Founder & President
Mac is a Founder and Partner of ARC Financial Corp., a Founder and former Chair of ARC Resources Ltd, and former Chairman of Alberta Investment Management Corporation. He is also founder and Chairman of Viewpoint Group, Chairman of Viewpoint Investment Partners, and President of Viewpoint Foundation.
In addition, he is a past director of numerous other companies within the energy sector, and is active in various capacities in the community and the not-for-profit sector. Mac is a co-founder and Chair of the Canadian Centre for Advanced Leadership at the Haskayne School of Business. He is an Honours’ graduate of the Ivey School of Business in finance and has also studied post graduate economics at Harvard University.
To learn more about Mac and his history in the Alberta community, read his latest publications, or explore upcoming speaking engagements, visit his website at www.macvw.ca
Chief Operating Officer
Karen is the Chief Operating Officer of Viewpoint Family Office where she provides management and strategic oversight and leads a team of dedicated professionals who ensure stewardship of private capital. She is also a Director of Viewpoint Investment Partners and provides advisory oversight for all compliance and financial management activities.
Karen has been with Viewpoint since 1997, after holding various financial related positions with private equity, manufacturing and accounting firms. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting from the University of Alberta, is a Chartered Accountant, and a Family Enterprise Advisor.
Karen grew up surrounded by entrepreneurs and has always had a keen interest in helping business families. She is a director of various private entities and enjoys being involved in the community. Along with her involvement on the Canadian Family Office Forum steering committee, she is a member of the Management Advisory Committee at the University of Calgary Haskayne School of Business, and volunteers at the Calgary Distress Centre. She has worked as a volunteer and a director of various not-for-profit organizations such as the DI Centre, Inn from the Cold, Fernie Alpine Ski Team and Westside Recreation Centre. Karen loves the outdoors and enjoys her time skiing, cycling and hiking with family and friends.
Executive Assistant to
Mac Van Wielingen
Shereen is the Executive Assistant to the Founder and President, Mac Van Wielingen. She is responsible for providing logistical and administrative support for all of Mac’s business, philanthropic, and personal endeavors.
Shereen joined Viewpoint in 2014 after working in the regulatory not-for-profit sector. Her background also includes working in industries such as technology and property management. She values community and engagement in the workplace, which she believes are organizational strengths at Viewpoint, and she has developed a keen interest in investment management and organizational development.
Shereen is originally from Swift Current, Saskatchewan, but has called Calgary her home for a number of years. She enjoys yoga, traveling, reading (non-fiction), volunteering with Habitat for Humanity at the Women Build day, and spending time with her family and friends. She is terrified of heights but loves zip lining and rollercoasters, which continues to confound her co-workers.
Controller
Alida is the Controller at Viewpoint Group. She joined the team in November of 2016 after eight years in audit at a big four accounting firm where her previous work experience was with varied clients in multiple industries. This included public and private companies, municipalities, not-for-profit organizations, and post-secondary institutions. Her work with the Viewpoint Foundation, as well as the Family Office includes being responsible for financial reporting, cash and treasury management, GST and information returns and investment related reporting. She is proud to be a part of an organization that has such a dedicated focus of philanthropic leadership, and looks forward to the future.
In 2009, Alida graduated from the University of Calgary having obtained both a Bachelor of Commerce degree with Distinction in Accounting, as well as a Bachelor of Kinesiology degree with Distinction. In 2012, she also attained her Chartered Accountant designation after being named to the National Honour Roll on the 2011 Uniform Final Examination.
Alida took time between graduating school and starting full-time work to travel through Europe. She also spent time living and working in the Netherlands before returning to Calgary where she was born and raised. She is passionate about sports of all kinds, having played many different ones growing up, and continues to play competitive soccer. Her main focus now though is on family, and spends as much time as possible with her husband and young family.
Senior Administrator,
Finance & Administration
Chris provides financial and administrative support for all areas of Viewpoint. She works closely with the Controller, managing the accounting and transaction processing for the Family Office. She also acts as Secretary for Viewpoint Foundation and provides administrative services as needed. Her hardworking nature and willingness to learn has allowed her to expand her knowledge into several areas of the business.
Originally from Edmonton, Chris has been with Viewpoint since 2006. Her enthusiasm and passion in fostering relations allows her to fit in perfectly at Viewpoint. She also spent time in Vancouver and enjoyed several years of office management with KPMG and the Vancouver Canucks, where she gained valuable experience in the area of human resources and office management.
Chris prides herself in building relationships – for over 40 years she has maintained relationships with friends from across Canada. Her pastime favourites include golf, travel, reading, scrabbling, cooking and entertaining. Her retirement aspirations are to spend time between golfing and on the beach.
Administrative Assistant
Caitlyn joined Viewpoint Group in 2019 as an Administrative Assistant, supporting Viewpoint’s philanthropic, research, and investment initiatives, as well as the family office. She thrives in an environment where she can work closely with people and values collaboration.
Caitlyn graduated from St. Mary’s University in 2018 with a Bachelor of Arts degree, with a concentration in Psychology. Before joining Viewpoint, she sought work through a temporary agency, where she gained valuable administrative experience in the investment, construction, and finance fields.
A born and raised Calgarian, Caitlyn enjoys spending her free days escaping the city to hike in Kananaskis Country.
Financial Accountant
Aleksandra comes to us most recently from a "big four" accounting firm, but she has worked for over nine years as an accountant in firms of all sizes. She has a variety of experience in tax returns, preparation of financial statements, and bookkeeping. Originally from Poland, Aleksandra has a unique backstory that includes stops in Cyprus and New Jersey. She is now based in Calgary with her partner and almost two-year-old son.
Aleksandra obtained a Master’s degree in marketing and management in Poland. In Canada, she pursued accounting at SAIT after landing her first job in a chartered accounting firm.
Aleksandra likes spending time outdoors, and she has a passion for running and swimming, even competing for Silesian University in Poland. While she loves to travel and scuba dive in exotic locations, her focus has recently shifted to her family, and she enjoys watching her son grow and finding new, fun ways to spend time with him.