Darren Gross
Calgary,Canada
Summary
Accomplished Chief Compliance Officer with a proven track record at Peters & Co., enhancing compliance frameworks and increasing U.S. institutional clients by over 200%. Expert in regulatory expertise and ethical leadership, adept at navigating complex regulatory environments and leading strategic compliance initiatives. Successfully managed and developed teams to achieve organizational compliance goals.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Chief Compliance Officer
Peters & Co. Limited and Peters & Co. Equities Inc.
Calgary, Alberta
01.2024 - Current
- Served on the firm's Executive Committee.
- Completed thorough assessments by SEC, FINRA, and CIRO on regulatory standards.
- Participated in audits led by CIRO Financial Operations and Ernst & Young.
- Managed multiple queries from regulatory bodies.
- Developed compliance team's capabilities through strategic recruitment and training.
- Enhanced the current Compliance Officer’s role to include additional responsibilities including retail and institutional account management, document review, approval, and U.S
- Monitored and directed institutional account functions.
- Established a simplified procedure for U.S processes.
- Account openings, reducing onboarding time from months to days, resulting in a substantial increase in new U.S
- Institutional clients, from 15 in 2023 to 47 in 2024
- Partnered with trading, research, investment banking, and Institutional Sales teams to ensure compliance across Canadian and U.S
- Operations
- Cultivated strong relationships with securities regulators, ensuring prompt responses to information requests
- Provided strategic compliance guidance organization-wide, including Anti-Money Laundering (AML) requirements, and actively engaged in cross-functional projects
Chief Compliance Officer
Binance Canada
Calgary, Alberta
11.2021 - 07.2023
- Spearheaded the formation and regulatory registration applications of Canadian entities with ASC and IIROC
- Created and implemented compliance programs for IIROC and PM/IFM/EMD registrants with the IIROC and the ASC to ensure operations adhere to regulatory standards
- Effectively managed significant existing enforcement action from the Ontario Securities Commission, showcasing the ability to navigate complex regulatory environments
- Negotiated and implemented a Pre-Registration Undertaking with the ASC as the principal regulator and the Canadian Securities Administrators, demonstrating proficiency in dealing with regulatory bodies
- Served as a key member of Binance’s Canadian Executive team, establishing a compliant operational framework for Binance Canada
Chief Compliance Officer Consulting and Monitoring
DG Legal and Regulatory Compliance
Calgary, Alberta
01.2020 - 11.2021
- Provided expert compliance guidance to Portfolio Managers, Investment Fund Managers, Exempt Market Dealers, and IIROC/MFDA members, establishing and executing tailored compliance programs
- Served as a Monitor for firms operating under regulatory Terms and Conditions from the ASC, ensuring adherence to compliance frameworks
- Facilitated registration processes for firms and representatives, offering continuous support for regulatory relationship management
Chief Compliance Officer and General Counsel
Grayhawk Investment Strategies Inc.
Calgary, Alberta
03.2016 - 06.2018
- Developed a full-scale compliance program for a start-up advisory firm, covering AML, Privacy, Registrations, Marketing, and New Account processes
- Addressed regulatory compliance review findings from prior audits, securing approval from ASC and senior management
- Led the firm’s U.S
- Registration as a Registered Investment Advisor under the SEC and FINRA
- Negotiated critical agreements with service providers, including custodians and fund managers, contributing to the successful launch of Grayhawk’s pooled funds
- Provided day-to-day supervision and compliance advice to executives and front-line staff on regulatory interpretations and business strategies
Chief Compliance Officer, ATB Investment Management Inc.
