Our RBC Partners

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.

Zora specializes in tax and estate planning for business owners and high net worth families.

Prior to joining RBC, Zora spent over a decade with a leading Canadian accounting and business advisory firm where she focused on advising business owners on personal and corporate tax planning. Acting as a trusted advisor, Zora was responsible for the development and implementation of effective strategies for wealth preservation and accumulation in the context of tax, estate and succession planning.

Zora is a Chartered Professional Accountant, Certified General Accountant and has a Bachelor degree in Science from the Simon Fraser University and a Masters in Business Administration from the University of British Columbia. Zora has completed all levels of the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants In-Depth Tax Course, as well as the Advanced Tax Issues for the Owner-Managed Business Course.

As a Private Banker with RBC Wealth Management, Phuong Nguyen provides comprehensive wealth management and financing strategies for domestic and international high-net-worth business owners, executives, families and organizations in Vancouver and the Lower Mainland.

With over 13 years of experience in the financial industry, Phuong helps clients with her in-depth knowledge and valued advice on integrated wealth management solutions to simplify and enhance their lives. Prior to becoming a Private Banker, Phuong worked as a financial planner and small business advisor, both of which provided her with an ideal foundation for assisting clients with their unique and varied needs.

By collaborating with external partners and advisors across RBC she can deliver customized and complex solutions to meet her client’s financial goals. Phuong and her team aim to build long-term relationships with their clients based on integrity, trust, communication, and confidentiality. They further aim to differentiate themselves through dedicated and exceptional service, and consistently delivering results for their clients.

Phuong holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Manitoba, and the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designation. She has been recognized by RBC as an outstanding performer having received both the RBC CARE and RBC Gold awards during her career.

Phuong was born in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, raised in Winnipeg and moved to Vancouver in 2003. She is currently Treasurer for the Executive Board of the Killarney Gators Swim Club and has been a swim official for the Special Olympics. When not working, she enjoys travelling the globe with her husband and two children, and supporting her son as he competes in swim meets across the province.

Since 1996, Janny Chan has brought a wealth of experience in the financial services industry to her role as Private Banker in Vancouver. She provides comprehensive financial management for private clients and their families throughout the West Coast.

Ms. Chan is fluent in English, Cantonese and Mandarin. She provides in-depth financial advice to senior executives, business owners and their families, designing sophisticated banking, investment, and flexible short- and long-term credit solutions to meet their often-complex needs. Ms. Chan has been recognized with several awards throughout her career for her dedication to client service.

Working with a team of RBC specialists in Canada and in key markets worldwide, Ms. Chan is able to offer a complete range of services—including investments, business banking, estate planning, and domestic and international trusts—to meet each client's total wealth needs. She also consults with her clients' legal, tax and insurance advisors when appropriate, to ensure that each client's complete financial picture is being addressed.

Ms. Chan is a Personal Financial Planner and a Certified Financial Planner. She holds a Business degree with specializations in Finance and Management Information Systems from Simon Fraser University.

An avid volunteer with several community organizations, Ms. Chan also has an active family life. She is married and a busy parent to two young children.

As a Premier Banking Advisor for Vancouver, Wendy Mah 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 12 years of experience in financial services with RBC, Wendy is respected by her clients, her peers and the industry, and has received top performer recognition.

Wendy is committed to giving back to her community and acts as a coach for Little Mountain Baseball, as a volunteer member for Ascend Pan Asian Leaders Vancouver. She also participates in various fundraising campaigns for the United Way and Champion for Children’s Hospital.

Born in Vietnam and raised in Hong Kong and Vancouver, Wendy holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree, major in Sociology and Communication from Simon Fraser University.

She currently resides in the Vancouver area with her husband and two children and when she isn’t hard at work for her clients, you’ll find her spending time outside, hiking, running and working on her golf and tennis games. She also enjoys traveling and learning about other cultures. Wendy speaks fluent English and Vietnamese.

As the Will and Estate Advisor for the Vancouver and Okanagan regions, Rick brings an approach to estate planning that centers on understanding and addressing the unique needs of each client, working collaboratively with both the client and their trusted advisors to help craft a comprehensive, effective estate plan that meets their particular needs.

A graduate of Simon Fraser University with a Bachelor of Arts degree and a law degree from the University of Victoria. He is currently a member of the Law Society of British Columbia, the Wills and Estates Subsection of the Canadian Bar Association (BC), and the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP).

Rick joined RBC Estate & Trust Services from private practice and brings over 15 years of experience as a full time estate planning lawyer with a downtown Vancouver law firm. He has extensive experience dealing with all facets of personal estate planning, including wealth preservation, asset protection, income splitting and tax minimization issues. During that time, Rick also dealt with court appointed committees for incapacitated individuals, and matters arising from the administration and wind up of estates.

Whether clients hope to protect a disabled heir, incorporate succession planning for their business, address the unique concerns arising from second spouses and blended families, minimize family conflicts, or deal with beneficiaries or assets that are situated outside of Canada, Rick can help craft a tailored estate plan that meets their individual needs.

The combination of his professional expertise and his commitment to provide practical solutions makes Rick an invaluable resource for both clients and their financial advisors.

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) 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 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.

Coming from one of the major global accounting firms, Yat-Sze brings a broad range of experience to her role as a Financial Planning Specialist. In her previous role as a senior tax manager, she spent many years working with private companies, high-net-worth individuals, trusts, and partnerships. Her work included tax minimization through appropriate tax planning (corporate and personal, including estate planning) and corporate restructuring.

Yat-Sze is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CA). She completed her Bachelor of Commerce at the University of British Columbia and has completed all three levels of the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants’ In-Depth Tax Course. She has also completed the Advanced Tax Course for Owner-Managed Businesses.

As a Financial Planning Specialist, Yat-Sze’s role is to work with and support your advisor in preparing and presenting your Compass Financial Plan and to identify and assess any related financial and tax planning concerns you might have.

Prior to entering the life insurance industry more than 20 years ago Sean was a senior manager in the tax group of a national accounting firm. With experience in personal and corporate tax, estate and succession planning, and corporate reorganizations, Sean provides a fresh perspective to his clients' estate planning needs. Sean works closely with you and your professional advisors to develop and implement tax-efficient strategies to help meet your wealth management goals.

A Chartered Professional Accountant and Certified Public Accountant (Delaware), Sean holds an MBA from the Richard Ivey School of Business at The University of Western Ontario. Sean is a member of the Chartered Professional Accountants of British Columbia, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners, the Estate Planning Council of Vancouver, and the Canadian Tax Foundation.

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.