Joanne
Abram commenced with the Alberta Insurance Council (AIC)
in 1989 when the AIC began operations. As a crown controlled
agency the AIC is the body responsible by delegation
for the licensing and regulation of insurance intermediaries
in Alberta. Joanne became General Manager (later changed
to C.E.O.) in December 1993. As C.E.O. she is responsible
for a staff of 20 employees located in offices in both
Edmonton and Calgary, dealing with all aspects of licensing
and regulatory compliance for insurance intermediaries
as well as investigations into complaints relating to
insurance company activities. Joanne is responsible
for governance – related strategy/policy setting,
communications and business planning. She served as
Chair of the Market Conduct Subcommittee dealing with
the revision of the Alberta Insurance Act. She is past
Chair of the Canadian Insurance Services Regulatory
Organizations (CISRO), an organization of regulatory
authorities for insurance distributors across Canada,
and Chair of the Life Agent Education Committee of CISRO
(responsible for development of the Life License Qualification
Program).
Kristan
K. Birchard, BA, CFP, CLU, CH.F.C., TEP
Ottawa Vice-Chair
Kris
has been a member of the Association for over thirty
years. During this time he has served on the Chapter
Executive in Ottawa, as well as the national Board of
Directors, and is currently a Vice-Chair, and has served
as Chair of the CLU Institute. He is a Charter Member
of the Conference for Advanced Life Underwriting (“CALU”)
and a Century Initiative member. Kris served six years
as an Advocis representative on the Board of the Financial
Planners Standards Council.
Kris’
practice focuses on advising small business owners and
professional practices on succession, and estate planning
issues.
Kris
is involved within his community having served on the
Boards of several charitable and community organizations.
Kris can be contacted via email at kris@eagleinsurance.ca.
Bill
Black has lived all of his 57 years in Halifax. He has
been a leading member of the community combining a successful
business career with strong commitment to community
service and to his family.
He
graduated from Dalhousie University (B.A., B.Sc. 1970)
and completed his actuarial training (FSA, FCIA) in
1974. He worked with Maritime Life for 34 years, rising
to the office of President and CEO in 1995. In his nine
years as President, the Company grew organically and
through four successful acquisitions. By 2004 the company
had 3,000 employees and $15 billion in assets under
management. Under Bill’s leadership, Maritime
Life had a strong commitment to both customers and employees.
It gained a strong reputation for employee relations
– appearing every year among the leaders in the
Report on Business list of top 50 employers in Canada.
At the same time profitability was consistently excellent.
Bill’s
contributions to the business community led to his being
appointed Chairman of the Halifax Chamber of Commerce
in 1995. More recently, he chaired a summit on the future
of economic development in Halifax in which the team
he led articulated a bold vision for the city.
Bill’s
roots go well beyond those of the business community.
Bill served a total of nine years on the board of the
IWK Health Center – including two years as Chairman.
He served for five years on the Canada Pension Plan
Advisory Board. He currently sits on the boards of Symphony
Nova Scotia, The Canadian Center for Ethics in Public
Affairs, and Dalhousie University.
As
well he sits on the Board of The Shaw Group, a Halifax
based resource and property development company, the
Bank of Canada, Nova Scotia Business Inc, and Standard
Life of Canada. He also leads an executive leadership
seminar for CEO’s and senior executives four times
a year.
He
and Lorraine have been married for 30 years and have
three children.
Leslie
Cole, B. Sc., Adult Ed.
Partner
Insights Calgary
Leslie
is a Partner in Insights Learning and Development, Calgary.
Insights is a global organization with offices in 26
countries. They focus on providing solutions to transform
individuals and igniting corporate spirit.
Leslie
is an experienced and skilful facilitator. She has
worked with numerous organizations to enhance their
performance. She does this by designing , developing
and implementing customized processes and programs
that are practical and sustainable.
Leslie
is passionate about people and their potential and
brings high energy and enthusiasm to all of her projects.
Leslie
has had diverse careers that include; corporate positions
of; manager of People Development at Credit Union
Central of Alberta, Human Resource team member at
PanCanadian (Encana) and CareWest. She has also held
positions in the Faculty of Nursing and Continuing
Education at University of Calgary.
A
native Calgarian, she continues to live in Calgary
with her husband and two daughters enjoying a multitude
of outdoor activities together.
Kevin
Cork is a Certified Financial Planner who has built
a successful business, a national profile, and a unique
brand via the Internet. An advisor with FundEx Investments
Inc., Kevin, with 10 years industry experience, has
integrated the Internet and related technology into
every facet of his practice.
