ExecEd in Focus: Meet Steven Paget

In this first installment of ExecEd in Focus, we spoke with Steven Paget, CFA, an assistant professor in Finance at the Haskayne School of Business and the new instructor for our Financial Literacy program. From his commitment to financial education to the exciting trends shaping the future of finance – spend the next couple of minutes getting to know Steven!

1. How has your background shaped your approach to teaching finance and corporate governance to students and professionals?

I was a former analyst at FirstEnergy Capital, but I didn’t come from a financial background when I started, so I know what it’s like to try and learn finance while working! I always find I’m at my best when I start out with first principles, for example, a firm is worth the same amount of money no matter how it’s financed.

2. What drew you to the prospect of teaching with Haskayne Executive Education?

Well, I’m following in some great footsteps. Wayne Irvine is a legend and I’m looking forward to carrying on his outreach to people who are interested in finance. I really believe in financial education.

3. Why is financial literacy important for someone seeking to grow their career?

If you want to have any part in how your company decides how to deploy its resources, you need to be financially literate.

4. What can learners expect from the Financial Literacy course with you?

Lots of learning and hopefully a bit of fun too!

5. If you could give one piece of financial advice to your younger self, what would it be?

When you invest in a company, make sure you understand if there’s a market for that company’s product. It doesn’t matter if they’ve mastered a new technology; there must be a market for what they’re selling.

6. What’s something that your colleagues don’t know about you?

I love looking at the stars! I have a little telescope that I enjoy using when I can.

7. How do you stay current with financial news and trends?

Lots of news media and chats with colleagues!

8. What’s the most surprising or unconventional aspect of finance that you enjoy discussing with your learners?

How much it touches everything! Finance means learning about everywhere we could possibly want to invest.

9. If you had to describe the world of finance using only three words, what would they be?

Moving, storing, money

10. In your opinion, what are the key trends or changes happening in your industry?

“DeFi” or decentralized finance, that is, blockchain, is just getting started. Blockchain is the railroad of the 21^st century; it is a way to move digital assets. Where are we right now? With blockchain, we’re where the railroads were in about 1840 – we’re coming into the blockchain century. We’re also seeing the democratization of finance. Small investors are coordinating and getting involved like never before. The days when the banks can charge a 2% annual commission on a mutual fund that earns below-market returns are coming to an end.

 

About Steven

Steven teaches in finance and corporate governance to undergraduates, graduate students, and securities regulators, including courses in Corporate Finance, Securities Analysis and Investment Fundamentals. Prior to joining the Haskayne School of Business, Steven was Director, Energy Research, at FirstEnergy Capital in Calgary, where he wrote investment research on energy infrastructure companies and was a frequent commenter on BNN. Steven was also a Petroleum Engineer at Cenovus, a Strategic Advisor at Enbridge Inc. and a Corporate Finance Analyst at the Alberta Securities Commission. He helped present the CFA Institute’s Investment Fundamentals Program (IFP) to securities regulators and law enforcement across Canada.