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.
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.
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.
Sandra Cruz, TEP, MTI
Director, Wealth Services
With over thirty years of experience in the financial services industry, 25 years dedicated to the Estate and Trust field, Sandra can skillfully discuss complex and sensitive estate and trust matters with clients in a compassionate and easy to understand manner. By taking the time to understand each client’s specific goals and objectives, Sandra brings her extensive subject matter expertise to help guide families through the unique opportunities and challenges that they may be facing during the many different stages of life.
Sandra manages a diverse portfolio of Estate, Trust, Power of Attorney, encircle and continuity accounts.