Meet the extended team

As a Private Banker, Ran Tao provides customized wealth management solutions to high net worth clients.

Mr. Tao brings over 14 years of experience in Financial Services, he is specialized in creating sophisticated banking packages, a full suite of personalized credit and cash management 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.

To ensure personalized service and attention to detail, Mr. Tao works with a limited number of clients and their families. This focused approach allows him to spend more time creating tailored banking solutions for his client, when necessary, he will work with his clients' own business, tax and legal advisors to deliver comprehensive, integrated financial solutions.

Mr. Tao holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree, Finance concentration. He also holds the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designation, which informs the financial planning he brings to his clients.

Outside of the office, Mr. Tao enjoys traveling, biking and spending time with his family and friends.

As a Premier Banking Advisor for the Greater Calgary Area, Maggie Farivar works as a single point of contact, providing banking and credit solutions for clients of Wealth Management Canada and their families. Partnering with Investment Advisors and Counsellors across the Region, she provides personalized services and tailored advice to help clients save time and effectively manage their day to day banking needs.

With over 11 years of experience in Financial Services with RBC, Maggie brings an in depth experience to the Premier Banking Role. She is highly respected by her clients, her peers and within the industry. As a result, Maggie has received many awards for outstanding performance. Over the past 5 years, she worked as a Business Account Manager and a Mortgage Specialist with a focus on relationship management.

Maggie holds a Bachelor of Arts (English) Degree. She is also strongly committed to giving back to her Community through volunteering at the Alberta Children’s Hospital; Ronald McDonald House; United Way and Habitat for Humanity.

Maggie was born in Tehran, Iran and moved to Canada in 1997, where for the last 25 years has made Calgary her home. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family, cooking, interior and fashion designing as well as biking and jet skiing. She is fluent in both English and Farsi.

Monika is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CA) and a Certified Financial Planner (CFP). She received her Bachelor of Business Administration (major Accounting) from Mount Royal University and completed all three levels of the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants’ In-Depth Tax Course.

Prior to joining RBC, Monika was employed as a tax manager at one of the major global public accounting firms where she specialized in accounting, tax planning and compliance services for individuals, owner-managed and corporate clients.

Monika’s primary role at RBC is to work together with advisors in preparing and presenting comprehensive Compass Financial Plans.

Having entered his profession in 1989, Mike holds the leading financial and estate planning industry designations. But more importantly, he has a natural ability to make the complex simple to understand. Estate planning can be daunting, but Mike will “paint a picture” that provides critical clarity.

Mike leads his estate planning team with purpose: To earn the respect of advisors, their clients and everyone we come into contact with.

Mike is approachable and sincere, with a desire to provide the best service possible. This is why his team is a perennial leader across Canada. He is married with two children, lives in Calgary and is grateful for the life he leads, and the job he gets to do every day. To learn more, visit Mike on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/mike-c-macoun/.

Vickie (Victoria) Schneider obtained both her Bachelor of Arts and Juris Doctor degrees from the University of Calgary. Vickie is a member of the Law Society of Alberta.

Prior to joining RBC, Vickie practiced law at a national law firm where she advised clients on estate planning and tax matters including Wills, trusts, enduring powers of attorney and personal directives. Vickie also has experience with estate administration and charity matters.

Vickie is a Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) Calgary Branch Committee member.

As the Will and Estate Advisor for the Prairies region, Anisa brings an approach to estate planning that centers on understanding and addressing the unique needs of each client. She works collaboratively with clients and their trusted advisors to help craft a comprehensive, effective estate plan that meets their particular needs.

As a practiced lawyer, Anisa earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Western Ontario, and a Law degree (LL.B) from the University of Birmingham, England, for which she graduated with honours. Anisa has continued to deepen her knowledge and expertise with key industry memberships—she is a member with the Law Society of Alberta, and a member of the Wills and Estates section of the Canadian Bar Association.

Whether clients hope to protect a disabled heir, incorporate succession planning for their business, address the unique concerns arising from second spouses and blended families, minimize family conflicts, or deal with beneficiaries or assets that are situated outside of Canada, Anisa can help craft a tailored estate plan that meets their individual needs.

The combination of her professional expertise and her commitment to provide practical solutions makes Anisa an invaluable resource for both clients and their financial advisors.

With over 20 years of experience within the group retirement industry, Demetra has a passion for helping companies achieve their goals to be recognized as a top employer as well as helping employees achieve their financial dreams. As a Group Consultant for RBC Group Advantage, Demetra assists companies in structuring retirement plans to get the most out of their workforce.

Ming has been in the insurance industry for 20 years. He has spent a majority of his career working in a variety of roles at another insurance company and MGA, all of which have allowed him to develop a solid understanding of both individual and group insurance products.

Prior to coming onboard to RBC as Senior Group Benefits Specialist, Ming has worked as Trainer and Group Benefits Account Executive with Sun Life for 10 years. During his time at Sun Life, Ming was regarded highly by his advisors for his professionalism, care, and sincere client centric attitude.

Ming graduated from The University of Ottawa with a double major in Marketing/Advertising and Human Resources, and a minor in Management Information Systems. He is an avid runner and has a goal of running a marathon each year in a different country.

Coady’s expertise includes tax and estate planning for business owners, professionals, executives, retirees and individuals with U.S. issues. He also assists individuals facing significant financial events (for example, sale of business, financial windfall, retirement, severing residential ties with Canada, etc.).

For more than 20 years, Coady has assisted high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth individuals and families with their complex planning needs. Coady is a tax lawyer, and he has occupied his current planning role at RBC since 2008. In providing planning information to clients, Coady frequently communicates with their external professional advisors.

Coady’s educational background includes a law degree from Dalhousie University as well as the completion of the Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada (CPA Canada’s) In-Depth Tax Course (Levels I, II and III) and the CPA Canada’s Tax Issues for the Owner-Managed Business Course. He is a member of both the Canadian Tax Foundation and the Canadian Bar Association (Alberta Branch (South)) Tax Specialist Section. Also, Coady was called to the Bar in Alberta and Ontario. Further, in addition to his finance degree from Bishop’s University and the completion of the Canadian Securities Course, Coady is a registered Trust and Estate Practitioner (TEP) with the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP).

As a Risk Assessment Insurance Specialist, Reston is dedicated to helping you protect and preserve your wealth, possessions and lifestyle. Focusing on Western Canada, Reston will take the necessary steps to understand your needs and develop a strategy to help mitigate risk.

Reston was born and raised in Calgary, AB. Starting his career as an Advisor with TD Insurance in 2007, Reston quickly moved into a senior role coaching new hires and facilitating sales training for existing staff. In 2011, Reston had the opportunity to join BFL CANADA as a Client Service Manager, responsible for personal lines and gaining exposure to many areas of the commercial side of the insurance business

Most recently, Reston was Assistant Vice President, Private Client Services for the Canadian arm of one of the world’s largest risk management firms, Marsh Canada Limited.

Outside of his career, Reston spends most of his free time on the golf course. Otherwise, he and his wife are enjoy listening to live music, visiting micro-breweries and vacationing in the Caribbean.