Alumni Story – Aanchal Dhir

Aanchal Dhir was the Golden Key chapter president at the University of British Columbia. Now, she is the Chief Executive Officer at Ambrot Capital Inc., an investment management company. She will be starting a Master of Finance Program at Cambridge University in the fall. We were lucky enough to have the opportunity to talk more to this successful GK alumni!

1. Where did you grow up? Where do you currently live?
   I grew up in Edmonton, Alberta and moved to Vancouver, BC with my family 11 years ago. I feel so blessed to live in such a beautiful city.
2. What university did you go to and what did you study?
   I studied at the Sauder School of Business at the University of British Columbia. I majored in Finance and Entrepreneurship.
3. When did you join Golden Key and for what reasons?
   I joined Golden Key after my first year at UBC. After reading about the prestige of the organization and all the opportunities that Golden Key provided, I was very keen to join and am so happy that I did. The opportunities that Golden Key offers is boundless and I have yet to see an organization that can compare to it.
4. What are you doing now? What is your job title?
   I am President and CEO of my own Investment Management company, Ambrot Capital Inc. My company focuses on investing in the public markets on the Toronto Stock Exchange, New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq, in three sectors: technology, biotechnology, and commodities. I established Ambrot Capital after graduating from UBC in 2011 and have been committed to growing it. Currently I have added an extension to my business of providing valuation services for public and private companies.
5. What is the most exciting thing you’ve ever done?
   Although I have a fear of heights, I have bungee jumped from the cliffs in Whistler, 160 feet in the air. It was the most exhilarating experience of my life and I highly recommend it to those who love to push their personal boundaries.
6. What is your proudest achievement?
   In 2013, I had the rare opportunity to invest in Theralase Technologies Inc. (TSX:TLT.V), an innovative Canadian biotechnology company. TLT designs, manufactures and markets patented super-pulsed laser technology for the elimination of pain, acceleration of tissue health, and detection of cancer cells. When I encountered the company, TLT was struggling. On one end they were trying to finish development of their technology and on the other end they were deficient in capital to finance their research costs. Being an avid biotech investor and analyst, I was contacted by a high net worth investor to conduct a due diligence report on TLT. Amidst my research, I realized that TLT was at the epicentre of providing oncologists with new advancements in cancer detection and prevention. They had the technology and team to provide solutions to treat cancer patients worldwide, they just needed access to the right network. There was a direct opportunity in front of me to provide a social benefit with my investment. I then actively sought out the President to form a working relationship and became an early investor in TLT. In February 2015, Theralase was ranked one of the top ten companies in the TSX Venture 50 for its impressive growth in 2014. Furthermore, TLT announced in early May that their leading cancer drug would help oncologists detect cancer cells and micro-metastases, too small to be seen by the human eye. TLT continues to find ground breaking discoveries which will contribute to significant positive changes across the biotech landscape.
7. What motivates you? What is the best advice you’ve ever heard?
   The fear of stagnation is what motivates me. No matter what opportunity I take on, I always strive to challenge myself to create growth and positive change. How I visualize it is that stagnation is at the bottom of the chart and with any opportunity I take on, I work towards maintaining an upward trajectory, keeping ground zero in mind, never to fall back to that level.One of my favorite poets and historians, Henry David Thoreau, once said “If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost; that is where they should be. Now put the foundations under them.” We all have dreams and goals, and no matter how farfetched they may seem at times, we must do our best to turn our thoughts into actions so that our dreams can become reality. With this exact quote in mind, I was able to accomplish my lifelong dream of being admitted to Cambridge University. If I can do it, you can.
8. What activities and hobbies do you take part in?
   Whenever I get the chance I seek out the opportunity to race cars and to ride horses. I live for an adrenaline rush. As well, I love to volunteer and give my time to non-profit organizations and charities in Vancouver. I am currently on the Fundraising board for Kidsafe and Passage Give.
9. Do you have a defining moment/incident/day that stands out?
   On June 12th of this year, I was admitted to the Masters of Finance Program at Cambridge University. That day I witnessed 25 years of hard work, persistence, failures, and successes accumulate together to make my dream come true.
10. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live and why?
    London would be the perfect place for me to live. Being present in such a historical city, which despite all the modernization, has been able to maintain its beauty and culture would be a remarkable experience. Not to mention, London is a global hub for business and finance, and being immersed in such an environment would be so inspiring.
11. What is a fun fact about you?
    I am a very loyal and devoted Bollywood fan, so much so that I have been Bollywood dancing since I was 4 years old.