Arun Channan, a management consultant with nearly three decades of experience in organizational transformation and talent development, has been elected Chair of The Financial Advisors Association of Canada (Advocis) Board of Directors, the country's largest professional association for financial advisors representing over 7,400 members. The appointment, announced July 6, takes effect immediately, with Channan succeeding Curtis Kimpton after the latter's one-year tenure.
Channan brings deep institutional knowledge of Advocis, having served as a member since 2015 and holding multiple volunteer roles including President of the Simcoe-Muskoka Chapter, Advocacy Liaison for the Ontario Central Region, and most recently Director at Large. Kelly Gorman, President and CEO of Advocis since September 2024, praised Channan's candidacy as bringing "an exceptional combination of strategic leadership, governance expertise, and a long record of service." The appointment involved no external search firm; Channan's elevation reflects his demonstrated commitment within the association's governance structures. Three new directors were also elected: Michael Camacho, Catherine Hiscott, and Wai-Ke Kim, while five returning directors maintained continuity, and three directors concluded their terms.
Channan holds a Bachelor of Applied Science, Master of Applied Science, and MBA from his engineering background, along with professional engineering and financial planning certifications including CFP and CSP designations. He began his career in 1986 at Deloitte & Touche, where he served as a Principal for five years before transitioning through roles in training and human resources development. Since 1996, he has worked at myndwerx, a consulting firm where he advises C-suite leadership teams on organizational strategy, operations, marketing, and talent management. His governance experience extends to the University of Toronto's College of Electors Executive Committee, which recruits board governors, and he served as past chair of both the Richmond Hill Board of Trade and Habitat for Humanity York Region.
Advocis, founded in 1906 as the Life Underwriters Association of Canada and formally incorporated under federal legislation as The Financial Advisors Association of Canada in 2003 following a merger, represents the profession's largest voluntary membership body. The association operates 26 chapters and three national schools, offering educational programs for designations including the Chartered Life Underwriter, Professional Financial Advisor, and Certified Health Insurance Specialist credentials. Advocis has been navigating operational challenges, with the association reporting a working capital deficit of $679,048 at year-end 2023 and owing $2 million to its contingency fund, though recent financial stabilization efforts under interim leadership preceded Gorman's appointment.
Channan assumes the chairmanship at a consequential moment for the profession. Financial advisors operate within an increasingly complex regulatory environment, and Advocis has been actively advocating for a national framework to protect advisor and planner titles, warning in April 2026 that fragmented provincial approaches could undermine consumer confidence and advisor mobility. The appointment of a chairman with extensive experience in organizational strategy and talent management suggests the association may be positioning itself to tackle internal operational matters while also engaging in regulatory advocacy. Channan's consulting background and governance expertise could prove valuable as Advocis works to strengthen member value and professional standards alongside its CEO, who brings substantial regulatory and enforcement experience from her previous tenure at the Ontario Securities Commission.
