natalia Rayner
Financial Controller
Natalia is Financial Controller (CPA CMA) with more than 20 years of experience in corporate finance. At SATOV Natalia supports all finance and accounting functions. She is responsible for managing finances, supporting internal processes and partnering with clients and vendors to ensure smooth transactions.
Prior to joining SATOV she worked as a controller/head of finance in manufacturing, pharmaceutical, construction, tech industries.
Outside of work, she loves travelling and spends a lot of time outdoors enjoying snowboarding and horseback riding.
Meggan Hayes
Executive Assistant
Meggan brings a fresh and well-rounded perspective to her role, having held positions as an EA for executives in diverse industries including architecture and design, television, and for the past six years in retail. Through these roles she has honed her skills in project management, event planning, and beyond.
Meggan graduated from UCLA where she studied Screenwriting, and she maintains a passion for writing. One of her goals is to one day publish a children’s book. Her other interests include travelling and exploring local neighbourhoods, especially wherever she can find a local farmer’s market to pick up ingredients to try new recipes.