What we’re doing the nights before (and after) Christmas

Author: The editor's desk

December 21, 2018

We asked a few of our senior leaders about their most cherished holiday traditions and what’s on their bedside tables.

Judy Goldring, President and Chief Administration Officer

One of our favourite traditions is to do the Advent calendar. My two girls, Rianna and Raedyn, get the chocolate filled advent calendar from Lindt every year. We have been doing it since they were very young. Now at 11 and 13, they look forward to starting it, counting down to Christmas, and of course the chocolate! It helps us all get into the holiday spirit.

I always have at least two books on the go. I generally have a book of fiction–an easy read for when I am travelling and on planes. Right now I am reading The Vacationers by Emma Straub. I also always have a self-help or management book in the works too. That one for me right now is Reinventing Organizations: A Guide to Creating Organizations Inspired by the Next Stage of Human Consciousness by Frédéric Laloux, about cultures in effective organizations.

David Stonehouse, Senior Vice-President and Head of North American and Specialty Investments

When the kids were younger, our family used to make reindeer food (mix together oats and other cereals/grains), go outside and sprinkle it on the snow, so the reindeer would also have something to eat while Santa was inside munching on cookies. Then we’d go onto the NORAD website and track Santa before watching a Christmas movie and reading Christmas stories–Home Alone, Polar Express, ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas–were favourites. They’re a little too old for the reindeer and NORAD parts now.

Right now, I’m reading How Not to Be Wrong: the Power of Mathematical Thinking by Jordan Ellenberg. It’s among the best justifications for learning and using math in everyday real life situations that I’ve come across, and it’s very entertainingly written.

Chris Jackson, Chief Operating Officer

Our family has a Christmas Eve tradition of drinking what we’ve deemed to be the cocktail of the year while enjoying Alaskan king crab for dinner. We then follow that with a pool tournament, and then watching TSN’s Best Bloopers of the Year and Best Plays of the Year.

Right now I am reading the Jane Hawk series by Dean Koontz. The general theme is the use of big data and nanotechnology by a cabal of business and political powers to take control of all U.S. citizens—and ultimately the world.

Carol Ferguson, Senior Vice-President, Human Resources

My mom has flown in from Winnipeg to join my family every single year for the past 20 years. It’s become such an important part of our family tradition for my kids. I also make a special cookie ONLY at Christmas time and when I make it, the fragrance definitely signals that holiday time is here!

Right now, I’m reading The Culture Code by Daniel Coyle. It’s about the best things organizations should not lose sight of when developing and protecting their organizations’ culture. As I’m reading it, I realize that culture is any place where there is a group of people who need to work collaboratively – so many lessons can also be applied to your family/community.

Commentaries contained herein are provided as a general source of information based on information available as of December 14, 2018 and should not be considered as personal investment advice or an offer or solicitation to buy and/or sell securities. Every effort has been made to ensure accuracy in these commentaries at the time of publication; however, accuracy cannot be guaranteed. Market conditions may change and the manager accepts no responsibility for individual investment decisions arising from the use of or reliance on the information contained herein. Investors are expected to obtain professional investment advice.

The contents of this Web site are provided for informational and educational purposes, and are not intended to provide specific individual advice including, without limitation, investment, financial, legal, accounting or tax. Please consult with your own professional advisor on your particular circumstances.

Founded in 1957, AGF Management Limited (AGF) is an independent and globally diverse asset management firm. AGF brings a disciplined approach to delivering excellence in investment management through its fundamental, quantitative, alternative and high-net-worth businesses focused on providing an exceptional client experience. AGF’s suite of investment solutions extends globally to a wide range of clients, from financial advisors and individual investors to institutional investors including pension plans, corporate plans, sovereign wealth funds and endowments and foundations. For further information, please visit AGF.com. © 2018 AGF Management Limited. All rights reserved.

About AGF Management Limited

Founded in 1957, AGF Management Limited (AGF) is an independent and globally diverse asset management firm. AGF brings a disciplined approach to delivering excellence in investment management through its fundamental, quantitative, alternative and high-net-worth businesses focused on providing an exceptional client experience. AGF’s suite of investment solutions extends globally to a wide range of clients, from financial advisors and individual investors to institutional investors including pension plans, corporate plans, sovereign wealth funds and endowments and foundations.

For further information, please visit AGF.com.