He
has spoken to national firms such as Sun Life and Yorkton
Securities, associations like the CAFP and IFIC and
been a guest lecturer at Mount Royal College in Calgary.
He has appeared on local and national television and
radio and been interviewed by several industry publications
such as Global Strategems, the Investment Executive
and the US' Registered Representative. He has also been
quoted on various websites, in magazines and in both
the Globe and Mail and the National Post with regards
to investment and financial planning issues.
In
addition to his weekly "Corkboard" articles
at the popular FundLibrary.com website, Kevin has his
own column in the All Canadian Mutual Fund Guide magazine
and CAIFA's Forum magazine as well as a monthly feature
"Net Results" with the advisor-only website:
f/A Connect. He also writes regularly for the Electronic
RR in the Registered Representative magazine out of
the States and has a column in the Calgary Herald's
e-business. He has written for Trimark's "e-Connect";
a bi-weekly email newsletter for advisors and hosts
financial forums for both America Online and Bell Sympatico.
His website has been featured by MSN, The Globe &
Mail, the National Post and several international financial
institutions.
Wayne
Cotton is an advisor growth expert who has the credibility
to go along with his advice. He was a member of the
Million Dollar Round Table, Court of the Table or Top
of the Table for 21 of his 28 years as a financial advisor.
Wayne
has given over 1,000 industry talks and workshops covering
Canada, the USA and 16 countries worldwide. He has given
two main platform presentations at Million Dollar Round
Table annual meetings.
This
man is known for his uncommon common sense. He has helped
thousands of financial advisors succeed through the
use of his proven principles, processes and systems.
He has a track record of developing first and second
year MDRT members.
Wayne
heads Cotton Systems Ltd, an organization that develops
client acquisition systems for financial advisors, but
also recruiting, selection and retention systems for
field leaders and mentors.
Presentation
Outline
Principles
of Growth
The biggest reason for failure of new advisors and mediocrity
amongst so many who survive is he “Monkey Jungle”
of our created by our industry. Your chances for success
are severely choked by most of the industry accepted
methods of getting new people off the ground.
Wayne
will show you the "paved pathway" out of the
Monkey Jungle. He will define the five essential Principles
of Growth that are necessary for you to achieve consistently
higher levels of growth. They apply to new, developing,
and established advisors who want to achieve extraordinary
results through mature simplicity.
Wayne
will outline the core principles that he uses to help
new advisors achieve MDRT by year two, Court of the
Table by year five and Top of the Table by year ten.
Attendees will receive follow-up information from Wayne.
Right
New Clients
Building a clientele is your number one priority. Wayne
will discuss the Competency Ladder and the value of
choosing to be a strategist, not an opportunist when
acquiring new clients.
To
develop success quickly, you must focus your energy
on prospective clients that fit the ideal profile where
you have competence, confidence and can get consistency
in results.
Marketing
is the combination of everything you do to establish
an adequate and consistent flow of new prospective clients
that fit your Best Case Scenario.
If
you are great at marketing you prosper. If you are lousy,
you suffer. Marketing is the key to business success.
Wayne
will discuss the two major types of marketing and will
focus on Precision Marketing as the ideal approach to
building a great clientele.
Client
Acquisition Process
Process converts chaos to clarity. You must turn problems
into processes to leverage your performance capability.
By mastering process, you can accomplish far more than
you thought possible.
You
don't need six or eight different ways to accomplish
each task. You need one that works! Wayne calls that
one the Model Method.
There
are ten major steps in the sales process. Five relate
to client acquisition and five to client development.
Wayne
will focus on the five step process for client acquisition.
Mastery of this process allows you to find and select
the right new clients every time...not every fifth time.
Wayne
will demonstrate at least two of the five steps. This
is where you discover that "the system is the solution".
Isabelle
Dailly, BA, FLMI, FALU
Regional Underwriting Consultant
Manulife
Isabelle
has direct experience in all lines of life and living
benefits underwriting, as well as management. Her career
began 20 years ago with a Calgary insurance company.
She went on to manage the Canadian and US underwriting
operations and the western regional underwriting office
for two major insurance providers.
Isabelle
then worked as Business Development Manager in Western
Canada for a major national insurance carrier, bringing
her underwriting expertise to the field in a marketing
role. She began her career with Manulife in November
2004.
Isabelle
is a popular speaker at industry events such as Advocis
meetings and professional development schools in Western
Canada. She is also active in the underwriting profession,
having served on several committees including the Institute
of Home Office Underwriters (IHOU), Association of Home
Office Underwriters (AHOU) and currently serving on
the Education Committee of the Academy of Life Underwriters
(ALU).
