Bitfarms Board of Directors
Our board comprises highly qualified executives with extensive industry knowledge, including decades of experience.
Their diverse expertise in areas such as financial management, strategic planning, ESG, and innovation makes them exceptionally
well-equipped to oversee and guide our strategy, ensuring robust governance and enhanced shareholder value.
Director Since: 2020
Committees:
- Audit
- Compensation
- Governance and Nominating
- Environmental and Social Responsibility
Professional Highlights:
- Hemlo Explorers Inc.
(TSXV: HMLO), a natural resource exploration company – President, CEO and Director (since 2020) - Voyageur Mineral Explorers Inc.
A Canadian-based mineral exploration company – President, CEO and Director (2020-2021) - Dundee Sustainable Technologies Inc.
A metallurgical processing company – President, CEO and Director (2015-2021) - Copper Road Resources Inc.
A metals mining company – President, CEO and Director (2014-2021) - Superior Copper Corporation (TSXV: SPC)
A mineral exploration company – President, CFO and Director (2012-2016)
Current Public Company Boards:
- Hemlo Explorers Inc.
Other Notable Board Memberships and Affiliations:
- Nighthawk Gold Inc. (TSX: NHK) (2016-2024), Director
Education:
- B. Comm., Concordia University
- Certified Public Accountant Designation (CPA, CMA)
Key Skills and Qualifications:
Mr. Howlett is a seasoned public company senior executive with more than 35 years of experience in operational and financial leadership. His extensive service as senior officer and director of public companies equips him with valuable insights to oversee Bitfarms' operations. As a Certified Public Accountant (CPA, CMA) he also contributes to the Board oversight of financial reporting, internal controls and risk management.
- Finance
Attained significant financial expertise through his experience as Chief Financial Officer, with oversight responsibilities for financial planning, reporting, capital allocation strategies and regulatory compliance. His successful track record in managing balance sheets and raising public equity for small cap companies contributes valuable perspective to the Board's oversight of Bitfarms' financial planning and growth strategy. - Operations and Strategic Planning
Obtained through numerous executive leadership roles, including as CEO or a director of companies in cyclical and commodity-based industries with a heavy reliance on the exploration business enabling him to contribute to Bitfarms' novel mining growth strategy.
Director Since: 2020
Committees:
- Compensation (Chair)
- Audit
- Environmental & Social Responsibility
- Governance and Nominating
Professional Highlights:
- FinkWald LLC
A private investment office specializing in private equity, real estate, media and technology – Founding Managing Partner (since 2011); Managing Member (since 2017) - BIND Banco Industrial
An investment banking company focused on small and medium-sized enterprises based in Argentina, – Co-Head of Special Situations Division (2017-2023) - Soros Brothers Investments LLC
A private investment management office – Portfolio Manager and Financial Advisor (2011 – 2018) - JPMorgan Chase & Co.
(NYSE: JPM), a leading multinational finance company – Vice President (During his tenure of over a decade at JPM, Mr. Finkielsztain served in various capacities within the asset management, including the role of Global Investment Opportunity and Emerging Markets Specialist. (2000-2011) - Soros Fund Management LLC.
Hedge Fund a multi-strategy global investment firm, Emerging Markets Analyst (1998 – 2000)
Current Public Company Boards:
- Menē Inc. (TSXV: MENE) (since 2022)
- Goldmoney Inc. (TSX: XAU) (since 2018)
Education:
- B.A. in Economics, Bard College
Key Skills and Qualifications:
Mr. Finkielsztain is an experienced financial industry executive with a diverse range of finance skills critical for effective asset management. With more than two decades of experience, he brings deep insights into international markets and operations, contributing to Board oversight of the growth strategy and navigating complex global financial landscapes.
