RBC partners

Susannah is a Chartered Accountant, Certified Management Accountant and Certified Financial Planner. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Waterloo, specializing in Chartered Accountancy.

Prior to joining RBC, Susannah provided comprehensive financial planning guidance and advice to executives, business owners, professionals and high net worth families. Susannah uses a holistic approach to helping clients address all areas of their financial planning.

Susannah’s role is to work with and support your Investment Advisor in preparing and presenting comprehensive Compass Financial Plans.

Mouyleng (Mou) Ly is a Chartered Accountant and a Certified Financial Planner. Mou obtained her Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Ottawa. She has completed the CICA In-Depth Tax course and is a member of The Society of Trust & Estate Practitioners (Canada) and the Canadian Tax Foundation.

Prior to joining RBC in 2011, Mou provided professional services to individuals and their owner-managed entities, specializing in personal and corporate tax, estate and financial planning.

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

After four years with a leading life insurer, Barrington joined RBC in 1993 to help RBC advisors introduce their clients to a new strategy to build and protect their wealth: tax-exempt insurance. Since then, clients, along with their tax and legal advisors, have come to rely on his expertise and advice as a recognized specialist on insurance-based wealth enhancement and protection.

Barrington is an accredited Certified Financial Planner, Chartered Life Underwriter and Family Enterprise Advisor. He is also a member of CALU, the Conference for Advanced Life Underwriting which mandates interests specific to advanced financial planning issues related to estate planning and corporate-owned life insurance, to name a few.

Always willing to contribute to the insurance community, Barrington is regularly called upon as a featured speaker at national conferences held by life insurers and affiliated industry associations.

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.

A former tax lawyer with over 25 years of experience in the insurance industry, Joel brings a unique perspective to the estate planning needs of his clients. Joel works closely with you and your team of professional advisors to develop and implement tax-efficient strategies to help you achieve your wealth management goals.

Joel received his BA (Economics) from Brandeis University, his LL.B from the University of Toronto and LL.M in Tax Law from Osgoode Hall Law School. He is a Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) and a member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (TEP). Joel is a frequent speaker at industry and professional conferences. His articles have appeared in numerous publications including the Canadian Tax Journal and the Canadian Business Law Journal. He is the founding co-editor of the leading text on tax planning with life insurance, Canadian Taxation of Life Insurance.

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.

Kelly received her law degree from the University of Western Ontario in 1993 and was called to the bar in 1995.

She practised in the areas of litigation, family law and estate planning at a law firm until joining a major trust company in 1996, where she worked in a variety of roles involving estate administration and planning. Kelly joined RBC Dominion Securities in 2003.

Kelly received her Certified Financial Planning (CFP) designation in 1998 and is a member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) as well as the Law Society of Upper Canada. She has completed Parts I and II of the CICA in-depth tax course.

Kelly’s significant practical experience in the estate planning and administration field, coupled with her financial planning expertise, allows her to offer guidance on both the tax and personal implications of your estate plan.

As a Senior Trust Advisor, Karen Snowdon-Steacy is responsible for managing a complex book of accounts, and services clients throughout the Greater Toronto Area. Karen works with individuals, families and businesses to provide customized estate, trust and incapacity solutions. Whether it is helping someone to settle an estate, establishing a trust to ensure the successful transfer of family assets, or arranging to assist with the administration and responsibilities for a power of attorney, Karen can help. Karen also has specialized and experience in advising on philanthropic and charitable giving strategies for clients who wish to leave a lasting legacy.

A graduate of Victoria University at the University of Toronto specializing in history and political science, Karen has continued to deepen her knowledge and expertise with key industry designations such as Trust and Estate Practitioner (TEP). Karen is a full member of STEP.

With 30 years of experience, Karen is well known within the local estate and trust industry and delivers well-balanced advice by staying abreast of product, industry, investment, tax and legislative developments. With a career focused on building client relationships, she is dedicated to providing assistance in the preservation, management and transfer of wealth between generations by providing solutions to implement clients’ estate, trust and philanthropic plans.

As a Senior Trust Advisor, Manish Gosrani is responsible for managing a complex book of accounts. He works with individuals, families and businesses throughout Toronto and the GTA to provide customized estate, trust and incapacity solutions.

