Who we are | Bringing the entire RBC team to you

Michael Dignam brings 20 years of experience in wealth management to his role as a Private Banker, providing wealth management advice customized for select families in Richmond Hill, Thornhill, Markham, Vaughan, Newmarket and Aurora.

Mr. Dignam and his team – including a Private Banking Associate and a Manager, Credit Structures – work closely with a variety of partners in RBC to create and deliver banking, unique credit solutions and wealth management strategies tailored to each client’s unique needs and circumstances. These customized solutions may include specialized wealth management planning, business owner planning, estate planning and domestic and international trust structures.

With his personal and customized service, Mr. Dignam can simplify their complex financial lives so they can focus on their career and personal goals.  Because he works with a relatively small number of high-net-worth families, Mr. Dignam can respond quickly to his clients’ needs, providing them with the attention required to meet and exceed their expectations. When necessary, he works with his clients’ existing professionals to deliver comprehensive, integrated financial solutions.

Mr. Dignam has earned his designation as a Personal Financial Planner (PFP), which has deepened his experience and understanding of the solutions he provides. In addition, Mr. Dignam is a Family Enterprise Advisor (FEA). This designation enables him to work as an advisor to business families, with professionalism and comprehensive understanding in the field of family enterprise.

Originally from Toronto, Mr. Dignam holds a Bachelor’s degree from York University and is married with two children. Outside of the office, he spends time with his family and enjoys soccer, golf and tennis.

As a Private Banker with RBC Wealth Management, Private Banking, Michelle Berry provides comprehensive wealth management and financing strategies to high-net-worth business owners, executives, professionals and their families.

Michelle offers an extensive background in client relationship to her role as Private Banker. She draws on 35 years of experience within RBC, consisting of a wide range of roles including Commercial Banking, Small Business, National Office and Retail Banking. In her most recent role as Sr. Commercial Account Manager, Michelle managed a portfolio of complex commercial clients with revenues between $10 Million to $80 Million

By partnering with a group of RBC wealth management experts, Michelle has access to specialists to work collaboratively to provide a complete range of services, including financial planning, business and commercial banking, estate planning, domestic and international trust and Investment Management. When necessary, she will work with her client's other Professional advisors to deliver comprehensive financial solutions.

Based in Richmond Hill, Michelle works with a select number of clients in York and Peel Region to address their often-complex banking, credit and wealth management needs by providing tailored seamless banking and financial solutions.

A graduate of Durham College, Michelle has continued to deepen her knowledge and expertise with key industry designations such as Personal Financial Planning and Investment Funds in Canada, and Financial Analysis.

Michelle enjoys running, playing sports such as soccer, volunteering and spending time with her 2 grandsons.

Jennifer Wood brings over 17 years of RBC experience to her role serving high-net-worth clients in Toronto and the surrounding area.

As Private Banker in the downtown Toronto office, she draws on her extensive experience to advise on a number of issues that affect her business owner and professional clients, including banking, lending and wealth management. As needed, she partners with specialists from across RBC to provide a complete range of complementary services, including estate and tax planning, investment management and trust services.

Prior to joining Private Banking, Ms. Wood was a senior counsel in RBC's Law Group in the Mergers and Acquisitions department. There, she managed in-house and external counsel teams and worked with business partners on acquisitions and dispositions on behalf of RBC. In 2011, she was a recipient of the ILO Global Counsel Award for best in-house M&A law practice.

Ms. Wood is a member of the Law Society of Upper Canada, and holds a bachelor of laws degree and a bachelor of science degree from the University of Toronto. She also has her personal financial planning designation. She is an active member of her Toronto community and ran for City Counsellor for Ward 29 Toronto-Danforth in 2010. She is a member of the Board of Directors for the Greater Toronto Scouts Foundation and for Crow's Theatre.

Ms. Wood was born in Regina and raised in Burlington before she made Toronto her home in 1981. She keeps active outside the office with yoga, travelling, reading, following the Toronto Blue Jays and raising her two teenaged children.

As a Private Banker with RBC Wealth Management, Private Banking, Roy Ma, CFA provides comprehensive wealth management and financing strategies to high-net-worth business owners, executives, professionals and their families.

Based in Calgary, Alberta, Roy works with a select number of clients in Calgary and Southern Alberta to address their often-complex banking, credit and wealth management needs by providing tailored seamless banking and financial solutions.

As his clients' needs and circumstances change and evolve, he can access specialists from across RBC in order to work collaboratively to provide a complete range of complementary services, from investment management to estate and legacy planning, and from domestic and international trust services to sophisticated credit and leverage strategies to support individual short and long term goals.

