Meet the Team Behind Your Wealth.
At Hemisphere, you work directly with the Portfolio Managers responsible for managing your investments. As an independent firm, every investment decision is made in your best interests, free from external pressures.
Our team brings together decades of investment experience with the next generation of Portfolio Managers, helping to ensure trusted relationships can continue for years to come.
- Independent and employee-owned since 1993.
- Experienced Portfolio Managers holding CFA or CIM® designations.
- Direct access to the professionals managing your wealth.
- A multi-generational team built for long-term relationships.
Jim Aronitz, MBA, CFA, P.Eng.
Jim founded Hemisphere Capital Management in 1993 and has served as its President ever since. As Founder and Chief Investment Officer, he has spent more than thirty years helping clients navigate changing markets through a disciplined, long-term investment approach. Prior to founding Hemisphere, he managed equity portfolios with the Investment Corporation of Saskatchewan and later served as a mutual fund manager with Metropolitan Trust.
Jim earned a BSc in Electrical Engineering and an MBA from the University of Alberta before obtaining the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation. He is a current member of the CFA Institute, a former director of the Canadian Council of Financial Analysts, a past President of CFA Society Saskatchewan, and a past President of the Rotary Club of Calgary North. He has also served as a director of a large venture capital fund and several publicly listed companies.
Outside of work, Jim enjoys travelling and fly fishing. He has visited more than 100 countries, many alongside his wife and four children, exploring different cultures and landscapes. In recent years, his travels have increasingly been centred around chasing some of the more elusive fish species.
Skyelar Kachur, CIM
Skyelar is a Partner and Portfolio Manager at Hemisphere, bringing more than ten years of experience in the financial industry. She enjoys helping clients navigate important financial decisions with confidence through thoughtful, personalized advice. In addition to managing client portfolios, Skyelar serves as Hemisphere’s Chief Compliance Officer, helping maintain the firm’s commitment to regulatory compliance and professional standards. In recognition of her contributions to the profession, Wealth Professional named her one of Canada’s Rising Stars in wealth management in 2021.
Skyelar earned a BA in Commerce, Organizations and Entrepreneurship from Brown University, where she competed on the NCAA Division I women’s ice hockey team. She also holds the Chartered Investment Manager (CIM®) designation. She serves on the Steering Committee for the Alberta Chapter of VersaFi, supporting women in finance through networking, mentoring, and education, and is a Board Member of Kindred Connections Society, which supports Calgary families.
Outside of work, Skyelar enjoys spending time in the mountains with her husband, their son, and their dog. She also enjoys discovering new restaurants, experimenting with new recipes, and cheering on her favourite hockey, football, and baseball teams.
Stephan Aronitz, CFA, P.Eng.
Stephan is a Partner and Portfolio Manager at Hemisphere. He works closely with clients to provide personalized investment advice while contributing to the firm’s investment research and portfolio management process. As a member of Hemisphere’s investment committee, he helps identify investment opportunities. He also oversees the firm’s performance reporting in accordance with the Global Investment Performance Standards (GIPS®). Prior to joining Hemisphere, Stephan spent several years working with an international engineering firm before earning his Professional Engineer (P. Eng.) designation.
Stephan graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Queen’s University. His engineering background developed a disciplined, analytical approach that he later applied to investing by earning the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation. He is a member of the CFA Institute and CFA Society Calgary.
Outside of work, Stephan enjoys spending time outdoors, whether hiking, cycling or fishing. He also enjoys travelling with his wife and discovering new places and experiences. More recently, they have been embracing the adventures and rewards of raising their young family.
Dylan Assen, CFA
Dylan is a Partner and Portfolio Manager at Hemisphere. He is passionate about researching businesses and identifying long-term investment opportunities for client portfolios. In addition to working closely with clients, Dylan manages the firm’s trading activities and contributes to investment research. As a member of Hemisphere’s investment committee, he helps evaluate investment opportunities and supports the firm’s portfolio management process. Before joining Hemisphere, Dylan worked in wealth management as an Investment Representative with a large Canadian financial services firm.
Dylan earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in Financial Analysis and Economics from Mount Royal University. He further strengthened his investment expertise by earning the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation. He is a member of the CFA Institute and CFA Society Calgary.
Dylan’s passion for investing extends well beyond his professional responsibilities, as he remains a dedicated student of the field. He enjoys reading about value investing, economic history, and the characteristics of exceptional businesses. Away from the markets, he enjoys following the Calgary Flames, the NFL, and Formula 1.
Bryce Richmond, CFA
Bryce is an Investment Associate who works closely with Hemisphere’s Portfolio Managers, supporting a broad range of responsibilities including account administration, investment research, trading, and portfolio reporting. Before joining Hemisphere, he worked with several Canadian financial institutions, where he developed a strong foundation in client service, registered products, and investment operations.
Bryce earned a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Calgary, majoring in Personal Financial Planning. He is committed to continuing his professional development and is a member of the CFA Institute and CFA Society Calgary.
Outside of work, Bryce enjoys spending time with his wife and their energetic dog, Dexter. He also enjoys travelling and staying active through golf, hockey, squash, rock climbing, and skiing.
Joanne Kotulski
Joanne brings more than 20 years of administrative experience to Hemisphere. As a primary point of contact for many client requests, she plays an important role in ensuring clients receive responsive, efficient, and friendly service. Before joining Hemisphere, Joanne spent several years with one of Canada’s major banks, supporting trust and audit services as a Senior Administrative Assistant.
Joanne graduated from SAIT with a diploma in Marketing. She has continued to expand her knowledge of the financial industry by completing the Investment Funds in Canada (IFC) course, as well as a certificate in Project Management.
Outside of work, Joanne enjoys spending time in her garden and caring for her many plants. An avid dog lover, she can often be found exploring Calgary’s dog parks with her two dogs.
Melissa Keir
Melissa is the Operations Manager at Hemisphere. She works closely with the firm’s leadership team to support the day-to-day operations of the business, helping ensure clients receive a seamless experience while enabling the Portfolio Managers to focus on serving clients and managing investments. Melissa also plays an important role in supporting strategic initiatives and fostering a strong culture of regulatory compliance across the firm.
Melissa brings extensive experience in operations, client service, and business administration. She manages relationships with third-party service providers, supports the firm’s portfolio accounting and client relationship management (CRM) systems, and oversees the administration of the Hemisphere Foundation. Her strong organizational skills and solution-oriented approach help keep the firm operating efficiently as it continues to grow.
Outside of work, Melissa enjoys spending time on the golf course, planning her and her husband’s next travel adventure, discovering new wines and cuisines, and sharing time with friends and family.
Ready to Meet the Team?
Schedule an introductory meeting to learn more about our approach and determine whether Hemisphere is the right fit for your needs.