Abby Kassar, CPA, CA, CFP, TEP, FEA
Vice President, High Net Worth Planning Services, Family Office Services, RBC Wealth Management
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.
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.
Marlena Pospiech, B.Comm., TEP, CFP
Financial Planning Specialist, Family Office Services, RBC Wealth Management
Marlena is a Bachelor of Commerce (Finance) graduate from Concordia University, and a Certified Financial Planner® professional. She also holds a Trust and Estate Practitioner (TEP) designation from the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) in Canada and is fluently trilingual (English, French and Polish).
Marlena has over 20 years of extensive wealth management experience ranging from being a key note conference speaker, to also being a national TV, print and radio media spokesperson, and managing an RBC branch. She also spent many years in financial advisory roles where she provided technical research, support and wrote articles on complex tax, trusts, estates and retirement matters. Most recently, Marlena has been providing holistic comprehensive wealth planning services to high net and ultra-high net worth business owners, professionals, physicians, and retirees.
Marlena’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.
As a trusted partner of your advisor's team, Peter champions the integration of insurance solutions as an essential part of holistic wealth management planning.
Peter joined RBC in 2017. He has spent over 25 years in the financial services industry primarily focused on helping clients fulfill their financial dreams. Believing that it is never too early to plan, Peter is there to help discuss and provide solutions to protect yourself, your loved ones and your business in the event of the unexpected.
Peter received a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree from the University of Toronto and holds the Personal Financial Planner (PFP) designation. He is passionate about spending time with his two younger daughters and faithfully cheering on his hometown team, the Toronto Raptors.
Shirin is a Risk Assessment Insurance Specialist. Through a personalized risk assessment approach, she provides High Net Worth Home, Auto and Liability Insurance solutions to protect your wealth, possessions and lifestyle.
Shirin has over 20 years of experience in the insurance and the financial services industry, holding various roles in real estate and banking. Prior to joining RBC, she has spent the last 10 years in the High Net Worth Insurance space, most recently as a Vice President of Portfolio Management at Hub International, working with affluent families globally.
Throughout her career, she has won numerous awards as a top performer in delivering exceptional client experience. Shirin is proud to represent RBC Private Insurance. She will work with you to customize your High Net Worth coverage to your unique needs and protect you as your lifestyle and exposure change.
In her downtime, Shirin is a proud mom to a teenage boy and enjoys yoga, travelling, theatre, and wineries.
As a Premier Banking Advisor, Jorge Avalos Romo provides banking and credit solutions to select high net worth individuals and their families. Acting as a single point of contact, he partners with Investment Advisors and Counsellors across the Etobicoke, Mississauga and Brampton regions, and provides personalized service and tailored advice to efficiently and effectively manage their day-to-day banking needs.
With 10 years of experience in financial services with RBC, Jorge is respected by his clients and industry peers, and has received numerous awards and recognition.
Jorge is committed to giving back to his community and has volunteered for various organizations such as: Toronto Youth Development, PARC Edmond Place and Ernestine's Women's Shelter.
Born in Guadalajara, Mexico, he moved to Canada in 2008. Jorge holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Michoacan San Nicolas de Hildalgo.
He currently resides in the Toronto with his wife and four children and when he isn't hard at work for his clients, you'll find him spending time with his family and enjoying his pastime sport of swimming.