Whether it is helping someone to settle an estate, establishing a trust to ensure the successful transfer of family assets, or arranging to assist with the administration and responsibilities for a Power of Attorney, Manish can help.

Manish has more than 25 years of wealth management experience in Canada and the UK. He holds a Bachelor of Law degree (LL.B), is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) and is working towards his Trust and Estate Practitioner (TEP) designation to further strengthen his industry knowledge and expertise.

Manish has a deep understanding of priorities and needs of wealth advisors and delivers well balanced advice by staying abreast of product, industry, investment, tax and legislative developments. With a career focused on building client relationships, he 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. He is dedicated to providing assistance in the preservation, management and transfer of wealth between generations by providing solutions to implement clients’ estate, trust and philanthropic plans

As a Premier Banking Advisor, Charmaine Fitzgerald provides banking and credit solutions to select high-net-worth individuals and their families. Acting as a single point of contact, she partners with Investment Advisors across the Toronto region, and provides personalized service and tailored advice to efficiently and effectively manage their day-to-day banking needs.

With 15 years of experience in financial services with RBC, Charmaine is respected by clients and industry peers, having received top performer recognition multiple times.

Charmaine is deeply committed to giving back to her community, and has volunteered with the RBC Blue Water Project, Ronald McDonald House and Out of the Cold, helping to feed the homeless at Beaches United Church.

Born in Trinidad in the West Indies and raised in Winnipeg, Charmaine holds the Managerial and Financial Leadership Diploma from the University of Winnipeg and a Registered Nursing Certificate from the Centennial College of Applied Arts.

She currently resides in Toronto with her husband and son, and when she isn’t hard at work for her clients, you’ll find her travelling, riding her bike, catching up on world news and looking for new ways to help her clients achieve their financial goals.

As a Premier Banking Advisor for Toronto, Marzena Hladowczak, 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 over 7 years of experience in financial services with RBC, Marzena has become a respected member of the banking community in which she works, and has received top performer recognition.

Born in Poland and raised in Toronto from age 14. When she isn't hard at work with her clients, you"ll find her taking part in a yoga class, indulging in literature or out in a nature hike as embracing the outdoors and being active are two of her greatest passions.

David Vander Voet is a long-time Private Banker at RBC Wealth Management with a career that spans over 20 years in financial services. David leads a team of banking and credit professionals to provide a select group of clients with sophisticated financial counsel and services. He specializes in advising high-net-worth business owners, professional athletes, healthcare professionals, executives and their families.

As a wealth planner, he designs sophisticated banking, personalized short- and long-term lending, and flexible credit packages for his clients. He works with an extensive network of specialists across RBC, in both Canada and the U.S. to offer a comprehensive range of services – including investment management, commercial banking, estate planning, and domestic and international trusts.

David and his team are committed to ensuring that each client experience is tailored to their unique personal and financial needs. This is accomplished through the following:

• Frequent communication, meeting clients on their terms, listening to their needs and working closely with them, their families and their external advisors.
• Acting as trusted advocates and advisors, and delivering the highest level of client care with every interaction.
• Through deep discovery and understanding, delivering proactive wealth management strategies and integrated solutions.
• Facilitating introductions to RBC experts at every opportunity to provide a broad range of wealth management solutions.
• Building a comprehensive financial plan to preserve, diversify and grow client wealth.

To ensure personalized service and attention to detail, David and his team work with a limited number of clients. This approach helps the team simplify their clients' lives, while delivering comprehensive, integrated financial solutions.

David holds his Personal Financial Planner designation along with an Honours Degree in International Relations from York University. He is active in his community as a hockey, lacrosse and soccer coach. In his spare time David enjoys time with his family, golf and the arts.

Ligia Botea is dedicated to providing exceptional client service to her professional, executive and business owner clients. She first joined RBC in Montreal, where she provided business and commercial banking services for her clients. Passionate about helping business owners achieve their personal and financial goals, she found synergies between the two platforms, which would later create a foundation for her move to Private Banking.

