Partners

Richard has a Master in Business Administration (MBA) and a bachelor degree in Civil Law (LL.B.) from University of Sherbrooke as well as a bachelor degree in Common Law (Juris Doctor) from Queen’s University in Kingston. He is a Certified International Wealth Manager (CIWM), a Fellow of the Canadian Securities Institute (FCSI), a Canadian Investment Manager (CIM), a Certified Financial Planner Professional (CFP) from the Financial Planner Standard Council and a Financial Planner from the “Institut Québécois de Planification Financière” (F.Pl.).

Before joining RBC Family Office Services in 2015, Richard worked in the securities industry with Canadian and American brokerage firms and with the Montreal Exchange, where he worked as a Trader, Banker, Financial Advisor, Private Advisor and Financial Planner. He also spent three years in a Montreal based law firm specialized in business law.

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

Pierre earned his Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) and his Masters in Business Administration (MBA) with a specialization in financial services from UQAM. He has his designation from the Institut Québécois de planification financière (IQPF) and has completed the Professional Financial Planning Course (PFP) from the CSI. He is also a Fellow of the Canadian Bankers Institute.
Pierre has extensive experience in providing financial planning advice to clients with complex and sophisticated needs and goals. He draws on the breadth of expertise that he has developed over his 26 years in the financial sector.

His role consists of working with your advisor and to assist in the establishment and the presentation of comprehensive financial plans for clients.

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.

Nelly holds a Master’s of Business Law from Université Paris 1 (Panthéon- Sorbonne), and a D.E.S.S. in International Business Law from Université Paris Descartes.She received her financial planner designation from the Institut québécois de planification financière (IQPF) in 2004.

Nelly has over 15 years of experience as a financial planner. Before joining RBC, Nelly worked with financial advisors’ clients to optimize their financial position and wealth by creating strategic action plans customized to their needs.

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.

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, Michael Neudorf specialized in personal, estate and corporate planning for clients in a national law firm. In particular, Michael focused on providing tailor-made service to clients by assisting them in navigating through personal and legal issues in the most tax-efficient manner.

Michael obtained his Bachelor of Law (LL.B) in 2015 from the University of Montreal and was called to the Barreau du Quebec in 2016. Michael also holds a BA from McGill University in Political Science and History.

Michael is an active member of the Canadian Tax Foundation, the Association de planification fiscale et financière, the International Fiscal Association and the Canadian Bar Association.

Erin Lesser is a Quebec-based lawyer who joined the RBC Family Services Office as a Will and Estate Consultant in January of 2023. Prior to joining RBC, she gained more than six years of experience in the fields of taxation and estate planning through working at a boutique, tax-focused Montreal law firm and then a mid-sized accounting firm. She earned a Bachelor’s degree from Concordia University and then completed both her civil law degree and juris doctor at the University of Montreal. She also obtained her Society of Trusts and Estates Practitioners (STEP) diploma in 2020, and is currently working to complete the CPA Canada In-Depth Taxation course. Erin is committed to providing clients with practical, creative and appropriate solutions for their estate planning needs. Not only has Erin practiced in estate planning and various other areas of taxation, she also has experience in Will and mandate drafting, estate administration and international estate concerns. As a result, she is able to guide clients towards a tax-efficient estate plan in addition to addressing any particular needs or wishes clients may have regarding their estate. Active in the legal community, Erin is a member of the Canadian Tax Foundation’s Young Practitioner’s Committee, she is the acting second vicepresident of the Lord Reading Law Society and is a member of the Society of Trusts and Estates Practitioners. She is also a volunteer mentor to McGill and Concordia university students considering a career in law. 

The Care Factor – fine-tuned answers.

Benjamin Otto is motivated to serve others. “My dad is a pastor. Growing up, I often went with him visiting congregational members in their homes, hospitals and nursing homes. I saw him working extremely hard for others and the positive impact it had on them.”

This sensitivity to people’s needs and expectations is at the core of Ben’s philosophy. Ben and his team call it The Care Factor. It means that for every client, they work with meticulous devotion to provide fine-tuned answers and remove the stress of the unknown. Ben draws on his creative thinking, passion, and 22 years of expertise, to offer fresh perspectives and develop innovative solutions for complex high net worth cases.

Ben and his team are committed to being their client’s most trustworthy resource.

