Our Team

The FAO is a flat organization with relatively limited hierarchy composed of economists, financial analysts and support staff.

Financial Accountability Officer

Peter Weltman was appointed Ontario’s second Financial Accountability Officer on May 7, 2018.

Mr. Weltman has extensive experience working at the Parliamentary Budget Office (PBO) in Ottawa most recently serving as Director of Executive Services, Communication and Parliamentary Relations to the Parliamentary Budget Officer. He also serves as President of the Canadian Chapter of the International Cost Estimating and Analysis Association (ICEEA). Before working at the PBO, Mr. Weltman worked in different capacities for Industry Canada, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC) and the Treasury Board Secretariat.

As per the Financial Accountability Officer Act, 2013, Mr. Weltman’s appointment is for an initial term of five-years following which he may be re-appointed for another five-year term.

David West, Chief Economist

David joined the Financial Accountability Office in July 2015 as Chief Economist. Previously, as Director of Economic and Revenue Forecasting in the Ontario Ministry of Finance, he oversaw the development of Ontario’s economic and revenue forecasts. In this role, he also managed a broad-range of economic analysis and monitoring.

David joined the Ministry of Finance in 1994 and performed a variety of functions including economic modeling and tax policy analysis. Prior to joining the Ontario Public Service, David worked as an economist/consultant in the private sector and as a tax policy analyst with the federal Department of Finance. David holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Economics from the University of Western Ontario and a Master of Arts in Economics from Queen’s University.

Email: dwest@fao-on.org
Jeffrey Novak, Chief Financial Analyst

Jeffrey joined the Financial Accountability Office in November 2015. Prior to joining the FAO, Jeffrey held senior economic and managerial positions with the Ontario Public Service (OPS), including at Treasury Board Secretariat, the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Research and Innovation. Jeffrey has extensive experience with provincial budget planning, fiscal policy analysis and expenditure management and reporting. Before joining the OPS, Jeffrey practiced law in the financial services group of a national law firm.

Jeffrey holds a Master of Arts in Economics from Queen's University, and a Juris Doctor (Law) and Master of Arts in History from the University of Toronto.

Email: jnovak@fao-on.org
Catherine Robinson, Executive Assistant

Catherine Robinson joined the Financial Accountability Office in March 2015 as Executive Assistant to the Officer. Her career has focused on providing executive-level support and program administration in business, government and association management: Packaging Association of Canada; Ontario Public Service (Ministry of Community and Social Services, Accessibility Directorate of Ontario); and Peterborough County – City Health Unit, Board of Health.

Catherine graduated from the University of Toronto, Victoria College with a Bachelor of Arts in French and History. She also holds a TESL Certificate (Teaching English as a Second Language) from the Toronto based Canadian Centre for Cultural and Language Studies.

Email: crobinson@fao-on.org
Greg Hunter, Director

Greg joined the FAO in November 2015 as Director, Financial Analysis. Most recently he was a Team Lead in the Policy and Strategy Division at the Ontario Ministry of Economic Development, Employment and Infrastructure. Prior to that, Greg worked at the Ontario Ministry of Finance in the Office of Economic Policy as a Senior Economic Advisor where he provided analysis on a wide range of issues related to climate change, energy and productivity.

Greg has a Master of Arts in Economics from the University of Waterloo and a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Economics from Brock University.

Email: ghunter@fao-on.org
Edward Crummey, Director

Ed joined the Financial Accountability Office in December 2015 as Senior Economist, Economics. Most recently he was an Economic Specialist in the Office of Economic Policy at the Ontario Ministry of Finance, where he conducted economic modelling and financial analysis on a wide range of issues including public infrastructure, tax policy, economic development, and climate change. Prior to that, Ed worked at the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry as Senior Economist.

Ed has a Master in Environmental Studies from York University and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and International Development from Dalhousie University.

Email: ecrummey@fao-on.org
Luan Ngo, Director

Luan Ngo was most recently a Senior Economist in the Ontario Ministry of Finance where he supported the Ministry’s engagement with federal, provincial, and territorial governments in Canada. His areas of responsibilities included the Equalization program, infrastructure, and labour market training programs.

Luan holds a Bachelor of Arts, Honours (BAH) in Economics and Political Science from Lakehead University in Thunder Bay, and Master of Arts (MA) in Economics from Carleton University in Ottawa.

Email: lngo@fao-on.org
Matt Gurnham, Director

Matt Gurnham joined the Financial Accountability Office in July 2016 as a Senior Financial Analyst. Prior to joining the FAO, Matt held Financial Analyst and Funded Programs Officer positions at Transport Canada. His responsibilities included financial management and forecasting, as well as management of federal Transfer Payment Programs.

