iA Financial Group Supports New Professorship in Quantitative Finance at the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management

TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--iA Financial Group and the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management today announced the creation of the iA Financial Group Professorship in Quantitative Finance, supported by a $600,000 philanthropic commitment from iA Financial Group over five years.

The professorship will support research and teaching in quantitative finance at the Rotman School, with a focus on areas such as asset pricing, risk management, portfolio construction, and the integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning. The initiative reflects a shared commitment to advancing knowledge, developing talent and strengthening Canada’s financial ecosystem through closer collaboration between academia and industry.

“This partnership with the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management reflects our commitment to supporting research and talent development in areas that are increasingly important for the evolution of modern finance and investing,” said Alain Bergeron, Executive Vice-President and Chief Investment Officer at iA Financial Group. “Quantitative finance plays a central role in innovation, rigorous risk management and long-term value creation, and its importance is only growing as artificial intelligence and total-portfolio thinking reshape how investment decisions are made. We are proud to support an initiative that will help connect academic excellence with real-world applications.”

“Our finance faculty have a record of producing research that shapes both academic thought and real-world financial practice,” says Rotman Professor and Interim Dean Joseph Milner. “This gift will allow us to continue to support research in quantitative finance, which is playing an important role in understanding and growing today’s fast-paced financial markets.”

The professorship will be held by Redouane Elkamhi, a professor of finance at the Rotman School. His research spans investments, asset pricing and portfolio allocation. His work has been published in leading finance and economics journals and has earned several research and teaching awards. He has also collaborated closely with leading pension plans, insurance companies and global asset managers on investment strategy and total fund management.

At a time when financial systems are becoming increasingly complex and data-driven, advancing research in quantitative finance is essential to better understand emerging risks, strengthen financial resilience and equip future experts to support sound decision-making for individuals, institutions and society.

The initiative also reflects iA Financial Group’s commitment to being a learning organization—one that supports the development of people, whether by investing in its employees, helping clients make informed financial decisions through advice, or contributing to the academic community through partnerships.

About iA Financial Group
iA Financial Group is one of the largest insurance and wealth management groups in Canada, with operations in the United States. Founded in 1892, it is an important Canadian public company and is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol IAG (common shares).

About the Rotman School of Management
The Rotman School of Management is part of the University of Toronto, a global centre of research and teaching excellence at the heart of Canada’s commercial capital. Rotman is a catalyst for transformative learning, insights and public engagement, bringing together diverse views and initiatives around a defining purpose: to create value for business and society. For more information, visit www.rotman.utoronto.ca.

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iA Financial Group is a business name and trademark of iA Financial Corporation Inc. and Industrial Alliance Insurance and Financial Services Inc.