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 to build strong relationships and spends her time making sure people are heard while addressing their concerns. She identifies and recommends the right solutions to meet both lifestyle and estate planning 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.

As an Estate Planning Specialist, Daniel Duchesne gives advisors and their clients something they weren’t expecting. A different discussion about life insurance – one in which they are completely comfortable.

As Daniel puts it, “So many clients say: ‘Why has no one had this discussion with me before?’ The image they had of life insurance is transformed. They say, ‘Wow – I didn’t know insurance could do that.’”

Daniel has an innate ability to put those around him at ease – by simplifying complex matters. His goal is to have two happy clients, the advisor and their client.

Everything he and his team do is for one single reason – to help clients preserve and enhance personal and corporate wealth. They are always asking themselves: “If the client was our parent, would we recommend the same thing?”

As the Will and Estate Advisor for the Quebec region, Sabrina Silvano provides estate settlement strategies and solutions for clients and their families.

Sabrina works collaboratively with clients, their families and their trusted professionals in order to develop personalized multi-generational estate plans incorporating wills, testamentary and inter vivos trusts, and Protection Mandates. Through this process, she helps families ensure the protection of their patrimony and facilitates its smooth transfer to the next generation.

Sabrina is a highly leveraged resource to the Quebec region team providing insights and advice related to the ever changing laws on estate and trust structures. Her technical expertise complements her skill in managing the complexities of family dynamics. She brings a compassionate, expert perspective that is welcomed by families who may be struggling with the difficult decisions that often accompany estate planning, whether it’s protecting an heir with a disability, providing for children from a previous union, minimizing family conflict or dealing with beneficiaries or assets that are situated outside of Canada.

Fully bilingual, Sabrina holds a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) and a Juris Doctor (J.D.) in North American Common Law from the University of Montreal and is a member of the Quebec Bar and gained her TEP designation in 2018.

As a Will and Estate Advisor for the Quebec Region, Frédéric provides estate settlement strategies and solutions that centre on understanding and addressing the unique needs of each client. He works collaboratively with clients, their families and trusted professionals in order to develop personalized multi-generational estate plans incorporating Wills, testamentary and inter vivos trusts, and protection mandates. Through this process, Frédéric helps families protect their legacy and facilitates its smooth transfer to the next generation.

Frédéric’s technical expertise complements his skill set in managing the complexities of family dynamics. He brings a compassionate, expert perspective that is welcomed by families who may be struggling with the difficult decisions that often accompany estate planning, whether it’s protecting an heir with a disability, providing for children from a previous union, minimizing family conflict or dealing with beneficiaries or assets that are situated outside of Canada.

Fully bilingual, Frédéric holds a Bachelor of Laws from the Université de Sherbrooke—he is a member of the Quebec Bar and practiced law for four years. Frédéric has continued to deepen his knowledge and expertise with key industry designations, such as the Trust and Estate Practitioner designation (TEP), and as a member of the Canadian division of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP). In addition to his industry experience and background, Frédéric obtained his accreditation from the Institut québécois de la planification financière (IQPF) and served as a financial planner with RBC

Alda Tropea brings more than 35 years of trust industry experience to her role as Regional Trust Advisor.

Alda’s depth of experience, coupled with her professionalism and dedication to client service, serves her well in her current role. She understands that the role of an executor is a difficult one and her sensitive handling of evolving family dynamics= have earned her a reputation as a trusted advisor.

An expert focused on executor services, she helps executors identify where RBC can help to lift the burden of an executorship, whether in a simple administrative capacity helping with specific tasks, or in a more comprehensive manner carrying out the entire estate settlement process on their behalf.

Alda can provide customized solutions to help individuals carry

out their executor duties and can help to expedite the settlement process, and maximize the estate’s value through knowledgeable handling of estate and tax issues.

A graduate of McGill University, with a Bachelor of Commerce in Finance, Alda has attained the key industry designations of Senior Trust Officer (Institute of Canadian Bankers), Financial Planner (Quebec Institute of Financial Planners - IQPF), and Trust and Estate Practitioner (TEP), and is a member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP).

Alda’s solid reputation as an estate and trust specialist is valued by clients who rely on her when it comes to discussing estate settlement and administration services, trustee and power of attorney services, as well as other specialized services offered through RBC Royal Trust throughout Canada.