ATB Investor Services
Calgary, Alberta
05.2012 - 05.2015
- Directed regulatory and legal functions for ATB Investment Management’s portfolio management and investment fund management business
- Led a team in the development and implementation of a CRM program, re-writing Policy and Procedures manuals and responding to regulatory initiatives including AML, FATCA, and PIPA
- Managed client complaints and regulatory referrals, acting as the firm’s liaison with the Ombudsman for Banking Services, IIROC, and ASC
Enforcement Counsel
Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada (IIROC, Now CIRO)
Calgary, Alberta
03.2005 - 11.2006
- Conducted enforcement litigation under Alberta securities laws, managing cases involving investment suitability, forgery, and supervision failures
- Led hearings before IDA and ASC panels, utilizing analytical and negotiation skills to ensure adherence to regulatory standards
Enforcement Counsel
Alberta Securities Commission
Calgary, Alberta
03.2004 - 03.2005
- Conducted enforcement actions and hearings to protect the investing public under Alberta securities laws, securing compliance through targeted litigation
Litigator
The City of Calgary – Law Department
Calgary, Alberta
07.1998 - 02.2004
- Provided civil litigation services for the City of Calgary, advising City Council and various departments, including the Boxing and Wrestling Commission, on legal matters
Education
Bachelor of Administrative Studies -
York University
01.2001
Bachelor of Laws -
Queen's University
01.1998
Certificate in Management -
York University
01.1994
Bachelor of Education -
University of Alberta
01.1993
Skills
- Anti-money laundering
- Compliance monitoring
- Regulatory expertise
- Auditing processes
- Team management
- Ethical leadership
- Data privacy
Professionalmemberships
- Law Society of Alberta, 1998-Present
- Conduct, Compliance, and Legal Advisory Section, CIRO, 2023-Present
- Alberta Regional Council, CIRO, 2023-Present
- Market Advisory Committee, ASC, 2023-Present
- Canadian Independent Dealers Group, 2023-Present
Community Service
- Board Member, Vice-President, Player & Coach Coordinator, SBR Softball, 2011-2020
- Coach, SBR Softball, 2010-2022
- U14, U16 & U19 Director, Bow View Ringette, 2016-2018
- Assistant Coach, Bow View Ringette U12, U16, 2015-2016, 2019-2020
Registration
- Chief Compliance Officer, Dealing Representative, Investment Dealer, CIRO, ASC, Peters & Co. Limited
- Chief Compliance Officer, Broker Dealer, FINRA, SEC, Peters & Co. Equities Inc.
Professional Development
- Chief Compliance Officers Qualifying Examination, Canadian Securities Institute, 2023, 2011
- Partners, Directors and Senior Officers Course, Canadian Securities Institute, 2023, 2010
- Investment Representative Training, Canadian Securities Institute, 2023, 2016
- Canadian Securities Course, Canadian Securities Institute, 2023, 2009
- Conduct and Practices Handbook, Canadian Securities Institute, 2023, 2011
- Certificate in Investment Dealer Compliance, Canadian Securities Institute, 2016
- Applied Investment Dealer Compliance, Canadian Securities Institute, 2016
- Branch Managers Course, Canadian Securities Institute, 2016
Certification
- CSC, CPH
Timeline
Chief Compliance Officer
Peters & Co. Limited and Peters & Co. Equities Inc.
01.2024 - Current
Chief Compliance Officer
Binance Canada
11.2021 - 07.2023
Chief Compliance Officer Consulting and Monitoring
DG Legal and Regulatory Compliance
01.2020 - 11.2021
Chief Compliance Officer and General Counsel
Grayhawk Investment Strategies Inc.
03.2016 - 06.2018
Chief Compliance Officer, ATB Investment Management Inc.
ATB Investor Services
05.2012 - 05.2015
Enforcement Counsel
Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada (IIROC, Now CIRO)
03.2005 - 11.2006
Enforcement Counsel
Alberta Securities Commission
03.2004 - 03.2005
Litigator
The City of Calgary – Law Department
07.1998 - 02.2004
Bachelor of Administrative Studies -
York University
Bachelor of Laws -
Queen's University
Certificate in Management -
York University
Bachelor of Education -
University of Alberta