RBC Partners

Sasha Krasnov brings more than 15 years of extensive financial services experience to RBC Wealth Management, Private Banking. As a private banker, Sasha provides comprehensive wealth management and financing strategies to high-net-worth business owners, executives, professionals and their families.

Based in Vancouver, Sasha works with a small number of complex clients and family offices in BC to address their complex banking, credit and wealth management needs by providing tailored seamless banking and financial solutions. Her team's 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 collaborate 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 and from domestic and international trust services to sophisticated credit and leverage strategies to support individual short- and long-term goals.

Sasha has more than 15 years of experience within RBC, consisting of a wide range of corporate banking, risk management, strategy and leadership roles, in both Vancouver and Toronto.

After earning a MBA from the University of British Columbia, Sasha has continued to deepen her knowledge and expertise with key industry designations such as the Personal Financial Planner (PFP) designation. To support the community, she volunteers for North Shore Neighborhood house and mentors women in finance.

Away from the office, Sasha enjoys skiing, hiking, running and yoga.

As a Private Banker, Nicole Russell provides tailored financial planning and banking services to a select group of successful entrepreneurs, professionals, executives and their families throughout the Greater Vancouver Area.  Her focus on understanding her clients' goals, aspirations and priorities enables her to provide customized advice and wealth management solutions that cover estate planning, credit, cash management and convenient day-to-day banking offerings. She strives to cultivate trusted relationships for the long term by collaborating with top experts from across RBC to implement intergenerational wealth plans, ensuring financial goals are for met today and in the future.

Ms. Russell brings over a decade of professional experience in both personal and business banking. Prior to taking on the role of Private Banker, Ms. Russell spent several years providing credit advice to some of the wealthiest RBC Private Banking clients in Western Canada. This included working with complex family and business structures to implement specialized credit solutions that accommodated unique financial objectives and tax considerations. Before specializing in lending, Ms. Russell was a trusted adviser to entrepreneurs as a Senior Business Account Manager. She helped her clients build and grow businesses by providing cash flow management recommendations and lending strategies. While assisting with business solutions, she concurrently supported the entrepreneur with personal financial management advice including every day banking, saving and investing, debt management and estate planning.

RBC has recognized Ms. Russell as being a national top performer for quality of client service and financial advice which has earned her an invitation to attend RBC's coveted annual convention three times in the past five years.

Nicole holds a Personal Financial Planning (PFP®) designation and a Diploma with Distinction in Financial Management.

As a Private Banker with RBC Wealth Management, Private Banking, Allison Gordon-Collins provides comprehensive wealth management and financing strategies to high-net-worth business owners, executives, professionals and their families on the North Shore, Sunshine Coast and Sea to Sky Corridor.

Ms. Gordon-Collins has worked in financial services for over 17 years. Prior to joining RBC she held the position of Associate Private Banker to a Senior Private Banker of another major Canadian financial institution, and provided comprehensive private banking solutions and advice to high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth families. Prior to this she was a financial planner. Now, in her current role as Private Banker, she works to deliver seamless, unparalleled banking and financial solutions for clients with often-complex banking and credit needs. As needed, she partners with specialists from across RBC to provide a complete range of complementary services, from investment management to estate and philanthropic strategies, domestic and international trust services.

Ms. Gordon-Collins holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) and a Bachelor of Commerce (B.Comm.) degree from Dalhousie University, and has earned the Personal Financial Planner (PFP) designation, which gives her insight into the ongoing needs of her clients. She is an Associate of the Institute of Canadian Bankers (AICB) and has completed the Financial Management Advisor(FMA)course.

Originally from Langley, British Columbia, Ms. Gordon-Collins attended university in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Outside of the office, she is passionate about supporting her community. For several years she volunteered her time on a non profit board, the Housing Foundation of British Columbia, which provides affordable housing for low-income seniors, and in 2014 was team captain for her local Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation ride for diabetes research team. She also enjoys reconnecting with her university and served as the co-chair of Dalhousie's local Alumni association for several years. Ms . Gordon-Collins and her young family enjoy spending time by the ocean or in the mountains hiking, mountain biking, cross-country skiing and snowboarding.

Our promise to you: comprehensive, integrated banking and wealth planning

As a Private Banker in Vancouver, Glenn Tanaka provides expert financial counsel to a select group of clients throughout the West Coast.

Mr. Tanaka acts as a dedicated relationship manager for his clients and their families who value his discretion and guidance in advising them through all stages of their financial lives. The expertise and experience Glenn applies to his responsibilities was gained through a career of almost two decades in the financial industry.

