Montreal Hosts the Sohn Conference

Richter proudly co-presented this globally renowned investment event.

This week, Montreal was the centre of the global investment stage as it welcomed the prestigious Sohn Conference for the first time in the event’s 30-year history. Renowned for spotlighting bold investment ideas and supporting charitable causes, Sohn has become the gathering place for today’s top financial minds.

For Richter, a business | family office and staple in the Montreal business community for almost 100 years, involvement in Sohn is both natural and significant. Richter proudly co-presented this inaugural event, with its Chief Investment Officer, Anik Lanthier, serving as co-chair alongside Aaron Stern, Managing Partner and Chief Investment Officer at Converium Capital.

“Sohn Montreal aligns perfectly with Richter’s tradition of excellence and innovation,” says Lanthier. “Our shared commitment to entrepreneurial leadership, long-term value creation, and community impact makes this partnership a natural fit.”  

True to Sohn’s signature format, investors pitched their best actionable ideas to an engaged, discerning audience. But Montreal added its own flavour, curating three powerful panel discussions that reflected both global insight and local excellence: opportunities in life sciences and healthcare investing, the business of sports franchises, and a celebration of world-class Quebec businesses that embody the province’s bold innovation and deep expertise.

One standout moment came during the panel on sports franchise investing, a unique asset class gaining attention amongst institutional investors. Moderated by Isabèle Chevalier, a Montreal-based entrepreneur and founder of Canada’s Northern Super League, the panel featured three of the most prominent investors in this niche space, offering a rare behind-the-scenes look at a fast-growing segment.

Equally compelling was the Quebec-focused panel, Investing in Our Province: Building a Global Asset Manager in Quebec shining a spotlight on local industry leaders from Inovia Capital, Fiera Capital, Innocap, Sagard, and Managing Partner Tasso Lagios, representing Richter. These companies are not only thriving within the province but are also attracting global attention. For attendees, it was a reminder of what’s possible when innovation, long-term thinking, and community-rooted values intersect.

And of course, the heart of the Sohn Conference is giving back. The Montreal edition proudly directed proceeds to the city’s two premier children’s hospital foundations, CHU Sainte-Justine Foundation and the Montreal Children’s Hospital Foundation, raising an incredible $1,27 million raised in a single day.  For many involved, the cause is deeply personal.

“I’ve seen firsthand how incredible these children’s hospitals are,” shared Lanthier. “To marry our knowledge of investment with the opportunity to give back is truly the best of both worlds.”

Philanthropy is also a core value for Richter. As one of Canada’s largest independent advisory firms, Richter continues to exemplify how successful businesses can give back in meaningful ways.

As the final panel wrapped and conversations spilled into the evening, one thing was clear: this wasn’t just a conference. It was the beginning of a new legacy for Montreal’s investment and philanthropic communities. The momentum is undeniable.

“We hope everyone left with something new: a fresh idea, a valuable connection, a deeper appreciation for what Montreal has to offer,” says Lanthier. “Above all, we hope this marks the start of something enduring. A tradition that brings our city’s financial expertise and generous spirit into the spotlight.”

Brimming with talent and being in close proximity to Toronto, Boston, and New York, means Montreal is a key hub for cross-border capital and conversation. The inaugural Sohn Montreal sold out quickly, drawing attendees from across North America and affirming the city’s growing influence in both thought leadership and philanthropy.

Thanks to the vision of its organizers, the generosity of the investment community, and the support of its presenting partners, the inaugural Sohn Montreal was more than an event, it was a moment – one that promises to grow in both influence and impact in the years to come.