Meet the team

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.

Shannon worked in private practice for ten years before joining RBC in 2010.

She specialized in the areas of Wills & estate planning, estate administration and real estate. Shannon graduated from the University of Guelph with a Honours B.A. and received her LL.B. from the University of Toronto in 1998. She is a Member of the Law Society of Ontario.

Shannon lives in Woodstock, Ontario with her husband and three kids.

For over 30 years, Steve has helped families and business owners develop a framework using integrated wealth planning solutions. Clients and their advisors trust Steve’s ability and expertise to develop a solution based on client-centred needs and a values-based approach.

Steve examines insurance planning differently and recognizes that each client situation is unique. His approach is to plan first and then educate clients about their options, so they can make an informed choice best suited to their goals and objectives. Whether it be protection needed during income-earning/business-building years, the preservation of capital or ability to transfer accumulated wealth, Steve is there to help implement a solution that addresses your personal and corporate needs in a tax-efficient manner.

Evaluating the various insurance offerings from Canada’s top-ranked insurance providers, Steve will work together with your professional advisors to ensure you receive high-quality, cost-effective insurance solutions.

Murray has been providing advice and technical support in relation to high-net-worth family wealth planning since 1994. Conversations include scenarios to be aware of in transitioning, including the costs of transitioning, your assets to your intended heirs. Additional areas of concern may include tax, asset preservation and philanthropic planning.

Murray’s expertise encompasses both domestic and international family circumstances, and in many cases is focused on the challenges of transitioning a family business. His guidance supports clients in their relationships with their external professional advisors, with whom he frequently interacts.

Before joining RBC’s Canadian Wealth Management Services team in 2008, Murray worked with RBC’s Global Private Banking group as the senior resource in their global trust business for over 13 years.

Prior to joining RBC, Murray practised law for six years in the areas of estate and tax planning, as well as various areas of business law.

Murray was a Director of STEP Canada (Society of Trust & Estate Practitioners) from its inception until 2009, and has been a member of the International Tax Planning Association and the Canadian Tax Foundation over the years. He has been a featured speaker at Estate Planning Councils, Law Society and STEP practitioner education conferences in Canada and abroad.

Daniel Bertrand brings 12 years of financial services experience to his role as Private Banker, in which he delivers personalized, discrete banking, credit and financial counsel to select clients in Hamilton and Brantford.

As a dedicated financial planner, Mr. Bertrand creates sophisticated banking packages and a full suite of personalized credit solutions for his clients and their families. He then draws on a team of RBC and external experts who assist with investments, commercial banking and domestic and international trust products to create a uniquely personalized banking experience for his clients.

To ensure personalized service and attention to detail, Mr. Bertrand 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. Bertrand holds the Personal Financial Planner (PFP) designation, which underscores the financial planning perspective he brings to his clients and holds a bachelor's degree with honours from Wilfrid Laurier University.

Born in Montreal and raised in Kitchener, Mr. Bertrand is active in his community. Outside of the office, he keeps busy with his wife and three young children.

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.

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.