As a Will & Estate Consultant, Sara Bond provides comprehensive estate planning services which includes providing clients with an efficient estate plan.
Following her call to the Bar, Sara has worked for major trust companies working in a variety of roles involving estate administration and estate planning. Prior to joining RBC, Sara’s last role was Senior Advisor- Planning and Advisory Services, where she advised clients on a variety of wills, trusts, estate planning matters.
Sara obtained a Joint Honors Bachelor degree from York University, and graduated with a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Sussex, U.K. Sara has also completed a Master of Laws in taxation, from Osgoode Hall Law School, York University.
Sara is a member in good standing with the Law Society of Ontario, and is a member of the Ontario Bar Association, Trusts & Estates Law section.
Suzanne Schultz, CPA, CA, CFP, CLU
Vice-President & Estate Planning Specialist, RBC Wealth Management Financial Services Inc.
Suzanne's focus is to protect and enhance family and business wealth. She is a trusted professional known for expert wealth management advice utilizing advanced, insurance-based tax and estate planning solutions.
Prior to RBC, Suzanne built her career at a major accounting firm and a boutique tax and estate planning firm. Along with professional designations, she has completed the CICA's In-Depth Tax Course. She was featured as an expert on BNN and HGTV's House Poor and has contributed to the Globe and Mail, National Post and co-authored 78 Tax Tips for Canadians for Dummies.
Suzanne uses her in-depth technical knowledge to carefully understand what can complicate your unique financial situation and collaborates with your other professionals to uncover where you might be exposed to excessive taxes and risk. This planning is essential for business owners, professionals, executives and those with charitable goals.
Jennifer Janeczko completed her Masters of Taxation degree at the University of Waterloo in 2004 after completing a postgraduate diploma in Financial Planning from Wilfrid Laurier University in 2001.
Prior to joining RBC in 2015, Jennifer gained a unique understanding of planning for the owner-manager through various roles within the insurance and accounting industries. Her professional experience includes working extensively with high net worth individuals and their advisors dealing with estate and succession planning, corporate and personal tax, insurance planning, family trusts, private foundations and charitable organizations.
Jennifer has over 10 years of taxation experience, is a member of the Canadian Tax Foundation, sits on the board of directors of the Estate Planners’ Council of Hamilton and is a student member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners.
Prashant Patel, CFP, TEP
Vice-President, High Net Worth Planning Services, RBC Family Office Services
Prashant has assisted high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth families with tax, estate and retirement issues since 1992.
His guidance supports clients in their relationships with their external professional advisors, with whom he frequently interacts.
His expertise includes tax and estate planning for executives, business owners, retirees, sports professionals and individuals with U.S. issues. He also assists individuals facing significant financial events (sale of business, financial windfall, retirement, job loss, moving to Canada, leaving Canada, etc.)
Prior to joining RBC in 1999, Prashant honed his expertise by working as a Canadian and U.S. tax specialist for two of the big four accounting firms in downtown Toronto.
Prashant is a Certified Financial Planner, Associate of the Society of Actuaries and member of both the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners and Canadian Tax Foundation.
As a Premier Banking Advisor, Heather provides personal service and tailored advice to help clients save time and effectively manage their day to day banking needs. Heather works as a single point of contact and partners with Investment Advisors in Hamilton, Brantford and Niagara regions.
Heather has over 10 years of experience in the financial industry with RBC. She was recently a Financial Advisor out of the Hamilton area for over 6 years and prior to that she was a banking advisor for 4 years. Heather strives on delivering great client service and is highly respected by her clients and peers. Her passion is in assisting her clients to achieve their goals and has been recognized as a Top Performer with RBC over the past several years with that focus in mind.
She graduated with a Diploma in Police Foundation at Mohawk College and took that passion of always wanting to help by being deeply committed to give back to her community supporting fundraising & volunteer initiatives that include Local Hospice, Ronald McDonald House, and the McMaster Walk & Wheel event.
Heather was born in Hamilton, has 4 small children, and in her spare time you will find her either at a hockey arena with one of her children or on the golf course.
Michael Huitema joined RBC in 2005 and brings extensive financial service knowledge to his private banking clients. He provides tailored wealth management solutions to business owners, executives and high net worth families in the Niagara Peninsula.
Mr. Huitema's career with RBC includes experience in retail banking, branch management and most recently commercial banking. In every role he has maintained a client-centric focus and worked in conjunction with clients other advisors to provide customized advice and strategies.
As a Private Banker Mr. Huitema and his team are focused on building long-term relationships based on sound advice, confidentiality, integrity and trust. Clients value his previous experience working in commercial banking due to his understanding of cash flow and ability to structure complex credit. He partners with other RBC experts in Canada and internationally to deliver customized solutions for all of his client's needs. Through this approach, clients benefit from tailored packages that include high-end credit solutions, wealth management planning, business succession planning, estate planning and domestic and international trust structures.
To ensure personalized and prompt service, Mr. Huitema works with a limited number of clients. This focused approach allows him to spend more time simplifying his clients' lives, working when necessary with his other professional advisors to deliver comprehensive, integrated financial solutions.
Mr. Huitema is a Personal Financial Planner and holds a Bachelor of Business Administration, Finance Concentration and a Masters of Business Administration from Brock University. Outside the office Mr. Huitema keeps busy as a Rotarian and volunteering at other community events. He also enjoys spending time at the cottage and skiing with his wife and kids.
As a Senior Trust Advisor, Susan Macdonald serves clients throughout Western Ontario and is located in the Hamilton office. With a career focused on client relationships, she is dedicated to her clients and provides a personalized service tailored to their specific needs. She provides a wealth of knowledge relating to trusts and their administration. Susan has continued to deepen her knowledge and expertise with key industry designations such as Member, Trust Institute (MTI) and Trust and Estate Practitioner (TEP) designations.
Susan 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, Susan can help.
With more than 20 years of industry experience, Susan 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. Susan 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.