Ontario Teachers’ appoints new leader for infrastructure, equities

Key Takeaways

Geography: Canada.

Analysis

The Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan Board has appointed Christopher Metrakos as Executive Managing Director, Infrastructure & Natural Resources (INR), effective immediately. Based in Toronto, he will oversee the INR strategy, portfolio, and asset management activities globally.

Metrakos succeeds Dale Burgess, who had been serving as Executive Managing Director, Equities on an interim basis since February 2025. Burgess was recently confirmed in the role permanently.

With this promotion, Metrakos joins the Investments Senior Leadership Team, reporting to Gillian Brown, the pension fund’s Chief Investment Officer of Public and Private Investments.

“Investments in infrastructure and natural resources are essential for providing diversifying returns, inflation protection, and stable cash flows that support pension payments,” said Brown. “Chris’s leadership, proven track record, and sound judgment make him the ideal choice for this pivotal role.”

Christopher Metrakos joined Ontario Teachers’ in 2014 as Director of INR and became Senior Managing Director of INR in 2019. He has overseen a global, diversified portfolio spanning agriculture, aquaculture, energy, metals, timberland, and natural climate solutions. Before joining Ontario Teachers’, he worked in the energy and investment banking sectors, spending a decade at Direct Energy as North American Director of M&A and later Vice-President of M&A.

Meanwhile, Dale Burgess will now lead the Equities Department globally from Toronto. He began his career at Ontario Teachers’ in 1996, holding leadership positions within the Infrastructure & Natural Resources team, including as Head of INR for Latin America. Burgess oversaw infrastructure acquisitions and asset management worldwide before moving into his current role.

Brown described Burgess as “a seasoned investment leader and highly respected colleague who has made significant contributions over nearly three decades at the Plan. He is well positioned to lead our equities team and continue creating value for our members.”

Ontario Teachers’ manages approximately C$269.6 billion (about US$192.2 billion) in assets, making it one of Canada’s largest pension plans. The organization continues to expand its leadership team to support strategic global investment initiatives.