I was not the kid that dreamed of working on Wall Street. When I set off to McGill University at sixteen, I was enrolled in a Bachelor of Science program with the intention of majoring in mathematics.
But life has a way of changing your trajectory.
My father passed away during my senior year in high school. My mother, quite young, became a widow with three children, trying to navigate finances and an inheritance, managing her future, and ours. Born in Japan, she was not yet a Canadian citizen, and had to figure out how to build a life in Edmonton for her family.
I attended some of her meetings with advisors. Rather than bringing things down to basics, there was a lot of jargon. Rather than understanding the emotional challenge she was facing, they seemed to be more keen on charts and performance.
This was not the kind of help my mother needed, and I was sure there were many others who could say the same — whether they were going through a transition of wealth as a widow, navigating a divorce, or experiencing any other major life change.
It was my ‘aha’ moment.
Coupling my math brain with my empathetic side, I could see my own path in the financial industry. I switched to a Bachelor of Commerce degree and started working at Nesbitt Thompson. Getting exposed more to the business along with experiencing all that was happening within my family connected everything together.
I have had a filfilling career in finance since 1995, and I've been connecting with clients as an Investment Counsellor since 2009. I’ve earned four professional designations, including the FCSI, the highest credential offered by the Canadian Securities Institute, and the CIWM, a globally recognized wealth management certification focused on the unique needs of high-net-worth individuals.
Throughout it all, I’ve held the same core belief: I need to understand the person, not just the portfolio.
Having an authentic connection with my clients enables me to meet them where they’re at, speak in terms they understand, and help them make sense of often complex situations. They
trust me to coordinate with lawyers, accountants, and advisors on tax strategies, estate planning, and more — because they know I care about them and their future. Based on their feedback, I’ve been recognized twice by BMO Private Wealth with a Distinguished Client Loyalty award.
If you are looking for trusted lifelong counsel rather than a transaction, I can help you navigate your desired wealth path with confidence.
Let’s get in touch.