Meet the team

Shawna is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA), and holds a Master of Taxation (MTax) degree from the University of Waterloo as well as her bachelor’s degree in Commerce from McGill University. She is also a Financial Planner (F. Pl.), duly registered under the Institut Québécois de Planification Financière (IQPF), and a member of the Society of Trust and Estate Planners (Quebec chapter). Prior to joining RBC, Shawna was a taxation manager at a Montreal-based accounting firm, providing sophisticated tax and wealth management planning to high-net-worth individuals and corporate clients. Shawna's area of expertise includes personal, corporate and estate tax planning, wealth preservation and financial planning. As a Financial Planning Specialist at RBC Family Office Services, Shawna works jointly with your advisor to prepare and present your comprehensive Compass Financial Plan.

Karen Loupelle joined RBC Financial Group in 1991 and has gained a unique understanding of high-net worth clients’ needs through roles with Royal Trust, RBC Investments, and RBC Dominion Securities.

Mrs. Loupelle has earned the Financial Planner designation granted by the Institut québecois de planification financière (IQPF) in 2004. She has 13 years of experience as a Financial Planner, ten of which were spent with the Compass Financial Planning team dealing with high-net worth individuals, and she is studying for her CPA with McGill University.

Karen’s role is to work with and support your advisor in preparing and presenting comprehensive Compass Financial Plans.

Nader holds a Master’s degree in taxation (LL.M. Tax.) from HEC Montreal and a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Moncton (NB). He is also a Financial Planner (F. Pl.), duly registered under the Institut Québécois de Planification Financière (IQPF).

Prior to joining RBC Wealth Management, Nader worked at a major accounting firms and other firms within the financial services industry, providing sophisticated tax and wealth management planning to high net worth individuals and corporate clients.

Nader’s areas of expertise include personal and corporate tax planning, taxation of life insurance, wealth preservation, and financial planning. As a Financial Planning Specialist at RBC Family Office Services, Nader works jointly with your advisor to prepare and present your comprehensive Compass Financial Plan.

Prior to joining RBC Wealth Management, Me Jennifer Katsaros launched her career at one of the largest Quebec-based networks of notarial firms in Montreal. During this period, Me Katsaros developed an expertise in Will and estate planning, as well as acquired a specialized knowledge in estate settlements and non-contentious procedures. To further her knowledge in the field of estate planning, Me Katsaros later joined a major Quebec law firm that specializes in taxation, where she specialized in estate settlements and estate planning for high-net-worth individuals.

These combined experiences ensure a holistic viewpoint and a collaborative approach to the client experience.

Member of the Board of Notaries of the Province of Quebec (Chambre des Notaires du Québec) since 2016, Me Katsaros obtained her Master's in Notarial Law (LL.M.) from the University of Montreal in 2015, after having obtained her Licentiate in Law (LL.L.) from the University of Ottawa in 2014. She also holds a Bachelor of Commerce (B.Comm.) from the John Molson School of Business, Concordia University since 2008.

Prior to joining RBC Wealth Management, Joseph Di Niro began his career as a Notary in private practice at a notarial firm in Montreal. During this period, Joseph developed an expertise in Will and estate planning and also acquired specialized knowledge in estate settlements and non-contentious matters. To further his knowledge in the field of taxation, Joseph later joined a multinational accounting organization, where he specialized in tax planning for individual and corporate clients. Member of the Board of Notaries of the Province of Quebec (Chambre des Notaires du Québec) since 2010, Joseph obtained his Notarial Law Degree (D.D.N.) from Université de Montréal in 2009, after having obtained his Bachelor of Law (LL.B.) from the Université de Québec à Montréal (UQAM) in 2007. Joseph is currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in Taxation from the University of Sherbrooke.

Ana's reputation is built on the outstanding level of service she provides. Motivated by a strong desire to help clients achieve their wealth goals, her focus as an Estate Planning Specialist is to build trust and loyalty first rather than only helping with a snapshot of their financial situations.

Driven to make an impact, Ana emphasizes building strong relationships and spends time making sure people are heard while addressing their concerns. She identifies and recommends the right solutions to meet both current and future lifestyle needs while minimizing risk to their existing wealth.

Ana joined the financial services industry in 2006 after receiving her degree from Concordia University in Mathematics and Statistics (BA). It was there that her analytical side and attention to detail flourished and shone. Ana is passionate about sports and a devoted fan of her hometown team, the Montreal Canadiens.

