Leadership

John Armstrong

CEO & Director

John is an accomplished business leader having spent many years with BMO Financial Group. Before joining Sandbox Royalties, he held the position of Deputy Head of Investment Banking, BMO Capital Markets where he was responsible for shaping and executing the firm’s investment banking strategy across its various industry verticals, and delivering corporate finance (equity underwriting, debt underwriting and corporate lending) and advisory solutions to clients.

As one of BMO Capital Markets’ most senior executives, John was a member of its executive committee and various capital commitment committees. He was also a member of BMO Financial Group’s Performance Committee and its Leadership Council for Diversity & Inclusion.

Prior to his role as Deputy Head of Investment Banking, John was Co-Head of Mergers & Acquisitions, BMO Capital Markets where he was responsible for the firm’s full-suite of M&A advisory services, including advising on mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, restructurings, buyouts, valuations, fairness opinions, governance and shareholder activism.

John holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the Sauder School of Business at the University of British Columbia and an MBA with Honours from the Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto.

Victoria McMillan

CFO

Victoria has been the CFO of Sandbox since its launch in June 2022.  Victoria has over 20 years of financial experience working across a variety of sectors with a focus on mining and the royalty industry.  She has led financial reporting, regulatory, tax and risk management functions, and has been responsible for developing insurance programs.   Victoria has also held various other finance roles within the mining sector including at two mid-tier gold mining companies where she was involved in the execution of mergers and acquisitions, a U.S. listing, as well as the establishment and management of a gold sales function.

Victoria’s experience includes 8 years with PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) in both London, United Kingdom, and Vancouver, where she was a senior manager within the assurance practice.  Victoria currently serves as a director on the board of BC Hydro and also acts as a mentor for students in the CPA program as well as other women pursuing a career in business.

Victoria holds a Bachelor of Management Studies from the University of Nottingham and she is a Chartered Professional Accountant.

Dan O’Flaherty

Executive, Strategy

Most recently, Mr. O’Flaherty held the position of CEO of Maverix Metals Inc. which he co-founded in 2016.  Maverix Metals was sold to Triple Flag Precious Metals Corp in 2022 for over US$700 million.  He has 20 years of investment banking and Executive Officer experience in the mining industry. Mr. O’Flaherty was previously the Executive Vice President of Corporate Development at Esperanza Resources, which was acquired by Alamos Gold in 2013. In addition to serving as Executive Vice President of two gold development companies, both of which were acquired, Dan was formerly a director in the investment banking team of Scotia Capital in Vancouver focused exclusively on the metals and mining sector where he specialized in providing advice to clients on acquisitions, divestitures, mergers, and hostile takeover defenses as well as on equity and debt financings. Mr. O’Flaherty holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree, with honours, from the University of British Columbia.

Paul Jones

VP, Corporate Development

Paul brings over 20 years of experience in the mining sector. Prior to joining Sandbox, Paul was the Senior Vice President of Corporate Development for Alexco Resource Corp. until its acquisition by Hecla Mining, as well as Senior Vice President of Corporate Development for Alio Gold prior to its sale to Argonaut Gold. He has held roles of increasing responsibility in operations, financial planning and analysis, investor relations, and business development for Capstone Mining (now Capstone Copper). Paul also spent 12 years in investment banking where he advised mining clients on the execution of more than $15B in merger and acquisition transactions. Paul holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of British Columbia.   

Chris Haubrich

VP, Corporate Development

With over 15 years of mining industry experience in corporate finance, M&A, capital raising, engineering studies, operations, investor relations, and public company management, Chris brings a unique perspective and a diverse skillset to Sandbox. Prior to joining Sandbox, Chris served as Chief Financial Officer and Vice President, Business Development at PureGold Mining, and as Vice President, Investment Banking at National Bank Financial. Chris started his career as an underground mining engineer with Cameco Corporation (uranium) and has also worked in technical and operational roles with Rio Tinto (diamonds), Mosaic (potash), Syncrude Canada (oilsands), and JDS Energy & Mining. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mining Engineering from the University of Alberta, a Master of Science degree in Mineral and Energy Economics from Colorado School of Mines and is a CFA Charterholder.  

