Experience

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  Freedom 55 Financial

  • Burlington, Ontario

  • Financial Security Advisor, Wealth Management

    • Nov 2013 - Present
    • Burlington, Ontario

    I help clients to lay a solid foundation for financial independence that is key to reaching my clients' goals and dreams. Achieving these goals takes careful planning and it is my priviledge to serve my clients' needs. In building a financial security plan, I provide analysis of every situation; make recommendations/solutions; implement plans and continually monitor my clients' needs at every stage of life. I am supported by a team of experts in Retirement and Investment Planning, Life Insurance, Banking and Mortgages, Living Benefits, Employee Benefits, Tax and Estate Planning.Solutions to meet your needsFinancial products are part of a well-thought-out financial security plan. I’ll help you make sure the financial security products you choose address your specific needs. •Individual life insurance•Segregated fund policies, Mutual Funds, registered retirement savings plans (RRSPs) and tax-free savings accounts (TFSAs)•Payout annuities, registered retirement income funds (RRIFs) and life income funds (LIFs)•Individual disability insurance•Individual critical illness insurance•Individual health and dental insurance•Group insurance and retirement plans •Mortgages•Mutual funds – Registered education savings plans (RESPs), RRSPs, RRIFs, TFSAs and registered disability savings plans (RDSPs)•Securities Accommodation

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  Just Blooming Designs

  • Burlington, Ontario

  • President, Just Blooming Designs

    • Mar 2005 - Present
    • Burlington, Ontario

    Creative Floral Arrangement business - both silk and fresh flowers available. Seasonal Open Houses - by invitation only. (Christmas and Spring show)Instructional class based sessions available. Individual orders as well as event multiple arrangements.

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  Horizon Utilities Corporation

  • Regulatory Compliance Manager

    • Oct 2008 - Mar 2011

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  TD Securities

  • Toronto

  • Team Lead, Trading Risk Review (contract)

    • Aug 2008 - Oct 2008
    • Toronto

    Team Lead, Trading Risk Review (contract) (Tier 1 securities firm). Special project to assess all key business controls, policies and processes within Trading Risk. Comprehensive assessment of Global Securities, Middle Office and Shared Services activity in order to provide gap analysis and strategic recommendations to the Board of Directors.

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  CIBC

  • Canada
  • Banking
  • 700 & Above Employee

  • Director, Operational Risk Management

    • Sep 2007 - Mar 2008

    Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, Toronto 2007 - 2008Director, Operational Risk Management, Wealth Portfolio (Global Asset Management, Brokerage, Mutual Funds)• Successfully developed and implemented the plan for Business Risk Assessment and Monitoring. Integrated the Wealth Businesses into the Retail Markets platform (Integrated Business Controls Management);• Strategized Audit Engagement Model for each business – pre-validate, support, negotiate; • Ongoing management of Audit issues for the Wealth portfolio – support, remediate deficiencies;• Successfully influenced 4 satisfactory audits. Set out plan for remediation of issues and identified systemic issues;• Engage and manage New Business Initiatives as well as identify key business risks;• Assessment and mitigation of risk issues for critical project delivery ;• Manage the Risk and Control framework for Wealth portfolio ;• Target and prioritize key business risk issues;• Administer and actively participate in Wealth Governance Committee;• Develop key opportunities for the development of Wealth Portfolio.

  • Senior Project Lead (contract)

    • Mar 2006 - Sep 2007

    Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, Toronto (contract) 2006 - 2007Senior Lead Consultant, Legislative Compliance Management Project • Responsible for planning and executing the review of various Line of Business engagements;• Assessed core Operational and Legal risks; • Analyzed all policies, procedures and control framework based on regulatory requirements applicable to specific business operations;• Validated all results with Head of Compliance and Line of Business Management;• Problem solve, effectively document results, strong presentation to senior management, strong project management and steering skills;• Business engagements include Canadian & US Institutional Equities; Canadian & US Debt Capital Markets, US Investment & Corporate Banking; and US Real Estate Finance; • Specific expertise in Canadian and US Anti-Money Laundering regimes; Securities & Banking legislation, and financial regulatory environments; • Received a team Quarterly Achievers Award for outstanding project contribution.

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  RBC Capital Markets

  • Toronto, Canada Area

  • Vice President

    • Aug 1993 - Apr 2006
    • Toronto, Canada Area

    Responsible for minimizing trading risk through proper documentation and data integrity as it pertains to the firm’s business with its Institutional investors in the areas of debt management, derivatives, equities, investment banking and fund management. Planned and implemented global strategies across Capital Markets’ platforms. • Managed and directed the firm’s Know Your Client (“KYC”) mandate. Focused on the regulatory requirements and reengineered processes to accommodate documentation and operational risk. Oversaw the development and implementation of system modifications for increased efficiencies and key controls. • Analyzed the AML (Anti Money Laundering) legislation and participated in policy development. Instrumental in bringing the businesses into compliance through client specific criteria and information assessment.• Identified potential tax risk and exposure as a result of significant changes to the U.S. withholding tax legislation. Established and developed methodologies for the migration, cleanup and tracking of information affecting the firm’s potential tax liabilities. Substantial savings due to corrected applications.• Advised on the Sarbanes-Oxley audit as it applied to Capital Markets business. Credited with identifying and managing critical risk controls. • Conducted annual audits and compliance reviews for International Operational divisions. Produced the technical scope of review while also recognizing the business needs - adding value and expertise to the internal audit team. Any critical findings were delivered to senior management for action.• Consistently eliminated unnecessary procedures while remaining aware of critical projects running in tandem. Requirements affecting one platform were often integrated into another for increased productivity and efficiency.