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Financial Planning Specialist
Gord McFarland, FCA, CFP, FCPA
Financial Planning Specialist, Family Office Services, RBC Wealth Management
With more than 20 years of experience in public accounting, Gord brings a wealth of knowledge in the areas of tax minimization, mergers and acquisitions, business succession, and estate planning.
Prior to joining RBC Family Office Services, Gord was a partner at both local and national accounting firms, where he focused on helping individuals and businesses navigate complex financial planning and tax matters with clarity and confidence.
Gord is a Chartered Professional Accountant who in 2024 was recognized as a Fellow of CPA Ontario (FCPA, FCA). Gord is a Certified Financial Planner professional who also holds an Honours Bachelor of Business Administration degree with high distinction, from the University of Toronto. Gord has completed the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants’ Income Tax Practitioner’s course, and has lectured at the University of Toronto.
Gord is active in the community in governance roles for charitable organizations, and in his free time enjoys golfing, piano and spending time at the lake with his wife and two daughters.
Will & Estate Specialists
Michael Danese, BA (Hons), JD
Will & Estate Consultant, Family Office Services, RBC Wealth Management
Michael completed his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Toronto in 2013 before obtaining a Juris Doctor degree from Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario in 2016. He was called to the Bar of Ontario in 2017 and is a member in good standing with the Law Society of Ontario.
Prior to joining RBC, he practiced law at a boutique firm in Toronto, specializing in the areas of Wills and estate planning and corporate/commercial law. While in private practice, he advised clients on a diverse array of estate planning issues including business succession, trust planning, and planning for clients with disabled beneficiaries.
As a Will & Estate Consultant with RBC, he brings his client-centric approach to ensure that individuals receive expert advice tailored to their unique needs and circumstances.
Honor obtained her Bachelor of Arts from McGill University, Master of Arts from Queen's University and Juris Doctor from the University of Western Ontario (Western Law). Honor holds the designation of TEP (Trust and Estate Practitioner) from the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP). Honor is a member of the Law Society of Ontario, STEP Canada, the Estate Planning Council of Toronto, Toronto Lawyers' Association, and Young Women in Law.
Prior to joining RBC, Honor practised for several years as a trust and estate planning lawyer at a Bay Street law firm in Toronto. Honor has experience in all areas of estate planning, including advising clients on Wills and Powers of Attorney; taxation of trusts and estates; business succession planning; disability planning; and charitable giving.
Honor is committed to providing comprehensive estate planning services to clients. Honor would be pleased to discuss your estate planning with you.
Estate Planning Specialists
Tracey Goldie, CLU
Vice President & Estate Planning Specialist, RBC Wealth Management Financial Services Inc.
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.
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.
Group Benefits Specialist
Kathy is an experienced Group Benefits professional with over 20 years of experience in the Group Benefits industry.
Kathy started her career working for a large Canadian Insurance carrier for 10 years where she developed and maintained relationships with Plan Advisors and Plan Sponsors. In this role, she continuously assessed the evolving needs of clients and introduced services and product solutions to meet those needs over time. For close to 6 years, Kathy worked as a Senior Benefits Consultant for a large Canadian consulting firm where she was responsible for managing, servicing and providing quality benefits consulting services for small to medium sized clients and association partnerships.
More recently, Kathy owned her owned Brokerage, KAPPA Group Benefits, where she supported her clients by delivering exceptional client service that included the on-going management of the employee benefits program. Kathy’s main focus was to advise clients on a competitive program that would ultimately lead to higher employee appreciation and company loyalty while remaining affordable and sustainable.
RBC Royal Trust
As a Regional Trust Advisor, Claudia Morrison serves clients throughout the Northeastern Ontario and Atlantic regions and is located in the Ottawa office. Claudia provides strong organizational and relationship-building skills to deliver comprehensive estate and trust solutions for executors, trustees and beneficiaries. Clients appreciate her ability to explain complex concepts of estate and trust administration in terms that they can relate to and with sensitivity.
A graduate of Carleton University with a Bachelor of Arts Honours degree, Claudia has continued to deepen her knowledge and expertise with key industry designations such as the Personal Financial Planner (PFP) and Chartered Investment Manager (CIM) designations. She has also completed the Canadian Securities Course.
