Highly respected in the investment community, Sharon was immersed in the financial services industries from her early years in Toronto. She worked for McLeod Young Weir before relocating to Calgary to join Merrill Lynch Asset Management.
At Merrill Lynch, Sharon enjoyed tremendous exposure to an international culture that greatly shaped her own investment philosophy and practice. She was mentored by global industry leaders and recognized for her accomplishments by induction into Merrill’s prestigious Falcon’s Club.
Sharon subsequently became one of the founders and managing director of McLean and Partners. In 2004, she partnered with Brent Pickerl to create Sandstone Asset Management Inc. (SANDSTONE), in the process becoming the first female CEO of a securities-listed firm in Canada.
Since its inception, SANDSTONE has thrived. The company has amassed an impressive track record for its return on investment for all of its stakeholders – clients, associates, and the community at large. Known for their annual OUTLOOK forecasting event, Sharon and colleagues present and track an ambitious ten-year forecast, boasting an extraordinary record for accuracy and prescience. A testament to the success of the firm is the fact that many clients are now in the second and third generation of family members looking to SANDSTONE for guidance in managing their financial and personal affairs.
The company has achieved a number of ‘firsts’, among them being a Certified B Corporation. SANDSTONE has met the exacting standards with respect to transparency, accountability, and social and environmental performance in each of the past six years, and has scored in the top five percent in the “Best for Workers” category in the past four years – one of only two companies to achieve this in Canada.
In 2006, SANDSTONE was also designated as an Imagine Canada ‘Caring Company’, recognizing excellence in community investment and social responsibility. SANDSTONE supports numerous charitable initiatives, leveraging the time and talent of its employees as well as providing financial assistance. The company annually presents CONNECTS, an evening of inspirational speakers intended to promote awareness of global issues and inspire Calgarians to become engaged in the world around them.
Sharon is in frequent demand to bring her energetic and inspired leadership to local and national initiatives, where her contributions range from co-sponsoring the establishment of the Rozsa Award for Excellence in Arts Management to acting as a mentor and sponsor for InterGen in Calgary. She has served as a director on the National Board of IIROC (now CIRO) and spent many years on the Advisory Board of the Global Business Forum held annually in Banff. Sharon's vision, compassion, and the high esteem in which she is held confirm her reputation as one of Alberta’s foremost business leaders and exceptional citizens.