Leading the Catalyst team of exceptional people

Leadership Team

Chris Waite - Managing Director

Chris started his career in the leasing business in 1996 working with Triad Systems Inc. based out of Livermore California. Triad sold and financed proprietary hardware and software to the automotive aftermarket. Chris consistently kept his lease capture rate above 90%. Later he moved to a publically traded finance company where he rose to the position of Associate VP Business Development focusing on technology financing. In 2005 Chris founded Catalyst Finance focusing on leasing and financing in the Canadian SMB space.

Chris's focus will be to lead the sales team and jointly provide the strategic direction for Catalyst.

Peter Knight - Managing Director

Peter has been in the equipment leasing industry for 25 years. He has held senior sales, and senior management positions for several major leasing companies in Canada including MCAP, GE, and AT&T Capital. He is very experienced at developing vendor programs and helping partners grow their business. Peter will use his leadership skills and experience to strengthen the sales and operation teams to continue to deliver the best in class service to Catalyst customers.

Peter will jointly provide the strategic direction for Catalyst.

Karen Heyblom - Leasing and Finance Manager

Karen has been with Catalyst since early 2006 and brings with her credit experience from a Credit Union were she was a loans officer. She also has worked with a major bank and has accounting background in an accounting office. Over the last several years Karen has worked directly with vendors and as well as financial institutions co-coordinating all transactions from credit thru to funding.

Sara Velestuk - Leasing and Finance Coordinator

Sara came to Catalyst from a large national Life Insurance Company where she had been working the previous 10 plus years. Over that span Sara worked with HR, operations, marketing as well as Executive support. Sara brings her knowledge of corporate policy and procedure as it relates to the financial services industry which has helped Catalyst through its rapid growth.

Jena Wood - Leasing and Finance Coordinator

Jena graduated from the University of Western in the late 1990's with an Administration and Commercial Studies degree. She has worked the last several years as a manager in the food service industry. Jena and her husband currently own 2 nationally franchised restaurants in the SW Ontario area. She came to Catalyst looking for a new challenge that related to her UWO degree.

Kathy Weber - Accounting Manager

Kathy came to Catalyst from one of the big five banks. She worked in one of the processing centers dealing with the daily reconciliation of various branches. Kathy also has a strong accounting background that helps her manage the day to day accounting that goes on at Catalyst.