Fern Karsh

Background

About Fern Karsh

Business-minded and pragmatic regulatory and policy expert and lawyer in financial services — spanning securities, asset and wealth management, and pensions — with 15 years’ experience across regulatory agency, industry, private practice, and not-for-profit roles, including as General Counsel and Corporate Secretary. Brings an international financial regulatory perspective through work on national and federal committees (CSA, CCIR, CISRO, FCAC), global projects (IMF FSAP, FINCONET), and advising on best-practice governance and oversight. Industry breadth spans asset and wealth management, pensions, and insurance. Recognized for work on emerging issues including climate, sustainability, and digital assets — with contributions to national ESG risk policy for pensions. Track record of designing and operationalizing high-integrity frameworks (governance, risk, consumer communications, compliance); assessing compliance processes for risks and opportunities; and delivering auditable, technology-ready frameworks and advising on their implementation to streamline decision-making and improve efficiency. Expert in drafting and interpreting regulatory requirements, governance modernization, and alignment with international standards. Proven success in interim and operational transformation roles — rapidly assessing organizational risks, designing corrective frameworks, and delivering measurable impact. Adaptable and entrepreneurial history across both large and start-up organizations — launching and architecting new programs, creating structure during transitions, and advising senior leadership groups. Skilled in policy advocacy, stakeholder engagement, and systems-thinking approaches that bridge legal, compliance, and operational realities. J.D, University of Toronto Faculty of Law Mobile and open to relocation