Matt has a Master of Business Administration, and a Bachelor of Science in Biology and Philosophy from Dalhousie University. He also holds the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation.

Email: mgurnham@fao-on.org
Matthew Stephenson, Senior Financial Analyst

Matthew Stephenson joined the Financial Accountability Office in May 2015 as a Financial Analyst. Prior to joining the FAO, Matthew worked at UBS Securities as an Equity Research Associate. His responsibilities included financial forecasting and valuation for energy companies.

Matthew holds a Master of Finance from the Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto and a Bachelor of Business Administration from Wilfrid Laurier University.

Email: mstephenson@fao-on.org
Zohra Jamasi, Senior Economist

Zohra Jamasi joined the FAO in September 2018 as a Senior Economist in the Economics and Fiscal Analysis team. Most recently, Zohra was an Assistant Professor at Ryerson University where she taught a variety of undergraduate Economics courses. Her research areas include international finance, public debt, and labour markets.

Zohra holds a PhD in Economics from Ryerson University, a Masters of Arts in Economics from York University and a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Toronto.

Email: zjamasi@fao-on.org
Michelle Gordon, Financial Analyst

Michelle Gordon joined the Financial Accountability Office in September 2018 as a Financial Analyst. Prior to joining the FAO, Michelle worked at the Ministry of Community and Social Services. Michelle has experience in economic and fiscal analysis at both the federal and provincial levels.

Michelle has a Master of Arts in Economics from Queen’s University and a Certificate in Data Analytics from Ryerson University.

Email: mgordon@fao-on.org
Nicolas Rhodes, Economist

Nicolas joined the Financial Accountability Office in December 2015 as an Economist. He most recently worked at the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada, where he supported the mandate of the Financial Literacy Leader.

Nicolas holds a Master of Arts in Economics from McMaster University and a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Economics from the University of Guelph. He has passed all three levels of the CFA Program and may be awarded the charter upon completion of the required work experience.

Email: nrhodes@fao-on.org
Jay Park, Economist

Jay joined the Financial Accountability Office in September 2018 as an Economist. He previously worked at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, where he conducted research on disaster risk reduction in fisheries and aquaculture.

Jay holds a Master of Arts in Economics from the University of Toronto and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Princeton University.

Email: JPark@fao-on.org
Kismet Baun, Communications Advisor

Kismet joined the Financial Accountability Office in February 2016 as the Communications Coordinator. Prior to joining the FAO, Kismet held several senior level marketing and communications positions in the government, public, non-profit, and private sectors including at the CBC/Radio-Canada, the Ministry of Labour, the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), and at Community Living Ontario (CLO).

Kismet has a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from Simon Fraser University, and a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from the University of Western Ontario. She is also the proud recipient of an IABC Award of Excellence for Strategic Planning, and The Communicator Awards 'Award of Excellence'.

Email: kbaun@fao-on.org
Jennifer Raetsen, Desktop Publishing Specialist

Jennifer Raetsen joined the FAO in February, 2016 as Desktop Publishing Specialist. A graduate of George Brown College’s graphic design program, Jennifer has held positions in print and web production for a broad range of organizations including: Maclean-Hunter, Air Miles Canada, Rogers Publishing, and the Workplace Safety and Insurance Appeals Tribunal (WSIAT). Jen has also worked on print production for various trade publications and magazines.

Her career path has expanded over time to include production management, records management and staff training responsibilities. Jen will be responsible for production of FAO’s reports, print and website publications, in addition to website management.

Email: jraetsen@fao-on.org
Samiha Mahtab, Administrative Assistant

Samiha Mahtab joined the Financial Accountability Office in December 2015 as Human Resources and Administrative Assistant, providing support to the management team and overall office administration. Her career has focused on providing Human Resources and administrative support and program administration in business, government and association management: Human Resources at Rogers Communications, Ontario Motor Vehicle Industry Council (OMVIC), Ministry of Children and Youth Justice Services, Regional Offices – Central Region Branch, and also at Mackenzie Hospital.

Samiha holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Political Science, Industrial Developmental Studies (Economics), and Sociology from the University of Toronto and a post-graduate certification in Human Resources Management (HRM), (Co-op) Program. Samiha has also been an undergraduate mentor at the University of Toronto and a Guidance Support to the Access Ability Resource Centre working with over 200 students, and she is also proficient in 7 different languages.

Email: smahtab@fao-on.org

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The Financial Accountability Office was established in September 2013 by the Financial Accountability Officer Act, 2013.