Roy offers an extensive background in client relationship to his role as Private Banker. He draws on over 29 years of experience in financial, investment and wealth management experience, consisting of 14 years in corporate banking and corporate finance advising and providing financings for mid to large size companies; 10 years in capital markets in equity research as a specialist in oil and gas and energy services and infrastructures; three years as a Chief Financial Officer in an energy technology company with a game changing patented technology to use an environmentally responsible process and method to complete and workover oil and gas wells; and three years in wealth management as a Wealth Consultant advising high net worth families on wealth creation, wealth protection, tax efficient strategies, business succession planning and family legacy dynamics.

A graduate of The University of Calgary, Haskayne School of Business specializing in Finance, Roy has continued to deepen his knowledge and expertise by becoming a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) charterholder since 2002. Roy is a current active member of the CFA Institute, an organization with a mission to lead the investment profession globally by promoting the highest standards of ethics, education, and professional excellence for the ultimate benefit of society.

Away from the office, Roy enjoys athletic pursuits such as running for leisure and in road races, strength training, the practice of yoga, cycling, alpine skiing, rock climbing and hiking. He volunteered to coach youth sports in both soccer and football. In his downtime, he has a passion for cinematography, music of all genres and leisure travel. Roy has a passion for investment analysis and portfolio management and considers the investment process to be a part of his everyday personal life beyond just a professional pursuit.

As your Private Banker, Kathryn will gain an understanding of your unique needs and goals in order to deliver wealth management planning tailored to you. She will then work with you and your team as well as partner with top experts from across RBC to implement customized solutions, including succession planning and advice on complex structures for you and your family.

Kathryn has 15 years of industry experience and holds her PFP designation. She has a deep experience working with high net worth families throughout the local community and takes a holistic approach to her clients’ financial needs, pairing professional, highly tailored banking and credit solutions with a dedicated personal relationship.

Faisal specializes in tax and estate planning for high net worth families.

Prior to joining RBC, Faisal was a tax senior manager with a mid-size accounting and advisory firm, as well as with a multi-national accounting firm. Faisal’s expertise includes tax and estate planning for high net worth individuals and families, professionals, and business owners.

Faisal is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CA) and his educational background includes the completion of the CICA’s in-depth tax course (Level I, II and III), a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of Victoria, and a Masters of Professional Accounting from the University of Saskatchewan. He is also a member of the Canadian Tax Foundation.

Robyn, together with your primary RBC advisor, helps you explore succession, tax, retirement and estate planning issues you face as a high-net-worth client.

Prior to joining RBC, Robyn acquired her expertise in estates, trusts and succession planning in both private practice and with a major trust company, practicing law in Toronto for 8 years with an emphasis on trusts, estates, succession, planning for incapacity and charities law, and as a will and estate consultant for a well-known Canadian trust company. In 2001, Robyn joined RBC, assisting clients with their overall tax and estate planning, and in 2011, assumed her present position, specializing in assisting high-net-worth clients with their succession, tax, retirement and estate planning.

Robyn obtained her law degree from Osgoode Hall in 1991, and she was called to the Bar in Ontario in 1993. She has completed her in-depth tax courses, levels 1 and 2, as well as the Advanced Tax Issues for the Owner Managed Business Course and the Corporate Reorganizations Course. She has co-authored two books, “Drafting Wills in Ontario: A Lawyer’s Practical Guide” and “Drafting Wills in Canada: A Lawyer’s Practical Guide”.

In addition, Robyn was an instructor at the Estate and Trust Bar Admission Course at the Law Society of Upper Canada.She is an active member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) and has obtained the STEP Advanced Certificate in Family Business Advising.

Abby specializes in tax and estate planning for high-net-worth and ultra high-net-worth families. 

Her guidance supports clients in their relationships with their external professional advisors, with whom she frequently interacts. 

Prior to joining High Net Worth Planning Services, Abby provided tax, retirement, estate and financial planning advice to RBC advisors and their clients. She has written articles on various topics including charitable donations, executive compensation, tax planning and retirement planning. 

Prior to joining RBC, Abby worked in a medium sized accounting firm assisting business executives and high net worth clients with their tax planning and estate planning. She worked closely with owner-manager shareholders to assess and recommend the best tax planning strategies, the best corporate structure and the most suitable succession plan. 

Abby is a Chartered Accountant and has a Bachelor in Economics and Commerce from the University of Toronto. She completed the In-Depth tax courses I and II and the In-Depth Tax Issues for the Owner-Managed Business as well as the Canadian Securities Course. She is also a Registered Trust and Estate Practitioner (TEP) with the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) and has obtained the STEP Advanced Certificate in Family Business Advising. Abby is also a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) and is a member of the Canadian Tax Foundation. Lastly, Abby is a certified Family Enterprise Advisor (FEA), which allows her to address the complex needs of family enterprise clients. 

