SM2 Capital Leadership Team





Board of Directors

  • Hafiz Ali

    Chairman
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      Hafiz Ali
      Chairman

      Hafiz Ali currently serves as Chairman of the Board. Hafiz oversees new and strategic acquisitions in real estate, private equity and venture capital for the company.

      Prior to joining SM2, he was a Director with The Carlyle Group in Paris, Milan and London from 2003 to 2014 focused on private equity real estate investments for their European Real Estate Funds. Hafiz has invested over € 3.5 billion in real estate assets in the UK, Spain, Italy, Portugal, Greece, Germany and Eastern Europe. He has a BA (Honors) from the University of Western Ontario in Urban Development and an MSc. in Real Estate Economics and Finance from the London School of Economics (LSE) in London, United Kingdom. He enjoys tennis, skiing and adventuring travelling with his wife and two boys. Their favorite places to visit are Paris, Hong Kong and Bali.


      Hafiz’s LinkedIn
  • Jamil Ali

    President
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      Jamil Ali
      President

      Jamil has played an instrumental role in the strategic planning and leadership for SM2. He has over 20 years of operational management experience, predominantly in the automotive and hospitality industries. Jamil joined SM2 in 2003 and was appointed as the Chief Operating Officer in 2019 and then President in 2022. He currently serves as a director for SM2 and works with the respective business unit leaders and their management teams to build long-term value to our portfolio companies. In addition, Jamil was appointed in July 2019 as a Member on the Ismaili Council for the Prairies.

      Jamil completed his Masters in Business Administration from the Haskayne School of Business at the University of Calgary in 2017 and a Bachelor of Administrative and Commercial Studies (Finance and Administration) at the University of Western Ontario in 2002. He enjoys golfing, tennis, skiing, attending monthly Personal Advisory Group (FEX) meetings, and travelling.


      Jamil’s LinkedIn
  • Naim Ali

    Director
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      Naim Ali
      Director
      Naim Ali is a Director of SM2 Capital Partners (“SM2”). SM2 is the entity that oversees the Ali Family Office and its related operating businesses. In 2010, Naim moved back to Calgary, from New York, to oversee the real estate portfolio under SM2. The portfolio includes commercial real estate and operating businesses, including parking lots (Calgary), hotels (US and Alberta), casinos and student housing (Ontario). SM2 has also made investments in residential real estate and senior housing projects and is continuously expanding across North America. Naim oversees the strategic planning of the Ali Family Office and is currently a Board Director for Fortress Insurance Company (also in the SM2 portfolio). He enjoys golfing, skiing, wake surfing, attending monthly TEC Group (leadership development) and Personal Advisory Group (FEX) meetings, and travelling with his family. Naim lives with his wife and two children in Calgary, AB.

      Naim’s LinkedIn
  • Rizvan Bharmal

    Director
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      Rizvan Bharmal
      Director

      Rizvan Bharmal has over 15 years of experience in accounting and financial reporting. He started his career at Deloitte LLP auditing several large multi-national corporations. From there, his career has comprised of various accounting and financial reporting roles in several industries including transportation and logistics, oil and gas exploration and public company accounting with a focus on private enterprises.

      In addition to Rizvan’s role as a Director for SM2, he is also the Chief Financial Officer & Chief Compliance Officer for Fortress Insurance Company. Rizvan also serves as a Director on the Foundations for the Future Charter Academy (FFCA) Board of Directors.

      Rizvan received his Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree from the Haskayne School of Business at the University of Calgary and a Bachelor of Economics degree from McMaster University. He is also a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CA) and lives with his wife and two children in Calgary, AB.


      Rizvans’s LinkedIn


Corporate Services & General Management Team

  • Hussein Kurji

    Chief Technical Officer
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      Hussein Kurji
      Chief Technical Officer
      Hussein Kurji is a senior technology executive and advisor with over two decades of experience leading IT strategy, cybersecurity, and digital transformation initiatives across financial services, insurance, healthcare, and investment organizations. As Chief Technology Officer, Hussein is responsible for aligning technology strategy with business objectives, ensuring secure and scalable platforms, and driving innovation across the SM2 portfolio.

      Hussein brings deep expertise in cloud architecture, cybersecurity, regulatory compliance, and enterprise systems, and is frequently trusted by executive teams to guide complex, high-impact technology decisions. Known for his pragmatic and relationship-driven leadership style, he excels at translating technical complexity into clear business value. Hussein is based in Vancouver & Calgary, Canada, and works closely with leadership teams across Western Canada.

