Karen is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) and Certified Financial Planner (CFP). She obtained her Bachelor of Mathematics and Master of Accounting degrees from the University of Waterloo and has completed the CPA Canada In-Depth Tax course.
Prior to joining RBC, Karen worked at a leading global accounting firm where she specialized in providing tax advisory services for high-net-worth individuals and private company business owners. She has many years of experience helping clients navigate through personal and corporate tax issues as well as trust and estate planning.
Karen’s role is to work with and support your advisor in preparing and presenting your comprehensive Compass Financial Plan and to identify and assess any related financial planning concerns you may have.
Connie Freitas, BA, LL.B
Vice President and Will & Estate Consultant, Family Office Services, RBC Wealth Management
Connie obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Toronto and a Bachelor of Laws degree from Osgoode Hall Law School. She was called to the Bar of Ontario in 1994.
Prior to joining RBC in 2012, Connie practised law for 18 years. As a partner in a mid-sized full-service law firm, her practice was varied and covered the areas of corporate/commercial law, real estate, and Wills, trusts and estates law. In that role, Connie advised her owner-manager clients on a broad range of business and personal needs, from purchases and sales of businesses, to shareholder agreements and corporate reorganizations, to Will and estate planning.
For many years Connie taught the Business Law section of the Bar Admissions Course and was involved with preparing the licensing exams for Ontario lawyers. Throughout her career, Connie has been involved in her broader community, serving on many non-profit boards as well as providing pro bono legal services.
Tracey Goldie, CLU
Vice President & Estate Planning Specialist, RBC Wealth Management Financial Services Inc.
Tracey is an integral member of the team, helping to create, preserve and increase wealth by incorporating insurance-based solutions within comprehensive financial plans.
Specializing in estate planning, Tracey applies innovative and tax-efficient solutions to a variety of wealth management issues and is skilled at simplifying their complexities. Her individualized approach to personal and corporate insurance planning help clients achieve their wealth management objectives and reach their estate and financial goals.
Beginning her financial services career in 1994, Tracey joined RBC in 2012 after spending 13 years with a leading life insurer, focused on providing insurance solutions expertise and product marketing. In addition, Tracey has obtained the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) and Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) designations.
As a Senior Trust Advisor, Karen Snowdon-Steacy is responsible for managing a complex book of accounts, and services clients throughout the Greater Toronto Area. Karen 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, Karen can help. Karen also has specialized and experience in advising on philanthropic and charitable giving strategies for clients who wish to leave a lasting legacy.
A graduate of Victoria University at the University of Toronto specializing in history and political science, Karen has continued to deepen her knowledge and expertise with key industry designations such as Trust and Estate Practitioner (TEP). Karen is a full member of STEP.
With 30 years of experience, Karen is well known within the local estate and trust industry and delivers well-balanced advice by staying abreast of product, industry, investment, tax and legislative developments. With a career focused on building client relationships, she is dedicated to providing assistance in the preservation, management and transfer of wealth between generations by providing solutions to implement clients’ estate, trust and philanthropic plans.