WPC 5-Star Leading Women in Wealth 2021

SPECIAL REPORT

2021

LEADING WOMEN IN WEALTH Wealth Professional spotlights 50 women who tackled the turbulent climate of the wealth industry in 2021 – and really made their mark

CONTENTS

PAGE

Feature article ............................................................ 2 Methodology .............................................................. 3 5-Star Leading Women in Wealth ............................ 5 Profiles ........................................................................ 7

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5-STAR AWARDS: LEADING WOMEN IN WEALTH

RISING TO THE CHALLENGE THE LAST couple of years have been an unpredictable ride for everyone. While the phrase ‘unprecedented times’ might have grown a little wearisome, it’s one of those clichés that exists for a reason. The pandemic impacted every single industry, and the world of wealth management was no different.

It also proved to be a greater setback for women in the industry than men. A recent Accenture survey showed that 59% of women

“I’ve focused energies these past number of months on fostering strong relationships with my female peers and circles of influence” Nicole Deters, Gilman Deters Private Wealth

HOW THE PANDEMIC AFFECTED WOMEN IN WEALTH

29%

of women in financial services left their job either permanently or temporarily during the pandemic

59%

of women in senior wealth roles felt their careers were adversely affected by COVID-19

53%

of women in capital markets reported feeling disconnected from or forgotten by their employer

62%

of executives and senior managers in the financial services industry said they would be willing to give up some compensation in favour of additional flexibility

Source: Accenture/Institutional Investor

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in senior wealth roles felt their careers had been adversely affected, and 29% of women working in financial services said they had left their job either permanently or temporarily during the pandemic.

There’s never been a better moment, then, to put women back in the spotlight – and celebrate their invaluable contributions to Canada’s wealth management industry during 2021.

Adapt and thrive “The challenges [we faced in 2021] have been largely operational,” says Robyn K. Thompson, president of Castlemark Wealth Management.

“The inability to meet with clients and prospects and their families personally has been one of the biggest challenges for all advisors.”

The switch to remote work was a massive paradigm shift for many – particularly those women who were also juggling childcare and other personal responsibilities. Yet this year’s 5-Star Leading Women in Wealth don’t shirk from a challenge. “[Transitioning to remote work] hasn’t been

easy, but it did allow us to maintain those all-important channels of client communication,” Thompson says. “Castlemark’s investment in robust technological infrastructure paid dividends immediately.”

Using technology to adapt to the ‘new normal’ seems to be a challenge shared by all the winners. While many see it as a temporary stand-in for face-to-face business (“There are such great benefits to in-person meetings and the opportunity to build those personal connections,” says Darcie Crowe, SVP and portfolio manager at Canaccord Genuity Wealth Management), the remote revolution has also opened new doors for many women in the industry.

“I feel I’ve been very innovative in my creation of communication channels for clients and prospects,” says Nicole Deters, principal

and Worldsource Financial Management. “We have taken the time to listen to our clients and help them filter out all the noise and focus on what’s most important to them.”

That focus on clients – listening, learning and tailoring services toward their unique and evolving needs – has also helped the 5-Star Leading Women in Wealth deliver the goods over the past year.

“The year brought unexpected changes for many, and increased uncertainty amplified a desire for concrete financial and estate plans,” Crowe says. “Clients were looking for reassurance that they would be OK. Given that this is a critical component of our approach, we really saw firsthand how having those plans in place can be hugely valuable. Our focus on the full financial picture has been incredibly important in working with clients over the past year.”

“Resilience and the ability to adapt have been key to thriving during this period” Jacqueline Johnson, Coast Capital Wealth Management and Worldsource Financial Management and investment advisor at Gilman Deters Private Wealth at Harbourfront Wealth Management. “By embracing technology, I’ve secured more opportunities to be a financial educator, using social media platforms to broadcast webinars and live financial topic chatrooms and client events. These new service enhancements have allowed me to continue to raise the bar for client accommodations and ensure I’m staying relevant in my clients’ lives.”

A more tech-centric landscape was just one of many changes the 5-Star Leading Women in Wealth had to adapt to in 2021. In fact, adaptability in all its forms was the main ingredient in many of their success stories.