Claudia has held various roles in banking, investment counselling and estate and trust administration that provide her with a unique depth of understanding around integrated solutions to meet client needs. With more than 20 years of financial services experience, Claudia brings to each client the necessary skill set to provide both the technical expertise as well as the genuine understanding of the emotional complexities that underlie these issues. Claudia understands that no two clients are the same and so together with her RBC Royal Trust partners, she can find the solution that’s right for you.
As a Senior Will and Estate Advisor for the Greater Ottawa and Kingston Region, Demi McGoldrick brings an approach to estate planning that centers on understanding and addressing the unique situation of each client. She works collaboratively with both clients and their trusted advisors to help craft a comprehensive, effective and tailored estate plan that meets their individual needs and advises executors how to alleviate their administrative and legal burden. Whether clients are taking their first steps towards wealth transition to the next generation or if they have specific requirements—such as protecting a disabled heir, planning for blended families, transitioning a family business, or ensuring a child’s inheritance is properly structured—Demi can help. Prior to joining RBC Royal Trust, Demi worked in private practice, assisting clients with their estate planning, estate administration and business succession planning needs. She is a graduate of the University of Edinburgh Law School with a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) and is currently a board member of the Ottawa Estate Planning Council. The combination of her professional experience and commitment to providing practical solutions, in addition to her ability to put clients at ease, makes Demi an invaluable resource for both clients and their financial advisors.
Private Banking
Julia brings over two decades of extensive banking, lending, and financial planning experience to RBC Wealth Management, Private Banking. As a Private Banker, Julia provides comprehensive wealth management and financing strategies to high-net-worth business owners, executives, professionals and their families.
Based in Oshawa, Julia works with a select number of clients in Durham, Peterborough, Kawartha Lakes and Northumberland County, to address their often-complex banking, credit and wealth management needs by providing tailored seamless banking and financial solutions. Her goal is to deliver unparalleled service while building lasting relationships based on trust and a thorough understanding of each client's unique needs and goals.
When necessary, she collaborates with specialists across RBC to provide clients with a complete range of complementary services. These services range from investment management, to estate and legacy planning, from domestic and international trust services to sophisticated credit and leverage strategies to support individual short and long-term goals.
Julia draws on more than 25 years of experience within RBC, consisting of a wide range of roles in retail banking, leadership and wealth management. After earning a MBA in Financial Services from Dalhousie University, Julia has continued to deepen her knowledge and expertise with key industry designations such as Personal Financial Planning. To support the community, she has participated various charities such as Run for Women, CN Tower Climb and Race for kids.
Away from the office, Julia enjoys spending time in nature, hiking and discovering new trails within Durham, and north east of Durham region.
Julia lives in Whitby with her husband and two sons.
Premier Banking
As a Premier Banking Advisor with RBC Wealth Management, Walter Lettner works as a single point of contact, offering unique strategies to address clients complex banking and credit needs. Based out of Kingston, Ontario, Walter provides tailored solutions for high-net-worth professionals, and their families.
Walter draws on over 3 years of experience with RBC, working in a variety of roles focused on providing solutions for clients daily banking needs, from bank accounts and credit cards to loans and mortgages. With a focus on providing the best client experience possible, Walter can access a network of specialists to collaboratively work together to provide a comprehensive and wide array of solutions for any of his client's needs. Helping clients save time, and efficiently manage their day-to-day finances.
Prior to joining the financial industry, Walter studied at the University of Guelph, earning himself a Commerce Degree with a focus on Hospitality management. Using the skillset he developed in the hospitality industry, Walter brings a personal and caring approach when it comes to helping his clients and is there to assist them every step of the way.
Outside of the office, Walter enjoys spending his time watching new films, hiking new areas, and snowboarding in the winter seasons.
As a Premier Banking Advisor for Toronto, Niaz Dharas 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 Investment Counsellors across the Toronto region, he provides personalized service and tailored advice to help clients efficiently and effectively manage their day-to-day banking needs.
With over 20 years of experience in the financial industry with Royal Bank of Canada, Niaz is well respected by his clients and peers. Niaz's solid track record for providing Exceptional Customer Service and his consistent engagement with key partners have proven to deliver Top Level Client Loyalty results.
Niaz was born and raised in Toronto. He is happily married to his wife of 20 years and currently resides in Markham. In his spare time, Niaz enjoys working out, meditation and watching sports with his friends. He is also an active volunteer with the Ismaili Council for Ontario for over 10 years.
Along with his Investment Funds in Canada certification, Niaz also holds a Specialized Honors Bachelor degree from York University.