Prior to joining RBC, Nathalie specialized in corporate commercial law and estate and trust law during her eleven years in private practice.

She focused primarily on mergers and acquisitions and tax driven corporate transactions, advising small and medium size businesses in connection with day to day requirements, such as shareholder issues, restructuring, strategic alliances and standard agreements. In addition, Nathalie focused on estate and trust planning, tax planning and estate administration and liquidation, implementation of tax and estate plans, Wills, trusts, corporate reorganizations, business succession plans and wealth preservation.

In 2010, Nathalie 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.

Nathalie obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree (political science) from Concordia University in 1992. She obtained her law degree from l’Université de Montréal Faculty of Law in 1995. She was called to the Barreau du Québec in 2000. Nathalie also completed her CICA in-depth tax courses, Parts I and II.

She is an active member of The Society of Trust & Estate Practitioners (Quebec chapter) and the Canadian Bar Association (Quebec).

As a Private Banker with RBC Wealth Management, Private Banking, Ben Ruggeri provides comprehensive wealth management and financing strategies to high-net-worth business owners, executives, professionals and their families.

Based in Westmount, Mr. Ruggeri works with a select number of clients in the North-West region to address their often-complex banking, credit and wealth management needs by providing tailored seamless banking and financial solutions.

When necessary, he can access specialists from across RBC in order to work collaboratively to provide a complete range of complementary services, from investment management to estate and legacy planning, and from domestic and international trust services to sophisticated credit and leverage strategies to support individual short and long term goals.

Mr. Ruggeri offers an extensive background in client relationship to his role as a Private Banker. He draws on 19 years of experience within RBC, consisting of a wide range of senior management positions in both Retail and Commercial Banking covering areas in Risk Management and Financial Restructuring.

A graduate of John Molson School of Business - Concordia University specializing with a degree in accounting, Mr. Ruggeri has continued to deepen his knowledge and expertise with key industry designations such as CPA, CMA.  Mr. Ruggeri is a member of the Ordre des Comptables Professionnels Agréés du Québec.

Away from the office, Mr. Ruggeri enjoys spending time with his wife and two boys. He enjoys coaching his sons in Hockey and Soccer and enjoys playing organized Hockey.

As a Private Banker since 2005, Vera Kurkdjian brings over 15 years of financial services experience and extensive expertise to her role. She provides comprehensive banking, complex credit and wealth management solutions for high-net-worth entrepreneurs, executives and professionals, along with their families and their businesses, throughout the greater Montreal area.

As a trusted advisor to her clients, Ms. Kurkdjian facilitates access to customized solutions including tax and retirement planning, complex credit structures and sophisticated levels of banking and cash management needs. When needed, she will partner with a broad range of specialists across RBC to deliver investment management, Will and estate planning, commercial banking, business succession planning and trust structures to meet both the domestic and international needs of her clients. In recognition of her dedication and outstanding service and advice delivery to her clients, she has been named a member of the RBC Wealth Management, Private Banking Executive Council since 2012.

Ms. Kurkdjian holds a Master of Business Administration degree (MBA) from Dalhousie University, a Bachelor of Commerce degree from Concordia University, majoring in accounting, and the designation of Financial Planner through the Institut Québecois de Planification Financière.

Committed to educating young people on financial literacy and the importance of sound money management, Ms. Kurkdjian takes time outside of work to help mentor young people starting their adult lives and careers. In her spare time she enjoys travelling, reading and spending time with her family.

Since joining RBC in 1986, Lynda Henry has assumed various responsibilities, including advising clients in her role as Financial Planner. Her strong client commitment approach took her to Private Banking, where she has been able to develop long-standing relationships with her clients.

A Private Banker since 2005, Ms. Henry acts as a personal financial advisor, helping clients achieve their goals with support from RBC's best resources. “Our clients know we are there – and always will be there – to provide effective solutions for all of their short-, medium- and long-term financial needs.”

In addition to providing superior service, Ms. Henry supports her clients in everything related to their personal, family and professional financial structure. “Having in-depth knowledge of each client's situation means I can be more effective in making important decisions, which saves them time and money.”

The Private Banking team facilitates all transactions across the RBC network. “All services are brought under one roof to cover all the aspects of in-depth financial planning. Clients are supported by a team of professionals who work with them to consolidate their assets.”
A single phone call will give you an appreciation of her drive!