Geneviève Blanchard, B.Comm., F.Pl., CIM

Senior Wealth Advisor and Financial Planner

Philosophy

Geneviève is an advisor who is not afraid to innovate, despite the traditional aspects of the private wealth industry. In fact, since 2020, her thought leadership has made her one of just 18 advisors across the country to be appointed to BMO Private Wealth Management's Investment Advisor Advisory Council. As Vice-Chair of the Council, she makes a direct contribution to the firm, shaping its internal direction and initiatives in collaboration with senior management.

 

Geneviève is committed to helping families alleviate the complexity and stress associated with managing significant family wealth. She firmly believes that it is possible to optimize lasting intergenerational transfers and give them a deeper meaning by equipping the whole family. This determination, combined with the experience she has acquired working on a multitude of complex wealth management files, has made her a reference in private wealth management for high-net-worth families.

 

Family values are fundamental to Geneviève. She and her husband Antoine are the parents of Henri, Paul and Auguste. In 2015, together they founded Ölistik, an organic farm pioneering in cultiviating winter crops in cold greenhouses in Quebec. This experience gives her an entrepreneurial perspective much appreciated by our clients who are business owners. Geneviève is a multi-passionate person, but nature is her favorite playground.

 

Professional background

Geneviève leads the Blanchard Group with a passion and discipline inspired by her background as an elite track and field athlete. While completing her Bachelor of Commerce degree from McGill University (majoring in finance and minoring in environment), Geneviève worked with Groupe Blanchard on several projects until 2013. That's when she officially joined as a wealth management advisor after a year serving BMO customers as Financial Services Manager at the Montreal main branch. It was also during this year that Geneviève acquired her Financial Planner (Pl.fin.) designation. Geneviève also holds the title of Certified Investment Manager (CIM).

 

Recognition and involvement

 

IIAC Leaders Under 40

Geneviève was selected as one of the Investment Industry Association of Canada's (IIAC) Leaders Under 40 for 2022, a prestigious award that recognizes young professionals whose talent and dedication enhance the image of the Canadian securities industry.

 

President's Club

For several years now, the Blanchard Group has been recognized and selected by BMO Private Wealth as a member of the President's Club, an honor designed to recognize the firm's top-performing advisory teams.

 

Responsible Investment Association (RIA) of Canada

For Geneviève, it's imperative to make responsible investment (RI) accessible so that all those who wish to invest intentionally in a better world are empowered to do so without compromise. She has been a member of Canada's Responsible Association since 2013. Her expertise has enabled our team not only to develop our first Responsible Investment portfolio in 2013, but to ensure that all our portfolio models are well positioned to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow. She is also actively involved in educating and raising awareness of RI among the public and the financial industry. Among other things, she was interviewed by the journal Finance et Investissement in 2019 and gave a talk on the subject at the Association des femmes en finances du Québec (AFFQ) in 2020.

 

Luc Blanchard, FCPA

Senior Wealth Advisor

Luc founded his practice in 1990, back when the standard was to brokers who executed their clients’ orders.  He quickly became aware of people’s need to be taken charge of by a trustworthy person and directed his efforts towards the development of a holistic approach based on wealth management.
 
The development of long term relationships is a priority for Luc, equally with his clients and team members. He is the advisor to the 3rd generation of some of the families that he serves.  He also adopted certain measures to ensure the sustainability of his business, including the development of a cohesive team that is able to grow in strength and effectiveness.

Luc is a man of commitment and his presence is greatly felt in the community. He was Campaign president for the United Way, Chairman of the Board of the Eastern Townships Chartered Accountants, as well as Chairman of the Board of the Sherbrooke Symphony Orchestra (OSS). As president of the Sherbrooke Athletics Club, he also organized the Canadian Junior Track and Field Championships in July 2006, for which he was named "Executive of the Year" by the Quebec Athletics Federation at their 2006 Gala Athlétas and Gala Sports Québec.

