Comprehensive Financial Planning
Michelle Maandag, CFP®
Wealth Planning Consultant
Michelle has an extensive career within the Financial Services industry. She has 15 years of experience working with high net worth individuals, gaining a deep understanding of their financial needs and identifies solutions to help them achieve their goals. Michelle is committed to providing a holistic approach to her clients, including estate planning, tax management, business succession planning, investment management, and banking and credit management to develop wealth management strategies to simplify complicated financial affairs.
Michelle has lived and worked in the GTA for several years and when not working will often be found enjoying outdoor activities with her family. She has a diverse range of interests and enjoys contributing to others’ success.
Piero Mazza, CFP, CFA, CIM, TEP
Director, Wealth Planning
As a member of the Wealth Management Consulting team, Piero brings together the knowledge and experience of our in-house tax and estate professionals and works with Investment Advisors and their clients to develop sound wealth management plans.
He provides support and direction about complex issues such as retirement and distribution planning, tax planning, cash management, estate and gift planning, transition planning and charitable giving.
Piero has 15 years of experience in the financial services industry having worked for a large, Canadian brokerage firm and Insurance company as a financial planner providing comprehensive planning for their high net worth clients in the area of tax, estate, insurance and retirement planning. Piero has a Business Degree, is a member of the Financial Planning Standards Council, Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners and the CFA Society of Toronto.
Tax Optimization and Risk Management
Leigh Vyn, CPA, CA, CFP, FEA
Director, Tax Planning
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.
Business Transition Planning
Adam E. Carter, CPA, CA, CBV, FEA
Vice President, Business Advisory & Transition Planning
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.
Estate Planning & Trust Administration:
Karen Sparks, MBA, CFP, TEP
Senior Wealth Management Consultant
Karen advises high net worth families and business owners on comprehensive wealth planning solutions, as part of an integrated team of Wealth Consultants and in-house technical specialists. Drawing on extensive financial product expertise and planning acumen, Karen helps clients articulate and understand their unique objectives for accumulated wealth. A skilled listener, she acts as a value-add resource for wealth management professionals and their clients, ultimately providing a blueprint from which to execute a customized – and optimized – wealth plan.
Karen joined BMO Wealth Management in 2011, following progressively senior roles in the financial services industry, specializing in wealth planning, marketing and communications, and business development. In her previous role, she worked as a Vice President for a private investment counsel firm where she provided high net worth clients with comprehensive wealth planning and investment counselling services.
Chris Markou, LL.B, BA (Hons)
Director, Estate Planning
Chris advises high net worth individuals and families on specialized Estate & Trust solutions as part of an integrated wealth planning team.
Chris draws on his prior experience as an estates lawyer in private practice to assist BMO clients with complex estate and trust planning solutions in a variety of contexts. He provides support and direction on matters related to estate, gift and tax planning, succession planning for business owners, charitable giving and planning for family members with special needs.
Prior to joining BMO Wealth Management, Chris operated his own law firm, worked as in-house counsel with an insurance company, and worked in the estates and real estate groups in one of the largest and oldest law firms in Brampton, Ontario. Chris has been actively involved in the community as a member of numerous boards and committees, and has chaired and presented at several programs for the Ontario Bar Association.