Laura Lenz appointed new head of OMERS Ventures (opens in a new tab)
BetaKit reports OMERS promoted a longtime Ventures investor to lead the arm amid a push toward more Canadian investing, after the previous head departed in July.
Pension Fund
Defined benefit pension plan for Ontario's municipal sector employees, investing globally across public and private markets.
OMERS is a jointly sponsored, multi-employer defined benefit pension plan serving about 665,000 active, deferred and retired members across more than 1,000 participating Ontario employers. It invests across government bonds, public and private credit, public and private equities, infrastructure, venture and real estate (through Oxford Properties), with offices in North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific. Its venture arm, OMERS Ventures, has backed 46 Canadian companies since 2011 (including Shopify, Wattpad and Cohere) and has run a 'Canada first' strategy since 2025, led from Toronto by Laura Lenz since September 2026. Net assets were C$151.6 billion at June 30, 2026.
11 interview reports0 open roles83 deals11 people111 sources
Global direct infrastructure investing and asset management (e.g. transport, energy networks); led by Michael Hill, who since July 2026 also oversees private equity.
Direct private equity and growing global co-investment activity, led by Alexander Fraser and reporting to Michael Hill since July 2026; Michael Block leads an expanded private capital (funds) mandate.
Oxford Properties Group is OMERS' real estate investor, developer and manager (about a C$80 billion business), led by President and CEO Eric Plesman.
Public and private credit investing and external partner relationships, led by Kal Patel; private credit returned 8.3% and public credit 3.9% in 2025.
Global public equities (led by Kannan Venkataramani) combined in July 2026 with multi-asset strategies (fixed income, commodities, absolute return, overlay) under Scott McIntosh; public equities returned 12.3% in 2025.
Venture capital arm founded in 2011 (first investment: Toronto's Wave) that has backed 46 Canadian companies, including Shopify, Wattpad, Hopper, Jobber and Cohere. After a 2025 strategic review it cut back its US team and adopted a 'Canada first' focus, while still investing selectively in the US from New York and the Bay Area (e.g. Octaura, Crux). Current themes include defence tech, physical AI and vertical AI. Led by Laura Lenz (Managing Director, Head of Ventures, from September 2026), reporting into OMERS Private Capital; the published team is about 12 people, 7 of them in Toronto.
Trading, portfolio analytics, portfolio strategy, liquidity management and portfolio construction across the whole fund, led by Kenton Bradbury.
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President and Chief Executive Officer
Executive Leadership
Leads the overall OMERS enterprise. Joined OMERS in 2018 as President and Chief Pension Officer after running Oxford Properties Group as president and CEO from 2010. Earlier headed global real estate at Mount Kellett Capital Management and held senior leadership roles at CB Richard Ellis.
President and CEO, Oxford Properties Group
Real Estate (Oxford Properties)
Heads Oxford Properties and serves as OMERS' global head of real estate; returned to Oxford as CEO in 2025 after leading global real estate at HOOPP. Joined Oxford in 2011 and became EVP, North America in 2019, after more than a decade at Morgan Stanley. Based in Toronto.
Chief Financial and Strategy Officer
Finance and Strategy
Joined OMERS as CFO in January 2014, adding strategic planning in 2021 and economic research in 2024. Previously a PwC partner for over a decade, leading its Canadian insurance practice.
Executive Vice President & Global Head of Infrastructure and Private Equity
Infrastructure and Private Equity
New York-based executive who joined OMERS in September 2023 to lead infrastructure and added oversight of private equity in July 2026. Previously Americas head of sustainable energies at CPP Investments, after more than two decades in investment banking at Morgan Stanley, Deutsche Bank and Nomura.
Executive Vice President and Global Head of Equities and Multi-Asset Strategies
Equities & Multi-Asset Strategies
Joined OMERS in October 2013 and led its multi-asset strategies (fixed income, commodities, absolute return and overlay management); took on the global equities platform in July 2026. Previously head of Canadian asset allocation at Manulife Asset Management, with earlier asset allocation roles in Australia.
Executive Vice President & Head of Global Credit
Global Credit
Leads the OMERS Global Credit program and its external partner relationships, and sits on the Senior Leadership Committee. Joined OMERS in October 2011 after managing alternative, credit and fixed income portfolios at two large institutional investors. CFA charterholder.
Managing Director, Head of Ventures
OMERS Ventures
Named Managing Director, Head of Ventures in September 2026 after seven years at OMERS Ventures and in venture since 2004 (starting at Edgestone). Her investing focus is fintech and commerce, and she co-authored the firm's posts on its Float and Octaura investments. Earlier she worked in investment banking at BMO and in Tokyo and New York.
Professional information only, drawn from official biographies and published reporting. BSO never lists private contact details.
Sep 25, 2026
Laura LenzPromotion
Head of OMERS Ventures
OMERS Ventures → OMERS Ventures
Seven-year OMERS Ventures investor named head of the venture arm, succeeding Saar Pikar, who left in July 2026; the third leadership change at the unit in three years.