“I believe that resilience and the ability to adapt have been key to thriving during this period,” says Jacqueline Johnson, a financial planner at Coast Capital Wealth Management

METHODOLOGY Starting in September, WP invited wealth professionals from across the country to nominate their most exceptional female leaders for the 5-Star Leading Women in Wealth list. Nominees had to be working in a role that related to, interacted with or in some way impacted the financial services industry and have demonstrated a clear passion for financial services.

Nominators were asked to describe their nominee’s standout professional achievements over the past 12 months, along with their contributions to diversity and inclusion in the industry and how they’ve given back through volunteer roles and charity work.

Recommendations from managers and senior industry professionals were also taken into account.

The Wealth Professional team reviewed all nominations, examining how each individual had made a meaningful contribution to the industry, to narrow down the list to the final 50 women.

The appeal of advocacy While advocating for the needs of clients is critical, advocacy for the industry in general was also a common thread among this year’s winners. Whether it’s striving for gender equity or other forms of inclusion, the drive to make an impact has seen an inspiring boost over the past year.

“With my understanding and appreciation of the benefits of a more diverse and inclusive workplace environment, I’ve focused energies these past number of months on fostering strong relationships with my female peers and circles of influence,” Deters says.

This desire to make things better stretches far beyond the workplace, too. Deters adds that it’s important for women in wealth to use their influence to make a positive impact in their community or the world in general.

18% Percentage of 5-Star Leading Women in Wealth who are in the C suite

62% Percentage who are advisors or portfolio managers

20 Average number of years in the wealth management industry

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5-STAR AWARDS: LEADING WOMEN IN WEALTH

THE 5-STAR LEADING WOMEN IN WEALTH BY LOCATION

British Columbia

7

Alberta

7

Saskatchewan

1

Manitoba

4

Ontario

25

Quebec

5

New Brunswick

1

“We should have strategies in place for improving leadership opportunities for women” Darlene Hart-Wolstenholme, Edward Jones

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“Another measure of success that I feel is evident [this past year] is my exposure and impact within the non-profit sector within my community,” she says. “Recognizing that the traditional fundraising landscape for NPOs had changed, I introduced and assisted in the creation of legacy gifting programs for a number of local charitable organizations to ensure their societies’ sustainability into the future.”

It makes sense that, in what is still a male-dominated industry, women highly value the prospect of supporting other women in their careers.

“As a woman in real estate private equity, I had to stand tall and strong, shoulder to shoulder with my male counterparts,” says Ava Benesocky, CEO of CPI Capital. “Being the only woman on Zoom calls with property managers, asset managers, acquisition directors and other executives has not been an easy task. However, it is a challenge I welcomed.”

To rise to that challenge, many of the 5-Star Leading Women in Wealth keep mentorship, leadership and old-fashioned encouragement front of mind.

“When I started off in my career, I had strong female role models,” Johnson says.

“They were confident, passionate and caring individuals. If we can model anything for other women in their professional careers, it would be to support each other and to believe in the power of encouragement. Encouraging each other, we can accomplish so much more than we can alone.”

As for how the industry can keep encouraging women to thrive and restore the progress toward equity after such a trying time, Darlene Hart-Wolstenholme, a financial advisor at Edward Jones, has some thoughts.

“We should have strategies in place for improving leadership opportunities for women,” she says. “[We should also] embrace the development of peer groups for the women in the wealth industry [and] highlight veteran females who can serve as mentors for the next generation of younger females who are entering or wish to enter the wealth industry.”

