Eric Strassburger

Eric Strassburger, BA (Econ), PFP

Senior Wealth Advisor

For almost 30 years, Eric Strassburger has been assisting families in Southwestern Ontario to invest with confidence, plan proactively to achieve their goals and dreams, make sense of what they have accumulated, and experience life without financial stress. He is known for his investment knowledge, exceptional service touchpoints, integrity, conviction, and compassion.

After graduating from Wilfrid Laurier University with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics in 1996, Eric worked with two leading bank-owned investment firms. He joined BMO Nesbitt Burns in 2013, where he constructs pension-style portfolios, advises on retirement and estate planning, and collaborates with trusted wealth specialists to bring his clients bench strength in multiple disciplines.

A highly community-minded individual, Eric has volunteered his time and expertise extensively with several local charities for many years. He has served as a Board and Finance Committee Member with the House of Friendship since May 2019 and a Board and Investment Committee Member with KidsAbility Foundation since February 2019. Eric was formerly an Investment Committee Chair and Board Member at the Kitchener Waterloo Community Foundation, a Treasurer and Board Member with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Waterloo Region, an Audit, Risk and Finance Committee Member at Trinity Village in Kitchener, and a Board Member at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Kitchener. His focus has always been on investing and financial governance.

When it’s time to take a break from assisting clients and his community, Eric enjoys relaxing with his wife and two teenage sons. They keep busy with sports such as hockey, golf and football, attend music concerts, and soak up the great outdoors at the family cottage.

Maria Lacko

Client Service Associate

Maria has worked in the Canadian banking industry since 2019, building a strong foundation in client service and financial administration. She is passionate about helping clients achieve their financial goals by providing personalized support and fostering meaningful relationships. Seeking a team that shares her commitment to exceptional client care, Maria joined Eric Strassburger’s team, a wealth management practice known for its thoughtful, client-first approach.

In her role, Maria ensures that all operational aspects of client requests are handled efficiently and with care. Her attention to detail and dedication to delivering outstanding service help ensure every client interaction is seamless and supportive. Maria has also recently completed the Canadian Securities Course (CSC®) through the Canadian Securities Institute (CSI), further enhancing her knowledge and commitment to the financial services industry.

Outside of work, Maria is a devoted cat lover with two cats and enjoys spending time with her family, including her two teenage children. She also cherishes family trips to Mexico, creating lasting memories with her loved ones.

Our Partners


 

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Nilab Balooch

Associate Private Banker

Nilab has been in the financial services industry, with BMO for over 10 years. During that period of time, she acquired a wide array of skills and expertise. She began her career with BMO in 2011, at the Customer Contact Center, as an Everyday Banking Agent. Shortly afterward, she transitioned into a lending specialist role. Her primary responsibility was to help Canadian clients with their day to day banking and lending needs over the phone. In 2014, Nilab expanded her skillset by assisting clients face to face in a physical branch, as a Financial Services Manager. After excelling in that role, she was promoted to a Senior Banker, Nesbitt Associate in 2018. Her primary responsibility was to provide clients with exceptional wealth management solutions to meet their financial goals. Again, she was promoted shortly afterwards and is now an Associate Private Banker for BMO Private Banking. She is a well-rounded Associate Private Banker that will be of great value to you.

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Stuart Clark, M.Tax, TEP

Estate & Insurance Advisor

Stuart is a specialist at insurance-based wealth and estate planning strategies with a focus to service the high net worth and ultra-high net worth clientele of BMO Private Banking and BMO Nesbitt Burns. His objective is to help families and businesses transfer wealth in an efficient and tax advantaged manner. As a member of the BMO Wealth Management team, he integrates wealth planning strategies that minimize the impact of taxation to you now and to your estate in the future.

Prior to joining BMO Estate Insurance Advisory Services, Stuart worked with BMO Private Banking as a Specialized Planner – Tax to integrate comprehensive tax and wealth plans to enrich the financial success of BMO Private Banking clientele. He also acted as a consultant and instructor to financial advisors with one of Canada’s largest life insurance companies, and provided specialized taxation service with two of Canada’s large accounting firms and the Canada Revenue Agency.

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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.

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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.

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Melissa Saunders

Trust Officer

Melissa is a dedicated Trust Officer at BMO Trust Company, where she has been instrumental
in managing and administering trust accounts. She has acted as an estate trustee, attorney
for property, guardian of property, and agent for executor or attorney over the span of her
career. In every case she is dedicated to providing a keen attention to detail, professionalism
and an informed client experience. With 20 years of working in Wills, Trusts and Estates
and Estate Planning our clients appreciate her extensive knowledge in all areas of trust
administration and management.
Melissa is committed to delivering exceptional client services and prides herself on building
lasting relationships based on trust and integrity. She is an active member of the Waterloo
Wellington Estate Planning Council and frequently attends workshops to build and strengthen
her knowledge of Estate management and administration.
During her spare time, Melissa enjoys volunteering in her community with the National
Service Dogs and spending time with her family as avid golfers and hockey fans.

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Karen Sparks, MBA, CFP, TEP

Senior Wealth Management Consultant

Karen advises high net worth families and business owners on comprehensive wealth planning solutions, as part of an integrated team of Wealth Consultants and in-house technical specialists. Drawing on extensive financial product expertise and planning acumen, Karen helps clients articulate and understand their unique objectives for accumulated wealth. A skilled listener, she acts as a value-add resource for wealth management professionals and their clients, ultimately providing a blueprint from which to execute a customized – and optimized – wealth plan.

 

Karen joined BMO Wealth Management in 2011, following progressively senior roles in the financial services industry, specializing in wealth planning, marketing and communications, and business development. In her previous role, she worked as a Vice President for a private investment counsel firm where she provided high net worth clients with comprehensive wealth planning and investment counselling services.