Furthermore, on September 17th 2006, he was appointed Honorary Lieutenant Colonel for the 35 Signal Regiment, a Primary Reserve unit of the Canadian Armed Forces. Since 2013, he is involved in the Organizing Committee of the Fondation du CHUS’ Gourmet Dinner and the BRP/Cascades yearly golf tournament.  He is also a Board Member of the Eastern Townships Community Foundation’s Investment Committee and a member of Anges Québec.

Alexandre Lapalme

Associate Investment Advisor

Alexandre has been a part of the BMO Financial Group since 2014, starting as a Money Market operations representative (Europe and Asia), and then as a Financial Services Manager within a BMO branch.

He has joined the BMO Wealth Management division of BMO Nesbitt Burns in 2018. He is a graduate of the University of Sherbrooke in finance, and is now completing a series of specialized courses with the Canadian Securities Institute.

Alexandre's mandate is to provide you with front-line advisory services as well as support to senior advisors. Through his exceptional determination and versatility, he has proven to be an indispensable asset for both the team and our clients.

Marjo (Sherbr) Côté

Sales Assistant

Efficient and always devoted to our customers since 2007, Marjolaine plays a very important role in the administration of your accounts and manages all administrative and operational matters with great competence and discretion. You can contact her at any time and she will be happy to help you.

Marie-Pier Hinse

Administrative Assistant

Marie-Pier has joined our team on April 2021. She has 5 years of experience in the field of wealth management as an administrative assistant and as deputy advisor of a large Canadian financial institution. 

Marie-Pier will be in charge of operations and liquidity management as well as scheduling appointments. She will also be your #1 resource when you contact us by phone. Shortly, Marie-Pier will be the new voice of the office.

Nos partenaires pour une gestion de patrimoine intégrée

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Olivier Paquin

Director, Tax Planning

Olivier is part of the specialized planning team within BMO Wealth Management where he acts as a tax and estate planner. His main focus is to assist high net worth clients and their families in reaching their objectives by making complex tax issues understandable, managing risks and identifying opportunities.

Olivier was called to the Quebec Bar in 2012. After completing his master’s degree in taxation, he worked for a well-known law firm based in Montreal where he advised business owners and professionals on a multitude of corporate, personal, and trust taxation issues. He also provided tax planning assistance on many corporate reorganizations, and business transfers.

Olivier joined BMO Wealth Management in 2016. He works in collaboration with professionals at BMO Private Wealth.

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Raphaelle Nadeau

Director, Wealth Planning

Raphaelle offers BMO’s high-net-worth clients personalized wealth planning advice.  After identifying each client’s needs and goals and analyzing their personal and financial situation, she develops an appropriate plan that highlights the implications of financial, tax and estate planning and of business succession. Raphaelle draws on the skills she has acquired in a financial institution and an accounting firm to design quality wealth plans that raise her clients’ awareness of potential risks and opportunities.

 

Raphaelle joined the BMO Wealth Management Team in August 2018. She began her career in 2010 as a personal financial advisor with another financial institution. This experience provided her with in-depth knowledge of the financial products offered by financial institutions and enabled her to develop her financial advisory skills with a diverse clientele.

 

After completing her master’s degree in taxation in 2013, Raphaelle joined the tax team of Deloitte Montréal, the internationally renowned professional services firm. Over the course of her career at Deloitte, Raphaelle gained a wide range of experience in tax planning, corporate restructuring, mergers and acquisitions, and tax compliance for individuals and businesses.

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Mathieu Lefebvre

Vice President, Business Advisory & Succession Planning

Building relationships with clients is paramount to becoming a trusted advisor. Mathieu’s goal is to develop rapport with clients through open communication, trust and exceptional service. Leaning on his diverse background and experience, Mathieu provides guidance to private business owners and families 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.

Prior to joining BMO Wealth Management in 2018, Mathieu has over 10 years of experience with national and Big 4 accounting firms. Working within the M&A Transaction services Group, he advised private company owners across multiple industries, with business enterprise values ranging from $3 million to +$100 million on all aspects of the M&A transaction process, from the initial analysis of financial and operational performance to the closing of the transaction (i.e. divestitures, acquisitions, due diligence, projections/financial modeling, and business valuations). Other areas of experience include corporate restructuring and insolvency, financings, and corporate audits.