LEADING WOMEN IN WEALTH ngel Georgijev A Financial Advisor/Owner Georgijev Financial Group

Mary Medeiros Chief Operating Officer Harvest Portfolios Group

Phone: 519-472-0055 Email: angel@georgijevfinancial.ca Website: georgijevfinancial.ca

Website: harvestetfs.com

ngela Oddo A Certified Financial Planner® at Sun Life Fiducia Financial Solutions Phone: 306-522-4898 Email: angela.oddo@sunlife.com Website: advisor.sunlife.ca/angela.oddo

Nadine Bernier Associate Wealth and Investment Advisor RBC Dominion Securities Phone: 819-829-5285 Email: nadine.bernier@rbc.com Website: equipeasselinbernier.com

atherine Dorazio C Managing Director, Business Development Connor, Clark & Lunn Private Capital

Nicole M. Deters Investment Advisor and Principal Harbourfront Wealth Management – Gilman Deters Private Wealth

Phone: 604-643-5829 Email: cdorazio@cclgroup.com Website: cclprivatecapital.com

Phone: 250-338-0726 Email: ndeters@harbourfrontwealth.com Website: gilmandetersprivatewealth.com

D anielle Skipp Managing Director, Ontario, and Chief Legal Officer Nicola Wealth

Robyn K. Thompson President Castlemark Wealth Management

Phone: 416-519-7222 Website: nicolawealth.com

Phone: 647-352-5735 Email: rthompson@castlemarkwealth.com Website: castlemarkwealth.com

J anice Bacon Associate Wealth Advisor CIBC Private Wealth

Tammy Cash Executive Vice-President, Head of Marketing Horizons ETFs

Phone: 519-823-4402 Email: janice.bacon@cibc.ca

Phone: 416-640-8249 Email: tcash@horizonsetfs.com Website: horizonsetfs.com

K athy McMillan Associate Portfolio Manager, Investment Advisor Richardson Wealth Phone: 403-355-6050 Email: kathy.mcmillan@richardsonwealth.com Website: kathymcmillan.ca

ya Kadi A Associate Investment Advisor 3Macs, a division of Raymond James hristine Fortin C Senior Wealth Advisor BMO Private Wealth

ndrea Casciato A Head of North American Digital Investing Sales and Service BMO Financial Group

arcie Crowe D Senior Vice-President and Portfolio Manager Canaccord Genuity Wealth Management

nne Wildfong A Senior Vice-President and Portfolio Manager Leon Frazer & Associates, an affiliate of CWB Wealth Management

arlene Hart-Wolstenholme D Financial Advisor Edward Jones

va Benesocky A CEO CPI Capital

ilys D’Cruz D Vice-President and Head of Wealth Management Meridian Credit Union

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5-STAR AWARDS: LEADING WOMEN IN WEALTH LEADING WOMEN IN WEALTH Emily Newman EVP, Sales Wealhouse Capital Management

Laurie Bonten Founder, Senior Vice-President and Senior Investment Advisor Enhanced Wealth Management – Wellington-Altus Private Wealth

Gloria Malek Investment Advisor TD Wealth Private Investment Advice

Letitia Fluit Wealth Advisor IPC Securities Corp.

Ida Khajadourian Director of Wealth Management, Portfolio Manager and Investment Advisor Richardson Wealth

Linnea McKercher VP, Portfolio Manager CWB Wealth Management

I ngrid Denda Financial Advisor Assante Capital Management acqueline Johnson J Financial Planner Coast Capital Wealth Management and Worldsource Financial Management Jade E. Sheiner Investment Advisor Manulife Securities Inc. Jane Cheong Senior Vice-President and Financial Planner T.E. Wealth, an affiliate of CWB Wealth Management Jessica Keus Investment Advisor Enhanced Wealth Management – Wellington-Altus Private Wealth Joelle Ritter Vice-President, Wealth Management Client Solutions CWB Wealth Management Julie Shipley-Strickland Senior Investment Advisor/Senior Insurance Advisor Julie Shipley-Strickland Wealth & Risk Management/ Bergh Tatomir & Associates – Wellington-Altus Private Wealth

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Lisa Lake Langley CEO, President and Founder Emerge Canada Loretta Carbonelli Chief Compliance Officer CWB Wealth Management Lori Weir CEO Four Eyes Financial Lumi Mironescu Investment Advisor Investia Financial Services Maria Flores Chief Compliance Officer Carte Wealth Management Maria Ioannou President and Chief Financial Officer Rothenberg Capital Management Michelle Connolly Senior Vice-President, Advanced Wealth Planning Wellington-Altus Private Wealth Sarah Jones Senior Investment Advisor, Partner Rosedale Family Office – Wellington-Altus Private Wealth

