Our Wealth Management Partners
Ted Chan, B.Com., CFP, CLU, CIM, FCSI, TEP
Financial Planning Specialist, RBC Family Office Services
Ted prepares comprehensive Personal Financial Plans to help clients identify and reach specific goals with respect to retirement, education, major purchase funding and estate planning.
Ted is a Bachelor of Commerce graduate from the University of Toronto and a Certified Financial Planner. He also holds designations as a Chartered Investment Manager, Trust and Estate Practitioner and is a Fellow of the Canadian Securities Institute.
Ted believes that a financial plan is extremely valuable in helping you achieve your goals for overall long-term financial well-being. It can provide you with a clear picture of where you are now and create a strategy for what you need to do, to have peace of mind for the future.
Ariel-Charles Guigui, B. Admin, LL.B, TEP
Vice-President & Will & Estate Consultant, RBC Family Office Services
Ariel graduated from the University of Ottawa with a degree in Business Administration in 1992, and from the Faculty of Law in 1994 where he served on the editorial board of the Law Review.
He was called to the Ontario Bar in 1996. Prior to joining RBC, Ariel spent 5 years teaching Real Estate Law and Estate Law at La Cité Collégiale in Ottawa. For the previous 12 years, Ariel held several positions at a major trust company, culminating in the role of Trust Manager.
Ariel is a member in good standing of the Law Society of Upper Canada, and the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (Canadian chapter). His significant practical experience in estate planning and administration allows him to offer valuable guidance during the creation of your estate plan.
Joel Cuperfain, CLU, BA, LL.B, LL.M, TEP
Vice-President & Estate Planning Specialist, RBC Wealth Management Financial Services Inc.
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.
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 expertise 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 25 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.
Abby Kassar, CPA, CA, CFP, TEP, FEA
Vice President, High Net Worth Planning Services, RBC Family Office Services
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.
As a Premier Banking Advisor, Pooran Ghorbani 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 and Counsellors primarily in the Greater Toronto Area. She provides personalized service, and tailored advice to effectively and efficiently manage their day-to-day banking needs.
With over 25 years of experience in financial services within RBC, Pooran is very well respected by her clients and peers. She has enjoyed success in several different roles in assisting clients achieving their goals over the years. Furthermore, she has been awarded and recognized on numerous occasions as a top performer within RBC.
Pooran is deeply committed to giving back to the community. As part of RBC day of service, she has volunteered on numerous occasions at the Toronto Food Bank as well as the Iranian Canadian Youth Association (ICYA).
Born and raised in Iran, Pooran migrated to Canada where she completed her Bachelor of Science in Biology at the University of Toronto and Chemistry at Concordia University. In her spare time, Pooran enjoys playing music, in particular the Ney flute.