Taryn Gunnlaugson is a dedicated wealth professional with more than 30 years of experience in building client trust.
 
Originally intending to forge a career in chemical forensics, Taryn earned a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Carleton University and did a job orientation with the RCMP. She soon realized that she needed a career with more people contact. Having excelled as a customer service representative at BMO during school, Taryn was chosen to attend the BMO Career Bridge program, spending four intensive days at the BMO Institute for Learning in Toronto. The firm identified her aptitude for an advisory role, taught her the analytical side of the business and trained her as a mutual fund advisor. Taryn began earning the rigorous Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA®) and Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) designations and was promoted to Investment Specialist before becoming an Investment Counsellor. Taryn has been with BMO for 30 years and is grateful for the firm’s incredible career support.

In her local community, Taryn has been an active supporter of The Snowsuit Fund of Ottawa for 12 years. She has served as Chair, Past Chair and board member, and in 2021 stepped down after 10 years of service but remains active with Fund.
 
Taryn lives with her partner and his three teenage children live with them half the time. They are constantly out and about, staying active and close by skiing, golfing, swimming, hiking, challenging each other to a game of tennis or backyard volleyball, and travelling together.

Brooklyn earned a Bachelor of Business Administration with an advanced major in Accounting from St. Francis Xavier University in 2019. Brooklyn successfully passed the Common Final Examination (CFE) in September 2020. Since joining our team in January 2022, Brooklyn has obtained her Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) designation, completed the Canadian Securities Course (CSC) with the Canadian Securities Institute, and has passed the CFA Level 1 examination as she works towards the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation. Brooklyn oversees daily administrative tasks along with Connor, and works closely with our BMO Private Wealth Specialists to ensure we have up-to-date and extensive Wealth Plans for our clients.

At St. Francis Xavier, Brooklyn was actively involved on campus and within the local community. Brooklyn was the Vice President of Sponsorship with the Women in Business (WiB) Society during her final two years of studies. She developed and implemented a successful sponsorship strategy which enabled the society to hold an Atlantic WiB conference with over 150 female students in attendance. After graduating, Brooklyn was accepted into and completed the Graduate Diploma in Professional Accounting program (GDIPA) at University of Toronto. She lived in Toronto for 4-months before moving across the country to Calgary, working as an auditor with Ernst & Young. After two years, Brooklyn came back to Ottawa, her home-town, and began her career with BMO Private Wealth.

Brooklyn enjoys exploring various Gatineau trails with her dog, trying out local restaurants, visiting her partners family out West (Calgary & Kelowna) and a new hobby – learning to play golf. She is excited to be back home, and is looking forward to joining community initiatives again.

Connor has been supporting my team since joining BMO Private Wealth in 2021 after graduating from St. Francis Xavier University with a Bachelor of Business Administration with a major in Finance and a minor in Economics. He manages our administrative hub, processes trades for our clients, helps them open accounts, executes transfers between accounts, and sets up transfers for fees and TFSAs. Connor enjoys client contact and plans to complete the Canadian Securities Course with the Canadian Securities Institute and to earn the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA®) designation.
 
Connor was actively involved in many activities during university. He served as a Financial Analyst with Xaverian Capital, the student co-op that manages $500,000 of the school’s endowment fund and performs research due diligence and market updates. During this experience Connor had the opportunity to meet with industry professionals to learn the interviewing process and received mentoring. Together with his summer jobs in financial administration, this valuable experience sparked his interest in investing. At St. FX, Connor was also a Finance Student with Invest in Canada for two six-month sessions. This government job promotes direct investment in Canada by encouraging companies to establish operations here. During second year, as House Vice-President, Connor worked with a peer for eight months co-leading a residence of about 200 students. He organized events, looked after students’ wellbeing and liaised between students and school management. Connor also played for the Antigonish Bulldogs Junior B Hockey team during first year and was a competitor and captain on the St. FX Novice Men’s Rowing team in first and second years. In addition, every week, he volunteered with the St. FX Pairs Pledge playing pairs sled hockey with kids with disabilities.
 
Today, Connor unwinds by playing pick-up hockey and other sports, watching hockey, basketball, baseball, and keeping up with all things athletic.