CDPQ names Yana Watson Kakar Managing Director
Posted on 06/02/2023
CDPQ has named Yana Watson Kakar as Managing Director and Head of Americas. As Managing Director and Head of Americas, Kakar will be an integral member of the CDPQ Global Management team, contributing to global strategy and its implementation, the development of key relationships across the public, private and civil sectors, and the deployment of constructive capital. Kakar will also serve as Head of CDPQ’s New York office and oversee offices in Mexico and Brazil to promote the group.
Kakar has experience in business, investment, and policy. Kakar is the CEO of Growth for Good, a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) focused on sustainable companies that has a goal to decarbonize the economy. Kakar was also Global Managing Partner of Dalberg Advisors, a consulting firm specializing in policy, strategy, and investment advisory.
Kakar said: “As a Canadian educated in Quebec, yet living in New York and working globally for over two decades, I am very happy to be joining CDPQ as Managing Director and Head of Americas, working on behalf of Quebecers alongside the highest caliber of investment professionals known for their commitment to creating better outcomes for people and the planet.”
Kakar specializes in managing through what CDPQ calls “socially inclusive and sustainable business and investment strategies.” She is a dual citizen of the United States and Canada and holds a Master of Business Administration from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and a Bachelor of Arts from McGill University.
CDPQ is an investment group managing funds for public pension and insurance plans. CDPQ has CA$ 402 billion under management, over 1,500 employees and 11 offices spread over countries.
