Our RBC Partners

Melissa obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree from Simon Fraser University in 1999 and earned her Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Victoria in 2007. She was called to the Bar in British Columbia in 2008.

Prior to joining RBC Wealth Management, Melissa practiced law in Vancouver and specialized in estate planning and estate administration as well as small business corporate and commercial matters. Melissa assisted clients with a range of estate planning matters including drafting Wills, Powers of Attorney and Representation Agreements as well as matters related to the administration of an estate, including applications for Letters Probate and Letters of Administration. Melissa also assisted clients with matters relating to a variety of corporate transactions including incorporations, corporate reorganizations, corporate financing, share and asset purchase and sale transactions as well as the drafting of various corporate commercial documents including shareholder agreements and partnership agreements.

Melissa is a member of the Canadian Bar Association Wills and Trusts Section (Vancouver).

Melissa’s role with RBC Wealth Management is to work with you and your advisor to review and/or structure your Will, estate and trust matters to ensure that your plan is organized in an effective and tax-efficient manner.

Prior to joining RBC, Eugene was a Tax Manager at one of the world’s leading accounting firms where he spent many years providing tax compliance and tax planning services to high net worth individuals, private companies and First Nations.

Eugene is a Chartered Accountant (CPA, CA), a Certified Financial Planner (CFP), and holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Simon Fraser University. He has completed and tutored the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants’ In-Depth Tax Course and completed the Advanced Tax Issues for the Owner-Managed Business Course.

Eugene believes that planning is critical to helping people meet their financial goals. Eugene’s role is to work with and support your advisor in preparing and presenting comprehensive Compass Financial Plans.

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).

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.

As a Premier Banking Advisor for North, West and Downtown Vancouver, Farnaz Boroumandi works as a single point of contact, providing banking and credit solutions for select clients of Wealth Management Canada . 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, Farnaz is respected by her clients, her peers and the industry, and has received top performer recognition. Farnaz 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, Farnaz settled in Canada in 2014. Farnaz holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree, major in English literature.

Farnaz currently resides in the North Vancouver area with her husband. When she is not hard at work for her clients, Farnaz enjoys playing Piano. She also enjoys traveling and learning about different cultures. Farnaz speaks fluent English, French 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.

As a Premier Banking Advisor for Victoria, Jessica Butler 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 9 years' experience in financial services at RBC, Jessica is respected by her clients, her peers and the industry, and has received top performer recognition.

Born in Ottawa and raised in Saanich, BC, Jessica holds a Certificate in Business Administration from Camosun College in Victoria.

Jessica currently resides in Victoria. When she is not hard at work for her clients, she enjoys spending time outdoors hiking, camping and boating. Jessica is also fluent in French.

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 Chartered Financial Planner (CFP), Financial Management Advisor (FMA) and Trust and Estate Practitioner (TEP) 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 25 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 Estate & Trust Services partners she can find the solution that’s right for you.