Jul 2, 2026
Michael HillPromotion
EVP & Global Head of Infrastructure and Private Equity
OMERS → OMERS
Part of a restructuring of investment leadership that put private equity under the infrastructure head and merged global equities with multi-asset strategies under Scott McIntosh.
Jul 2026
Saar PikarDeparture
OMERS Ventures → Kensington Capital
Head of OMERS Ventures since 2025 left in July 2026 to become president of Kensington Capital.
Mar 20, 2026
Luca LupoPromotion
Senior Managing Director and Head of Europe
OMERS Infrastructure → OMERS Infrastructure
Infrastructure investor who joined OMERS in 2022 named European head, based in London and reporting to Michael Hill; succeeds Alastair Hall, who left in February 2026.
Jul 21, 2025
Michael YangDeparture
OMERS Ventures → —
San Francisco-based head of OMERS Ventures stepped down when OMERS refocused venture investing on Canada; BetaKit also reported several US investors leaving.
Jul 2025
Saar PikarAppointment
Managing Director, Head of Ventures and Growth
OMERS → OMERS
Took an expanded role over ventures and growth, reporting to Michael Block, as part of the July 2025 restructuring; Laura Lenz was promoted to Managing Director at the same time.
Jul 2, 2026
OMERS Announces Changes to Investment Leadership Structure
Investor
May 22, 2026
Exolum
Seller · Energy logistics / infrastructure
Buyer Stoneshield Capital and an unnamed global investment firm · Seller OMERS
OMERS agreed to sell its roughly 25% stake in Spanish energy logistics company Exolum, held with partners since 2016: about 15% to Stoneshield Capital and about 10% to an unnamed global investment firm. Completion was expected in Q3 2026, subject to approvals.
May 20, 2026
OMERS Finance Trust successfully completes A$1.0 billion 10-year term note offering
Investor
Apr 22, 2026
OMERS Finance Trust successfully completes US$1.0 billion 5-year term note offering
Investor
Mar 6, 2026
OMERS Joins Canadian–Australian Pension Funds Investment Initiative
Investor
Oct 15, 2025
London City Airport (50% stake)
Seller · Airports / transport infrastructure
Buyer Macquarie Asset Management · Seller OMERS and AIMCo
Macquarie bought a further 50% of London City Airport from AIMCo and OMERS, reaching financial close at signing and bringing Macquarie's holding to 75%.
Jun 9, 2025
Octaura
Co-investor · Capital markets infrastructure (syndicated loans and CLO trading)
Buyer OMERS Ventures with Barclays, Deutsche Bank, BNP Paribas, Apollo, Motive Partners, MassMutual Ventures and existing bank investors
Invested in Octaura, an electronic trading and data platform for syndicated loans and CLOs, alongside new and existing bank and asset-manager backers.
May 20, 2025
Transgrid (9.995% stake)
Seller · Electricity transmission
Buyer Future Fund Board of Guardians · Seller OMERS
OMERS sold half of its 19.9% interest in the New South Wales transmission network operator to Australia's Future Fund, keeping 9.995% and managing the Future Fund's interest.
Apr 16, 2025
Crux
Co-investor · Climate / project-finance marketplace
Buyer Lowercarbon Capital (lead); OMERS Ventures and others
OMERS Ventures invested in Crux's $50M Series B (currency not stated), a capital-markets platform for financing clean energy and manufacturing projects.
Mar 20, 2025
OMERS Finance Trust successfully completes offering of USD term notes
Investor
Feb 14, 2025
Float
Co-investor · Fintech (Canadian SMB spend management)
Buyer Growth Equity at Goldman Sachs Alternatives (lead); OMERS Ventures, FJ Labs, Garage Capital, Teralys
OMERS Ventures joined Canadian fintech Float's $70M Series B (currency not stated), led by Goldman Sachs Alternatives.
Dec 3, 2024
Integris
Acquirer · IT managed services
Buyer OMERS Private Equity · Seller Frontenac
OMERS Private Equity agreed to buy a majority stake in New Jersey-based Integris, an outsourced IT, cloud and cybersecurity provider to small and mid-sized US businesses, marking its entry into the managed services sector.
Dec 3, 2024
OMERS Private Equity announces agreement to acquire Integris, a leading provider of IT services in the United States
Acquirer
Oct 29, 2024
OMERS celebrates 10 years of investment success in Australia
Investor
Oct 16, 2024
OMERS Finance Trust successfully completes offering of AUD term notes
Investor
Aug 6, 2024
OMERS announces first Italian investment
Investor
Jul 3, 2024
Quest Diagnostics to Acquire LifeLabs from OMERS
Seller
Feb 23, 2024
OMERS Generates $5.6 billion in Investment Income in 2023
Investor
Jan 25, 2024
OMERS Finance Trust successfully completes offering of EUR term notes
Investor
Nov 6, 2023
OMERS to invest US$400 Million for an indirect 5% stake in Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE)
Investor
Sep 27, 2023
Goldman Sachs Asset Management and OMERS Enter into Private Credit Partnership to invest in Asia Pacific
Co-investor
Aug 29, 2023
Redwood Materials raises over $1 billion in Series D investment round, with participation from OMERS
Investor
Jul 18, 2023
OMERS Infrastructure Announces Strategic Investment in Beanfield Metroconnect
Investor
Jul 3, 2023
OMERS and ABP to acquire Dutch energy infrastructure solutions business Kenter
Acquirer
Jun 28, 2023
CEOs of Leading Canadian Pension Plan Investment Managers Support Inaugural International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) Standards
Investor
BetaKit reports OMERS promoted a longtime Ventures investor to lead the arm amid a push toward more Canadian investing, after the previous head departed in July.
