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 is the Chief Economist and Deputy Officer at Ontario’s Financial Accountability Office. In this role, he provides oversight and strategic direction on the FAO’s economic and fiscal research and publications. He also supports the FAO’s work through regular meetings with MPPs and media.

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. Prior to joining the Ontario Public Service, David worked as an economist/consultant in the private sector and as a tax policy analyst with Finance Canada.

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
Victoria Coste, Director of Operations

Vickie joined the Financial Accountability Office in May 2019 as Director of Operations. Previously, as Senior Manager of Budget Secretariat in the Ontario Ministry of Finance, she oversaw the development, coordination and publication of many high-profile financial documents such Public Accounts, the Fall Economic Statement and the Ontario budget for 16 years.

Prior to joining Finance, Vickie worked in a variety of policy and communications positions in the OPS and in the private sector. She’s a graduate from Bishop’s University in Political Science and International Economics as well from Concordia University in Modern Languages. Vickie is fluent in French and English.

Email: vcoste@fao-on.org
Greg Hunter, Manager

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, Principal

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
Paul Lewis, Director of Economic and Fiscal Analysis

Paul is the Director of Economic and Fiscal Analysis at Ontario’s Financial Accountability Office. In this role, Paul leads the development of the FAO’s reports on economic and fiscal policy issues.

Prior to joining the FAO, Paul was the Director of Macroeconomics and Revenue at the Ministry of Finance, guiding the development of the province’s economic and revenue forecasts. He also has extensive experience in demographics and social policy analysis.

Email: plewis@fao-on.org
Matt Gurnham, Manager

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
Jacob Kim, Financial Analyst

Jacob joined the Financial Accountability Office in May 2019 as a Financial Analyst. Prior to joining the FAO, Jacob was a Researcher at the C.D. Howe Institute, where he conducted research on policy areas spanning childcare, housing, innovation, and municipal finance.

Jacob has a Masters of Arts in Economics from the University of British Columbia and a Bachelor of Science in Economics and Mathematics from the University of Toronto.

Email: jkim@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 Manager

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 is responsible for production of FAO’s reports, print and website publications, in addition to website management.

Email: jraetsen@fao-on.org
Samiha Mahtab, HR Coordinator

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. She has transitioned into an HR Coordinator. Her career has focused on providing Human Resources support and program administration in business, government and association management: Human Resources at 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 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