- Industry Experience
Obtained hands-on experience in [cryptocurrency mining, exchanges, transactions and blockchain through both his own private investment office and experience managing a private portfolio that specialized in cryptocurrencies. He gained experience as a director of a public precious metals company that leveraged cryptocurrency as a part of its growth strategy. - Financial Management
Developed through his more than 20 years of experience in asset management, including roles at global and public investment management firms and as the founder of a private investment office, Mr. Finkielsztain brings extensive experience evaluating investment opportunities and designing novel financing strategies and solutions to companies. - Strategic Planning and Risk Management
Acquired through his investment oversight roles, which encompassed coverage of global and emerging markets and oversight of a diverse range of traditional and new investment asset classes. He has a proven track record of identifying and mitigating risks associated with market volatility, technological changes and regulatory shifts.
Director Since: 2024
Professional Highlights:
- Bitfarms
A global vertically integrated Bitcoin data center company – Chief Executive Officer (since July 2024), Chief Mining Officer (2021-2024), Director of Mining Operations (2020), Director of Business Development (2019) - Island Computer Ltd
A global Bitcoin mining company – Founder and Chief Executive Officer (2015 – 2019) - LuTech Mining Ltd
Building industrial scale Bitcoin facilities – Chief Technology Officer (2018-2020)
Other Notable Board Memberships and Affiliations:
- Co-Chair, Canadian Blockchain Consortium Mining Committee
- Lead Analyst, Bitcoin Mining Council
Education:
- M.Sc. in Internet Computing, Hong Kong University
- B.Sc. in Economic Consulting and International Business, Kelley School of Business at Indiana University
Key Skills and Qualifications:
Mr. Gagnon is a proven strategist and people-focused executive in the Bitcoin mining space. He contributes extensive experience successfully guiding companies through the evolving cryptocurrency landscape. His ability to efficiently implement aggressive growth plans provides a critical bridge between the Board and management team, maximizing effective oversight and shareholder value creation opportunities.
- Industry Experience
Obtained from his roles as a founder and executive leader, including as CEO of multiple cryptocurrency mining companies. As CEO of Bitfarms, he brings deep familiarity with all aspects of the Company's operations, having collaborated closely with every team within Bitfarms. He contributes to the Board his broader industry insights developed through his leadership roles on several prominent industry associations focused on crypto-related mining. - Operations
Demonstrated by his proven track record of overseeing the expansion of Bitfarms' mining operations and the effective integration of new technologies, which has driven the successful implementation of an aggressive growth strategy. This plan included diversification into synergistic new areas such as energy generation, heat recycling, energy trading and HPC (high performance computing) for AI, and the implementation of strategies related to the 2028 halving event. - Strategic Planning / Finance
Gained from his leadership overseeing the development and execution of the Company's operational crypto mining strategy, including oversight of the associated capital allocation strategies, effective budgeting and cost management, as well as compliance and risk management, which have driven organic growth, captured market share in Bitcoin mining and diversified and strengthened the Company's vertically integrated operations.
Director Since: 2022
Committees:
- Governance and Nominating (Chair)
- Environmental and Social Responsibility (Chair)
- Compensation
Professional Highlights:
- Tahoe Resources
(acquired by Pan American Silver in 2019), an international precious metals mining company – Executive Vice President Corporate Affairs and General Counsel (2010-2019) - Western Asbestos Settlement Trust
An asbestos bankruptcy trust – General Counsel (2004-2006) - Represent large multi-national corporations (Exxon, Shell Fibreboard, Mentor) in complex commercial litigation.
Current Public Company Boards:
- Osisko Gold Royalties (NYSE: OR) (since 2022)
- Nighthawk Gold (TSX: NHK) (since 2022)
- Prime Mining (TSX: PRYM) (since 2021)
Other Notable Board Memberships and Affiliations:
- STLLR Gold (TSX: STLR) – Independent Director, (2022-2024)
- International Bar Association – Co-Chair and Officer, Business Human Rights Committee (since 2012)
- Finalist, Canadiani General Counsel Award for ESG
- Best Mid-Cap Company, Sustainability, Ethics and Governance, Society of Corporate Secretaries (2015)
Education:
- B.A. in International Relations and Affairs, University of California, Los Angeles
- M.A. in International Peace Studies, University of Notre Dame
- J.D., University of San Francisco
Key Skills and Qualifications:
Ms. Hofmeister brings over 20 years of legal, corporate governance and sustainability expertise, with a strong track record of overseeing transformative growth at multinational companies. She contributes to the Board her extensive business strategy, due diligence and legal compliance expertise.
