Co-Founder
Frank has had a distinguished career in professional and business leadership. In 2019, he completed his twelfth year on the global executive team for Deloitte, during which he was CEO of the Canadian firm, Chair of the Americas Executive, Managing Partner of Financial Advisory (one of its four major business lines at the time) and executive sponsor for the creation and/or accelerated development of emerging and innovative practice areas such as: analytics, artificial intelligence, cyber, private equity/IPO readiness, real estate, mining and cannabis. He was also heavily involved in the creation of Deloitte’s approach to strategic partnerships, ecosystems and alliances, corporate purpose and sustainability. Frank also drove considerable focus into Workplace of the Future and Future of Work, including through the conception and ultimate construction of distinctive buildings and workspaces which incorporated assets such as Deloitte University, Greenhouses (innovation hubs), Cyber Intelligence Centers, and Wellness Centers.
Frank also created the Future of Canada Centre and Podium Club in order to convene leadership from corporate organizations, government and academia to co-create thought leadership and develop strategies to support national and global business imperatives and to establish conditions for success for emerging future global leaders/champions. Frank was heavily involved in the development of Deloitte’s global practice involving private equity, pension/sovereign wealth funds and relationships with priority leading corporations and market influencers.
Previous to Deloitte, Frank had established a boutique firm in order to practice in the developing areas of financial advisory. He also played a central role in the transaction between Deloitte and Andersen, as part of creating the world’s largest professional services firm. He has been recognized by the United Nations, Catalyst Canada and the Schulich School of Business for commitment and excellence in inclusion and executive leadership. Frank currently serves on several boards, including for Royal Bank of Canada, SickKids (Trustee), Rideau Hall Foundation and Schulich School of Business (Dean’s Advisory). Aside from obtaining an undergraduate and graduate degree in business administration, Frank has earned professional designations in accounting valuation/appraisal and forensics. He has been recognized for contribution to the professions with fellowships as a Chartered Professional Accountant (FCPA) and Chartered Business Valuator (FCBV). Frank has also testified as an expert witness in numerous matters and has acted as an arbitrator and a mediator. Leadership development and the positioning and sponsoring of leaders for success has consistently been at the core of Frank’s activities and orientation. Within SummitNorth, Frank will continue to deliver leadership support without usurping the profile and clear responsibility, authority and accountability of the company’s entrusted leaders.
Frank Vettese
Co-Founder
John is an accomplished leader both having served as Executive Chairman at Cassels and in leading many organizations through their most critical events and market developments. John led the strategic vision at Cassels over much of the past decade, including leadership orientation, emerging industry sectors of focus and relationship mapping and development. The firm has established a significant national presence and reputation for bespoke solutions utilizing an entrepreneurial mindset.
From the earliest stages of his career, John has been described as a capital markets strategist. He has distinguished himself with transformative industry developments and transactions primarily in emerging markets such as cannabis, technology and real estate. John is widely known for a highly personalized approach while assisting organizations seize opportunities and to both transform and adapt their strategies and positioning in advance of evolved market formation. John understands the critical decision frameworks for early stage, emerging and growth companies and provides practical advice emphasizing what key founders and leaders need to hear. He has regularly guided organizations with strategic partner introductions and criteria for selection. John has a highly developed expertise in cross-border transactions.
John has developed several current and future leaders both within Cassels and the legal profession more broadly, as well as within the corporate community. He is a strong advocate for diversity and inclusion and practically enables progress and success through active sponsorship focusing on the whole person and their unique contributions and impact.
John has considerable expertise in governance and has been a member of numerous boards and
advisory boards, often to assist companies through the most critical stages of their lifecycle. In his legal career, John was recognized as a Rising Star and Leading Lawyer both in Canada and globally, with a cross-border emphasis primarily in the US by organizations such as Chambers Global and Chambers Canada, Lexpert and American Lawyers.
John Vettese