Kacie Linn President Sound Life Solutions

Stephanie Hickmott Vice-President, Portfolio Manager Leith Wheeler

Kareen Stangherlin Founding Partner and CEO Zelos Capital

Stephanie Vincec Financial Advisor Keybase Financial

Karin Yorfido General Manager, Global Technology & Operations Broadridge Financial Solutions

aayla Mark T Financial Planner Engrace Financial Solutions

Kelly Demo Executive Vice-President and Senior Wealth Advisor West Oak Family Office – Wellington-Altus Private Wealth

anya Rowntree T Global Head of Client Success, Capital Formation TMX Group

Kristin Ramlal Securities Specialist Canada Life

ina Tehranchian T Senior Wealth Advisor Assante Capital Management

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DANIELLE SKIPP Managing Director, Ontario, and Chief Legal Officer Nicola Wealth

“I

was the beneficiary of female mentorship in the early stages of my career, and I continue to lean on a few special women in my life for guidance and support,” says Danielle Skipp, managing director for Ontario and chief legal officer at Nicola Wealth. “I make time to give this support to others. Wealth management is a fabulous industry for women, and those of us who exist in leadership roles can empower young and mid-career women by sharing our stories.”

There are few people better positioned to offer such guidance than Skipp. Her 25-year career in financial services includes roles at the Canadian Banking Association, CIBC and UBS, among others. Skipp is an advocate for industry associations, notably 100 Women in Finance, a global organization committed to empowering women in the finance industry, where she recently served as the Toronto chapter chair for two years and remains actively involved. She is also a participant in Women in Capital

Markets and a former co-chair of the Managers Only Committee for the Alternative Investment Management Association of Canada. In 2018, she joined the board of directors of Ridge Canada Cyber Solutions, which provides cyber insurance products, consulting and loss control services to insurance agents and brokers, and in 2020, she joined the University of Toronto Governing Council.

This wealth of experience didn’t make the past year less of a challenge, however. Skipp navigated both the pandemic and a new role at Nicola Wealth with aplomb, ensuring her rightful place on WP’s 5-Star Leading Women in Wealth list.

“This past year was the first full year for me at Nicola Wealth as a member of our senior leadership team,” she says. “As a ‘newbie,’ I focused on building strong relationships, listening and learning, and stepping into opportunities where I could roll up my sleeves on day-to-day work to support my colleagues. It is not a cliché to say that it is important to be a strong team player. In my

view, it is everything.”

While remote work has been an obstacle for many, it’s something that presented both Skipp and Nicola Wealth with an abundance of opportunities during 2021.

“Remote work was not a roadblock,” Skipp says. “In the past 18 months at Nicola Wealth, we have onboarded something like 120 new employees across our Vancouver and Toronto offices, [which is] something we will look back upon as truly remarkable.

And remote work has been helpful as a working mom. Flexibility at work has been very important for me, giving me the opportunity to pursue my career, raise my children and enjoy a social life.”

Overall, Skipp concludes, it’s not just the recognition of being on the 5-Star Leading Women in Wealth list that matters – although that is “gratifying” – but “the opportunity to share some of my career path story to inspire both women and men who are considering career opportunities in the wealth management industry.”

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5-STAR AWARDS: LEADING WOMEN IN WEALTH

CATHERINE DORAZIO

President

Connor, Clark & Lunn Private Capital

Castlemark Wealth Management

C

“W

atherine Dorazio credits Connor, Clark & Lunn Private Capital for recognizing and nurturing her talent. Now, as managing director, responsible for business development, sales recruitment and branding, Dorazio is paying it forward. “You have to hire great, talented people, but you need a broad enough group of them to identify with clients,” she says. “Our work is largely built on trust and communication – people are going to gravitate to individuals more like them, which speaks to needing diversity in our team when you have a diverse client base.”

Dorazio is a member of the three-person leadership team that sets the strategic direction for CC&L Private Capital, one of the largest independent and privately held discretionary investment counsellors in Canada, managing over $13 billion in client assets.