Diego Airo

VP, Project Evaluation

P.Eng, M.Fin

Diego brings over 15 years of experience in the resource sector comprised of a unique blend of operations, project, technical, and corporate roles. Prior to joining Sandbox, he worked as Director of Project Evaluations at Maverix Metals Inc, until its acquisition by Triple Flag Precious Metals Corp. He has also held various leadership, technical and operational roles at Capstone Mining Corp. (now Capstone Copper Corp.) and Kinross Gold Corporation, spanning multiple continents and commodities. Diego is a Registered Professional Engineer and holds a Bachelor of Applied Science in Mining and Mineral Processing Engineering from the University of British Columbia as well as a Master of Finance from Pennsylvania State University.

Craig Rollins

General Counsel

Craig is a corporate and securities lawyer advising companies operating in the mining and natural resource sectors. Craig’s expertise includes complex corporate and commercial transactions, mergers and acquisitions, options and joint ventures, corporate governance, regulatory and stock exchange compliance, stock exchange listings and public offerings. Craig has in-house legal counsel experience with several companies in the mining and natural resource sectors, including Pathway Capital and Level 14 Ventures Ltd, and also brings with him experience from a preeminent Vancouver based law firm. Craig holds his undergraduate and law degrees from the University of British Columbia and the University of Windsor, respectively, and remains is a practicing member of the Law Society of British Columbia.

Greg Smith

Chairman

Greg was fundamental in the creation and launch of Sandbox Royalties since its launch in June 2022.  Greg is the CEO of Equinox Gold Corp (where he previously held the role of President).  Prior to his time at Equinox, Greg was the CEO of JDL Gold at the time of its merger with Luna Gold, where he helped to lead the team through four mergers and an asset acquisition to grow the company from a single-asset developer to a multi-asset producer. Prior to his role as CEO of JDL Gold, he held the roles of CEO and founder of Anthem United, President and CEO of Esperanza Resources prior to its sale to Alamos Gold, and CFO of Minefinders Corporation prior to its sale to Pan American Silver. Previously Greg has held management positions at both Goldcorp and the mining division of KPMG LLP, and he also acted as a director of Premier Royalty prior to its sale to Sandstorm Gold Royalties. Greg is also a director of i-80 Gold.  Greg is a Canadian Chartered Professional Accountant.

Hayley Thomasen

Director

Hayley Thomasen is the founder of Pathway Ventures UK, a metals and mining-focused venture capital firm and consultancy.

She previously worked as an Investment Analyst at Orion Resource Partners (UK) LLP in London, England, and has held various positions as an exploration geologist with both junior and major mining companies throughout Canada.

Ms Thomasen holds a graduate degree in Economic Geology from the University of Arizona, where she received the Newmont Scholar and SEG Foundation Graduate Student Fellowship, a BSC in EOSC (Geology) from the University of British Columbia, and a BA from McGill University. 

She is a holder of the Investment Management Certificate (IMC), awarded by the CFA Society of the UK, the Institute of Corporate Directors Director designation (ICD.D), and the ESG Competent Boards Certificate and Designation (GCB.D).

Current positions include Non-Executive Director of Sun Peak Metals Corporation (Audit Committee; TSXV: PEAK) and Non-Executive Director of Level 14 Ventures (Audit Committee; CSE: LVL).

Ms Thomasen is currently based in New York City.

Simon Klimt

Director

Simon is a Portfolio Manager of the Regal Resources Royalties Fund. 

Simon has over 10 years’ direct experience investing in the natural resources royalties space. Prior to establishing the Regal Resources Royalties Fund in 2019, Simon founded a private royalties business andwas Director of Oil and Gas Investment Banking, Australia at Barclays Capital in Sydney. In addition to his banking experience, Simon has also held corporate roles at ASX listed copper producer Hillgrove Resources, Pacific American Coal and as member of the Camel Creek JV Committee on behalf of RSI.