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.
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 expertise 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 25 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.
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.
Murray Shapiro, BA, LL.B, TEP
Vice-President, High Net Worth Planning Services, RBC Family Office Services
Murray has been providing advice and technical support in relation to high-net-worth family wealth planning since 1994. Conversations include scenarios to be aware of in transitioning, including the costs of transitioning, your assets to your intended heirs. Additional areas of concern may include tax, asset preservation and philanthropic planning.
Murray’s expertise encompasses both domestic and international family circumstances, and in many cases is focused on the challenges of transitioning a family business. His guidance supports clients in their relationships with their external professional advisors, with whom he frequently interacts.
Before joining RBC’s Canadian Wealth Management Services team in 2008, Murray worked with RBC’s Global Private Banking group as the senior resource in their global trust business for over 13 years.
Prior to joining RBC, Murray practised law for six years in the areas of estate and tax planning, as well as various areas of business law.
Murray was a Director of STEP Canada (Society of Trust & Estate Practitioners) from its inception until 2009, and has been a member of the International Tax Planning Association and the Canadian Tax Foundation over the years. He has been a featured speaker at Estate Planning Councils, Law Society and STEP practitioner education conferences in Canada and abroad.
Adam Littlejohn, CLU, CFP®, TEP
Estate Planning Specialist, RBC Wealth Management Financial Services Inc.
Envision, Create & Preserve - Wealth Planning Designed For You
Adam began his career in the financial industry in 2009 and has worked for several major Canadian insurers. Experienced in both personal and corporate insurance planning, he has the knowledge to tailor wealth solutions that maximize the financial and tax advantages of insurance products.
Adam's philosophy stems from dedication to his own family. He believes that the cost to safeguard yourself, your loved ones and legacy is insignificant when faced with the alternative - inaction. Having the ability to apply innovative solutions, he will help to protect what is most valuable to you. Pursuing ongoing education ensures that his expertise aligns with the industry's most recognized designations. He holds the Certified Financial Planner® (CFP), Chartered Life Underwriter® (CLU) and Trust and Estate Practitioner (TEP) designations as well as an Honours B.A in Political Science.
As a premier banking advisor for the greater Toronto area, Nasim Makvand works as the single point of contact for all day to day banking and credit solutions for select Dominion Securities clients and their families. Partnering closely with Investment Advisors across the region, she provides personalized service and tailored advice to effectively manage client's day to day banking and credit inquiries.
With over 6 years' experience in the financial industry and over 5 years with RBC working as client advisor and banking advisor Nasim is very knowledgeable and competent when it comes to delivering superior client experience and advise, which made her highly respected and recommended both with clients and peers. Clients appreciate her prompt and accurate response to their inquiries, her genuine care and timely response and follow up as well as her simplified solutions.
As a mother of a baby girl, she is committed to supporting women and girls growth and education and supporting Girls Plan Canada by sponsoring girl's education in developing countries.
Nasim moved to Canada in 2012 and built her family here along with her career in RBC and in her spare time she is enjoying spending time with her family and most of all her 3 year old daughter.