Last Updated on August 14, 2024
Moez Kassam is a top-performing hedge fund manager and successful entrepreneur. Beyond the pursuit of high returns on his clients’ capital, Kassam seeks to identify philanthropic ventures which can help make the world a better place.
He recently discussed his views of finance, entrepreneurship, leadership and philanthropy. This wide-ranging conversation has been reprinted below.
Q: How do you define a successful CEO?
Moez Kassam: While some traits of successful CEO’s are requisite and evident, others are more difficult to pinpoint and define.
Of course, CEOs are leaders, but they also must be able to manage. Successful CEOs are effective at understanding their team members at both a macro and micro level. Whether it be compensation, career progression, recognition, or the opportunity to be part of an exciting mission, good CEOs can identify what drives their people. With that understanding, they then tailors their leadership style accordingly.
In evaluating what makes a CEO effective, embracing collaboration and democracy are often overlooked. Another distinguishing trait of successful CEOs is often having the courage to chart an unpopular course, at least in the short run. It’s like the saying “ two roads diverged in a wood and I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference” – I believe it is prudent to follow a path that you believe in, especially if it’s not one that most people are willing to take.
Q: Should a CEO also be a visionary?
Moez Kassam: It’s true that many of the most successful businesses, have been started by people we characterize as visionaries, or even dreamers, today. Think Steve Jobs, Elon Musk, Jack Ma, Bill Gates. But as a business matures, there is a need to think beyond big concepts. Recall, at one point even Steve Jobs was pink-slipped by Apple — until they needed his grand vision once again, further down the road.
As a CEO, you need to understand important details. Business is about profit, and you can easily lose track of your revenue stream and margins if you’re not paying attention some of the more granular, less exciting aspects of running a business. So yes, there are some successful visionaries, but there are also founders and CEOs who had grand ideas that never came to fruition because they lacked balance. So having a big vision is just one of many important traits CEOs must have to be successful.
Q: Are there other aspects to successful leadership in the financial and business sectors?
Moez Kassam: Whether in financial or consumer markets, having an independent view grounded in long-term thinking is critical. Leaders also need to dedicate time to reflect on their business’ position and for introspection. Step back, take a look at where you are, where you’re going, where you may find some new opportunities. This process will reveal ways to improve yourself and the way you run your business. It’s important to be honest when you do this exercise. It’s always nice to see what went well, or really well – but I think it’s more beneficial to see what went wrong, or really wrong in order for the team to avoid suffering from a similar scenario in the future.
Q: How is the company you co-founded different from others in your field?
Moez Kassam: At Anson Funds, we currently manage about $1.4 billion in investments, focusing on three investment strategies: classic shorts, value longs and special situation investments. Those strategies shape the firm’s flagship fund, Anson Investments Master Fund.
I’ve learned that investment strategies are only as good as a firm’s knowledge base and the talent of the investment team. We have a highly qualified investment team who are relentless in researching companies and securities, and discovering opportunities that other investors may have overlooked. We network with leaders in many fields and are constantly in touch with economists, academics, CEOs, and financial professionals. We are active and highly involved, which makes every day a dynamic experience for everyone on our team.
Q: In every interview we’ve read, we’ve noticed that you enjoy talking about your charitable ventures. This is very important to you. What is your current philanthropic focus?
Moez Kassam: Yes, my wife and I founded The Moez & Marissa Kassam Foundation to support organizations that are making a real difference in the areas of food and shelter, healthcare and research, youth development and engagement, immigration, and arts and culture.
For example, earlier this year we donated $2.5 million to the Sinai Health Foundation here in Toronto. The gift will allow Sinai Health to bring its world-leading women and infants program to communities across India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka through the launch of a new fellowship program.
The program will recruit Moez & Marissa Kassam Fellows, who will be selected for an opportunity to learn from experts in the Frances Bloomberg Centre for Women’s and Infants’ Health at Sinai Health. The goal is to have these trainees take their expertise back to their home countries to strengthen neonatal services in their communities.
Similarly, we donated $1 million to the Michael Garron Hospital last year, and also actively support the Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, SickKids VS Limits Campaign, the Canadian Foundation for AIDS research, and Ronald McDonald House Charities.
In addition, we are big believers in institutions that serve other areas of need in society such as Community Food Centres Canada, The Fred Victor Centre, The North York Harvest Food Bank and Homes First.
We are also deeply involved in uplifting Canada’s immigrant and marginalized communities, clearing a pathway to success in business and society. Our support of organizations like Institute for Canadian Citizenship and Windmill Microlending helps these communities thrive. We are passionate in our commitment to help each individual and family achieve a happy, prosperous life in Canada.
