Our Team

Leigh is a Director of Tax Planning at BMO Private Wealth. With over twenty years of experience, Leigh understands the broad issues that wealthy families face. By taking the time to understand client’s specific goals and objectives, she brings her extensive subject matter expertise to help guide families through the unique opportunities and challenges that they may be facing in the areas of tax and estate planning, corporate structuring, business succession planning, and family governance.
Leigh can skillfully take complex tax and estate issues, and speak to clients about these in a way that they can easily understand.  In addition to her accounting background, she has extensive experience in the investment industry, including working at a multi-family office where she led a diverse team. For four years, Leigh co-authored the book “Tax Tips for Canadians for Dummies”.
When not at work, Leigh and husband, Dave manage a busy house with two teenagers. She enjoys running and hiking the many trails Ancaster offers.

Prior to joining BMO Private Wealth in 2018, Adam worked for KPMG Corporate Finance Group, advising private company owners across multiple industries, with business enterprise values ranging from $3 million to +$100 million, on divestitures, acquisitions, due diligence, projections/financial modeling, and business valuations for multiple purposes. Other areas of experience include corporate restructuring and insolvency, financing, financial modeling & projections and corporate audits. Adam’s goal is to develop rapport with clients through open communication, trust and exceptional service. Leaning on his diverse background and experience, Adam provides guidance to private business owners and families throughout Ontario in the areas of business succession, transition, growth through acquisitions, sell-side M&A, and valuations for the purposes of wealth planning and exit planning.

Katelyn works with high net worth families to deliver proactive, customized wealth planning solutions. She draws on her extensive tax planning experience and analytical skills to help clients define their goals, set priorities and build a roadmap to implement their long-term plans. Katelyn provides ongoing education to clients on tax, retirement and estate planning issues, to help them make informed financial decisions and meet their goals.
 
Katelyn has over 10 years of tax and financial planning experience. Prior to joining BMO in 2017, she was a tax manager at a national accounting firm, where she advised business owners, farmers and other professionals on complex tax, corporate restructuring, succession and estate planning matters. Katelyn is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CA), a Certified Financial Planner professional and has completed the CPA Canada In-Depth Tax Course. She graduated from the University of Waterloo with a Bachelor of Mathematics (BMath) in chartered accountancy and finance and a Master of Accounting (MAcc).

Stuart is a specialist at insurance-based wealth and estate planning strategies with a focus to service the high net worth and ultra-high net worth clientele of BMO Private Banking and BMO Nesbitt Burns. His objective is to help families and businesses transfer wealth in an efficient and tax advantaged manner. As a member of the BMO Wealth Management team, he integrates wealth planning strategies that minimize the impact of taxation to you now and to your estate in the future.

Prior to joining BMO Estate Insurance Advisory Services, Stuart worked with BMO Private Banking as a Specialized Planner – Tax to integrate comprehensive tax and wealth plans to enrich the financial success of BMO Private Banking clientele. He also acted as a consultant and instructor to financial advisors with one of Canada’s largest life insurance companies, and provided specialized taxation service with two of Canada’s large accounting firms and the Canada Revenue Agency.

Anita has been providing financial services advice to clients for 23 years. Her expertise include; strong credit structuring experience and a focus on building client relationships. Anita works alongside our Senior Private Bankers structuring financing requests to meet the needs of our clients.

Cooper is a dedicated financial professional with an Honours Bachelor’s Degree in Economics from Wilfrid Laurier University. With a robust foundation in the Canadian banking system, investing, and Cross-Border (USA) banking, Cooper is able to service all of his clients needs. Cooper is committed to delivering exceptional customer service and leveraging his knowledge to navigate every client’s specific requests. He is digitally savvy and possesses a gift for communicating effectively, interacting with clients, and building strong relationships.

Cooper is licenced to complete mutual fund transactions (CSC/IFIC), providing clients with investing options that align with their financial goals and risk tolerance. He has worked for BMO for over 3 years and has previously worked as an operations associate for BMO private investment council and as a customer service representative.

Kristen is a seasoned banking professional with experience working with high-net-worth individuals and families. Kristen is proficient in overseeing day-to-day banking activities, ensuring streamlined processes to enhance efficiency. Throughout her career, she has demonstrated a commitment to maintaining strong client relationships built on trust and transparency. She is passionate about the client experience, and is adept at coordinating with various departments to ensure seamless service delivery.

Kristen is licensed to complete mutual fund transactions (IFIC). She has previously held roles in branch banking, from teller up to her current role in the private bank, gaining a well rounded set of skills she uses to her client benefit.