That leadership team was a finalist for EY Pacific Entrepreneur of the Year in 2017 in the Investment Services category, and Dorazio herself has received numerous honours, including a Five Star Wealth Manager Award and being named to Business in Vancouver’s Forty Under 40 and BCBusiness’ Most Influential Women in Finance lists.

Both personally and professionally, Dorazio is determined to provide opportunities for others and support talent development through mentorship and seeking to understand what helps people thrive. “I’m making sure I can play that role for a diverse group of people, who are deserving of advancement in their career and may just not have the right cheerleader.”

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ROBYN K. THOMPSON

Managing Director, Business Development

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hether professionals, business owners or executives, our clients are ready for the next stage in bespoke wealth management services,” says Robyn Thompson, founder and wealth management advisor at Castlemark Wealth Management. “Whatever the goal – wealth accumulation and management or retirement, estate, and decumulation planning – Castlemark has the vision and expertise to tailor a plan for you.”

With a decade in the financial services and wealth management sector, Thompson holds CFP and CIM designations and is a member of the FP Canada Standards Council and a Fellow of the Canadian Securities Institute (FCSI), the highest honour and most senior credential in Canadian financial services. Additionally, Thompson uses her expertise to promote financial literacy, especially for young people through her association with Junior Achievement. She also appears regularly as a financial expert in many media channels, including BNN Bloomberg and The Globe and Mail.

In addition to serving high-net-worth families and individuals, Castlemark specializes in helping women develop and maintain a financial plan that considers their specific challenges. “Castlemark has developed a customized wealth management plan that fits women’s needs specifically,” Thompson says. “We can also expand to fit client needs for investment management; tax and estate planning; and pension, retirement and insurance planning – all designed by and for women.”

JANICE BACON Associate Wealth Advisor CIBC Private Wealth

J

anice Bacon’s first job in the wealth management industry was in an administrative capacity. Thanks to the encouragement of her business partner, Christopher Bedard, and her own self-belief, Bacon worked her way into becoming an associate wealth advisor at CIBC Private Wealth. “When I first started in the business years ago, it was really just about investment,” she says. “Now it’s really about holistic wealth management, which suits me better.”

Having begun her career in 2000, Bacon is a fully licensed advisor for both the financial and insurance sides of the business. She attributes her success to her approach, likening meeting new clients to building a friendship. “Starting a new friendship with somebody, you have to prove yourself in the beginning – you have to follow up with them, you have to keep in touch, you have to be accountable, and you have to be able to help them when it’s needed,” she says.

Bacon currently sits on the board of directors for Guelph General Hospital and is president of the Kiwanis Club of Guelph. She has also served on the board of directors for St. Joseph’s Health Foundation and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Guelph. Her commitment to the community earned her a spot among Guelph’s Top 40 Under 40 in 2011.

“I believe that because I live here, it’s really important to me to give back,” she says.

ANGEL GEORGIJEV Financial Advisor/Owner Georgijev Financial Group

F

or Angel Georgijev, it all starts with the client’s needs and wants – not only today, but into the future. “There is nothing more rewarding than helping clients succeed,” says Georgijev, a Certified Financial Planner and wealth advisor. “From buying their first home to getting married and having kids, to building a business and wealth through to retirement and beyond, I’m here to help steer them through life’s financial challenges.”

After her father and mentor, Walter V. Georgijev, established Georgijev Financial Group in 1994, Georgijev joined the firm in 2002 and took over leadership in 2021.

“He instilled the importance of always doing what’s right for the client, and that’s something I keep top of mind every day,” she says.

With a focus on investment, insurance, and financial and estate planning, Georgijev helps business owners, professionals and families create wealth with a dual focus on protecting it. She is also involved in her community, volunteering for Ronald McDonald House Charities Southwestern Ontario.

What advice does Georgijev have for those entering the wealth management industry?

“Having a mentor is one of the most valuable resources you can have, especially early in your career,” she says. “This business can be lonely at times, so building a network of like-minded advisors is helpful as well.”

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5-STAR AWARDS: LEADING WOMEN IN WEALTH

KATHY MCMILLAN Associate Portfolio Manager, Investment Advisor Richardson Wealth

“C

uriosity and a love of people” is what Kathy McMillan credits for the success of her more than 30-year career in wealth management.