Now in the Toronto Private Banking office, Ms. Botea works closely with her clients to ensure a seamless, unparalleled wealth management experience. She creates tailored financial solutions for high-net-worth individuals, business owners, professionals, executives and their families. Through RBC, she partners with specialists in Canada and in key markets worldwide to provide a complete range of complementary services, from sophisticated banking and credit solutions, to estate and philanthropic strategies, to domestic and international trust services, for business as well as personal clients.

Committed to lifelong learning, Ms. Botea holds her Masters in Business Administration (MBA) from HEC Montreal. She has also attained several industry designations including Financial Analysis Certification (FAC), a certification in Financial Services Advice (FSA) and Professional Financial Planner (PFP).

Fluent in English and French, she is adept with a chessboard and loves to travel. Outside of the office, she is active with local schools in the Region of Peel, helping to support access to extra-curricular programs for all children. She is married with two sons.

Suzanne Mar brings more than 20 years of financial industry experience and expertise to her role as Private Banker. Based in Toronto, she works with a select group of very high-net-worth clients, their families and their businesses to provide tailored banking, credit and wealth management solutions.

With a graduate degree specializing in entrepreneurial studies and corporate finance, Suzanne's career in financial services has included a variety of relationship management roles, and extensive experience working with business-owners of growth-oriented, technology based companies. With a career strategically focused on founders and investors in the technology sector, she has established a reputation as trusted advisor to some of the most successful tech entrepreneurs in the country.

Suzanne works with her clients to plan and execute integrated wealth management plans. These include leverage strategies, business succession planning, philanthropy and intergenerational wealth transfer. She builds a bespoke team of experts, from within RBC and externally, for each family, which may include tax, financial and estate planning advice as well as investment strategies, corporate finance and risk management planning.

Suzanne is a dedicated mother of two busy daughters in mid-town Toronto. She has a passion for the arts and healthy living. Suzanne's charities of choice focus on women and children in crisis.

Amy Thambirajah brings over 10 years of banking experience to her role serving high-net-worth clients in Toronto and the surrounding area.

As Private Banker in the downtown Toronto office, she draws on her extensive experience to advise on a number of issues that affect her business owner and professional clients, including banking, lending and wealth management. As needed, she partners with talented specialists from across RBC to provide a complete range of complementary services, including estate and tax planning, investment management and trust services. Ms. Thambirajah and her team are dedicated to providing exceptional client service while building strong relationships with their clients.

Prior to joining Private Banking, Ms. Thambirajah served as Regional Manager for RBC Global Asset Management where she was responsible for the investment capabilities of RBC advisors in the branch channel. Her main experience is as a dedicated Financial Planner serving over 350 high-net-worth clients in Toronto's downtown core. In 2013, she was a recipient of the RBC Cruise and prestigious Leo Award for ultimate recognition bestowed on an employee, the very best of the best across RBC.

Ms. Thambirajah holds a Bachelor of Arts degree majoring in business and psychology from Saint Marys University and has her personal financial planning designation. She also has a deep passion for facilitation, mentoring and public speaking.

Ms. Thambirajah was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia and raised there before she made Toronto her home in 2010. She first joined RBC in Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia and takes great pride in her East Coast roots. She keeps active outside the office with fitness, travelling, and reading. She is married with a young daughter and two golden doodles dogs.

Prashant has assisted high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth families with tax, estate and retirement issues since 1992.

His guidance supports clients in their relationships with their external professional advisors, with whom he frequently interacts.

His expertise includes tax and estate planning for executives, business owners, retirees, sports professionals and individuals with U.S. issues. He also assists individuals facing significant financial events (sale of business, financial windfall, retirement, job loss, moving to Canada, leaving Canada, etc.)

Prior to joining RBC in 1999, Prashant honed his expertise by working as a Canadian and U.S. tax specialist for two of the big four accounting firms in downtown Toronto.

Prashant is a Certified Financial Planner, Associate of the Society of Actuaries and member of both the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners and Canadian Tax Foundation.

Abby specializes in tax and estate planning for high-net-worth and ultra high-net-worth families. 

Her guidance supports clients in their relationships with their external professional advisors, with whom she frequently interacts. 

Prior to joining High Net Worth Planning Services, Abby provided tax, retirement, estate and financial planning advice to RBC advisors and their clients. She has written articles on various topics including charitable donations, executive compensation, tax planning and retirement planning. 

