BIO – Amira Strasser
Partner, Chief Executive Officer

Amira began her investment management career in 1998. She held investment management research positions for Standard Life Investments, Jarislowsky Fraser, and Sigma Capital. In 2010 she was the Senior Investment Officer for the New York City Comptroller’s office Bureau of Asset Management, where she was responsible for International Equity mandates. Amira also founded an advisory firm with the mission of Creating Value over the long run for companies and people. During her investment career, Amira analyzed various industries including Oil and Gas, Industrials, Transportation, Pharmaceuticals, Consumer Discretionary and Consumer Staples.

Amira holds a Bachelor of Science degree from H.E.C. Montreal with a Business Administration and Finance specialty as well as an Executive Education Diploma from Harvard Business School. Amira has a passion for opening lines of communications and bridging people and cultures together from around the world. 

BIO – Jonathan Mzengeza, CFA
Portfolio Manager

Jonathan Mzengeza serves as portfolio manager. For close to a decade, Jonathan has been a leader in investment management, bringing deep experience in guiding portfolio management and stock selection across multiple global equity mandates. Before joining Applied Research, Jonathan spent a decade at CIBC, where he held various positions, most recently serving as lead portfolio manager of global equity funds.

Throughout his investment career, Jonathan analyzed Technology and Consumer industries as well as financial services, communications, and REITs. He had also worked as an analyst at Chubb Insurance Company, where he focused on business and system technology needs and supported production and development environments including design documentation and implementation plans. He began his career as a network analyst at Nortech Efficient Business Solutions. Jonathan holds a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical and computer engineering from the University of Capetown, where he graduated with honors and an MBA in Investment Management from Concordia University’s John Molson School of Business. Jonathan is a CFA Charterholder and a member of the CFA Society.

BIO – Ryuichi Nagaura
Partner

Ryuichi has a mechanical engineering background and joins Applied Research from the industrial machinery sector. He has held an engineering and project management position for global multinationals Kobe Steel and Arvos in Japan. Ryuichi holds a bachelor and a master degree in Mechanical Engineering from Osaka University. Ryuichi is fluent in Japanese and enjoys exercising, Japanese fencing and snowboarding.

BIO – Nancy Legouffe
Partner, Head Trader

Nancy brings extensive expertise in International equity trading. She has over 30 years of experience in international equity trading and investment management operations. Prior experience includes Head Equity Trader at Natcan Investments, where she managed a team and was responsible for trading all equity asset classes, CIBC Asset Management and Montrusco Bolton. Nancy's extensive trading experience also includes money market trading, fund accounting, trade processing, account reconciliation and settlement. 

She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from McGill University and completed the Canadian Securities Course. Nancy enjoys golfing, cycling, photography and playing squash.