Our Team

Mark Lawrence has been Managing Partner of NorthCrest Partners Inc., an Exempt Market Dealer, since September 2003, and is also President of CML Capital Ventures Inc., serving in that role since June 1997. He was from 2007 to 2017 a Director of, Chair of Governance, and Audit Committee member, of Stone Investment Group Limited, a mutual fund company with assets under admin of about $600 million (a non-listed reporting issuer.)

Mr. Lawrence is an active investor in private start-up companies in sectors ranging from financial services software and services, alternative energy, green tech, telecommunications, materials and Internet software.  He is passionate about working with entrepreneurs and creating a compelling story to potential funders in the capital markets.  He advises on M&A, corporate strategy, funding readiness and funding of all sizes of corporations globally.  Mark worked as an engineer before entering the capital markets as a Buy/Hold/Sell analyst in 1987, becoming a top ranked analyst in most sectors that he covered.

Since-mid 2012, Mr. Lawrence has also been a member of the Financial Assistance Committee of Angel Investors Ontario, moving to Vice-Chair and Chair in 2020.  He has been a Founder and Director of a number of TSX Venture listed companies, some through the Capital Pool Program. His previous roles included Founding Director of Soltoro Ltd., a TSX Venture listed company (Mexican silver exploration), Director of Axiotron Corp. (Tablet Computers), Software Growth Inc., and York Ridge LifeTech Inc.

Mr. Lawrence holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Queens University, and a MBA from the Ivey School of Business. He received his designation of P.Eng from the Association of Professional Engineers of Ontario and his Chartered Financial Analyst designation from the Association for Investment Management and Research.

Jeffrey Steiner is a Toronto lawyer and business leader involved in the media, real estate, and mining sectors. He founded New Franchise Media Inc., which develops film & TV projects based upon the bestselling novels of Jeffrey Archer.

In his role from 2002-2009 as President & CEO of the Toronto Economic Development Corporation (TEDCO), he developed the new Toronto headquarters for Corus Entertainment Inc. – a 500,000 square foot LEED-Gold green building on Toronto’s waterfront.

Mr. Steiner served as a member of the Board of Directors of Canada’s official export-import bank Export Development Canada (EDC). He previously served on the Board of Directors of the Ontario Centres of Excellence (OCE Inc.), which oversees government investment in the commercialization of university R&D through industry collaboration and venture capital. Today he is a board member of the Toronto Parking Authority (TPA) and the Resource Productivity & Recycling Authority (RPRA).

His previous experience includes serving in the federal government as Chief of Staff to the Minister of Indian Affairs & Northern Development, and as Chief of Staff at the Department of National Defence.

Kate joined AIO while completing her Master of Management Innovation and Entrepreneurship (MMIE) at the Smith School of Business at Queen’s University. Now as Vice President, Business Development and Operations, Kate is responsible for the implementation of new program development and operations of Angel Investors Ontario. Prior to AIO, Kate was responsible for non-degree programming development at the University of Windsor.

Kate also hold a Bachelor of Science (honors) from the University of Waterloo and a Bachelor of Commerce (honors) from the University of Windsor.

Pallavi Jain works with AIO to help execute programs and activities in support of Angel groups and their investments into startups in Ontario.

With a background in Psychology and Human Resource Management, Pallavi brings a unique perspective to her role. She is also a wellness enthusiast with a passion for making a positive impact in the industry and beyond.

As Finance Manager, Maggy is responsible for managing the financial operations and human resources of Angel Investors Ontario.

Maggy has successfully developed accounting departments for midsize companies by hiring and training staff and implementing finance & HR processes and procedures. She has actively served non-profit organizations and a variety of small businesses for over 20 years.