Raymond D. Harari – Get to know our VAB member
We would like to introduce our member Raymond D. Harari, who joined the VAB community from Panama City, Panama. He is an investor, advisor, entrepreneur and venture builder with a passion for innovation and for supporting teams that want to create value and build new, long-term sustainable projects. Ray is founder and managing director of Canalis Capital, a strategic and innovative merchant bank focused on building, advising, scaling and listing pioneering companies in high growth industries. He concurrently works as a director and/or officer of other ventures: including Argentina Metals Corp., Harmony Acquisitions Corp., Electryon Power Inc., Buzz 2 Capital Corp. and PetroOro Resources Corp. He has always believed that as a leader you can operate low-key and deliver high-impact at the same time: not necessarily being the loudest person in the room, but the guy that people call when something complex needs to get done; especially across borders, across cultures or in situations where trust is everything. Ray cares deeply about reputation, he takes competition seriously, and he believes in winning the right way — with accountability, loyalty and no hidden agendas. If that resonates, Ray would be glad to connect.
What inspired you to become a member of the Virtual Advisory Board community?
I was drawn to the VAB community by the opportunity to connect with other driven, thoughtful leaders who are navigating growth and complexity in their own unique ways. As someone who spends a lot of time building companies, structuring deals and thinking several steps ahead, I value environments where I can take a step back, exchange ideas with peers and get challenged on my blind spots. VAB felt like a place where conversations go beyond surface-level networking — and into the kind of dialogue that sharpens both character and strategy.
In what area do you feel board advisors can add the most value for Boards of Directors (BoDs) and executive teams?
The real value comes from perspective. Great board advisors help leadership step back, see the bigger picture and ask the hard questions others might avoid. It’s not about having all the answers — it’s about challenging assumptions, detecting fallacies and helping teams stay aligned as they grow. For fast-paced or founder-driven companies, that outside voice can be the difference between chasing shiny objects and building something sustainable.
What would be your dream company/organisation to work with as a board advisor/NED?
I’m drawn to companies operating at the intersection of natural resources, technology and geopolitics; especially, those building long-term value in complex environments. The dream isn’t necessarily a specific name, but a team with conviction, a bold vision and a willingness to tackle tough problems: whether that’s decarbonising supply chains, unlocking critical minerals or scaling frontier technologies. In an advisory board or NED role, I’d want to bring value where strategy, capital and execution all need to align under pressure.
What book or podcast would you recommend to VAB members that might improve their skills in corporate governance, board advisory or boosting board-to-executive team communications?
I will go a bit old school and put forward How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie. It’s a classic, but the fundamentals haven’t changed. Whether you’re in a boardroom, advising a founder or trying to shift culture, influence often comes down to how well you listen, how clearly you communicate and whether people trust your intent. This book is a masterclass in relational capital; something every advisor or director should know how to build.