Isabelle
is the Regional Underwriting Consultant for the Western
Canada Region. She provides point-of-sale underwriting
support on large case submissions, underwriting training
and is a readily available resource for information
on underwriting issues.
Duncan
Emslie
Sales and Service Operations -
Western Canada
Empire Life
Duncan
has more than 32 years of experience in the areas of
Group Life, Group Health, Group Pension and Special
Risk. Duncan has been with Empire Life since 1998 and
is currently responsible for the sales and service operations
in Western Canada. His previous roles in the Group Insurance
industry have included Regional Group Sales Manager,
National Sales Director and Vice-President of Group
Sales. He has also chaired and participated in several
industry groups including the Group Marketing section
of the CLHIA and the LIMRA Group Education committee.
A
graduate of the University of Manitoba with a BA and
MBA, Duncan and his wife Elaine now live on the coast
of British Columbia in sunny Tsawwassen. Their five
children and four grandchildren keep them busy and young
at heart.
Betty’s
background as a grief counselor, having worked for nearly
two decades with terminally ill people in a hospice
environment, led in large part to her commitment to
health and fitness. The mental strain of building long
term relationships with short term people directed her
to other means of “decompressing” and she
became affectionately known as a “fitness guru.”
She
works as a personal coach, trainer, and fitness consultant,
while maintaining a small and exclusive counseling practice.
As a speaker Betty has addressed groups large and small,
from national associations to corporations to church
groups from Newfoundland to British Columbia. She conducts
workshops and symposiums and has done so at such diverse
locations as the University of Waterloo in Ontario,
and the Banff Centre for Continuing Education in Alberta.
She
is also the principal in Adrena-Line, a manufacturing
and distribution company of exclusive fitness products.
Betty
lives with her husband Rick in White Rock, B.C. They
have one daughter and two grandchildren.
Rick
Forchuk, MBA, CFP, CLU, CH.F.C.
Associate Vice-President, Individual
Distribution
Empire Life
Rick
entered the life insurance business as a producer in
1971. He qualified for the Million Dollar Round Table
four times before entering management on a full-time
basis, and consistently produced more than 100 life
applications each year.
He
has been involved in a number of management capacities,
including Training Manager, Sales Manager, Branch Manager,
and Head Office National Director of Agent and Management
Training. In his current role, he is responsible for
the Empire Life’s individual distribution in Canada.
Rick
is the past National President of the Manager’s
Association of Financial Advisors of Canada (now GAMA),
and is past president of the Vancouver chapter. He has
been a member of Advocis executives in Vancouver, Edmonton,
and in Waterloo, Ontario.
A
frequent presenter and faculty member at Advocis Schools
and Congresses from coast-to-coast in Canada, Rick has
also spoken at several NAIFA meetings throughout the
United States.
He
has a BA in Media and Mass Communications, having come
out of the daily newspaper and radio business, and he
continues this involvement as a movie and media critic
on radio stations across the Corus Radio Network from
BC to Quebec. He also holds an MBA with a major in Strategic
Management.
Rick
has been married to Betty, a grief counsellor and fitness
consultant, since 1967. They have one daughter, and
two grandchildren.
Mary-Ellen
Gaskin, C.A., CFP, TEP
Directory, Tax & Estate Planning
Group
Great West Life and London Life
Mary-Ellen
has been in the Tax & Estate Planning Group with
Great West Life and London Life in London, Ontario for
over 12 years. As director of the Tax & Estate Planning
Group, Mary-Ellen concentrates on providing technical
support to the Tax & Estate Planning consultants
located across the country.
Prior
to this role, Mary-Ellen was a tax manager with Deloitte
& Touche, where her practice centred on Canadian
tax planning and compliance for individuals, corporations
and estates.
Mary-Ellen
obtained her Chartered Accountant Designation in 1986,
completed the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants
In-Depth Tax Course in 1990, obtained her Certified
Financial Planner designation in 1997, her Trust and
Estate Practioners’ designation in 2000 and completed
the Canadian Securities course in 2001.
Mary-Ellen
is a member of the Canadian Tax Foundation,
the Canadian Institute of Canadian Chartered Accountants,
the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ontario,
the Financial Planners Standard Council of Canada,
and the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners.
Melanie
Jeannotte
Senior Advisor
Vital Benefits Inc.
Melanie
Jeannotte has dedicated her career to helping corporations
and professionals meet their benefit needs. With her
partner, Laura Barkley, she leads an established team
of benefit specialists at Vital Benefits Inc.