Kathy has built a holistic wealth management practice that puts clients and their needs first.

At the core is Kathy’s ability to build and cultivate meaningful relationships.

“What I really do is connect with people.

We discuss their dreams and what keeps them awake at night and then combine all of life’s puzzle pieces – children, partners, job situations, health – into a meaningful full-life plan that helps them achieve their aspirations. I help my clients understand their relationship with money, and how it changes them and the lives of those around them.”

Kathy and her team, McMillan Wealth Solutions at Richardson Wealth, believe in finding the true significance behind clients’ wealth.

“When we dig deep in conversations with our clients, we often learn there is much more beneath the surface than what someone will initially share,” she says. “We

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don’t start with running numbers – instead we ask about the meaning of the money, and what a person wants to achieve with it. We believe the most joy is created when the whole person is taken into consideration.”

A partnership with Richardson Wealth Several years into her career, Kathy realized that to provide her clients with the best wealth plans possible, she needed access to the most sophisticated planning and modelling tools in the industry. Aligning McMillan Wealth Solutions with Richardson Wealth has allowed Kathy and her team to select from a vast array of investments, rather than a limited shelf of ‘approved products,’ enabling her to provide her clients with truly unbiased advice.

As a female in a largely male-dominated industry, Kathy is also passionate about inspiring and mentoring more women to pursue a career in financial services – a goal shared by Richardson Wealth.

“The percentage of women in brokerage firms is 12%; at Richardson Wealth we’re at 16% and growing,” she says. “The firm is committed to hiring, mentoring and empow-

ering women – yet another way in which the firm’s interests align with our own values.”

Cultivating relationships For nearly three decades, Kathy and the McMillan Wealth Solutions team have taken an intergenerational approach to wealth management, with loyal client relationships spanning third and even fourth generations.

Kathy is quick to give credit to her strong team of associates.

“I couldn’t do what I do without the support of my talented team of financial professionals, who are all fully committed to helping our clients meet their financial goals. I truly believe that collectively we are stronger.”

Backed by her team, Kathy can focus on what she does best: listen, ask questions and create meaningful wealth plans for her clients and their families.

“At the heart, our practice is about cultivating relationships with our clients, and understanding the meaning behind their money. From the head to the heart, it’s all about how money can change people’s lives.”

MARY MEDEIROS Chief Operating Officer Harvest Portfolios Group

M

ary Medeiros has always known the importance of perseverance, patience and planning. “My job is to turn ideas and strategies into business realities,” says Medeiros, chief operating officer and a director of Harvest Portfolios Group. “A large part of my role is to set expectations, track results and manage the shortfalls, if any. In any type of business, a lucrative recipe is to be adaptable and aware of risks.”

Medeiros began her career in 1989, working with a top advisor and helping grow a book from $8 million to more than $100 million. Twelve years ago, she and CEO Michael Kovacs founded Harvest, which was among the first firms to launch ETFs in Canada and is now among the top 20 ETF providers in the country with assets under management in excess of $1.9 billion. Harvest was also named a 5-Star Asset Manager by Wealth Professional in 2021.

Medeiros has more than 27 years of experience in the industry; before co-founding Harvest, she managed national administration and sales systems for a Canadian mutual fund company and branch operations for an investment dealer. Of her success and longevity, she says, “You need to believe that you can help clients reach their investment goals by managing their money, with guiding principles that will be the foundation of your business. If you want to be in this business, you need to understand what really motivates you.”

NICOLE M. DETERS Investment Advisor and Principal Gilman Deters Private Wealth – Harbourfront Wealth Management

W

ith more than 28 years of experience as a financial advisor, Nicole Deters has the highest standards for client care and offers a holistic approach to wealth management. Embodying the values of hard work, honesty and professionalism, Deters attributes her success throughout the COVID-19 pandemic to her ability to pivot and willingness to embrace technology. “That has allowed me to maintain my client relationships and business dealings without interruption,” she says.

