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.
Carol Willes
Director, Will & Estate Planning
Carol assists high net worth clients from many backgrounds to understand and develop their present and future legacy. By helping clients focus on what is most important to them - family, philanthropy, security and more - she develops unique estate planning options as part of an integrated team of wealth planning specialists that support clients through their life journey.
Carol strives to provide meaningful, client-centered advice and solutions to help real people build their legacy and find peace of mind in the context of their entire wealth story.
Karen Gowdy
Estate & Insurance Advisor
Karen has more than 39 years of experience in the financial services and insurance industry. She works with our team to review a broad range of financial issues, important to every client. She works in the disciplines of estate, insurance and tax planning.
Louise-Philippe de Seve-Bergeron, LL.B, TEP
Director, Tax Planning
As a tax specialist, Louis-Philippe provides information and guidance to individuals and businesses relevant to today’s complex tax environment. In order to coordinate the best client solutions, Louis-Philippe often works directly with our clients’ lawyers and accountants. The goal is to always ensure that a well-rounded team of professionals is working to improve our clients’ situation. Louis-Philippe is also fluent in both English and French.
Louis-Philippe, a lawyer holding both a Master of Taxation and the Trust and Estate Practitioner (TEP) designation, has worked extensively on corporate reorganizations and restructuring, estate planning, and establishment of trusts. He has consulted on intergenerational transfers, estate planning and transfers to key employees. With over 12 years of experience in an accounting environment, he has developed the ability to provide clear and concise advice to a variety of clients during their most stressful life events.
Lydia Potocnik, LL.B, TEP
Vice President, Philanthropic Advisory Services
Lydia assists affluent clients in building a philanthropic legacy by taking a strategic approach. She guides families through the unique opportunities and strategies that exist to create a legacy that is meaningful and lasting. Her estate planning and trust administration background allow her to also ensure that clients’ philanthropic goals are part of their larger wealth and estate plan. Having worked with both clients and beneficiaries of estates, Lydia’s approach to planning takes into consideration unique family dynamics and conflict resolution.
Lydia joined BMO Wealth Planning in 2011 as a Will & Estate Planning Consultant working with clients on all aspects of their estate and trust planning. She then assumed a leadership role with BMO Trust Company where she was responsible for overseeing all aspects of the estate and trust administration business in Ontario. Prior to joining BMO, Lydia led a very successful philanthropy program at a major hospital foundation where she advised donors on how to build a lasting philanthropic legacy. She has contributed to numerous publications and media appearances related to her work.