Melanie
works with a diverse client base bringing experience
from her tenure at Maritime Life and Manulife Financial
to provide customized professional and employee benefit
programs. As an associate at Hamilton + Partners, Melanie
worked with human resource teams in both small and large
organizations to help them create tailored benefit packages
in an extremely competitive resource marketplace.
She
is a regular speaker and author on benefit trends and
business practices throughout Canada, sharing her experience
and commitment to managing healthcare risks. Melanie
is active in the business community as a committee member
for the Human Resources Association of Calgary, Friends
of SAIT, and a volunteer and mentor with the Boys &
Girls Club of Canada.
Vital
Benefits Inc. specializes in implementing innovative,
customer-driven benefit solutions for corporations,
independent professionals and individuals.
Like
the final piece of a puzzle, we provide the solution
to a “wholistic” financial picture.
Because
of the personal nature of benefits, it is an extremely
collaborative process. That is why the team at Vital
Benefits takes a very hands-on approach to client service,
and always strives to present a wide range of services
options together with sound professional advice.
William
R. Keech
Actuaries and Retirement Plan
Specialists
IPP Consulting Ltd.
Bill
spent over 25 years in the actuarial consulting field,
primarily as a Senior Pension Consultant and regional/
divisional manager. His experience includes plan design,
plan set-up and management, investment monitoring, communication
and governance. Bill started his career with William
M. Mercer in Edmonton and moved to Calgary in 1989 to
open the office for Buck Consultants. He recently spent
four years with a major insurance company, initially
as Regional Director, Western Canada responsible for
Group Savings and Retirement Sales and Group Life and
Health Sales. Bill, along with his business partner
Mark Lesniewski, currently operate IPP Consulting Ltd.
Bill
is a graduate of the University of Alberta in mathematics,
with emphasis on statistics and economics. He completed
the Management Development Certificate program and holds
Certified Employee Benefits Specialist and Chartered
Financial Planner designations.
Bill
has made numerous presentations to various industry
groups including the Canadian Pension and Benefits Institute
and Advocis.
Bill
is active within the community, recently serving as
Director for the Rotary Club of Calgary and Chair of
Discovery House. He is an avid hiker and skier.
Gordon
L. Keon, CFP, CLU., Ch.F.C.
Vice-President, Regional Sales
AIM Funds Management Inc.
After
graduating with Bachelor of Commerce from the University
of Manitoba in 1985, Gord joined the Branch Administration
program with Manulife Financial where he held administrative
positions in Winnipeg, Saskatoon and Calgary.
In
1991, he was appointed Marketing Manager in Vancouver
where he supported Advisors working with high net worth
clients. In 1993 he was appointed Associate Manager
in Calgary responsible for implementing Advanced Tax
and Estate Planning strategies for clients and business
development for the firm.
In
1999, Gord accepted the position of Vice-President –
Regional Sales for AIM Funds Management Inc.
Gord
is married and has lived in Calgary for the past 14
years.
Rob
was born and raised in Saskatchewan and completed his
law school training in Saskatoon. He cam to Calgary
in 1992 and joined the Crown Prosecutors office, handling
general prosecutions as well as Federal prosecutions
for a branch of CCRA. He was then recruited by a private
firm and subsequently opened a boutique business and
tax law firm with his partner. Rob's expertise is working
with and supporting owner managed businesses and entrepreneurs
to help them develop more efficient tax profile, complete
their succession and estate planning, and reduce their
exposure to creditors. He routinely deals with corporate
reorganizations, trusts, partnerships, and related tax
and business structures.
Started
his career in the insurance business in September 1961,
with Allstate Insurance as a mail clerk in Toronto for
$35.00 a week. Since that time has owned three General
Insurance Agencies and has worked in Management for
Travelers Life, Manulife, Great-West Life and Royal
& SunAlliance Life, and spent four years in Management
in the brokerage business.
In
1992 while still in management, he started to build
a private practice under the name “Courtesy Insurance
and Financial Services”. On July 2001 he left
management to work full time as a broker and spent the
next four years building his business. He sold the business
on June 1st 2005 and retired.
He
has been married to Carolyn for over 30 years and they
have four daughters of which three are married and have
two children each. The fourth daughter is a crime scene
investigator with the RCMP stationed in Surrey BC. Barry
loves music and is a keyboard player and record collector.
He was in a rock band back in the 60’s called
“Richie Knight and The Mid-Knights and has a Gold
record “Charlena”. He also likes to spend
time on the golf course and plans to spend more time
fishing. He and Carolyn also like to travel and plan
to have many adventures in their retirement.