Working with a relatively small number of clients ensures a level of highly personalized service. Mr. Tanaka provides sophisticated banking, customized short- and long-term lending solutions and flexible credit packages. Through the RBC Financial Group, he co-ordinates a team of domestic and international experts who provide investments, commercial banking, and domestic and international trust services, enabling him to deliver comprehensive financial strategies as required.

Mr. Tanaka has earned his Personal Financial Planner and Specialist, Trust Institute designations, and has completed the Canadian Securities Course. He was awarded a gold medal for academic excellence while completing his studies to become a Fellow of the Institute of Canadian Bankers. He holds a Finance degree from the University of British Columbia.

An active member of his community, Mr. Tanaka volunteers his time with the Nikkei Seniors Healthcare and Housing Society, and the Morten Creek Salmon Enhancement project (part of the RBC North Shore Employee volunteer project). He also coaches lacrosse and hockey, and is involved with fundraising for his son's school. In his spare time Mr. Tanaka enjoys golf, baseball and fishing.

Mr. Micheal Knott brings more than a decade of experience in financial services to his role as Private Banker. He and his team provide personalized, discreet financial counsel to a select group of high net worth business owners, entrepreneurs, professionals, and their families throughout the Greater Vancouver Area.

As a dedicated relationship manger, Mr. Knott provides his clients and their families with sophisticated banking, personalized short and long-term credit solutions, and flexible cash management, drawing on the expertise of a broad group of specialists from across the RBC enterprise. Depending on his clients' needs, these services may include estate planning, domestic and international trusts, financial planning, and discretionary & non-discretionary investing. When necessary and appropriate, Mr. Knott works with his clients' other professional advisors to deliver comprehensive, integrated wealth management solutions. 

Prior to joining RBC Private Banking in 2019, Mr. Knott was a successful Senior Advisor and Private Banker with another institution where he supported his personal and business clients by delivering tailored banking, investment, and planning solutions. 

Mr. Knott holds a Bachelor of Commerce Honours with a dual specialization in Finance and Economics from the University of Guelph. He also holds a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designation, helping him to provide tailored financial planning counsel for his clients' increasingly sophisticated needs. 

Married with one child, he keeps busy outside of the office by snowboarding, downhill biking, running, and getting in a round of golf whenever he can.

Jeremy Cruz brings more than 25 years of experience in financial services. As a dedicated relationship manager, Mr. Cruz and his team provide personalized, discreet financial counsel to high-net-worth business owners, entrepreneurs, professionals, and their families throughout the Greater Vancouver Area.

Mr. Cruz’s clients' have access to sophisticated banking, personalized short and long-term credit solutions and flexible cash management. Depending on his clients' needs, these services may include estate planning, domestic and international trusts, financial planning and discretionary & non-discretionary investing. Mr. Cruz draws on the expertise of a broad group of specialist across RBC and works closely with other professionals, such as lawyers and accountants, to ensure that RBC's capabilities are fully aligned with his clients’ needs.

Prior to joining Private Banking, Mr. Cruz was an Investment Advisor with RBC Dominion Securities, and has extensive experience as a Commercial Account Manager. During his time in these advisory roles, he helped clients navigate the complexities of wealth management strategies, developed an expertise with investment management, and creating credit and banking solutions for both personal and business owner clients. Mr. Cruz has held a succession of roles in the branch and retail network including, Account Manager for Small Medium Enterprise, Senior Business Advisor, and Financial Advisor.

Mr. Cruz holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with Business minor from the University of Calgary. Outside of the office he is an avid tennis player and enjoys running, staying active with his son, and spending time with his family.

As a Premier Banking Advisor for North, West and Downtown Vancouver, Aleisy Amirghahari 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 with RBC, Aleisy is respected by her clients, her peers and the industry, and has received top performer recognition. Aleisy is committed to giving back to her community and acts as a volunteer member for BC Children Hospital (BCCH). She also supports the United Way annual fund raising campaign.

Born and raised in Iran, Aleisy migrated to Canada in 1997. She received her Bachelor of Computer Science, Software Systems from the University of Concordia, Montreal, Quebec.

Aleisy currently resides in the North Vancouver area with her husband and her daughter. Her son is pursuing his PHD in Robotics, in Georgia Tech University, Atlanta, US.

When she is not hard at work for her clients, Aleisy enjoys swimming, and playing Ping Pong. Aleisy speaks fluent English, and Persian.

As a Premier Banking Advisor for Downtown Vancouver, Katarina Tsamis 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 almost 4 years in the financial industry at RBC, and more than 10 years in customer service, Katarina is respected by her clients, her colleagues, and the industry. She has received top performer recognition, as well as being recognized for her partnering ability.

