Samantha Gale

CEO and Co Founder

Samantha Gale is a legally trained regulatory expert with expertise in mortgage and real estate issues, lending practices and finance law and regulation.

Samantha most recently completed a 9 year stint as the CEO of the Canadian Mortgage Brokers Association – BC and the Mortgage Brokers Institute of BC. On the pressing topics in the Canadian mortgage and finance industry, there are few more knowledgeable figures than Samantha. Her legal background and innate grasp of complex policy issues give her an unparalleled level of understanding of the private lending and investing industry. Much of that mastery stems from Samantha’s 15-year stint with the BC Financial Institutions Commission (FICOM, now BCFSA), a regulatory agency of the Ministry of Finance, which gave her the opportunity to take a “deep dive” into various statutes and legal issues.

Samantha holds a law degree from the University of British Columbia obtained in 1991, and that legal background has been an invaluable asset in navigating the often complex regulatory web facing finance industry members, allowing her to advocate for professionals in a range of different ways. Samantha’s approach and expertise in legal matters is constantly evolving. She has returned to school, enrolling in York University’s Osgoode Hall Law School to pursue a master of laws degree with a specialization in financial law and regulation, which will be completed in 2022. The program promises to provide her with an even stronger command of the various structures and challenges that underpin the regulation of the financial institutions and the finance industry.

Shannon August

Co-Founder and Director of Communications and Member Engagement

Shannon August has worked in the private mortgage industry since 2008, with experience in origination, lending, capital raising, mortgage administration, and enforcement. She founded AAREA Private Lending in 2012, a platform for mortgage investors that also provides comprehensive mortgage administration services to private lenders.

A Chartered Financial Analyst, Shannon holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance from Simon Fraser University and maintains professional licenses in real estate trading, mortgage brokering, and mortgage administration.  Her expertise is complemented by a strong commitment to community and professional development, demonstrated through previous volunteer roles as a Forum Champion in the Entrepreneurs’ Organization, and as a mentor with Futurpreneur Canada and the Cherie Blair Foundation for Women  reflecting her  commitment to fostering professional growth.

At CAPL, Shannon applies her industry knowledge and strategic communication skills to enhance member engagement and lead the association’s communication efforts. Her leadership ensures the organization remains at the forefront of industry developments and continues to meet the diverse needs of its members effectively. Shannon’s approach combines her comprehensive financial expertise with a keen understanding of regulatory challenges, positioning her as a key resource in the evolving landscape of mortgage finance.

www.aarea.ca
www.linkedin.com/in/shannonaugust