People are the core of our business, and we are fortunate to have some of the best in the financial planning industry. We believe that a collaborative approach produces the very best results for our clients and therefore we have built a well-rounded team of qualified professionals in varying specialties to serve their needs.
Financial & Estate Planning Advisors
John Donnelly, CSA, CDFA
Founder & President
With over 40 years of experience in the financial planning industry, John offers clients his broad perspective and in-depth understanding of complex financial strategies. Often celebrated for his caring and personal touch, John has a unique ability to help clients focus on the big picture within the context of their overall financial goals for their family, business and legacy. John specializes in assisting established families with the planning and coordination of effective philanthropic gifts and family wealth transfer strategies. John is a member Advocis and the Estate Planning Council of Victoria.
Employee Benefit Consultant | Core Benefit Consulting Ltd.
Richard Desroches, CBA, HIA
Principal & Benefits Consultant
Understanding underwriting and benefits strategy. As benefit trends evolve, Richard finds the balance between benefit wants, needs and budget, tailored to each customer with thoughtful strategy. With commerce education, claim administration, underwriting, Account Executive and consulting background, plus Group Benefit Associate (GBA) and Health Insurance Associate (HIA) designations, Richard uses the group benefits experience he has gained since 1986 to decipher renewal methodologies, enhance the benefit plan experience, and optimize the value of a benefits program offering. Alternative funding arrangements, international benefits and grouped individual policies are explained, making your benefit plan more efficient and robust.
Jana Nakrieko
Account Manager
Benefits are complicated. As our Benefit Specialist, Jana is always up for a challenge. Specializing in plan design benchmarking, flexible benefit plans, funding alternatives, specialty carriers and out of country travel, Jana unwinds complexity and presents all of your options. If numbers need to be crunched Jana has the excel macro formula to accurately and clearly communicate the choices. Jana’s customer service and account management experience gained since 1998, including Account Executive, provides you with the experience you need to understand benefits.
Carmen Cucu, CEBS, ACS, AIAA
Manager of Benefit Operations
Benefits require analysis and negotiation. With a thorough understanding of carrier underwriting, Carmen excels at new business and renewal negotiations. Whether it’s a benchmark of plan design or claims experience, plan alternative pricing, or a full market survey, Carmen summarizes results in a detailed report that’s easy to understand, and thoughtfully customized for each client. Carmen has gained benefits experience since 2000 and obtained Certified Employee Benefits Specialist (CEBS), Associate Customer Service (ACS) and Associate Insurance Agency Administration (AIAA) designations to support her in providing you with quality analysis and negotiations.
Investment Management
Discretionary portfolio management offers several key advantages over pooled products, including: lower costs, fee transparency, disciplined investment process, direct ownership of securities, personalized income and tax considerations and direct access to your portfolio manager. Investment counsel offers discerning clients with the level of service and expertise that they have come to expect. We are proud to provide special access to some of Canada’s most respected investment counselling firms.