  • Ali Sarfraz

    Financial Controller
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      Ali Sarfraz
      Financial Controller

      Ali Sarfraz is a seasoned accounting and finance leader with over 15 years of experience in financial reporting, controllership, and organizational leadership across diverse industries. He began his career with Parker Russell International, a UK-based accounting and auditing firm, and has since held senior roles in both public and private organizations across Insurance, Banking, Education, Information Technology, Chemical Manufacturing, and Textile Manufacturing, both nationally and internationally.
      Throughout his career, Ali has designed and implemented robust financial control frameworks and led complex initiatives including ERP and system implementations, process automation, and continuous improvement programs. His data-driven approach consistently supports strategic growth, operational efficiency, and executive-level decision-making.
      Ali is known as a collaborative, results-driven leader with a strong ability to translate complex financial information into clear, actionable insights for both technical and non-technical stakeholders. He is a CPA, holds a Master of Commerce degree with a concentration in Finance, and maintains multiple internationally recognized accounting designations.

  • Patty Blair

    Human Resources Manager
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      Patty Blair
      Human Resources Manager

      Patty Blair is a human resource professional with over 25 years of experience across hospitality and service-driven organizations. She began her career as an HR Clerk with the Four Seasons hotel chain and progressed into increasingly senior leadership roles, including Senior Regional HR Manager for Western Canada and Alaska with HMS Host International.

      Patty brings deep expertise in employee relations, talent management, and organizational development. She is known for her practical, people-centered approach and her ability to support both employees and leadership teams through change. Patty is a proud mother and stepmother, and in her spare time she enjoys spending time outdoors with her rescue dog, Sadie.


  • Gurdeep Singh

    Executive Assistant
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      Gurdeep Singh
      Executive Assistant

      Gurdeep Singh joined Budget Car & Truck Rental of Calgary in 2011 and served as General Manager, overseeing senior leadership across Fleet, Revenue, Operations, Sales, and Human Resources. With over 25 years of experience in the car rental industry, she brings deep expertise in team development, data analytics, and operational process improvement.

      Known for her collaborative and approachable leadership style, Gurdeep has played a key role in driving organizational performance and culture. She currently supports SM2 Capital in an administrative and advisory capacity, focusing on high-level strategic initiatives and operational alignment.


  • Craig Loose

    General Manager of Calgary Budget Car & Truck Rental
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      Craig Loose
      General Manager of Calgary Budget Car & Truck Rental

      Craig Loose joined SM2 in 2024 as General Manager of Budget Car and Truck Rental of Calgary, bringing over 25 years of experience in logistics, operations, and transportation management. He began his career in finance with Loblaw Companies Ltd. before transitioning into increasingly senior leadership roles within their transportation and logistics operations.

      Craig’s experience spans multiple industries including supply chain and distribution, oilfield logistics, people transportation, and both for-hire and dedicated transportation models. He is known for his operational discipline, people-first leadership style, and ability to scale complex operations efficiently. Craig lives in Calgary with his wife and three children.


  • Ahmed Ibrahim

    General Manager of SM2 Parking Assets & Calgary Park & Jet
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      Ahmed Ibrahim
      General Manager of SM2 Parking Assets & Calgary Park & Jet

      Ahmed Ibrahim is a senior operations and asset management executive with over 18 years of experience in the parking and mobility sector. He serves as General Manager for SM2 Parking Assets and Calgary Park & Jet Ltd., overseeing the largest off-airport parking facility serving Calgary International Airport (YYC), with more than 4,100 stalls, as well as two downtown Calgary parking assets.

      Ahmed is responsible for operational performance, financial results, capital planning, and technology-enabled efficiency initiatives. He works closely with executive leadership and institutional stakeholders to support long-term value creation. Prior to joining SM2, Ahmed held senior management roles at Impark Canada, managing a diverse portfolio of parking assets. He lives in Calgary with his wife and two children and enjoys sports and family travel.


Founders



  • Shiraz Ali
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      Shiraz Ali
      Prior to immigrating to Canada in 1975, Shiraz Ali owned printing, manufacturing and import and export businesses in Tanzania. In the mid 1970’s, he began purchasing hotels in Vancouver, B.C. (the City Center Hotel, the Hotel, the BC Inn, the Coach House and St. James Place) within a partner consortium. Shiraz then joined his brother, Mohamed Ali, in the car rental and parking businesses based in Calgary, AB. He has also volunteered in numerous associations, including Carewest Innovative Health Care (a health trust). Shiraz now lives in Calgary, AB with his wife and they have three children.
  • Mohamed Ali
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      Mohamed Ali

      Mohamed Ali holds a post-graduate degree in Electrical Engineering from Plymouth Polytechnic in the United Kingdom. In the early 1970’s, he immigrated to Canada and pursued his career with Newmont Mining in Stewart B.C.. In October 1974, Mohamed moved to Calgary, AB and purchased the Budget Rent A Car rental car franchise. Mohamed, with his brother Shiraz Ali and their partners, has built SM2 into a diverse portfolio of businesses in the automotive, parking, hospitality and insurance industries. He now lives in Calgary, AB with his wife and they have two children.