Alda’s dedication to clients has been recognized by the Award of Excellence, one of RBC’s highest honours. She is fluent in English, French and Italian.

As a Senior Will and Estate Advisor for the Quebec Region, Tiziana Cirigliano brings an approach to estate planning that centers on understanding and addressing the unique needs of each client.

Tiziana works collaboratively with clients, their families and trusted professionals, to craft a personalized multi-generational estate plan that incorporates Wills, testamentary and inter vivos trusts, and protection mandates. Through this process, she helps clients ensure the protection of their patrimony and facilitates its smooth transfer to the next generation.

Tiziana’s technical expertise complements her skill set in managing
the complexities of family dynamics. She brings a compassionate, knowledgeable perspective that is welcomed by families who may be struggling with the difficult decisions that often accompany estate planning, whether it’s protecting an heir with a disability, providing for children from

a previous union, minimizing family conflict or dealing with beneficiaries or assets that are situated outside of Canada.

Fully bilingual, Tiziana holds a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) and a Diploma in Notarial Law (D.D.N.) from the Université de Montréal, as well as a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from McGill University. In addition to her education, she has been a member of the Chambre des notaires du Québec since 2006.

As a Premier Banking Advisor for the Montreal market, Suvra Das works as a single point of contact, providing personal banking and credit solutions for select clients of Wealth Management Canada and their families. Partnering with Investment Advisors and Counsellors across the region of Montreal, he provides personalized service and tailored advice to help clients save time and effectively manage their day to day banking needs.

With more than 13 years of experience in both personal and business financial services with RBC, Suvra is respected among his clients, industry peers, and has been well recognized in the organization for his contribution. Born in Asia and residing in greater Montreal area for the last 22 years, Suvra is committed to giving back to his community, and contributes to raising funds yearly at the ISKCON Montreal temple for the purpose of the distribution of free vegetarian meals.

He currently resides in the Montreal West Island area with his wife and young son. He is passionate about the electric vehicle industry. Suvra fluently speaks; French, English, Bengali and Hindi.

As a Premier Banking Advisor for the Montreal market, Cristina Craciun 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 12 years of experience in financial services, including more than 9 years with RBC, Cristina has held various advisory roles including a role of senior advisor in personal banking. She is recognized for her ability to give sound advice to high-net-worth clients such as doctors, professionals and business owners and to surround herself with different partners within RBC for an excellent customer experience.

Cristina is committed to giving back to her community and has volunteered for the Ronald McDonald House of Montreal, Light the Night Walk (The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada), and several other charity and community events organized by RBC. She also organised financial literacy seminars for ERS a not-for-profit that supports English speaking unemployed people to integrate into the Quebec work environment.

Born in Romania, Cristina holds a Bachelor in Law and Public Administration, major in Public Administration from the University of Economics and Law, Romania. She speaks fluent French, English, and Romanian.

Cristina currently resides in the Montreal area and spends her spare time with her family and friends, playing tennis, reading, and listening to music. She also enjoys traveling and learning about other cultures.

As a Premier Banking Advisor for the Montreal market, Vishesh works as a single point of contact, providing banking and credit solutions for select clients of Wealth Management and their families. Partnering with Investment Advisors and Counsellors across the region, he provides personalized services and tailored advice to help clients save time and effectively manage their day to day banking needs.

With over 5 years' experience in the banking industry, mainly in the roles of Banking Advisor and Business Advisor. Vishesh has acquired skillsets that enable him to deliver quality and personalized advice to his esteemed clients. Throughout his current tenure at the bank, he has received several recognitions for his dedication, teamwork and quality of service delivered to clients.

His banking experience also includes participation in international expansion projects and interactions with decision makers such as Company Executives, CFOs and CEOs. He learnt to perform in high-pressure environments and meet strict deadlines. This enabled him to have a better understanding of the mannerisms of the banking world, its demands and implications from both macroeconomic and microeconomic perspectives. He developed an early passion for economics and the modern monetary systems. He hopes to have a long career in the baking industry.

Vishesh was born and raised in Mauritius, immigrating to Canada in 2018. He did his studies in applied mathematics at the University of Florida Institute of Technology where he had earned an academic scholarship. He is a person with good interpersonal skills, creativity, adaptability, polyvalence and pragmatism, who keeps ethics in high regards and devotes the best of himself to fulfil his duties.