Job Description
As Vice President and Market Leader of the BMO Waterloo Private Wealth Office, I lead a team of dedicated professionals in the High-Net-worth space, who work with clients, their families, and their businesses to ensure all of their financial needs are met. This team includes Private Bankers, Investment Councillors, Investment Advisors and Trust Advisors.
This dedicated team of over 100 individuals ensure that our clients make decisions to meet their day-to-day and long-term financial planning needs. Our clients are guided through a personalized wealth management journey to provide tailored solutions to help them meet their money goals and bring their visions to life. This can include everything from wealth planning, investment management, private banking and trust and estate planning for both individuals and businesses.
Relevant School Subjects
- Business, Wealth Management Planning, Financial Planning, Investment Planning
Areas of Expertise
-Admin/Business -Investing/Insurance/Banking -Wealth Planning -Client Service -Leadership
Career Story
My first job was a paper route. In grade 9, I started working part-time and worked through high school. I worked at different retail jobs - Shoppers Drug Mart, grocery stores, Canadian Tire, Bingeman Park. In grade 13, I started working at the Canada Trust.
I attended WLU completing a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. While completing my Bachelor’s I took several business courses and was able to graduate a year later with a Business Administration Diploma. During university I worked part-time at Canada Trust and at Athletes World.
After I finished University, I started to look for a full-time job. My goal was to make money and buy a house. We put pressure on ourselves to do this. I tell my kids to travel, try different jobs, and see what the world is all about.
I interviewed with Manulife for an insurance role. It was 100% commission and full-time sales. I realized at 22 I did not care about insurance so how would I sell it to people. I had a couple of interviews in the Bank for Sales roles and ended up taking on a Bank Teller Manager role. I loved leading people and seeing them develop in their roles.
I have been at the bank now for over 30 years. During my tenure, I have had the opportunity to take on many roles, including being part of the transition team at a local level when TD bought Canada Trust. Many roles were lateral moves, but really rounded out my skill set. I have worked in retail branches, regional human resources, training and workshop facilitation, local area marketing, and in the wealth business.
Throughout my career I have had to continue my education for my Securities licensing and compliance. I also went back to school and completed my MBA at Laurier in 2004.
Eight years ago, after 24 years at Canada Trust and TD, I made the move to BMO Nesbitt Burns, and this has evolved to leading BMO Private Wealth in our local market. In my current role I lead a team of 100 individuals, covering geography from Simcoe to Collingwood. Our teams work with High Net clients and their families to ensure their current and future personal, family, estate and business needs. I am lucky to work with amazing professionals. I am lucky to have a career that I love. I have a career that gives me opportunity to work as a volunteer in the community and support various organizations and causes.
Volunteer work is so important to finding your own value. By volunteering you gain life skills, experience, meet many people and give back to the community. I currently volunteer at THEMUSEUM and with Women Funding Women.