Florence
Marino, B.A., LL.B., TEP
Assistant Vice-President, Tax
and Estate Planning Group
Manulife Financial
Florence
is the Assistant Vice-President, Tax and Estate Planning
Group, Manulife Financial. She received a B.A. from
McGill University (1982), an LL.B. from Osgoode Hall
Law School (1986) and was called to the Bar of Ontario
in 1988. Prior to joining Manulife in 1989, Florence
practiced tax law with Stikeman, Elliott in Toronto.
She
provides estate, tax and insurance planning support
to advisors working in the affluent and business markets.
She co-edited the “Canadian Taxation of Life Insurance”
(now in it’s 3rd edition released in 2006) authored
by the Tax & Estate Planning Group at Manulife,
published by Carswell.
She
has presented papers and spoken at numerous conferences
and seminars on a variety of topics involving the use
of exempt life insurance in estate, retirement and business
planning. She is on the editorial board and a regular
contributor to Federated Press “Insurance Planning”,
"CALU Report" and "CALU InfoExchange."
In addition she has authored articles in publications
including, “Advisors Edge” magazine, “Canadian
Investment Review” and "CA Magazine".
She
has been involved with industry committees (both with
the CLHIA and CALU) that put together submissions to
government relating to taxation of life and living benefits
products.
She
is a member of the Society or Trust & Estate Practitioners,
Canadian Bar Association, Canadian Tax Foundation, CALU
and the Waterloo-Wellington Estate Planning Council.
Anthony
Morris
Global Sales Coach
The Anthony Morris Group
From
humble beginnings as an average academic and struggling
salesman, your presenter has clawed his way to the very
top of his profession. There are few speakers or productivity
coaches in financial services who have presented at
“The Big 5” – the major financial
planning/insurance industry event on each of 5 continents
*.
Anthony
Morris has pioneered practical coaching and sales systems
thinking in the profession of financial advice. His
programs are booked and re-booked across the globe because
they just work! Measureable revenue results and changed
mindsets are not the only immediate benefits of working
with him. Past and current attendees report breakthrough
milestones in office productivity, community visibility
and company share value as well.
Not
one for long-winded introductions, he challenges you
to sit up, shape up and pay attention if you are genuinely
interested in moving to the next level. His conference
presentations and training courses are not for the faint-hearted
or those on a gravy train to nowhere. He delivers jam-packed
content with punching impact and brilliant humour.
Anthony
will make you LAUGH, THINK
and REMEMBER.
The
Big 5
• Asia – Asia Pacific Life Insurance Congress
• America – Million Dollar Round Table
• Africa – Multi Rand Forum
• Australasia – Financial Planning Association
Convention
• Europe – LIA Convention in UK
James
Newland
Vice-President and Corporate Counsel
RGA International Corporation
James
Newland is Vice-President and Corporate Counsel for
RGA International. He provides general legal advice
to serve the growing demands of RGA’s international
reinsurance business, focusing on corporate governance,
regulatory issues, treaty and contract, and business
structure. He also has direct responsibility for serving
the legal needs of RGA’s operations in Latin America.
Prior
to joining RGA, James served in a variety of legal and
compliance positions at Industrial Alliance Insurance
and Financial Services (formerly The National Life Assurance
Company of Canada), including being National Life’s
first (and as it turned out, only) Compliance Officer,
and for several years served as Chief Legal Counsel
at Industrial Alliance in Toronto. He has broad experience
with legal and compliance issues relating to life insurance,
as well as other areas of law including corporate ethics,
human resources, business continuity, privacy and anti-money
laundering.
He
has spoken extensively at events across Canada on various
issues relating to the law and life insurance.
George
Sigurdson, BA, CLU
Partner
Sigurdson, McFadden & Associates Ltd., Benefits
and Pension Consultants
•
Born Selkirk, Manitoba September 25, 1948
• Graduated from the University of Manitoba with
a Bachelor of Arts, 1970
• Joined London Life Insurance Company in June
1,1970, attained CLU in 1976
• June 2000 - formed Sigurdson Financial Group
Inc.; is a partner in Sigurdson, McFadden & Associates
Ltd., Benefits and Pension Consultants
ACTIVITIES
OF INTEREST
•
Chairman for the Manitoba Moose (AHL) Yearling Foundation,
organization that has raised over a million dollars
for charities supporting disabled children
• Chairman of Take Pride Winnipeg Committee Inc.,
an organization committed to making Winnipeg the cleanest
city in Canada
Actively involved in Leaders campaign for the United
Way in Winnipeg
• Involved in numerous MDRT committees over the
years including the Nominating Committee, TOT Board,
Finance Committee, Membership and others
• Board member for Independent Interpretor
• Part owner of the Manitoba Moose Hockey team
of the AHL (American Hockey League) and the Winnipeg
Saints Jr. hockey team
• Active speaker in all 4 Advocis Schools
• Past President - Winnipeg Life Underwriters
• Plays in two local adult hockey leagues
• Avid golfer - seven handicap, member of Pine
Ridge Golf Club in Winnipeg
• Has produced various articles and a book with
LIMRA INTERNATIONAL, entitled “In Search of Friends”
• Has spoken to MDRT, TOT, Life Underwriters Associations,
Sales Congresses in Canada, United States, The Caribbean,
England, China, Hungary, Poland, Romania and to an audience
of 10,000 in Thailand.
