Our extended team

Prior to joining RBC in 2014, Zora spent over a decade with a mid-size Canadian accounting and business advisory firm where she focused on assisting owner-managers and their families with personal, trust and corporate tax planning and compliance. Zora focused on development and implementation of strategies for wealth preservation in the context of tax, estate and succession planning.

Zora, together with your primary RBC advisor, helps you to explore succession, tax, retirement and estate planning issues you face as a high-net-worth client. Zora specializes in tax and estate planning for business owners and high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth families.

Zora received a Bachelor degree in Science from Simon Fraser University and a Master in Business Administration from the University of British Columbia. Zora is a Chartered Professional Accountant, Certified General Accountant. Zora has completed the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants In-Depth Tax Courses, as well as the Advanced Tax Issues for the Owner-Managed Business Course. Zora is also a TEP designated member of STEP (The Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners).

As a Private Banker with RBC Wealth Management, Private Banking, Christa Russell provides comprehensive wealth management and financing strategies to high-net-worth business owners, executives, professionals and their families in the Okanagan region.

Ms. Russell's career spans over 18 years in the financial services industry, including 12 years with RBC. Prior to joining as Private Banker, Ms. Russell held a role in insurance sales for a major Canadian provider before joining RBC Royal Bank, where she held roles in personal and business banking before being appointed Branch Manager.

Drawing on this experience, she now develops integrated wealth management and banking plans to help her clients achieve their long-term financial goals. As a trusted advisor to her clients, Ms. Russell and her team provide customized solutions that include complex credit structures, tax and retirement planning and sophisticated packages for managing daily banking and cash management needs. As needed, she will partner with a broad range of experts across RBC to provide extended services including investment management, Wills and estate planning, commercial banking, business succession planning and trust structures to meet both the domestic and international needs of their clients.

Ms. Russell holds a degree in business administration from Okanagan University College and has completed additional financial industry courses in mutual funds and compliance. She also holds the Personal Financial Planner (PFP) designation, which adds an additional layer of expertise and financial planning knowledge to the integrated advice she provides.

Originally from Calgary, Ms. Russell grew up in Kelowna and regularly visits family in both cities. She enjoys giving back to her community by volunteering with local food banks, Junior Achievement and back-to-work programs for women who are entering or re-entering the workforce. She and her husband have two young children and enjoy playing golf together. The family are active travellers and plan at least two trips a year.

People need really good people. Without the correct expertise to help guide us, things can easily fall through the cracks. Growing up in a family business, Brett has first-hand knowledge of the highs of success and the lows resulting from poor estate and succession planning. It was this experience that guided him to the financial industry and why he is driven to help others achieve their goals.

Brett recognizes each person and situation is unique as is his process to gather information, identify wealth goals and recommend tax efficient insurance based solutions. Whether implementing financial protection against premature death and illness or ensuring your hard work and wealth are transferred to the next generation, Brett creates a plan focused on your needs.

Raised in Winnipeg, Brett moved to the beautiful Okanagan in 2015 where he lives with his wife and 3 daughters. While always up to play a round of golf his passion, long distance running, keeps him on the lookout for his next marathon.

Nicole received her Bachelor of Commerce Degree (Dean’s List) in 1991 and her Bachelor of Law degree in 1999 from the University of British Columbia.

She clerked at the British Columbia Supreme Court from 1999 to 2000 and was called to the British Columbia Bar in 2000. Nicole has also completed the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants In-depth Tax Course.

Prior to joining RBC, Nicole practised law for ten years in downtown Vancouver, first at a national law firm and then at a boutique tax and trust law firm. Nicole’s practice focused on the implementation of tax and estate plans, Wills, domestic and offshore trusts, charities and business succession. Nicole is a member of The Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP), the Canadian Bar Association Wills and Trusts Section and Charities Section. Nicole’s significant practical experience in estate planning allows her to offer valuable guidance in the development of your estate plan.

As a Premier Banking Advisor for Kelowna & Vernon, Pamela Wiebe works as a single point of contact, providing banking and credit solutions for select clients of Wealth Management Canada and their families. Partnering with Investment Advisors and Counsellors across the region, she provides personalized service and tailored advice to help clients save time and effectively manage their day-to-day banking needs.

With more than 17 years of experience in financial services with RBC, Pamela is respected by her clients, her peers, and the industry, and has received top performer recognition regularly, including being a conference winner in 2012. Pamela is committed to giving back to her community and has worked with Kelowna General Hospital, Heart and Stroke Foundation, RBC Run for the Cure, and the Okanagan Food bank throughout the years.

Born and raised in Vernon, BC, Pamela holds a Diploma in Criminology from Kwantlen Polytechnic University.

Pamela currently resides in Lake Country. When she is not hard at work for her clients, Pamela enjoys gardening, cooking, paddle boarding, and spending time with friends and family.

Dustin is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) and Certified Financial Planner (CFP). He has completed the Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada’s In-Depth Tax Course, and holds an Honours Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Manitoba with a major in Accounting. In his previous role as a tax manager at one of the major global accounting firms, Dustin specialized in providing tax planning services to high-net-worth individuals, private corporations, owner-managed businesses, estates, trusts and partnerships. His work focused on tax minimization strategies, reorganizations, and succession planning. Dustin’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 planning concerns you may have.