- Legal
Obtained extensive experience through a career in senior legal positions at public, private and non-profit organizations. Was the first employee at Tahoe Resources. In her General Counsel role at the start-up mining company, she led the IPO process, NYSE listing and the company's growth into a successful multinational mid-cap precious metals producer. During her tenure, she led debt financings, joint ventures, secondary share offerings, and several significant public-company acquisitions, Rio Alto (US$1 B.), Tahoe- Lakeshore Gold (US$1 B.), and Pan American Silver-Tahoe (US $1.1 B.). - Corporate Governance
Gained deep corporate governance experience advising large and small multi-national companies on legal and compliance matters. Ms. Hofmeister began her career as counsel at a law firm, successfully managing complex litigation matters. - Sustainability
Since 2006, Ms. Hofmeister has collaborated with rural and indigenous communities worldwide to promote human rights and sustainable development. Acquired substantial expertise leading the sustainability and governance affairs departments and as Co-Chair of the International Bar Association's Business Human Rights Committee, which focuses on advancing sustainability principles and rule of law within the legal community.
Director Since: 2024
Committees:
- Audit (Chair)
- Compensation
Professional Highlights:
- SOVIAGO
A European food production company – CFO (since 2021), Director of Administration and Finance (2020-2021) - MTI Conseils Inc.
An accounting and outsourced CFO services consulting firm – Founder (since 2021) - SATO Technologies
TSXV: SATO, formerly known as Canada Computational Unlimited, a digital infrastructure and bitcoin mining company – COO (2022-2024), VP Finance (2021), CFO (2020-2021) - Bois Montpetit S.E.N.C.R.L.
A public accounting firm – Associate Partner (2018-2020) - Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton
A financial services and tax advisory firm – roles in auditing (2010-2018)
Other Notable Board Memberships and Affiliations:
- Canadian Blockchain Consortium – Member of Mining Committee and President of Quebec Chapter (Since 2022)
Education:
- B.A., Institution des Chartreux, Lyon
- M.A., H.E.C Montreal
- B.B.A., H.E.C. Montreal
Key Skills and Qualifications:
Ms. Philip is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and recognized leader in digital assets and blockchain technology, and contributes to the Board her deep expertise in finance, public accounting, audit, and strategic mergers and acquisitions. Her extensive knowledge of the North American and European energy sectors, mining and AI provide valuable perspectives to the Board's oversight of the Company's expansion strategies.
- Industry Experience
Gained expertise across digital assets, cryptocurrency mining and AI technology through her experience serving in C-suite roles for a public digital asset mining company and her leadership position with Canada's blockchain industry consortium. Ms. Philip has worked extensively to educate a diverse range of stakeholders about the blockchain industry, advocating for policy adaptations to keep pace with evolving technology and enhancing awareness of the sector's complexities, especially in reporting and financial matters. - Finance and Capital Markets
Acquired deep expertise in capital markets, strategic capital allocation and financial reporting through her senior executive roles in finance, including her tenure as CFO of a digital asset mining company. In her current CFO role, Ms. Philip oversees financial strategy and reporting, playing an instrumental role in several significant acquisitions, providing valuable insights into growth strategies and capital markets. - Operational Experience
Gained valuable experience through her direct oversight of all operations as COO of a cryptocurrency mining company, managing North American energy contracts, supply chain, production and sales, which enables her to provide critical expertise to the Board in overseeing Bitfarms' operational strategy.