Jason Fong, B.Comm., CPA, CA, CFP
Vice-President & Financial Planning Specialist, Family Office Services, RBC Wealth Management
Jason is a Chartered Accountant (CA). He holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of British Columbia and has completed all three levels of the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accounts’ In-Depth Tax Course.
Coming from one of the major global accounting firms, Jason brings a broad range of experience to his role as a Financial Planning Specialist. In his previous role, his work included tax minimization through appropriate tax planning (corporate and personal) and business restructuring. Jason’s client base included high-net-worth individuals, private companies, trusts and partnerships.
As a Financial Planning Specialist, Jason’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, tax and retirement planning concerns you might have.
As a Private Banker with RBC Wealth Management, Shelina Esmail provides comprehensive wealth management and financing strategies to high-net-worth business owners, executives, professionals and their families.
Based in Calgary, Shelina works with clients throughout Alberta and the Territories to address their often complex banking, credit and wealth management needs by providing tailored seamless banking and financial solutions.
When necessary, she 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.
Shelina Esmail offers an extensive background in client relationship to her role as Private Banker. She draws on 25+ years of experience within RBC, consisting of a wide range of Retail Banking, National Office, Leadership and Specialized Healthcare Professional Commercial Banking roles.
In Private Banking, she is able to leverage her knowledge, experience and network to provide personalized, comprehensive financial counsel to a selectgroup of clients in the Calgary area.
Born in Africa, Shelina came to Canada at the age of 1 and was raised in Calgary, Alberta, Shelina currently resides in Calgary. She is actively involved in the Shia Ismaili Muslim Community and actively involved in the Aga Khan Development Network.
Away from the office, Shelina enjoys yoga, meditation and loves to travel.
John Simes, JD
Vice-President & Will & Estate Consultant, Family Office Services, RBC Wealth Management
John attended the University of Manitoba and received a Juris Doctor in 2002.
Prior to joining RBC, John worked with a prominent national law firm and a large trust company where he gained extensive experience in estate administration, Wills, trusts, powers of attorney and personal directives.
John is a member of The Law Society of Alberta, The Canadian Bar Association and The Calgary Bar Association.
M.C. (Mike) Macoun, CLU, CHS, TEP
Vice-President & Estate Planning Specialist, RBC Wealth Management Financial Services Inc.
Having entered his profession in 1989, Mike holds the leading financial and estate planning industry designations. But more importantly, he has a natural ability to make the complex simple to understand. Estate planning can be daunting, but Mike will “paint a picture” that provides critical clarity.
Mike leads his estate planning team with purpose: To earn the respect of advisors, their clients and everyone we come into contact with.
Mike is approachable and sincere, with a desire to provide the best service possible. This is why his team is a perennial leader across Canada. He is married with two children, lives in Calgary and is grateful for the life he leads, and the job he gets to do every day. To learn more, visit Mike on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/mike-c-macoun/.
Russell Kane brings over 30 years of experience to his role as Regional Trust Advisor to the Southern Alberta market. His depth of knowledge, coupled with his professionalism and dedication to client service, serves him well in dealing with the complexities of estate settlement.
Russell provides tailored solutions to help individuals carry out their many executor duties, expedite the settlement process, and maximize the estate’s value through knowledgeable handling of estate and tax issues. He is a member of the Estate Planning Council of Calgary, and works with allied professionals to keep abreast of current issues involving estate planning.
Russell understands that the role of executor is a difficult one and will take the time to make sure that clients are aware of the complete range of estate, trust and charitable resources offered by RBC. He helps executors to identify where RBC can help to lift the burden of estate administration, whether assisting with specific tasks, or in a more comprehensive manner carrying out the entire estate settlement process on their behalf.
As a highly skilled Regional Trust Advisor, Russell can discuss estate settlement and administration services, trustee services, trust structures, and other specialized services offered through RBC Royal Trust. He works with individuals, families and businesses who wish to protect their assets and transfer their wealth for generations. Clients also appreciate his sensitivity to the often difficult decisions and sometimes overwhelming responsibilities that can go hand in hand with estate administration.
Active in his community, Russell is an active member and past President of both the Rotary Club of Calgary Centennial and the Kinsmen Club of Calgary, the Treasurer of the Kinsmen Club of Calgary Foundation, and Chair of the Calgary Stampede Lotteries Committee. He served as Board Chair and Director for the Big Brothers and Sisters, Peace River region, and for the CanLearn Society in Calgary.
Van Thai brings over 14 years' experience in the financial services industry to her role as Private Banker serving clients and their families in Calgary.
Ms. Thai's career with RBC and her financial services experience span more than 14 years, and include roles with Business Banking, first as a Senior Account Manager Business and Personal, and later as a Senior Commercial Account Manager with specialization in health care industry. This experience has honed her ability to serve her business and personal clients through all stages of their financial lives.
As a dedicated relationship manager, Ms. Thai creates tailored banking, personalized short and long-term lending solutions and flexible credit packages for sophisticated clients. By partnering with a broad group of RBC experts in Canada and in key markets worldwide, she is able to provide a complete range of services customized to the unique needs of each client. In doing so, she creates packages for her clients that include high-end credit solutions, wealth management planning, business succession planning, estate planning and domestic and international trust structures.
Ms. Thai has achieved the Personal Financial Planner (PFP) designation, allowing her to provide an additional layer of financial planning expertise to her clients. By working with a relatively small number of clients, Ms. Thai can ensure responsive service and a personalized, discrete approach to meeting a variety of sophisticated banking and credit needs. When necessary, she will work with her clients' other professional advisors to deliver comprehensive, integrated financial solutions.
Ms. Thai has spent time volunteering and providing meals to the homeless at a Calgary drop in center. She is married with one son, and outside of the office enjoys swimming and scenic walks.