Meet the team

Steven completed his Bachelor of Business Administration at York University in 1989 and subsequently completed the CICA In-Depth Tax course. He has also achieved the advanced designations of Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CA) and Certified Financial Planner (CFP).

During his time as a tax and financial practitioner with several professional service firms, Steven specialized in Canadian, U.S. and cross-border personal income taxation, and provided planning and preparation services to clients. He also has professional experience with the RBC Tax Advisory Group and RBC Dexia, where he provided tax advice to various business units within RBC.

As an experienced practitioner in financial matters, Steven has written or contributed to many research articles, industry publications, training materials and client presentations.

Steven’s role as a Financial Planning Specialist is to work with, and support, your advisor in preparing and presenting comprehensive financial planning solutions.

As a Business Owner Specialist, High Net Worth Planning Services, Bobby, together with your primary RBC advisor, helps you explore succession, tax, retirement and estate planning issues you face as a business owner.

Bobby has over 15 years of experience working with owners of privately held businesses to help them develop business succession, tax and estate planning solutions tailored to their goals and objectives. Prior to joining High Net Worth Planning Services, Bobby provided tax, retirement, estate and financial planning advice to RBC advisors and their clients. He has written articles on various topics including determining the value of a business, farm succession planning, tax planning and retirement planning.

Prior to joining RBC, Bobby was a Vice President at a boutique business valuation firm in Toronto where he worked with business owners to help them determine the value of their business for divestitures, litigation, tax and estate planning purposes. He also worked with owners to help them identify the value drivers of their business.

Bobby is a Chartered Business Valuator, a Chartered Professional Accountant and has a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Toronto. He has also completed all three levels of the CPA In-Depth Tax Course.

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.

Ariel graduated from the University of Ottawa with a degree in Business Administration in 1992, and from the Faculty of Law in 1994 where he served on the editorial board of the Law Review.

He was called to the Ontario Bar in 1996. Prior to joining RBC, Ariel spent 5 years teaching Real Estate Law and Estate Law at La Cité Collégiale in Ottawa. For the previous 12 years, Ariel held several positions at a major trust company, culminating in the role of Trust Manager.

Ariel is a member in good standing of the Law Society of Upper Canada, and the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (Canadian chapter). His significant practical experience in estate planning and administration allows him to offer valuable guidance during the creation of your estate plan.

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.

As a Premier Banking Advisor for the greater Toronto area, Claudia Diaz works as a single point of contact providing banking and credit solutions for select clients of Dominion Securities and their families. Partnering with Investment Advisors across the region, she provides personalized service and tailored advice to help clients save time and effectively manage their day-to-day banking and credit solutions.

With 15 years of experience in the financial industry with Royal Bank of Canada, Claudia is well respected by both her clients and peers alike. Prior to her current role Claudia was a Financial Advisor, Banking Advisor, as well as an Operational support role at RBC. Clients appreciate Claudia’s extensive experience as a banking and advisory professional and her commitment to efficiently meeting their needs and simplifying their financial affairs.

Committed to giving back to her community, as part of RBC’s community events Claudia has volunteer for the Aga Khan Museum, Evergreen Brickworks and the Daily Bread Food Bank. In addition, she is very passionate in helping the less fortunate here at home as well as in other countries.

Born in El Salvador, Claudia moved to Canada in 1993 and lives in Toronto with her husband, three children and grandson. In her spare time, Claudia loves spending time with her family and friends who inspire and motivate her life.