Team Biographies

Al Gair, BSc., MBA, CIM. Vice President and Portfolio Manager.

Originally from the UK, Al grew up in the lower Mainland and obtained an undergraduate degree in Geological Sciences from the University of British Columbia in 1981. Al practiced briefly as an exploration geologist before obtaining his Master of Business Administration from the University of Western Ontario and moving into the financial services industry. He began his investment career at McLeod Young Weir (now ScotiaMcLeod) in Toronto in 1987. Outside of work, Al is a competitive athlete, having completed several marathons and ultra-distance cycling events. He commutes by bike year-round from his home in North Vancouver. Other interests include photography, mineralogy, contemporary art and travel.

Bonnie Walmsley, BA. Associate.

Bonnie has over 10 years of combined experience in the financial services and investment industry. She is fully licensed, having completed her Canadian Securities Course and Conduct & Practices Handbook. Bonnie is the team’s dedicated client service manager. She ensures that the team runs smoothly and that client requests and queries are dealt with quickly and accurately. Trade execution, scheduling, research and managing the documentation process are among Bonnie’s principal roles. Outside of work, Bonnie is an avid outdoor athlete. She not only participates in mountain biking, trail running and snowshoeing, she also teaches and volunteers at many local events.

Our Extended Team

Yat-Sze Lo, B.Comm., CPA, CA

Financial Planning Specialist, RBC Wealth Management

Coming from one of the major global accounting firms, Yat-Sze brings a broad range of experience to her role as a Financial Planning Specialist. In her previous role as a senior tax manager, she spent many years working with private companies, high-net-worth individuals, trusts, and partnerships. Her work included tax minimization through appropriate tax planning (corporate and personal, including estate planning) and corporate restructuring.

Yat-Sze is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CA). She completed her Bachelor of Commerce at the University of British Columbia and has completed all three levels of the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants’ In-Depth Tax Course. She has also completed the Advanced Tax Course for Owner-Managed Businesses.

As a Financial Planning Specialist, Yat-Sze’s role is to work with and support your advisor in preparing and presenting your Compass Financial Plan and to identify and assess any related financial and tax planning concerns you might have.

Melissa Nagelbach, LL.B

Will & Estate Consultant, RBC Wealth Management

Melissa obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree from Simon Fraser University in 1999 and earned her Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Victoria in 2007. She was called to the Bar in British Columbia in 2008.

Prior to joining RBC Wealth Management, Melissa practiced law in Vancouver and specialized in estate planning and estate administration as well as small business corporate and commercial matters. Melissa assisted clients with a range of estate planning matters including drafting Wills, Powers of Attorney and Representation Agreements as well as matters related to the administration of an estate, including applications for Letters Probate and Letters of Administration. Melissa also assisted clients with matters relating to a variety of corporate transactions including incorporations, corporate reorganizations, corporate financing, share and asset purchase and sale transactions as well as the drafting of various corporate commercial documents including shareholder agreements and partnership agreements.

Melissa is a member of the Canadian Bar Association Wills and Trusts Section (Vancouver).

Melissa’s role with RBC Wealth Management is to work with you and your advisor to review and/or structure your Will, estate and trust matters to ensure that your plan is organized in an effective and tax-efficient manner.

Sean Murray, MBA, CPA, CMA, TEP, CPA (DE)

Vice-President & Estate Planning Specialist, RBC Wealth Management Financial Services Inc.

Prior to entering the life insurance industry more than 20 years ago Sean was a senior manager in the tax group of a national accounting firm. With experience in personal and corporate tax, estate and succession planning, and corporate reorganizations, Sean provides a fresh perspective to his clients’ estate planning needs. Sean works closely with you and your professional advisors to develop and implement tax-efficient strategies to help meet your wealth management goals.

A Chartered Professional Accountant and Certified Public Accountant (Delaware), Sean holds an MBA from the Richard Ivey School of Business at The University of Western Ontario. Sean is a member of the Chartered Professional Accountants of British Columbia, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners, the Estate Planning Council of Vancouver, and the Canadian Tax Foundation.