Jump to winners | Jump to methodology | Jump to listing in order
Managing between $71 million and $1.8 billion in assets, the advisors on Wealth Professional’s annual Top 50 list have excelled by doing what they do best – ensuring peace of mind and providing sage advice for their clients, especially in challenging times.
Rising interest rates, inflation, and geopolitical uncertainty stoked volatility across markets in 2022. The fifth annual edition of the IG Wealth Management Financial Confidence Index showed that Canadians’ overall financial confidence at the end of 2022 stood at 51, an 11% decrease from the previous year.
“I don’t reinvent myself whenever there are seismic events in the world or changes in the market”
Kathy Sager, CG Wealth Management
In this milieu, clients are looking to financial professionals even more for support and guidance, and WP’s 2023 Top 50 Advisors are answering the call.
Tammy Cash, head of marketing for the Americas at Vanguard Investments Canada, says, “It’s a difficult and fearful time for investors, so that’s where the good advisors can reach out and use this as an educational opportunity for investors in helping them avoid big mistakes by moving to the sidelines or selling when they shouldn’t.”
Those on the Top 50 Advisors list have their own methods for navigating these difficult times to deliver for their clients.
For Kelvin Rampersad, it’s a job that can’t be done alone.
“I like to surround myself with a team of top professionals so I can offer a full-service experience to all my clients,” says the head of the Rampersad Group at Carte Wealth Management.
Chad Larson, senior portfolio manager at CG Wealth Management, also takes a team-focused approach. “My formula for success is having great partners and a great firm to support, guide and invest in our platform, coupled with an internal fire that is always burning to constantly improve.”
Whereas for Kathy Sager, it’s primarily about educating clients so they understand her strategy.
“What keeps me going is my love for and affiliation with my clients,” says Sager, senior investment advisor at Sager Financial Group with CG. “I emphasize enhanced planning and financial literacy, so they are well prepared and informed for their futures.”
Targeting a clear part of the market has paid dividends for Joseph Alfie, portfolio manager at Myriad Private Wealth with iA Private Wealth.
“I attribute my success to hard work and dedication,” he explains. “But what truly differentiates us is our specialized focus on high-net-worth families and business owners. We take a personalized approach to working with these clients, collaborating with their accountants and tax lawyers to create comprehensive strategies.”
Nader Hamid, managing partner and portfolio manager with the TWM Group at iA Private Wealth, attributes his success to a simplified wealth management experience.
“We put so much effort into providing exceptional quality tailored to individual needs. Whether it's wealth management, tax planning, estate settlement, or retirement planning, we focus on making it simple and helping them reach peace of mind,” he says.
“We put so much effort into providing exceptional quality tailored to individual needs. Whether it’s wealth management, tax planning, estate settlement, or retirement planning, we focus on making it simple and helping them reach peace of mind”
Nader Hamid, iA Private Wealth
Despite the varying approaches among the award-winning advisors, one point of synergy is how technology is being harnessed across the board.
For example, Larson’s Calgary-based practice, MLD Wealth Management, has thrived by transitioning onto the Envestnet platform provided by CG. It has lowered costs for clients while giving him “incredible insight” into the asset and security allocation within their portfolios.
“We are in the process of piloting a new financial planning stack as well that we are excited to roll out in 2023,” he adds.
For Sager and her team, the Morningstar Advisor Workstation is integral when comparing investments and funds. The workstation’s portfolio proposal function illustrates the performance of different portfolio constructions in a specific period.
By doing Zoom meetings, Rampersad has eliminated traveling and late-night appointments from his work schedule. “It’s given me back a lot of time to enjoy friends and family, all while being more productive than before COVID. I have had one of the best years in my career,” he says.
Technology is also elevating Hamid’s ability to serve clients by streamlining and automating repetitive workflows. With “progress” as their guiding star, he and his team regularly research and vet new software that may benefit their practice.
“The tools we use are ever-changing and help the practice in a number of ways; reducing the response time for clients, making more informed decisions by having easy access to all the relevant data, and moving efficiently in times of market turmoil to adjust portfolios,” he says. “All these are possible through our constant search for the best-in-class systems.”
David Bardsley, the national wealth & asset management advisory leader at KPMG Canada, believes next-level technological investments could fundamentally transform the landscape of advice, especially as clients in the high-net-worth space increasingly look to independently manage part of their portfolio.
“We’re moving away from what was traditionally just a set of algorithms to something that is much more informed by personal circumstance,” he says. “I think the way in which AI and machine learning will allow us to bring that information together in the advice environment is what’s going to change or evolve that digital advice capability.”
However, not all of the top advisors are embracing tech in the same way.
Senior wealth advisor Jamie Suprun of Suprun Wealth Management reveals, “We use minimal CRM software and enjoy and encourage face-to-face meetings. This is a personal business and talking with clients face-to-face makes a huge difference.”
“[Zoom meetings have] given me back a lot of time to enjoy friends and family, all while being more productive than before COVID. I have had one of the best years in my career”
Kelvin Rampersad, Carte Wealth Management
Some of WP’s top advisors are new to the industry, but others are veterans.
A prime example is Roderick Mahrt, who has over 35 years of experience under his belt and is currently senior portfolio manager at The Mahrt Investment Group. Despite turbulent times and changing trends, he’s resolute in his methodical approach.
Reacting to the recognition and also commenting on his longevity, he says, “I believe there are two reasons: first, I try to hire the best people I can and pay them as much as I can. After all, you are only as good as the team that surrounds you. Second, our team is very process-driven to provide the highest level of advice and service to our clients, very similar to an airline pilot’s flight checklist.”
Similarly confident in her modus operandi is Sager. She has been in the industry for 41 years and has remained calm despite the blustery market conditions.
“I don’t reinvent myself whenever there are seismic events in the world or changes in the market. Yes, we reacted and responded, but inherent in our business approach is a flexibility and latitude that allows for that adaptation,” she says.
Sager and her team, for example, took a less aggressive approach with tech stocks by avoiding the drop in the sector’s valuations and balancing with more alternative investments, big dividend payers and inflation beneficiaries.
She underlines how the key factor in earning trust is being able to build solid relationships.
“A win for my clients is always a celebrated achievement for me,” Sager adds. “The close relationship I keep with my cherished clients and their families is what brings me joy. Forming relationships with their next of kin and following their generational stories reminds me of why I love what I do.”
Another winner Thane Stenner, senior portfolio manager and senior wealth advisor at Stenner Wealth Partners, is also an industry veteran who promotes constant innovation. He says, “You need to build out your team, and possibly hire a team performance coach to go to the next level. I have done this every ten years to help step up to the next level.”
“We use minimal CRM software and enjoy and encourage face-to-face meetings. This is a personal business and talking with clients face-to-face makes a huge difference”
Jamie Suprun, Suprun Wealth Management
To compile the annual Top 50 Advisors list, WP first solicited nominations from advisors, industry professionals and clients. Only advisors nominated were eligible for the list. All information on nominees had to be verified by their compliance team before it could be accepted.
The final list was determined on the basis of each advisor’s weighted ranking in overall AUM, AUM growth, and client growth (both between October 2021 and October 2022), as well as the advisor’s certifications beyond a bachelor’s degree and a basic securities license.