Estate Planning Specialist
Managing wealth can be complicated. Working together shouldn't have to be.
Collaborating with your tax and legal professionals is something Carey does well. As a Chartered Professional Accountant, Trust & Estate Practitioner, and after many years in the tax and estate planning group of a leading Canadian life insurer, he understands there's a lot to consider when putting a plan in place.
Carey focuses on customizing tax-effective, insurance based solutions for business owners and high-net-worth families. His ability to simplify the complex and provide clarity of financial situations offers clients comfort in knowing they're being well looked after.
With a love of family and the outdoors, Carey is often found out on the golf course with his wife and two daughters. He has contributed to many industry publications and is a sought after speaker in English, Mandarin and Cantonese.
Will & Estate Consultant
Grace received her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of British Columbia in 2000 and graduated from Dalhousie Law School in 2003.
She was called to the British Columbia Bar in 2004. Prior to joining RBC, Grace practised law in Vancouver, specializing in estate planning and estate administration. Most recently, Grace worked at a hospital foundation advising the charity on legal matters as well as its donors on charitable giving.
Grace is a member of the Canadian Bar Association Wills and Trusts Section and Charities Section. She is fluent in Cantonese and Mandarin.
Melissa obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree from Simon Fraser University in 1999 and earned her Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Victoria in 2007. She was called to the Bar in British Columbia in 2008.
Prior to joining RBC Wealth Management, Melissa practiced law in Vancouver and specialized in estate planning and estate administration as well as small business corporate and commercial matters. Melissa assisted clients with a range of estate planning matters including drafting Wills, Powers of Attorney and Representation Agreements as well as matters related to the administration of an estate, including applications for Letters Probate and Letters of Administration. Melissa also assisted clients with matters relating to a variety of corporate transactions including incorporations, corporate reorganizations, corporate financing, share and asset purchase and sale transactions as well as the drafting of various corporate commercial documents including shareholder agreements and partnership agreements.
Melissa is a member of the Canadian Bar Association Wills and Trusts Section (Vancouver).
Melissa’s role with RBC Wealth Management is to work with you and your advisor to review and/or structure your Will, estate and trust matters to ensure that your plan is organized in an effective and tax-efficient manner.
Financial Planning Specialist
Jennifer Lu is a chartered professional accountant (CPA, CA). She completed her Bachelor of Accounting degree at Brock University, and holds a Master of
Taxation degree from the University of Waterloo.
Prior to joining RBC, Jennifer was a tax manager in one of the largest global accounting firm where she provided tax consulting advice and tax compliance services to a wide range of corporations and high-net-worth individuals. She assisted clients with tax planning strategies and business restructuring. With her strong academic background and years of experience in public accounting, Jennifer became a trusted advisor for many business owners and high-net- worth individuals.
Jennifer believes that financial planning is critical to achieve your financial success. Her 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 and tax planning concerns you might have.
High Net Worth Planning Services
Sara M. Johnson, ESQ, Ph.D., TEP, CFP, LL.M. (US Law), JD
Vice President, High Net Worth Planning Services— International Estate, Art and Digital Legacy Planning, Family Office Services, RBC Wealth Management
Sara specializes in international estate planning, art collection and digital legacy planning for UHNW families in developing their wealth and legacy plans. Her guidance supports clients in their relationships with their external professional advisors, with whom she frequently interacts.
Sara has two decades of professional experience in complex estate and trust administration and planning; business succession; cross-border tax planning (STEP Advanced Certificate in Cross-Border Estates); family governance (STEP Advanced Certificate on family enterprise advising); art collection management and art estates planning (“Art as Global Business” Certificate, the Sotheby’s Institute of Art and European Institute of Sustainability, “Art Disruption,” NFTs and tokenization of Art, legal and tax planning); as well as, Digital Assets Inventory and estate management. She is a graduate of Masters in US Law at George Mason University and was called to the California State Bar in 2021. Sara achieved her Ph.D. in International Management (Behavioural Finance and Law) at the International School of Management in France, as well as completed the Federation of Law Societies of Canada, National Committee on Accreditation at UBC Peter A. Allard School of Law.
