Richard Abboud is the Founder and CEO of Forum Asset Management, an accomplished entrepreneur, and the 2024 Ontario Chamber of Commerce CEO of the Year. With over 30 years of experience in alternative
investments, Richard has built a reputation as a visionary leader with deep investment expertise in real estate development, infrastructure, private equity, credit, and public-private partnerships. Since he launched Forum in 1996, Forum has grown into a top-performing alternative asset manager with over $7 billion in assets under
management.
As CEO, CIO, and Chair of Forum’s Investment Committee, Richard is responsible for shaping the firm’s strategic direction, overseeing investment activities, and guiding key capital allocation decisions. His
leadership combines disciplined capital management with a strong focus on innovation, performance, and long-term impact. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated a consistent ability to identify growth
opportunities, build successful businesses, and deliver strong risk-adjusted returns across diverse asset
classes.
Richard has served on a number of not-for-profit boards and is an active member of the Young Presidents’ Organization and the Business Council of Canada. He is a Co-Founding Chair of Shift Canada, a national
initiative that equips young Canadians with the tools and mindset to embrace and learn from failure and develop their entrepreneurial spirit. Through educational resources and thought leadership, Shift Canada
fosters innovation, ambition, and risk-taking, with the goal of reaching 300,000 Canadian youth in 2025 and helping to shape a more dynamic and resilient economy.
Richard lives in Toronto with his wife and two daughters.
