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 served as past-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.

Jeffrey Novak, Chief Financial Analyst and Deputy Officer

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.
Paul Lewis, Chief Economist

Paul is the Chief Economist 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.
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.
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.
Luan Ngo, Director of Financial Analysis

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.
Matt Gurnham, Senior 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.
Edward Crummey, Director, Economics and Fiscal Analysis

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.
Jessica Martin, Team Lead, Communications

Jessica joined the Financial Accountability Office in November 2019 as Team Lead, Communications. Previously, as Vice President, Public Relations and Communications for Invictus MD Strategies, she developed corporate branding, oversaw investor relations, and negotiated some of the first cannabis sales agreements in Canada.

Prior to joining Invictus, Jessica held a number of high-profile positions including Press Secretary to Ontario’s Minister of Finance and spokesperson for both Toronto Hydro and the Toronto Transit Commission, where she appeared on CP24 and CityTV’s Breakfast Television. Jessica is a graduate of the McMaster-Syracuse Master of Communications Management (MCM) program.
Zohra Jamasi, Principal, Economics and Fiscal Analysis

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.
Matthew Stephenson, Manager, Financial Analysis

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.
Nicolas Rhodes, Senior 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.
Michelle Gordon, Senior 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.
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.
Jay Park, Senior 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.
Sabrina Afroz, Senior Economist

Sabrina joined the Financial Accountability Office in September 2019 as an Economist. Most recently, she worked at the Office of Economic Policy in the Ontario Ministry of Finance, where she conducted research on various policy areas including small business, internal trade barriers, labor market, and climate change.

Sabrina holds a Master of Arts in Economics from Ryerson University, where she received the highest academic distinction award. As part of her graduate research, she conducted an empirical analysis of fiscal sustainability in OECD countries. She also holds a Bachelor of Business Administration with a major in Finance from the University of Dhaka.
Ruby Pajares, Digital Graphic Designer

Ruby joined the FAO team in March 2020 as the Digital Graphic Designer. Previously, Ruby designed for Baycrest hospital and Swim Drink Fish Canada where she led brand standards and developed materials, logos and brand guidelines for major events, campaigns and projects.

Ruby holds a Graphic Design diploma from the Art Institute, a BA in Information Technology from York University, and a certificate in Digital Strategy and Communications Management from the University of Toronto.
Emma Borho, Stakeholder Relations and Events Coordinator

Emma joined the FAO team in July 2020 as Social Media Coordinator and in September 2020, was promoted to Stakeholder and Issues Coordinator. Previously, Emma worked at Bruce Power in the Community and Indigenous Relations group as a communications development student.

Emma holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and French from Wilfrid Laurier University and a graduate certificate in Public Administration from Humber College.

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