Andrew Sipes, CLU
Estate Planning Specialist, RBC Wealth Management Financial Services Inc.
Andrew loves the insurance business. It’s not the products, it’s the opportunity to learn about you, your family and your life as a whole and how insurance may help you to reach your most cherished goals. That accounts for Andrew’s core purpose: to focus on people and provide the optimal solution for their unique circumstances.
Fundamentally, Andrew is an educator. He says, “If I hadn’t chosen the insurance business I would probably be a teacher. As an Estate Planning Specialist, my role is to educate clients on which situations these products are for, and how you make them work.” It is not about the sale. It’s about helping people discover an insurance solution that works for them, if any. It’s always about people, not product.
Andrew has been an Estate Planning Specialist since 1993. He lives in Toronto with his wife, daughter and their dog. An amateur boxer until 1992, he was the Ontario middleweight champion. Now he’s an avid squash player and fisherman.
Connie Freitas, BA, LL.B
Vice President and Will & Estate Consultant, RBC Family Office Services
Connie obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Toronto and a Bachelor of Laws degree from Osgoode Hall Law School. She was called to the Bar of Ontario in 1994.
Prior to joining RBC in 2012, Connie practised law for 18 years. As a partner in a mid-sized full-service law firm, her practice was varied and covered the areas of corporate/commercial law, real estate, and Wills, trusts and estates law. In that role, Connie advised her owner-manager clients on a broad range of business and personal needs, from purchases and sales of businesses, to shareholder agreements and corporate reorganizations, to Will and estate planning.
For many years Connie taught the Business Law section of the Bar Admissions Course and was involved with preparing the licensing exams for Ontario lawyers. Throughout her career, Connie has been involved in her broader community, serving on many non-profit boards as well as providing pro bono legal services.
Alleen earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from York University and her law degree from the University of Windsor, Faculty of Law in 2008. She was called to the Ontario Bar in 2009.
Prior to joining RBC, Alleen practiced in the areas of Estate Planning and Administration, Corporate/Commercial law and Real Estate law in a mid-sized law firm. Alleen advised her clients on a breadth of legal issues, including key considerations in setting up legal business structures, succession planning and estate planning.
Alleen fosters a multidisciplinary approach to each client’s unique needs, drawing on various advisors’ expertise and offering her own to identify issues for further consideration and review, together with information and guidance which are both sensible and practical.
Susannah Musselman, CPA, CA, CMA
Vice-President & Financial Planning Specialist, RBC Wealth Management Canada
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.
Claudia Diaz
Premier Banking Advisor, RBC Royal Bank
As a Premier Banking Advisor for the greater Toronto area, Claudia Diaz works as a single point of contact providing banking and credit solutions for select clients of Dominion Securities and their families. Partnering with Investment Advisors across the region, she provides personalized service and tailored advice to help clients save time and effectively manage their day-to-day banking and credit solutions.
With 15 years of experience in the financial industry with Royal Bank of Canada, Claudia is well respected by both her clients and peers alike. Prior to her current role Claudia was a Financial Advisor, Banking Advisor, as well as an Operational support role at RBC. Clients appreciate Claudia’s extensive experience as a banking and advisory professional and her commitment to efficiently meeting their needs and simplifying their financial affairs.
Committed to giving back to her community, as part of RBC’s community events Claudia has volunteer for the Aga Khan Museum, Evergreen Brickworks and the Daily Bread Food Bank. In addition, she is very passionate in helping the less fortunate here at home as well as in other countries.
Born in El Salvador, Claudia moved to Canada in 1993 and lives in Toronto with her husband, three children and grandson. In her spare time, Claudia loves spending time with her family and friends who inspire and motivate her life.