Prior to joining RBC, Abby worked in a medium sized accounting firm assisting business executives and high net worth clients with their tax planning and estate planning. She worked closely with owner-manager shareholders to assess and recommend the best tax planning strategies, the best corporate structure and the most suitable succession plan. 

Abby is a Chartered Accountant and has a Bachelor in Economics and Commerce from the University of Toronto. She completed the In-Depth tax courses I and II and the In-Depth Tax Issues for the Owner-Managed Business as well as the Canadian Securities Course. She is also a Registered Trust and Estate Practitioner (TEP) with the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) and has obtained the STEP Advanced Certificate in Family Business Advising. Abby is also a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) and is a member of the Canadian Tax Foundation. Lastly, Abby is a certified Family Enterprise Advisor (FEA), which allows her to address the complex needs of family enterprise clients. 

Murray has been providing advice and technical support in relation to high-net-worth family wealth planning since 1994. Conversations include scenarios to be aware of in transitioning, including the costs of transitioning, your assets to your intended heirs. Additional areas of concern may include tax, asset preservation and philanthropic planning.

Murray’s expertise encompasses both domestic and international family circumstances, and in many cases is focused on the challenges of transitioning a family business. His guidance supports clients in their relationships with their external professional advisors, with whom he frequently interacts.

Before joining RBC’s Canadian Wealth Management Services team in 2008, Murray worked with RBC’s Global Private Banking group as the senior resource in their global trust business for over 13 years.

Prior to joining RBC, Murray practised law for six years in the areas of estate and tax planning, as well as various areas of business law.

Murray was a Director of STEP Canada (Society of Trust & Estate Practitioners) from its inception until 2009, and has been a member of the International Tax Planning Association and the Canadian Tax Foundation over the years. He has been a featured speaker at Estate Planning Councils, Law Society and STEP practitioner education conferences in Canada and abroad.

Jim specializes in providing cross border tax planning. He joins RBC Wealth Management Services having recently retired from KPMG LLP after 33 years of services.

Most recently, he was a partner and the Practice Leader of KPMG’s International Executive Services (“IES”) practice in Canada, where he provided cross border tax and consulting services to employees, their employers, high net worth individuals and individuals with investments outside their home country. Jim was a member of the KPMG IES Global Steering Group which establishes strategies, policies and procedures for KPMG’s global IES practice.

Jim was also the practice leader for Global Wealth Services (“GWS”), which provides U.S. and Canadian income, trust and estate planning services to executives and high net worth individuals.

Prior to relocating to Toronto in June 1993, he worked in New York, Hong Kong and Miami where he served U.S. based clients expanding internationally and foreign-based clients from Canada, Europe, Asia and Latin America expanding into the U.S. He and his wife, Suzanne, moved to Colorado during 2014 where he continues to practice cross border tax planning.

As both a Canadian Chartered Professional Accountant and a U.S. Certified Public Accountant, Jim is uniquely prepared to provide international tax consulting services. Furthermore, having been an expatriate himself for over twenty-seven years, he is “intimately” aware of the cross border tax issues.

RBC Private Insurance offers customized protection on high-value homes, vehicles, watercrafts, collections, and more.

As a Private Client Insurance Specialist, Melissa will conduct a Personal Risk Assessment to provide holistic advice. She will work closely with you to customize your High Net Worth coverage to your unique needs and lifestyle.

Prior to joining RBC Private Insurance, Melissa worked with the RBC Insurance retail division for over a decade. Her main focus was to offer a superior client experience whilst matching her client needs with protection of assets. This led her to winning many accolades including the coveted RBC Insurance President’s Club medal.

Melissa holds the prestigious Chartered Insurance Professional (CIP)Designation which is the benchmark of insurance professionalism from the Insurance Institute of Canada.

Saverio has over 30 years of industry experience, 14 years specializing in the Group Retirement space. He has successful driven sales results by developing and building long-term client relationships and providing custom solutions to meet client needs through exceptional service and advice. He has proven success partnering with DS Investment Advisors. Recently, he closed a 500 person media company. The plan allowed for a DS Advisor to be present at enrolment and onboard 4 executives of the firm.

Saverio was recognized in 2017 as a RBC Convention Award winner.