Sara is an active member of the following groups and institutions:
American Bar Association (ABA) in Chicago, US
California Lawyers Association CLA Trust and Estate, and IP Chapters in Los Angeles, US
Beverley Hills Bar Association in Los Angeles, US
International Bar Association (IBA) in London, UK; Technology Law Committee, Art, Cultural and Heritage Committee, IP and Entertainment Committee
Fellow of the European Law Institute in Vienna, Austria; Model Rules on Succession of Digital assets SIG; Access to Digital Assets SIG, and Model Rules on Algorithmic Contracts SIG
STEP Canada; the STEP Cross-Border Estates SIG
The Institute of Art and Law in London, UK
Art Lawyers Association (ALA) in London, UK
Professional Advisors to the International Art Market (PAIAM) in New York City, US
Alumnus of the of Harvard Law School, HarvardX, Berkman Klein Center for Internet and Society
Third Space Life Charity in the Okanagan
She lectures the fall/winter seminars on International Business Law, Business Succession, Trust, International Arbitration and
M&A at ISEG, MBA course in Paris, France. She is also a visiting lecturer of Blockchain and NFTs at UCLA Law school. Sara is fluent in Italian and English and has working knowledge of French and Spanish.
Sara works closely with your RBC advisor to identify strategies and solutions on structuring your affairs in a manner that addresses your overall wealth planning needs, which you would then discuss and implement with your accountant or lawyer.
Aileen Battye, LL.B, TEP
Vice President, High Net Worth Planning Services, Family Office Services, RBC Wealth Management
Aileen obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of British Columbia in 2000 and graduated from Dalhousie Law School in 2003. She was called to the Bar in British Columbia and Ontario in 2004. She has achieved her TEP designation from STEP (The Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners), has completed the In-depth Tax Issues for the Owner-managed Business course and all three levels of the In-depth Tax course through the CPA. In 2009, Aileen joined RBC, assisting clients with their overall tax and estate planning, and in 2014, assumed her present position, specializing in assisting high-net-worth clients with their succession, tax, retirement and estate planning. Prior to joining RBC, Aileen practiced law in Vancouver and Toronto, specializing in estate and trust planning, and tax litigation. Aileen is a committed community volunteer, currently serving as Treasurer of STEP Canada and as a board member of the Canadian Dupuytren Society. She is a former Trustee of the YMCA of Greater Vancouver Foundation (serving for 9 years) as well as other local not-for-profits in BC. She is also a member of STEP Canada, the Canadian Association of Gift Planners, as well as the Canadian Tax Foundation.
Zora Booker, CPA, CGA, MBA, TEP
Vice-President, High Net Worth Planning Services, Family Office Services, RBC Wealth Management
Prior to joining RBC in 2014, Zora spent over a decade with a mid-size Canadian accounting and business advisory firm where she focused on assisting owner-managers and their families with personal, trust and corporate tax planning and compliance. Zora focused on development and implementation of strategies for wealth preservation in the context of tax, estate and succession planning.
Zora, together with your primary RBC advisor, helps you to explore succession, tax, retirement and estate planning issues you face as a high-net-worth client. Zora specializes in tax and estate planning for business owners and high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth families.
Zora received a Bachelor degree in Science from Simon Fraser University and a Master in Business Administration from the University of British Columbia. Zora is a Chartered Professional Accountant, Certified General Accountant. Zora has completed the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants In-Depth Tax Courses, as well as the Advanced Tax Issues for the Owner-Managed Business Course. Zora is also a TEP designated member of STEP (The Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners).
Premier Banking Advisor
As a Premier Banking Advisor for Vancouver, Bonnie Tang works as a single point of contact, providing banking and credit solutions for select clients of Wealth Management Canada and their families. Partnering with Investment Advisors and Counsellors across the region, she provides personalized service and tailored advice to help clients save time and effectively manage their day-to-day banking needs.
With more than 21 years of experience in financial services with RBC, Bonnie is respected by her clients, her peers and the industry, and has received top performer recognition. Bonnie is committed to giving back to her community and acts as a volunteer member for BC Children Hospital (BCCH) and Growing Chefs. She also supports the United Way annual fund raising campaign.
Born and raised in China, Bonnie migrated to Canada in 2000. She received her Bachelor of Business Administration, major in Accounting from the University of Macau, China.
Bonnie currently resides in the Vancouver area with her husband and son. When she is not hard at work for her clients, Bonnie enjoys yoga, cooking, baking and traveling overseas. She is also a fan of horror movies. Bonnie speaks fluent English, Cantonese and Mandarin.