Ryan is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CA), Certified Financial Planner (CFP), Trust and Estate Practitioner (TEP), Family Enterprise Advisor (FEA) and Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU). He has completed the Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada’s In-Depth Tax Course and holds an Honours Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Wilfrid Laurier University with a major in Accounting. He is a member of the Canadian Tax Foundation, Family Enterprise Canada, and The Society of Trust & Estate Practitioners (Canada).

In his previous role as a tax manager at one of the global major accounting firms, Ryan specialized in providing tax planning services to high-net-worth families, private businesses, estates, trusts and partnerships. His work focused on tax minimization strategies and reorganizations.

Ryan’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 planning concerns you may have.

Ryan is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) and is currently pursuing his Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designation. He has completed the Master of Taxation graduate degree from the University of Waterloo and holds a Bachelor of Commerce from Toronto Metropolitan University with a major in accounting and minor in finance. He is a member of the Canadian Tax Foundation. 

Prior to joining RBC, Ryan was employed as a Tax Manager at one of the leading global accounting firms. He specialized in providing personal, corporate, and estate planning services to high-net-worth individuals and their owner managed entities. His work focused on tax minimization strategies and reorganizations. 

Ryan believes that planning is critical to helping people meet their financial goals. Ryan’s role is to work with and support your advisor in preparing and presenting your Compass Financial Plan. 

Ali is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CA). He is a graduate of York University’s Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) program with a specialization in Accounting. He subsequently completed CPA Canada’s In-Depth Tax Program. 

Prior to working at RBC, Ali worked as a Senior Tax Manager with one of Canada’s largest public accounting firms and has previous Big 4 accounting firm experience. 

During his time as a tax practitioner, Ali specialized in Canadian and U.S. tax planning, corporate reorganizations, tax minimization strategies and succession planning. Some of Ali’s clients included high-net-worth families, private businesses and estates. 

Ali’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 planning concerns you may have. 

Alleen earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from York University and her law degree from the University of Windsor, Faculty of Law in 2008. She was called to the Ontario Bar in 2009.

Prior to joining RBC, Alleen practiced in the areas of Estate Planning and Administration, Corporate/Commercial law and Real Estate law in a mid-sized law firm. Alleen advised her clients on a breadth of legal issues, including key considerations in setting up legal business structures, succession planning and estate planning.

Alleen fosters a multidisciplinary approach to each client’s unique needs, drawing on various advisors’ expertise and offering her own to identify issues for further consideration and review, together with information and guidance which are both sensible and practical.

Kevin obtained both a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Western Ontario. He was called to the bar in 1989 and is a member in good standing of the Law Society of Ontario.

Prior to joining RBC Wealth Management Services, Kevin worked in private practice in downtown Toronto for many years, principally in the areas of Will and estate planning, estate administration, as well as real estate. His clients included both individuals and financial institutions. In addition to assisting individual clients with drafting Wills and powers of attorney, and estate administration, he also acted for trust companies appointed as estate trustee.

Vickie (Victoria) Schneider obtained both her Bachelor of Arts and Juris Doctor degrees from the University of Calgary. Vickie is a member of the Law Society of Alberta.

Prior to joining RBC, Vickie practiced law at a national law firm where she advised clients on estate planning and tax matters including Wills, trusts, enduring powers of attorney and personal directives. Vickie also has experience with estate administration and charity matters.

Vickie is a Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) Calgary Branch Committee member.

You’re the biggest beneficiary.

Colin Ardill stays humble. Even so, he’s not shy about being a man on a mission: to overturn 150 years of misunderstanding about life insurance, one day at a time.

Most Canadians see only one dimension to life insurance: that it’s of no use to the living. But Colin sees it in three dimensions. There is the death benefit that everyone can see – but life insurance also provides tax-exempt growth, and it allows the holder to spend more money in retirement than they otherwise could. Says Colin: “The person buying the policy is going to be the biggest beneficiary.”

Colin has been in the estate planning business for over 15 years. His core purpose – the heart of everything he does – is to leave everyone he meets better off.

As a Premier Banking Advisor, Chandna Kamal provides banking and credit solutions to select high net worth individuals and their families. Partnering with Investment Advisors and Counsellors across the Vaughan, Richmond Hill and Newmarket regions, personalized service and tailored advice to help clients efficiently and effectively manage their day-to day banking needs.

With over 6 years of experience in financial services. Chandna is respected by her clients and industry peers. Prior to her current role, she worked as an Assistant Branch Manager at an RBC branch.

Chandna is committed to giving back to her community. Chandna volunteers with the Women's Shelter and Canadian Cancer Society. She is very passionate helping the less fortunate here at home as well as in other countries.

Chandna was born in India and raised in Toronto, where she currently resides in the Toronto area with her husband and her daughter. She loves spending time with her family and friends, travelling and listening to music.