Rob Hong

Rob is a Co-Founder and the CEO of Sapling. After indulging his penchant for learning about anything and everything in his earlier university days, he “wisened up” and found a job in investment management. While at Artemis Investment Management, a $2 billion Bay Street investment firm, Rob developed deep financial modelling skills through researching over 100 publicly-traded companies. He also oversaw more than $150 million of client money. His successes saw him promoted twice, ending as Associate Portfolio Manager.

After three years at Artemis, Rob joined KPMG LLP as a Senior Consultant in their Strategy & Operations group, with the hopes of being closer to actual business decisions. There, he applied his modelling skills to a high-profile engagement while deepening his expertise in database analytics. When he got tired of seeing the inside of a plane every Monday and Friday, Rob joined Bell Canada Finance, supporting the Wholesale business unit, where he and a colleague built most of the financial models setting Wholesale’s pricing on big deals with telecom resellers.

Rob’s university education began with a Bachelor of Arts at the University of Toronto. This was followed by a Master of Theological Studies, where he became adept at arguing the finer points of ecclesiology and soteriology. Rob went on to attain the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation and completed his Master of Finance from Queen’s School of Business. His education continues, whether it’s database query optimization, cost accounting or Civil War history. If he’s not staring at a computer screen, you can probably find him on the squash court, running on one of the few remaining new routes from his North Toronto home, or worrying about the world’s declining biodiversity.

Areas of Expertise

• Business transformation
• Restructuring and turnaround
• Integration
• Growth strategy
• M&A transaction support

Education

• BA- University of Toronto
• MFin- Queens University
• CFA