Deters began her career in 1992 as an executive assistant to a senior wealth manager for the first independent mutual fund distributor in Canada. In 1998, she completed the Canadian Securities Course and earned a Professional Financial Planning designation through the Canadian Securities Institute in 2003. In 2005, she established an income tax preparation company, Valley Tax Services, that is exclusive to wealth clients.

She has been nominated multiple times for Female Trailblazer of the Year at the Wealth Professional Awards and was recently featured in The Top 100 Magazine. Deters also supports several charities, including the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation and the Canadian Cancer Society.

When asked how the wealth management industry can empower and support more women in their careers, Deters says, “The simple act of sharing of successes, experiences and challenges can propel others to greater heights.”

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5-STAR AWARDS: LEADING WOMEN IN WEALTH

NADINE BERNIER

Executive Vice-President, Head of Marketing

RBC Dominion Securities

Horizons ETFs

“I

am privileged to be on the other side of the table from my clients and to have the opportunity to work with them to achieve their financial goals,” says Nadine Bernier, a wealth advisor specializing in responsible investments on the AsselinBernier Team at RBC Dominion Securities.

Bernier became one of the first RBC associates in Canada to earn the Responsible Investment Specialist (RIS) designation from the Responsible Investment Association, and she ensured other members of her team also got this credential. “The main point is to take the time with the client to understand their needs – not only the financial part of their life, but to understand the whole picture of who they are and what they want to do,” she says.

Bernier also created Finances au Féminin, which offers conferences and free videos to give women practical financial tools.

Additionally, she co-founded Académie du Trésor to make financial literacy accessible to more than 30 schools in Quebec, New Brunswick and Nunavut, and she is heavily involved in the charity Project Québec-Afrique. Among other initiatives, she has built solid connections with Rwandese organizations and helped raise $700,000 for local projects.

“We are very lucky to be in an industry that allows us to live very well,” Bernier says. “You have to give back to others who are less privileged.”

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TAMMY CASH

Associate Wealth and Investment Advisor

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D

uring her nine-year tenure at Horizons ETFs, Tammy Cash’s top priority has been client experience strategies.

“Today, it’s customers who have the power, not the product manufacturers,” says Cash, Horizons’ executive vice-president and head of marketing. “At Horizons, we’ve always believed in product innovation through bringing new and innovative solutions to the market that every investor can access.”

With more than 25 years of financial services experience, Cash is also head of the Marketing and PR Committee at the Canadian ETF Association and co-head of Women in ETFs Canada. Founded in 2014, Women in ETFs encourages and supports women in the ETF industry in the US, Canada, Europe and Asia-Pacific. “We have had an incalculable impact on the women and men working in financial services in Canada and across the globe,” Cash says.

In 2020, Cash was named ETF Champion of the Year at the Wealth Professional Awards; in 2018, her marketing team at Horizons ETFs won Marketing and Communications Team of the Year at WP’s Women in Wealth Management Awards.

Of Horizons’ success, Cash says, “We remain competitive and grow our position as the fourth largest provider of ETFs in Canada.

We do this by bringing new and innovative investment solutions with the potential to empower investors of all skill levels to execute strategies that meet their investment goals.”

ANGELA ODDO Certified Financial Planner® at Sun Life Fiducia Financial Solutions

G

rowing up, Angela Oddo watched her mother learn English in a new country, navigate a divorce and open a daycare to support her family, working from sunup to sundown.

The work ethic she imparted has never left Oddo, who says, “I also learned never to depend on someone else for money.” Now a Certified Financial Planner® at Sun Life, Oddo is helping her clients reach financial independence.

Thanks to her mother’s motivation, Oddo worked three jobs in Grade 12 and put herself through university to get her start in the financial industry. After successfully switching careers to aviation, she circled back to financial services and is now celebrating her sixth anniversary with Fiducia Financial Solutions. She says she has found success with her clients through education and empowerment.

“Empowerment through education leads to success,” Oddo explains. “To this day, I continue to educate myself because it just helps you to grow as a person, a friend, a mother, an advisor.

There is so much you can learn, and I carry that forward, that philosophy, with my clients and educate them. I want to know what their goals and objectives are; I want to understand where they’re at right now and then help them build the pathway to their financial success.”

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