Katarina is actively involved in her community, organizing clothing drives for last 8 years for the Vancouver Downtown East Side. Katarina was born in North Vancouver, and studied English at Capilano University. Katarina currently resides in East Vancouver. When she is not working, she enjoys going to Pilates, spending time with family and friends, and being outdoors exploring her neighborhood.

Darren specializes in tax and estate planning for high net worth families.

Prior to joining RBC, Darren was a tax partner with a national accounting and advisory firm where he focused on providing tax planning services to high net worth families and shareholders of privately held businesses. Darren guided clients through many of the complex personal and corporate issues faced by high net worth families and business owners by developing strategies for wealth preservation and tax minimization, the transfer of wealth to the next generation, and estate and succession planning.

Darren, together with your primary RBC advisor, helps you explore succession, tax, retirement and estate planning issues you face as a high net worth client. Darren specializes in tax and estate planning for business owners and high net worth families.

Darren is a Chartered Professional Accountant, Chartered Accountant and has completed the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants In-Depth Tax Course, the Corporate Reorganization Course and the Tax Planning for the Owner Manager Course. Darren is a TEP designated member of STEP (The Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners) and is a member of the Canadian Tax Foundation. Darren is a graduate of the University of British Columbia and the British Columbia Institute of Technology.

Aileen obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of British Columbia in 2000 and graduated from Dalhousie Law School in 2003. She was called to the Bar in British Columbia and Ontario in 2004. She has achieved her TEP designation from STEP (The Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners), has completed the In-depth Tax Issues for the Owner-managed Business course and all three levels of the In-depth Tax course through the CPA. In 2009, Aileen 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. Prior to joining RBC, Aileen practiced law in Vancouver and Toronto, specializing in estate and trust planning, and tax litigation. Aileen is a committed community volunteer, currently serving as Treasurer of STEP Canada and as a board member of the Canadian Dupuytren Society. She is a former Trustee of the YMCA of Greater Vancouver Foundation (serving for 9 years) as well as other local not-for-profits in BC. She is also a member of STEP Canada, the Canadian Association of Gift Planners, as well as the Canadian Tax Foundation.

Prior to joining RBC in 2014, Zora spent over a decade with a mid-size Canadian accounting and business advisory firm where she focused on assisting owner-managers and their families with personal, trust and corporate tax planning and compliance. Zora focused on development and implementation of strategies for wealth preservation in the context of tax, estate and succession planning.

Zora, together with your primary RBC advisor, helps you to explore succession, tax, retirement and estate planning issues you face as a high-net-worth client. Zora specializes in tax and estate planning for business owners and high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth families.

Zora received a Bachelor degree in Science from Simon Fraser University and a Master in Business Administration from the University of British Columbia. Zora is a Chartered Professional Accountant, Certified General Accountant. Zora has completed the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants In-Depth Tax Courses, as well as the Advanced Tax Issues for the Owner-Managed Business Course. Zora is also a TEP designated member of STEP (The Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners).

Sara specializes in international estate planning, art collection and digital legacy planning for UHNW families in developing their wealth and legacy plans. Her guidance supports clients in their relationships with their external professional advisors, with whom she frequently interacts.

Sara has two decades of professional experience in complex estate and trust administration and planning; business succession; cross-border tax planning (STEP Advanced Certificate in Cross-Border Estates); family governance (STEP Advanced Certificate on family enterprise advising); art collection management and art estates planning (“Art as Global Business” Certificate, the Sotheby’s Institute of Art and European Institute of Sustainability, “Art Disruption,” NFTs and tokenization of Art, legal and tax planning); as well as, Digital Assets Inventory and estate management. She is a graduate of Masters in US Law at George Mason University and was called to the California State Bar in 2021. Sara achieved her Ph.D. in International Management (Behavioural Finance and Law) at the International School of Management in France, as well as completed the Federation of Law Societies of Canada, National Committee on Accreditation at UBC Peter A. Allard School of Law.

Sara is an active member of the following groups and institutions:

American Bar Association (ABA) in Chicago, US
California Lawyers Association CLA Trust and Estate, and IP Chapters in Los Angeles, US
Beverley Hills Bar Association in Los Angeles, US
International Bar Association (IBA) in London, UK; Technology Law Committee, Art, Cultural and Heritage Committee, IP and Entertainment Committee
Fellow of the European Law Institute in Vienna, Austria; Model Rules on Succession of Digital assets SIG; Access to Digital Assets SIG, and Model Rules on Algorithmic Contracts SIG
STEP Canada; the STEP Cross-Border Estates SIG
The Institute of Art and Law in London, UK
Art Lawyers Association (ALA) in London, UK
Professional Advisors to the International Art Market (PAIAM) in New York City, US
Alumnus of the of Harvard Law School, HarvardX, Berkman Klein Center for Internet and Society
Third Space Life Charity in the Okanagan
She lectures the fall/winter seminars on International Business Law, Business Succession, Trust, International Arbitration and
M&A at ISEG, MBA course in Paris, France. She is also a visiting lecturer of Blockchain and NFTs at UCLA Law school. Sara is fluent in Italian and English and has working knowledge of French and Spanish.

