Chair
Kumi Somaskandan brings over 25 years of experience building and leading service and operations teams across fund accounting, investor services, and capital markets. She has held senior leadership roles at Citco Fund Services and RBC Investor Services, where she managed Canadian operations across funds, pensions, and wealth advisory.
She currently serves as AVP, Strategic Initiatives and Transformation for Derivatives and Private Markets at Manulife Investment Management, leading cross functional initiatives focused on operational excellence and business transformation.
Kumi has been a long serving board member of Tamils in Finance and previously served as Co-Director of Mentorship. During her tenure, TIF expanded its professional mentorship program through multiple cohorts and supported the launch of its first student chapter at the University of Toronto Scarborough. As Chair, she provides strategic leadership and governance oversight in support of TIF’s mission.
She holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Toronto and is a Chartered Professional Accountant.
Director, Treasurer
Thulasi Thedchanamoorthy has over 15 years of experience in finance for publicly traded companies and is currently Director, Finance Business Partnering at TMX Group. As Head of Finance for Post Trade, she oversees planning and performance management for two systemically important businesses, the Canadian Depository for Securities and Canadian Derivatives Clearing Corporation.
She previously served as Board Chair of Newcomer Women’s Services Toronto, where she helped grow the organization and expand its impact supporting newcomer women in Canada. Thulasi is a Chartered Professional Accountant and holds a Commerce degree from York University.
As Treasurer of Tamils in Finance, Thulasi oversees financial governance and sustainability in support of the organization’s long term mission.
Co-Director, Mentorship
Brammy Raveendran is a seasoned financial and operational leader with over 15 years of experience leading global teams across capital markets, asset servicing, and accounting. She currently serves as CFO and COO at Northstar Trading, where she oversees the firm’s financial strategy and operational performance.
Previously, Brammy held senior leadership roles at RBC Capital Markets and RBC Investor and Treasury Services, where she led global Commodities and Foreign Exchange Operations. She holds a BA in Accountancy Studies from the University of Waterloo and is a CPA, CA.
As Co-Director of Mentorship at Tamils in Finance, Brammy is committed to empowering the next generation of Tamil professionals through structured mentorship and career development.
Co-Director, Mentorship
Samantha Nagaratnam is a Director and Consulting Chief of Staff in PwC Canada’s Consulting practice, with over 15 years of experience across retail banking and capital markets. She specializes in regulatory transformation, market infrastructure, compliance, and operating model change.
Samantha works closely with senior leaders to deliver large scale transformation programs across the Canadian financial services ecosystem and is known for her collaborative and execution focused leadership style.
As Co-Director of Mentorship at Tamils in Finance, Samantha supports mentorship programming and the Young Professionals initiative, helping create meaningful career pathways for emerging Tamil talent.
Co-Director, Networking
Akilan Karuna is a Partner and Head of Institutional and Strategic Partnerships at Munro Partners, where he is responsible for growing the firm’s asset base and supporting institutional partners across North America. He is Munro’s first international appointment and is based in Toronto.
Prior to Munro, Akilan worked at CI Global Asset Management and previously held product roles at Invesco. He holds a Master of Finance from Queen’s University and is a CFA Charterholder.
As Co-Director of Networking at Tamils in Finance, Akilan has been a critical leader in strengthening the organization’s partner ecosystem, bringing sponsors, resources, and strategic relationships to the community while helping build and scale the networking function.
Co-director, Networking
Nirujan Kanagasingam is SVP, Head of Investment Advisory and ETF Strategy at CI Global Asset Management. He oversees Institutional Portfolio Management, ETF Strategy, and Investment Portfolio Advisory, partnering closely with distribution teams and clients to deliver portfolio insights.
Previously, Nirujan led CI’s ETF Strategy function and held senior roles at Invesco and Horizons ETFs, contributing to the launch of numerous ETFs in the Canadian market. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce from Ryerson University and is a CFA Charterholder.
As Co-Director of Networking at Tamils in Finance, Nirujan has been a critical leader in opening doors for young talent, strengthening industry partnerships, and bringing key institutional partners and resources to the organization.
Co-director, Networking
Arren is a Director at KPMG, focused on the firm’s Private Capital Strategy to position KPMG at the centre of capital allocation and private investment decisions in Canada. He advises institutional investors on strategic priorities such as portfolio value creation, fundraising, and origination. He also serves as Chief of Staff for KPMG’s Private Capital business, driving operational cadence and execution.
Previously at RBC, Arren advised institutional investors on strategic expansion into new international markets and unlocking new capital sources.
Arren joined TiF in 2024, driven by a passion for creating access and opportunity for the next generation of Canadian Tamil professionals. He co-leads the Networking Committee and played a key role in launching the “Wealth Blueprint” event focused on investment strategies for high-net-worth individuals.
Director, Marketing
Connie Sarvanandan brings over 25 years of senior marketing and leadership experience, including executive roles at Nestlé and Time Warner, where at HBO she supported international growth and digital strategy. Her background in media and technology laid the foundation for her early adoption of artificial intelligence in business.
She is an award winning real estate agent with RE MAX Hallmark, advising clients while also teaching practical AI tools to real estate professionals across North America. Connie is a Clubhouse host and a trusted educator for agents, brokers, and real estate teams.
As Director of Marketing for Tamils in Finance, Connie leads the organization’s marketing strategy across social media, the website, and newsletters, supporting growth, visibility, and engagement across the Tamil professional community.
Advisor Member: Chair Emeritus
Krish Karunakaran served as Chair of Tamils in Finance for many years and continues to support the organization as Advisor Member: Chair Emeritus. Since the inception of TiF, he has played a pivotal role in shaping the organization’s governance, strategic direction, and long term vision. His steady leadership and thoughtful counsel helped establish a strong and sustainable foundation for the community.
Krish is a senior management professional with over 20 years of experience in the investment fund industry, specializing in institutional asset management, operations, and business transformation. He is currently the Canadian Head of Operations at Mercer Global Investments and previously served as Vice President of Investment Operations at AGF Investment Inc. Earlier in his career, he held senior roles at State Street after beginning his career at Scotiabank.
Krish continues to provide strategic guidance in support of TIF’s mission.