• Member of the Million Dollar Round Table for
over 30 years, Top of Table Member for 6 years
• Loves helping people organizing their financial
futures
Nelson
Simoes, B.B.A., CFP
Financial Security and Investment
Representative
Freedom 55 Financial
Nelson
Simoes is an independent Financial Planner with Freedom
55 Financial and has worked in the industry for 5 years.
Since entering the business he has qualified at a Million
Dollar Round Table level of production every year. As
a Certified Financial Planner, Nelson specializes in
working with young professionals and business owners
by addressing their ‘big picture’ financial
planning needs.
Nelson
has been successful at utilizing various marketing initiatives
that has allowed his practice to generate consistent
and quality referrals. Through the website which he
developed, monthly newsletters, regular seminars, his
video podcast commercial, Nelson has created a proven
marketing system that continues to produce leads and
generate business within his target profile.
John
Askin, B. Comm., LL.B Founder
The Wealth Strategy Group
John
Askin is the founder of the Wealth Strategy Group. He
received his Bachelor of Commerce Degree from the University
of Alberta in 1977 and his Bachelor of Laws Degree from
Osgoode Hall Law School in 1980.
John
is a member of the Law Societies of Alberta and British
Columbia. In addition to advising high net worth individuals
and families, John’s corporate clients have included
Sun Life, CIBC Private Banking, Equinox Financial Group,
TD Evergreen, Maritime Life, Investors Group, The Berkshire
Group, Manulife Financial, Scotia McLeod and the Hong
Kong Bank. John currently consults with clients and
professional advisors throughout North America in the
area of Wealth Strategy Planning.
John
is past president of the Estate Planning Council of
Edmonton and is a current member of the Vancouver Estate
Planning Council and the Canadian Tax Foundation. He
has written and presented papers for organizations such
as the Canadian Tax Foundation, the Institute of Chartered
Accountants, the Canadian Institute of Chartered Life
Underwriters and the All China Lawyers Association,
Beijing, China. John is co-author of Materials on Corporate
Taxation and Materials on the Alberta Business Corporations
Act and has authored articles in numerous publications
including the Canadian Tax Journal and the Insurance
Digest. He is also a contributing author to the Insurance
Planning Journal.
About
the Wealth Strategy Group
The
Wealth Strategy Group consists of an independent team
of legal, accounting, financial and insurance experts
who specialize in dealing with the unique planning issues
facing successful business owners and wealthy families.
We generate innovative and effective planning solutions
based upon a comprehensive, integrated, inter-disciplinary
approach to the planning process. Our planning and implementation
services are provided on a fee basis.
We
conduct our enterprise from the following mission statement:
“I
want to control my property while I am alive, take
care of me and my loved ones if I become disabled,
give what I want, to whom I want, the way I want,
when I want and to the greatest extent possible, save
every last tax dollar, professional fee and court
cost that I can.”
The
Wealth Strategy Planning process begins with the answer
to two fundamental questions: 1. What is my situation
today? and 2. Where do I want to be in the future?
What we do is build a bridge between where you are and
where you want to be. This entails a “living”
approach to the planning process undertaken while you
are alive, healthy and in control. It encompasses traditional
taxation and estate planning but goes well beyond these.
It requires an examination of and planning for two scenarios:
1. If events proceed as you hope and anticipate they
will; and 2. If an unanticipated event occurs –
these include premature death, incapacity, insolvency
and matrimonial breakdown (including your children).
Wealth
Strategy Planning is not a static process. People’s
lives and circumstances change. Tax, probate and other
laws change on a regular basis. It is important that
your Wealth Strategy Plan not only be initially implemented
properly but also that it be monitored and updated (as
necessary) on a periodic basis. This is an additional
service which we provide to our clients.
Daryl
Diamond, CFP, CLU, CHFC Associate,
Retirement Income Lifecycle Coach
Evelyn Jacks Productions Inc. and the Knowledge Bureau
Daryl
started in the financial services industry in 1978.