Sara works closely with your RBC advisor to identify strategies and solutions on structuring your affairs in a manner that addresses your overall wealth planning needs, which you would then discuss and implement with your accountant or lawyer.

Nicole received her Bachelor of Commerce Degree (Dean’s List) in 1991 and her Bachelor of Law degree in 1999 from the University of British Columbia.

She clerked at the British Columbia Supreme Court from 1999 to 2000 and was called to the British Columbia Bar in 2000. Nicole has also completed the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants In-depth Tax Course.

Prior to joining RBC, Nicole practised law for ten years in downtown Vancouver, first at a national law firm and then at a boutique tax and trust law firm. Nicole’s practice focused on the implementation of tax and estate plans, Wills, domestic and offshore trusts, charities and business succession. Nicole is a member of The Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP), the Canadian Bar Association Wills and Trusts Section and Charities Section. Nicole’s significant practical experience in estate planning allows her to offer valuable guidance in the development of your estate plan.

Simi obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of British Columbia in 2006 and earned her Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Calgary in 2009. She was called to the Bar of British Columbia in 2010. Simi completed the three-year CPA Canada In-Depth Tax Course in 2015.

Following her call to the BC Bar, Simi practiced corporate law, estate and trust planning, and real estate law with a small Vancouver law firm before joining the tax group of a medium-sized firm in 2011, where she specialized in personal and corporate taxation matters, estate and trust planning and tax dispute resolution. She continued her practice of tax law and estate planning at the Vancouver office of a large international law firm before joining RBC. Her experience includes working in all areas of individual and corporate tax planning, business succession and reorganization, estate freezes, and trust planning.

Simi is a member of the Canadian Tax Foundation and the Canadian Bar Association (BC Branch) Wills & Trusts and Taxation Sections. She is also an executive member of the BC Women Lawyers Forum and was a member of the organizing committee for the 2015 and 2016 Ovarian Cancer Canada “LOVE HER” gala. Simi is fluent in Punjabi.

Simi would be pleased to assist you in developing strategies to structure your estate plan in an efficient and tax-effective manner.

As a Senior Trust Advisor, Catharine Turner serves clients throughout British Columbia in the Vancouver office. Catharine is well known within the Estate and Trust industry in the British Columbia region. She has held many client facing roles focused on business development as well as servicing complex accounts of domestic and international high net worth families during her roles as an Estate and Trust Advisor, Senior Advisor and Private Banker.

A graduate of the University of British Columbia, Catharine has continued to deepen her knowledge and expertise with key industry designations such as the Trust and Estate Practitioner (TEP) and the Financial Management Advisor (FMA) designations.

Catharine works with individuals, families, and businesses providing 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, Catharine can help.

With more than 30 years of industry experience, Catharine 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. Catharine 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 Trust Advisor, Phylicia Rye serves clients throughout the Eastern Greater Vancouver and North Vancouver Island areas. Her focus on providing estate and trust advice and solutions to high net worth families has garnered her a strong reputation among her peers and is well known within the estate and trust industry for her ability to deal with complex issues.

Phylicia graduated from Simon Fraser University with a Bachelor of Arts (Economics). She also holds both the Personal Financial Planner (PFP) and Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designations, and the Trust and Estate Practitioner (TEP) designation. She has over 24 years of industry experience and has leveraged the necessary technical and business development skills to provide clients with the right solutions for their unique circumstances.

Phylicia works with individuals, families, and businesses providing 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, Phylicia can help.

What will your legacy be? Will it pass seamlessly to the people and causes you care about?

The son of an accountant and a teacher, Jesse is naturally analytical while driven towards empathetic conversations. He uses a technical and creative skillset to design plans that incorporate insurance based solutions to protect and enhance the impact of wealth across generations. He excels at turning complex planning matters into easily digestible options.

Committed to learning and growth, Jesse holds the Certified Financial Planner® and Chartered Life Underwriter® designations, is an Affiliate of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners, and earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts with Distinction. A husband and father of two, he lives an active life and can be found Nordic ski coaching, cycling to work or paddleboarding at Cultus Lake.