OMERS names Lenz to lead the venture arm and highlights AI-driven themes such as defence tech and physical AI.
All asset classes were positive in H1 2026, led by public equities; OMERS reiterated plans for at least C$10 billion of new Canadian investment over five years.
The plan simplified reporting lines by folding private equity under its infrastructure head and combining global equities with multi-asset strategies.
OMERS agreed to exit its decade-long holding in Spanish energy logistics firm Exolum, splitting the stake between two buyers.
OMERS posted a 6% net return for 2025, with net assets reaching C$145.2 billion and funded status improving to 99%; private equity was the only asset class with a negative return.
OMERS and AIMCo sell a combined 50% of London City Airport to Macquarie.
Head of OMERS Ventures leaves as OMERS shifts toward Canadian investments and reorganizes leadership.
Then-head Michael Yang outlines an AI focus and plans for a Series A to C portfolio across North America.
OMERS Private Equity signs deal for majority stake in US IT services provider Integris.
Launched with a first investment in Toronto-based Wave.
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OMERS Ventures · Sep 24, 2026 · omersventures.com
OMERS · Aug 11, 2026 · omers.com
OMERS · Jul 2, 2026 · omers.com
OMERS Infrastructure · May 22, 2026 · omersinfrastructure.com
OMERS · May 20, 2026 · omers.com
OMERS · Apr 22, 2026 · omers.com
OMERS · Mar 6, 2026 · omers.com
OMERS · Feb 23, 2026 · omers.com
Macquarie · Oct 15, 2025 · macquarie.com
OMERS Ventures · Jun 9, 2025 · omersventures.com
Future Fund · May 20, 2025 · futurefund.gov.au
OMERS Ventures · Apr 16, 2025 · omersventures.com
OMERS · Mar 20, 2025 · omers.com
OMERS Ventures · Feb 14, 2025 · omersventures.com
OMERS Ventures · Dec 24, 2024 · omersventures.com
OMERS · Dec 3, 2024 · omers.com
OMERS · Oct 29, 2024 · omers.com
OMERS · Oct 16, 2024 · omers.com
OMERS · Aug 6, 2024 · omers.com
OMERS · Jul 3, 2024 · omers.com
OMERS · Feb 23, 2024 · omers.com
OMERS · Jan 25, 2024 · omers.com
OMERS · Nov 6, 2023 · omers.com
OMERS · Sep 27, 2023 · omers.com
OMERS · Aug 29, 2023 · omers.com
OMERS · Jul 18, 2023 · omers.com
OMERS · Jul 3, 2023 · omers.com
OMERS · Jun 1, 2020 · omers.com
OMERS · Date unavailable · omers.com
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OMERS Ventures · Date unavailable · omersventures.com
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OMERS Ventures · Date unavailable · omersventures.com
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OMERS · Date unavailable · omers.com
BetaKit · Sep 25, 2026 · betakit.com
The Globe and Mail · Jul 2, 2026 · theglobeandmail.com
Capital-Riesgo.es · May 23, 2026 · capital-riesgo.es
IPE Real Assets · Mar 20, 2026 · realassets.ipe.com
BetaKit · Jul 23, 2025 · betakit.com
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Student work terms of 4 to 12 months across investments, technology and corporate functions. Per OMERS, the process is a recruiter call plus one or two hiring-team interviews mixing technical and behavioural questions.
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Large-cap platforms and global multi-strategy funds
Upper mid-market PE, infrastructure, the Maple 8 and large managers
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Where people go next
GuidanceOperating Partner
OMERS Ventures
Toronto-based operating partner who supports founders across the portfolio and helps build the firm; BetaKit described him in 2025 as managing partner and head of fund operations. He began in investment banking at Morgan Stanley in New York, then did corporate M&A, venture investing and an operating stint at an early-stage SaaS company.
Associate
OMERS Ventures
Toronto-based Associate who started as an auditor and earned a CPA, then worked at TELUS before moving to venture at OMERS Ventures.
Investor
OMERS Ventures
Toronto-based investor and former founder who began as a hedge fund accountant before building several startups. He is part of the North American investment team.
Investment team (title not published)
OMERS Ventures
Queen's Commerce graduate who started in BMO's M&A group and worked on deals including Bell's acquisition of Ziply Fiber (2024) and Teck's merger with Anglo American (2025). He joined OMERS in 2025 and is on the OMERS Ventures investment team in Toronto, a recent example of the IB-to-VC path.