In December 2020, Julie Cays was named CIO of the Year by the Canadian Investment Review. The award is presented to a leader in pension investing who has demonstrated significant improvements to her organization’s investment processes. This award takes a comprehensive view of success and considers environmental, social and governance factors to determine the deserving award recipient 

“I am immensely proud of Julie. This is a recognition that is well deserved. She is an exceptional CIO and leader, a valued colleague, and a friend. I couldn’t be more delighted for Julie,” says Derek W. Dobson, CEO of the CAAT Plan.

Julie Cays joined CAAT in 2006 and has led the CAAT fund in transitioning from a traditional asset mix with $5.3 billion of assets under management to a highly diversified portfolio with more than $13.5 billion under management, including alternative assets. The CAAT plan’s investment performance has seen a 10-year annualized rate of return of 10 per cent. Julie also oversaw the implementation of CAAT’s private market fund and co-investment programs in private equity, infrastructure, and real estate. Further, in December 2019, her team allocated an approximately $1 billion in pension asset transfers following the pension mergers with Torstar Corporation and the Canadian Press.

As CIO at CAAT, Julie has been an integral part of shaping and delivering all aspects of the organization’s strategic plan. She has also been active in industry associations, assuming leadership roles with the Canadian Coalition for Good Governance (CCGG) and Pension Investment Association of Canada (PIAC).