Vantage Futures Team
Matthew Handford
Executive Managing Director, Vantage Futures
As Chief People Officer of Vantage Group, Matthew (Matt) Handford leads all aspects of human capital strategy and talent management. He also serves as Executive Managing Director of Vantage Futures, the company’s corporate venture capital firm, where he drives strategic partnerships with innovators developing emerging technologies that are transforming transportation infrastructure.
An experienced leader with expertise in both private and public companies, Matt has pioneered people strategies at high-growth, culture-focused organizations, including executive roles at several prominent global technology, online retail, and transportation brands.
Matt has served as a Board Director for Mountain Equipment Company and the Vancouver International Film Festival, and currently serves on the Dean’s Advisory Board at Queen’s University, Kingston.
Peter Tong
Vice President, Vantage Futures
As Vice President, Corporate Finance & Strategy at Vantage Group, Peter Tong leads the financial management of corporate and network locations, overseeing financial planning and analysis, performance, and long-term valuation. He also serves as Vice President of Vantage Futures, the company’s corporate venture capital firm, where he invests in and partners with innovators addressing the transportation infrastructure sector’s most significant challenges.
With more than 20 years of aviation industry experience, Peter directs Vantage’s strategic planning and corporate development activities, including mergers and acquisitions and strategic initiatives to drive continued growth.
Peter joined Vantage in 2018 after a distinguished 15-year career at WestJet, where he held various senior leadership positions. During his tenure, he played an instrumental role in WestJet’s growth and evolution, leading strategic initiatives such as aircraft acquisitions—including the Boeing 787 Dreamliner program—and the expansion of the airline’s network across North America and the Caribbean.
Valentina Vargas
Manager, Vantage Futures
As Finance & Strategy Manager at Vantage Group, Valentina Vargas leads strategic planning and corporate development initiatives, focusing on mergers and acquisitions and debt and equity financing. She also serves as Manager of Vantage Futures, the company’s corporate venture capital firm, where she applies her expertise in deal screening, structuring, and due diligence to partner with innovators developing emerging technologies that are transforming transportation infrastructure.
Valentina joined Vantage in 2018 following four years at Grupo Argos, a leading infrastructure investment company in Latin America. During her tenure, she held several finance roles and played a key part in structuring and executing multi-million-dollar transactions across the United States, the Caribbean, and Latin America.
Valentina holds a master’s degree in business administration from ESADE Business & Law School in Barcelona.