His practice, Diamond Retirement Planning Ltd. is in
Winnipeg. Since 1993 he has focused his work around
pre-retirement and retirement clients and the income
structures, investment strategies and estate conservation
issues that are unique to that group.
He
has served numerous times on the faculty of Advocis
Development Schools and other professional development
conferences. His book, “The Structure Of Retirement
Income” for CCH publications, is specifically
dedicated to assisting advisors in creating comprehensive
retirement income plans for their clients.
In
April of 2003 his book “Buying Time” was
published by John Wiley and Sons. This book focuses
on helping retirees and those about to retire to better
plan the use of their money and time by working more
closely with their advisor.
In
2005, Daryl created and delivered the Retirement Awareness
Campaign across Canada for Standard Life. This was the
first time that a national organization had contracted
a practicing advisor to do such work on their behalf.
In
2006 he created and delivered a national training program
on retirement income planning for financial planners
within one of the major chartered banks.
He
serves as the “Retirement Income Lifecycle Coach”
as an associate with Evelyn Jacks Productions Inc and
the Knowledge Bureau.
In
October 2006 he spoke at the annual “Top of The
Table” Meeting In Palm Desert
Daryl
is on faculty for The Masters Certificate in Investment
Planning offered through the Schulich Executive Education
Center at York University, Toronto. His focus in this
program is on retirement income strategies.
Jamie
Golombek, CA, CPA, CFP, CLU, TEP Vice
President, Tax & Estate Planning
AIM Trimark Investments
Jamie
joined AIM Trimark in 1996. His work involves both internal
and external consulting on all areas of taxation and
estate planning. He is also responsible for AIM Trimark’s
Tax & Estate InfoService, which provides detailed
information to financial advisors on various tax &
estate planning inquiries.
Jamie
is quoted frequently in the national media as an expert
on taxation, writes a weekly column called “Tax
Expert” in the National Post and is a monthly
columnist for both Advocis’ Forum magazine, a
trade journal for financial advisors, as well as Advisor’s
Edge Report.
Prior to joining AIM Trimark, Jamie was a tax specialist
in the Toronto office of Deloitte & Touche, where
he specialized in both personal and corporate tax planning.
He received his B.Comm. from McGill University, earned
his CA designation in Ontario and qualified as a U.S.
CPA in Illinois. He has also obtained his Certified
Financial Planning (CFP) and Chartered Life Underwriting
(CLU) designations.
In
September 2006, Jamie was awarded the Institute of Chartered
Accountants of Ontario’s Award of Distinction,
which honours those CAs who have made an early impact,
bringing distinction to themselves and to their profession
through leadership and achievement in their professional,
community and/or personal lives.
Jamie is the current chair of the Investment Funds Institute
of Canada’s Tax Working Group as well as a member
of the Ontario Institute of Chartered Accountants, the
Illinois CPA Society, the Estate Planning Council of
Toronto, the Canadian Tax Foundation and the Society
of Trust and Estate Practitioners.
In
his spare time, Jamie teaches an MBA course in Personal
Finance at the Schulich School of Business at York University
in Toronto.
Brian
Mallard, CLU, CHFC Brian
Mallard & Associates
Background
Brian
commenced his business career in 1970 with National
Drug and Chemical as a Cost Accountant. In November
1973, he became associated with The Canada Life Assurance
Company as an individual insurance representative,
and completed the Career Agent's Training Course in
September 1974. In May of 1976, he completed the Life
Underwriters Association Training Class, and attained
the Chartered Life Underwriters (CLU) designation
in May of 1979.
Brian
attained the Chartered Financial Consultant (Ch.F.C.)
designation in 1989, the first year the designation
was offered in Canada. In 1995, he attained the Registered
Financial Planner (RFP) designation, and in 1997,
the Certified Financial Planners designation (CFP).
Brian maintains both a mutual funds license and insurance
license.
In
1980, Brian founded Dataplan Consulting Associates
Ltd. The firm changed its name in 1987 to Dataplan
Financial Services Ltd. in response to their increasing
scope in financial services. He formed new companies
to provide services in Income Tax preparation (Dataprep
Ltd.) and employee benefits consulting (Dataplus Employee
Benefits Ltd). In September of 1996, he finalized
the sale of the Dataplan Group of Companies to Assante
Capital Management. He held the position of Chief
Executive Officer and President until June of 1998
when the Dataplan Group of Companies merged with Equion
Financial of Toronto, a subsidiary of Assante Capital
Management. Following the merger with Equion he formed
Brian Mallard & Associates, a financial planning
services company. Brian Mallard & Associates made
the transition to Quadrus Investment Services Ltd.
as their dealer in Spring 2006.