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Chantal Moreau, D.D.N.

Director, Estate Planning

Chantal is a member of the BMO Wealth Management team as a Director, Estate Planning. Chantal assists high-net-worth clients in developing their customized estate plans. Chantal helps to ensure that the legal documents her clients put in place reflect their reality, their needs, and their objectives while maximizing their estate value and asset protection.

 

Chantal is a member of the Chambre des notaires du Québec. Prior to joining the BMO Private Wealth planning team, Chantal gained hands-on experience in the administration of estates, trusts, and protection regimes with BMO Trust Company.  Previously, Chantal worked as a notary in a private practice where she also settled estates and worked on non-contentious legal proceedings. This experience gave her a practical perspective on estate planning and equipped her to anticipate possible issues and propose effective solutions.

 

Chantal holds a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) degree and a Graduate Diploma in Notarial Law (D.D.N.) from Université de Sherbrooke. She is currently completing a specialization program in order to earn the Trust and Estate Practitioner (TEP) designation.

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Jean Richard, TEP

Sr Manager HNW Consulting, Enterprise Wealth Planning

Jean advises high- and ultra-high-net-worth individuals, business owners and professionals on how to efficiently structure their worldwide, U.S. and Canadian assets, providing specialized insight on tax solutions as part of an integrated wealth planning team.

 

Relying on over 35 years of professional experience, Jean brings in-depth technical knowledge to his clients both in general planning discussions and when dealing with a wide range of international tax situations, U.S. income and estate taxation, and Canadian income tax.

 

Jean joined BMO Wealth Management in 2001 after acquiring solid expertise in advising individual clients and business owners with a leading Canadian insurer, a leading accounting firm, and a law firm.

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Zeina Khalife

Director, Wealth Planning and Tax

As a Tax lawyer and financial planner, Zeina advises high net worth families, professionals and entrepreneurs on specialized wealth planning solutions. Whether it’s thought leadership on estate planning, new family wealth, tax planning, or philanthropy, Zeina is dedicated to simplifying complex issues and providing practical and informed strategies. Zeina joined BMO in 2011 after several years as a tax lawyer in private practice. She was called to the Quebec Bar in 2001.

The Groupe Blanchard difference

 

You will know that we are here for you.

We are collectively committed to earning your trust. Our promise of availability translates into an assurance that you will be kept informed in a concise and timely manner, without ever having to give it a thought. You will be surprised at how proactive we are in guiding you toward making informed decisions, whether you are on a beach in Bali or enjoying the comfort of your own home.

Like you, we are multigenerational. 

At Groupe Blanchard, wealth management is a family affair. We apply the complementary strengths of our multigenerational team to build an enduring legacy for you and your heirs. In other words, we are a family that looks after the financial well-being of other families. 

Uncompromised integrity and transparency. 

Our culture is centered around complete and transparent disclosure of all fees for our services. We believe that a relationship of trust between advisors and clients must be built on a foundation of clear communication of the components of our remuneration. You need to know the exact cost of your financial planning to determine the value that we add.  

More than 33 year of expertise and commitment.

Our existence was born of the convictions of an advisor who was intent on offering integrated and personalized wealth management services that go well beyond simply executing orders. Luc Blanchard built a team in his image and passed his knowledge on in order to satisfy the ambitions of his clients. Today, we apply a judicious blend of experience and innovative ideas to provide guidance that is both effective and congenial.

About BMO Nesbitt Burns

One of the largest full-service investment companies in North America.

For BMO Nesbitt Burns, a recognized leader in the personal finance field, true full-service brokerage revolves around three key defining qualities:
 
  • Collaboration. An enduring relationship with a trustworthy investment advisor.
  • Information. Continuous access to the most reliable and up-to-date research and opinions.
  • Choice. The freedom to choose from among a multitude of approaches, strategies, products and services to select those that best suit your changing needs.

 

You can depend on the solidity and reputation of BMO.

  • $200 billion in assets under management
  • The best private bank in Canada, according to World Finance
  • Number one for research in Canada for 29 years, according to Brendan Wood International