John Byrne

Senior Investment Advisor

John Byrne is partner of the byrne+cohen group. John has more than 30 years of investment experience in addition to 4 years of experience in the insurance industry. Historically, John managed a branch of 45 Investment Advisors with assets of over $6 Billion. Recently he relinquished those duties after 25 years to focus his attention solely on the team's clients. As a Senior Investment Advisor, he is involved with BMO Nesbitt Burns' strategy decisions for the Private Client Division ensuring that our client’s perspectives are at the forefront of these policies. When John is not working he enjoys family life, the arts, travelling and is an avid reader.

Justin Cohen

Senior Portfolio Manager

Justin Cohen is partner of the byrne+cohen group. Justin is a Senior Portfolio Manager and MBA graduate with more than 20 years of experience working with Institutional and Private Clients. His goal as a Portfolio Manager and Investment Advisor is to target consistent, reliable, and above average performance for our clients through a risk-controlled approach to asset management. When Justin is not working he enjoys family life, a wide variety of sports such as hockey, baseball, kiteboarding and wakeboarding as well as coaching his children’s sports teams.

John Peller, CFA

Associate Portfolio Manager

John Peller is an Investment Advisor with the byrne+ cohen group.  He has 4 years of experience working with Private Clients. John holds a BCom from Dalhousie University and is a Level Three CFA Grad.  John is responsible for client liaison as it pertains to service, performance, and objectivity.  When John is not working, he enjoys golfing, skiing and travelling.

Lisa Williams

Investment Representative

Lisa Williams is an Investment Representative of the byrne+cohen group and has over 11 years of experience at BMO Nesbitt Burns. She is responsible for all aspects of client service including trade execution, money movements and document management. When not working, Lisa enjoys cycling, running & being outdoors.

Jessica Ciprietti

Investment Representative

Jessica Ciprietti is an Investment Representative of the byrne+cohen group and has 9 years of experience at BMO Nesbitt Burns. She is responsible for all aspects of client service including trade execution, money movements and document management. When not working, Jessica serves on the Board of Directors for the FAB Foundation (Fit.Active.Beautiful) based out of Hamilton ON and enjoys playing soccer and running.

Our Partners

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James Kraft, CPA, CA, M.Tax

Estate and Insurance Advisor

James provides estate and insurance advice to high net worth clients though sophisticated, forward-thinking wealth management planning. James offers clients informed insight across the broad spectrum of wealth and estate planning issues, leveraging advanced market experience – more than 20 years of specialized tax, estate, and insurance expertise – and a unique understanding of the financial and emotional complexities of family wealth.

He works collaboratively with his colleagues to simplify the complexities associated with wealth and offering affluent families and entrepreneurs a uniquely personalized experience. Together, they aim to help clients realize their aspirations, at all stages of life, through meaningful conversations.

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Heather Friedman

Private Banker

As a dedicated Private Banker, Heather provides customized banking solutions for high net worth clients. She works with her clients to define their goals then draws on the additional resources of a team of BMO Private Wealth Professionals who specialize in wealth planning, investments, commercial banking, as well as tax and estate planning to create a uniquely personalized experience for her clients.  This strategy of holistic services leads her clients to have increased confidence that they are making the right decision for the financial future.

Born and raised in Toronto Heather has worked for BMO for more than 20 years. She has a breadth of banking experience within BMO Bank of Montreal which includes both personal and commercial banking as well as branch management. 

Heather resides in midtown Toronto and enjoys spending time exploring the city with her husband, Alex, and dog, Lucy.