Get to Know the MFAM Team

John Barker joined MFAM in January 2024 to lead the newly formed asset management company. In this role, he is accountable for establishing the investment strategy and for the execution and management of investments on behalf of the Mastercard Foundation.

John’s career spans three decades, during which he managed and allocated assets across all classes for some of the world’s leading endowments, pensions and healthcare systems. Prior to MFAM, he served as Chief Investment Officer at Mass General Brigham in Boston for 11 years where he oversaw its endowment and pension portfolio valued at US$25 billion. Previous to that, John was a managing director at Harvard Management Company.

John earned his MBA from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and his bachelor’s degree from Dartmouth College. John sits on several endowment and family office investment committees and is President of the Board of Trustees at Brooks School. He and his wife Julie have two university-age daughters.

Jen Newman is responsible for the leadership and strategic direction of the corporate functions at MFAM. This includes finance, human resources, information technology, compliance, as well as investment operations and operational due diligence.

Jen brings more than 25 years of experience in finance, technology, risk and operational leadership. She spent more than a decade at the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan, where she held several roles, including leading operations, technology delivery and data management. Prior to her time at Ontario Teachers’, Jen spent several years at CIBC and BMO where she held various roles in finance, risk and strategy.

Jen earned a Bachelor of Commerce degree from Queen’s University and is a Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada (CPA) charter holder that she achieved while working at PwC.

Jen enjoys spending time with her three kids, travelling and going to the cottage. She is an avid sports fan, whether its as a participant in golf, running and skiing or as a passionate spectator at a Blue Jays or Raptors game

Pete Simpson is responsible for the finance and investment operations at MFAM. This includes corporate finance and middle and back-office functions.

Pete brings 20 years of experience in finance, investment operations, risk, and process excellence to MFAM. Prior to his current position, Pete held several successive roles at the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan, where he was most recently accountable for investment operations. Before Ontario Teachers’, Pete worked at PwC, supporting the assurance and transaction advisory practices.

Pete holds a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) designation and earned a master’s degree in accounting and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Waterloo.

Beyond the office, Pete enjoys traveling and participating in outdoor activities with his family, including running, skiing and mountain biking.

Anthony Di Fonzo is responsible for leading the finance and operations functions at MFAM. In this role he is accountable for forecasting, planning and analysis for MFAM as well as financial and management reporting, accounting and cost management.

Anthony brings over 18 years of experience to MFAM. Prior to joining MFAM, he held successive positions at Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan in enterprise planning and transformation, and investment operations. Prior to that, Anthony spent several years at Manulife Investment Management, and at Deloitte in Financial Advisory.

Anthony holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Toronto and is a Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada (CPA) charter holder.

Anthony lives in Toronto with his partner and three children. He is an amateur chef and barista, loves watching movies, and enjoys spending time outdoors.

Jane Liu is responsible for the investment operations function at MFAM. Jane is accountable for the execution and oversight of operational activities that enable and support investment decision making.

Prior to her current role, Jane led investment operations teams across multiple public and private asset classes at the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan.

Jane holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Wilfrid Laurier University and is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) charter holder.

Jane is married and mother to an energetic daughter. She enjoys traveling, yoga, and actively volunteers with the Girl Guides of Canada.

Denni Wong is responsible for the overall technology environment at MFAM, including application delivery, core technology and data capabilities, and technology organization and governance.

Denni brings 16 years of IT experience to MFAM. Prior to his current role, Denni led large-scale strategic transformation initiatives at CPP Investments. Before that, Denni held several progressive senior roles in technology operations and delivery at the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan.

Denni earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematical sciences from the University of Waterloo. Beyond the office, Denni is a steward of the environment. He practices sustainability by reducing waste and repairing items that would otherwise end up in landfills. Denni enjoys traveling with his family during sunny months and hitting the slopes in the winter.

Heinrich Zaguirre is responsible for application delivery and optimizing workplace technology at MFAM.

Heinrich has over 14 years of IT experience supporting investment teams. Prior to his current role, Heinrich served as Business Analysis Lead at CPP Investments, focusing on implementing systems that manage customer relationships and track deals. Before that, Heinrich worked at the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan in various successive IT roles for more than a decade.

He holds a bachelor’s degree in computer science from the University of Waterloo.

Outside the office, Heinrich is an avid traveler and enjoys exploring new cultures with his wife and two daughters. When he is not in the office, he can be found playing basketball.