Initially
the firm provided that service to approximately 250
client families representing $40 million of assets
under management. Today the firm has grown to 9 financial
planners, 12 staff, over 2000 client families, with
$325 million of assets under management.
Awards, Industry Involvement, and Volunteerism
President of the Life Underwriters Association of
Saskatoon (1978 - 1979)
National Board of Directors - The Life Underwriters
Association of Canada (1982 - 1984)
Trustee
of The Institute of Chartered Life Underwriters and
Chartered Financial Consultants (1982 - 1984)
Vice-Chairman
of the Saskatchewan Region of the Canadian Pension
Conference (1988)
Moderator
for Life Underwriters Association Training Courses
Board
of Directors of the Children’s Health Foundation
(1994 - 1996)
Founding
member of the Saskatchewan Life Insurance Council
(1985 - 1991)
Premier’s
Economic Advisory Council member (1989 - 1992)
Current
member of the Canadian Tax Foundation, Canadian Pension
and Benefits Conference and the Conference of Advanced
Life Underwriting
Forum
Magazine’s “ADVISOR OF THE YEAR”
– Prairies Region (2000)
Noted
public speaker and published writer regarding Benefits
and Financial Planning
Board
of Directors of CAIFA - the Canadian Association of
Insurance and Financial Advisors (1997 - 2002)
Chair
of CAIFA’s Task Force on the Regulation of Distribution
of Financial Products and Services in Canada (2001)
Chairman
of the Board of Directors of Advocis – The Financial
Advisor’s Association of Canada (2003 - 2004)
Currently,
Brian is on the Executive Committee of Advocis. He
is also active as a member of the Finance Committee
and the Public Affairs Committee of Advocis
Community Involvement and Sponsorship
Patron
of the Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra
Patron
of the Mendel Art Gallery
Patron
of Persephone Theater
Title
Sponsor of the University of Saskatchewan’s
Canadian Inter-University Men’s Volleyball Tournament
(The Brian Mallard Invitational)
Sponsor
– Arthritis Society Jingle Bell Run and Marathons
Stephanie
Monsen, B. Sc., CIM, FMA, FSCI Regional
Vice President, Sales for Western Canada
Vengrowth Asset Management Inc.
Stephanie
is a results oriented investment management professional
with vast experience in both mutual fund manufacturing
and distribution. She is an experienced relationship
manager with excellent organizational and communication
skills. Stephanie has been involved in the investment
industry for over 12 years and has designed and delivered
a variety of seminars to both institutional and retail
clients. Her extensive investment industry experience
includes: sales management, business development, direct
marketing, service delivery, strategic planning and
budgeting, and account management. Stephanie is currently
Regional Vice President, Sales for Western Canada with
Vengrowth Asset Management Inc. She holds a B.Sc., a
CIM, the FMA, the FSCI (Fellow of the Canadian Securities
Institute) and has completed level 1 of the CFA.
John
has been in the financial services industry since
1974. He provides strategic leadership to Nicola Wealth
Management and continues to exercise his passion in
providing innovative solutions to clients’ complex
problems. His areas of expertise include wealth accumulation
and management through the use of trusts, creative
pension and insurance arrangements, and professional
investment managers. He is a Founding Member of the
Conference for Life Underwriters (CALU) and has served
as the CALU Chair for 2003 as well as chair for TOT
in 1999.
Nicola
Wealth Management is a firm of 45 people serving over
500 High Net Worth client families with an average
of 1. 5 M AUM. The firm is a licensed Investment Counselor
(IC) in BC, Alberta and Ontario with a PPMGA for life
business. The staff and associates include 4 CFAs,
10 CFPs, and 4 CLUs. NWM is focused on finding holistic
solutions to the unique challenges facing business
owners and high net worth individuals. From the creative
use of corporate savings to the concept of using insurance
as an investment vehicle, under John’s guidance
Nicola Wealth Management continues to be a leader
in the financial planning industry.
The
list of groups John has spoken to over the last several
years include:
Conference
for Advanced Life Underwriting
The Financial Advisors association of Canada (Advocis)
Canadian Association of Financial Planners (CAFP)
Pacific Business Law Institute
Chartered Life Underwriters (CLU)
Association for Advanced Life Underwriting (AALU)
Million Dollar Round Table and Top of the Table
Pacific Dental Conference
Canadian Institute of Actuaries
Institute of Chartered Accountants of BC
Certified General Accountants Association
Married
for 3 2 years, John and Claire have 3 children - Christopher,
Jason and Jared - with whom they enjoy many activities
including the outdoors, traveling, golf, tennis and
running.
