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.
Cheryl Johnson-Engmann, CFP, CLU, TEP
Estate Planning Specialist, RBC Wealth Management Financial Services Inc.
Ask great questions. Listen. Educate, inform and implement.
When Cheryl meets with clients, she takes the time to truly understand their financial situation and then helps to guide them in making the right decisions for their needs.
Building caring, long-lasting relationships, Cheryl has spent over 30 years, collaborating with affluent families, professionals, executives and business owners, while partnering with their trusted advisors. She believes risk management is at the foundation of every wealth plan, and is known for simplifying complex financial situations.
Cheryl has earned multiple industry designations, along with the Family Business Strategy Essentials Certificate from the Sauder School of Business. In her spare time, she enjoys riding horses, skiing, boating and traveling.
Yat-Sze Lo, CPA, CA, CFP
Vice President and Financial Planning Specialist, Family Office Services, RBC Wealth Management
Coming from one of the major global accounting firms, Yat-Sze brings a broad range of experience to her role as Vice President, Financial Planning Specialist.
In her previous role, 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) as well as corporate restructuring.
Yat-Sze is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CA) and a Certified Financial Planner (CFP). 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.
Darren Bank, CPA, CA, TEP
Vice-President, High Net Worth Planning Services, Family Office Services, RBC Wealth Management
Darren specializes in tax and estate planning for high net worth families.
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.