Jerry Zhao, CFP, CIM, MBA

As a member of the RBC Family Office Services team, James, together with your RBC advisor, can help you explore your business succession options. James understands the specific concerns faced by business owners and has extensive experience addressing their more complex needs.

For the past 25 years, James specialized in developing best practices around business succession planning and in the process helped several families achieve their business succession vision. He also authored a book, The Transition Experience: What every Canadian family should know about business succession planning.

His process not only focuses on technical matters such as business valuation, sale of business planning and tax planning, but also recognizes that business succession has a profound impact on a business family. As such, much of James’ process also involves assisting members of the family with the softer issues of planning, including post-succession and wealth.

James is a Chartered Professional Accountant and Chartered Business Valuator and is a frequent presenter on business succession planning. He obtained his degree, Master of Commerce, from the University of Canterbury in New Zealand and is currently a member of the Family Firm Institute. 

Robyn, together with your primary RBC advisor, helps you explore succession, tax, retirement and estate planning issues you face as a high-net-worth client.

Prior to joining RBC, Robyn acquired her expertise in estates, trusts and succession planning in both private practice and with a major trust company, practicing law in Toronto for 8 years with an emphasis on trusts, estates, succession, planning for incapacity and charities law, and as a will and estate consultant for a well-known Canadian trust company. In 2001, Robyn joined RBC, assisting clients with their overall tax and estate planning, and in 2011, assumed her present position, specializing in assisting high-net-worth clients with their succession, tax, retirement and estate planning.

Robyn obtained her law degree from Osgoode Hall in 1991, and she was called to the Bar in Ontario in 1993. She has completed her in-depth tax courses, levels 1 and 2, as well as the Advanced Tax Issues for the Owner Managed Business Course and the Corporate Reorganizations Course. She has co-authored two books, “Drafting Wills in Ontario: A Lawyer’s Practical Guide” and “Drafting Wills in Canada: A Lawyer’s Practical Guide”.

In addition, Robyn was an instructor at the Estate and Trust Bar Admission Course at the Law Society of Upper Canada.She is an active member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) and has obtained the STEP Advanced Certificate in Family Business Advising.

A Chartered Accountant by training, Arthur spent time with a Big 4 accounting firm and a leading Canadian life insurer prior to RBC. A personal experience led him to rethink his career choice and he decided to dedicate himself to helping clients create, protect, and preserve wealth by implementing holistic insurance planning solutions. Wealth planning is personal; Arthur is here to support you.

Formerly an auditor of publicly traded insurance companies, Arthur's previous experiences allow him to speak with confidence, skill and knowledge regarding the nuances of accounting, taxation, and financial planning. Utilizing his unique understanding of the industry and in-depth insights, he works collaboratively with business owners, high-net-worth families, and their personal advisors to implement the most appropriate insurance solutions for their needs.

Fluent in both English and Mandarin, Arthur is able to confidently communicate with clients in their preferred language.

As a Chartered Professional Accountant, Mary spent many years with a major Canadian bank in senior corporate finance management roles and then developed her financial planning expertise with a leading life insurer. Today, as an Estate Planning Specialist at RBC, she takes pride in applying her in-depth industry knowledge and tax planning expertise to design insurance-based solutions that help high-net-worth clients achieve their wealth goals.

Mary's ability to listen empathically, ask the right questions, understand clients' needs and collaborate with their team of professionals is what sets her apart. It allows her to deliver financial solutions tailored to each unique situation and build trusting and long-lasting relationships with each client.

Committed to education, Mary earned her Master of Business Administration degree and Certified Financial Planner designation. Fluent in English and Mandarin, she is able to communicate with clients in their preferred language.

Karen is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CA) and Certified Financial Planner (CFP). She graduated with a Master in Management and Professional Accounting from the University of Toronto and has completed all three levels of the CPA Canada’s In-Depth Tax Course. 

As a tax manager at one of the largest international public accounting firms, prior to joining RBC, Karen specialized in tax planning and compliance for individuals, business owners, large private and public corporations, trusts and partnerships. 

Karen is fluent in Mandarin, Cantonese and English. 

Karen’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. 

Specialized Financial Planning 

At RBC, we recognize that with greater financial resources, comes greater financial complexity. To help you properly coordinate your financial matters and optimize the unique opportunities available to you, we are pleased to offer you our highest level of financial planning. Personally prepared by Karen Feng, a Financial Planning Specialist, your comprehensive Financial Plan will provide recommendations specific to your situation. Your plan will consider strategies to maximize your cash flow, reduce taxes, ensure your retirement lifestyle, protect your financial security, transfer wealth to your next generation tax-efficiently and make the most of your philanthropic legacy. In appreciation of your business, your advisor is pleased to offer this service to you on a complimentary basis. 

To schedule a meeting with Karen Feng, please contact your advisor.