Stephen Wiffen, CLU, CH.F.C.
Estate Planning Specialist, RBC Wealth Management Financial Services Inc.
For over 30 years, Steve has helped families and business owners develop a framework using integrated wealth planning solutions. Clients and their advisors trust Steve’s ability and expertise to develop a solution based on client-centred needs and a values-based approach.
Steve examines insurance planning differently and recognizes that each client situation is unique. His approach is to plan first and then educate clients about their options, so they can make an informed choice best suited to their goals and objectives. Whether it be protection needed during income-earning/business-building years, the preservation of capital or ability to transfer accumulated wealth, Steve is there to help implement a solution that addresses your personal and corporate needs in a tax-efficient manner.
Evaluating the various insurance offerings from Canada’s top-ranked insurance providers, Steve will work together with your professional advisors to ensure you receive high-quality, cost-effective insurance solutions.
Working directly with you, your HR department or your payroll personnel, Liz will build a tailored solution that meets the goals and objectives of your organization as well as the needs of your employees. Once Liz understands your specific requirements to customize your company’s Group Savings and Group Banking program solution, she will support and guide you through the development and implementation process.
With RBC Group Advantage, we will be there every step of the way to ensure your company maximizes its benefits while also streamlining the administration of your plan.
With 35 years of experience within the financial services industry, and her Retirement Plans Associate (RPA) designation., Liz brings the expertise required to provide specialized advice that will optimize the benefits to you and your employees.
Jeremiah has the ability to connect with businesses on what matters most to them. With over 19 years of experience in the finance industry, he believes a company is only as strong as its employees and that investment and care toward employer-employee relationships are paramount.
Working as a Commercial Account Manager and Group Consultant for most of his career, Jeremiah has an understanding of what it takes to build and enhance client relationships. Building successful partnerships is a process of trust and understanding, which Jeremiah takes as a long-term commitment and responsibility.
Jeremiah has lived in Southwestern Ontario his whole life, with his wife and two boys. Keeping busy with travel, golf, hockey, and baseball and supporting the community as co-founder of the organization 100 Men who Care Hamilton.
Jeremiah studied economics, finance, and philosophy at Western University, and has a Financial Services diploma from Fanshawe College. He is working on completing his Certified Employee Benefits Specialist (CEBS) designation through the International Foundation of Employee Benefits Plans and Dalhousie University with his RPA portion (Pensions) completed.
As a Private Banking Premier Advisor, Monica Gonsalves provides tailored financial solutions for the banking and credit needs of select high-net-worth clients that work with RBC's Wealth Management partners in the Guelph, Cambridge, Kitchener, Waterloo, and Orangeville communities.
As a part of this relationship, Monica will access specialists from across RBC in order to work collaboratively to provide a complete range of complementary services that include credit and leverage strategies to support individual short and long term goals.
Monica offers an extensive background in client relationship to her role as a Premier Advisor, drawing on 12 years of experience within RBC, consisting of a wide range of Insurance, Leadership and Advisory positions.
Monica attended Seneca College, completed a number of Coaching and Communication courses, and has continued to deepen her knowledge and expertise through the Canadian Securities Institute with key industry designations such as IFIC, PFSA and FP1. She was the head coach to the Guelph Knights U12 and U13 basketball teams for two years, and continues to volunteer her time in the community.
Away from the office, Monica enjoys spending time at the family cottage in Bayfield, practicing yoga and playing guitar.
Scott VanEngen, CPA, CA, CFP
Financial Planning Specialist, Family Office Services, RBC Wealth Management
Scott brings his 33 plus years of financial services experience to the clients he meets, including 18 years in public practice (six years as a Partner) with a local CA firm. He has worked with clients in the areas of tax, estate and business strategy including family business succession planning.
Prior to joining RBC Family Office Services, Scott provided services for four years to RBC clients as a Commercial Account Manager, focused on owner- managed business and agriculture clients, and four years as a Private Banker, assisting high net worth clients with personal banking, credit and financial planning needs.
Scott is member of the Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada, the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ontario, and the Financial Planners Standard Council. He is a Canadian Association of Family Enterprises trained family business facilitator, a Family Business Advisor and graduate of the University of Guelph with an animal science and agriculture business degree. He is also a member of the Canadian Association of Farm Advisers and holds a CAFA designation, (Certified Agriculture Farm Advisor).
Scott will work with your advisors to prepare and present a comprehensive Compass Financial Plan specific to you.
As a Senior Trust Advisor, Susan Macdonald serves clients throughout Western Ontario and is located in the Hamilton office. With a career focused on client relationships, she is dedicated to her clients and provides a personalized service tailored to their specific needs. She provides a wealth of knowledge relating to trusts and their administration. Susan has continued to deepen her knowledge and expertise with key industry designations such as Member, Trust Institute (MTI) and Trust and Estate Practitioner (TEP) designations.
Susan works with individuals, families and businesses to provide customized estate, trust and incapacity solutions. Whether it is helping someone to settle an estate, establishing a trust to ensure the successful transfer of family assets, or arranging to assist with the administration and responsibilities for a power of attorney, Susan can help.
With more than 20 years of industry experience, Susan brings to each client the necessary skill set to provide both the technical expertise as well as the genuine understanding of the emotional complexities that underlie these issues. Susan understands that no two clients are the same and so together with her RBC Royal Trust partners she can find the solution that’s right for you.
Shannon Row-Ewing, BA, LL.B
Vice President and Will & Estate Consultant, Family Office Services, RBC Wealth Management
Shannon worked in private practice for ten years before joining RBC in 2010.
She specialized in the areas of Wills & estate planning, estate administration and real estate. Shannon graduated from the University of Guelph with a Honours B.A. and received her LL.B. from the University of Toronto in 1998. She is a Member of the Law Society of Ontario.
Shannon lives in Woodstock, Ontario with her husband and three kids.