Mark Belknap, CIM

Investment Advisor

Mark Belknap is an 15 year veteran in the financial services industry providing professional investment advice and portfolio management with a focus on 3 main verticals: high net worth family offices, businesses and institutions. His former roles provide him with a well-rounded perspective on Wealth Management and tie to other areas of subject matter expertise that support his clients’ needs. He started his career with Sunlife Financial as an Insurance/Investment specialist then shifted gears to become a senior banker with CIBC where he was recognized as a key spokesman for the retail banking channels - speaking about the banks specialized products and services to thousands of employees.

Mark is accomplished and is a Certified Investment Manager, CIM - one of the highest regarded designations in the financial industry. He also holds a degree from King’s College at Dalhousie University.

In Mark’s spare time he likes to rock climb, read, ski at Beaver Valley and spend time with his family. He is an avid outdoorsman…most likely stemming from his forest fire fighting days!

Jeremy Newall

Sales Assistant

Jeremy Newall is a highly motivated investments enthusiast that has 7 years of experience in the field of finance. His former roles have given him the ability to provide seamless customer service through his deep knowledge of investments and his love for adding value to people’s lives. Jeremy’s career started with BMO InvestorLine as a licensed investment specialist where he was recognized as a top specialist. The vast experience gained through the public wealth sector has led him to provide exceptional service to more sophisticated private wealth clients.

Jeremy has established himself early in his career through graduating from the prestigious Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto with a specialist in finance and economics. Leveraging his experience earned from his B.com, he quickly gained licensing allowing him to provide services ranging from simple equities to complex derivatives. The learning did not stop there as he is currently pursuing arguably the most difficult and accredited financial designation as a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA).  

In Jeremy’s free time he enjoys playing and learning new instruments while keeping active as a member of the Team Canada dragon boat team. His diverse set of interests and experiences make him the outgoing and dedicated individual he is today.

 

Our Partners

headshot

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.

headshot

Dante Rossi, CPA, CA, CFP

Director, Tax Planning

Dante advises high net worth business owners and families on specialized Tax & Estate solutions aimed at maximizing their wealth, as part of an integrated wealth planning team. Drawing on over a decade of tax accounting experience, his clients benefit from a depth of informed insight and the ability to distill complex concepts into actionable strategies. Specializing in Canadian corporations and entrepreneurs, Dante offers guidance on tax structuring, estate planning, business exit strategies and tax-efficient wealth transfers, creating tailored solutions for a diverse group of clients.

Dante joined BMO in 2015 from global professional services firm Deloitte LLP, where he worked for 10 years in progressively senior roles, managing and executing detailed reviews of complex corporate, personal, partnership and trust tax compliance and planning engagements.

headshot

Elizabeth Bozek, B.Sc. (Hons), LL.B, TEP

Director, Estate Planning

Elizabeth works with other members of the High Net Worth and Specialized Wealth Planning team to develop personalized estate planning solutions for high net worth and ultra-high net worth clients. Elizabeth is sympathetic to the needs of her clients and mindful of the importance of family dynamics in the estate planning conversation. She is adept at communicating the importance of a total estate plan to clients and advisors alike.

Elizabeth has a wealth of experience in the world of estates and trusts.  She joined BMO after 7 years in private practice, where her practice encompassed estate litigation, planning and administration, alternative dispute resolution, and incapacity planning. She most recently spent 3 years at a national trust company, where she honed her expertise in estate planning for high net worth clients. She is actively involved in the estates bar, and continues to organize and chair programs of interest for estate and trusts lawyers across the province.  

headshot

David Tremblett

Trust and Estate Planner

David brings over 20 years of experience as a Trust and Estate Planner. He is also a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® and a member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners.

David has worked extensively with our clients in the area of Estate, Will and Trust Planning, and is committed to providing his expertise by ensuring our clients have a capable executor that can fulfill their duties. When considering who to appoint as executor, he suggests looking for the following qualities: Knowledge, Accessibility, Fairness, Integrity, and Emotional stability.

 

If you have been appointed as executor or trustee and find the responsibility too onerous or time consuming, we can simplify your life by helping you fulfill your duties, and act as your Agent.

If you are considering a corporate executor, you can choose to appoint BMO Trust Company to help you with estate planning and administration.

headshot

John Michael Durrant

Vice President, Estate & Insurance Advisor

John Michael is an expert in his field and a valuable member of the team. He has been working with high net worth clients with a targeted insurance focus for over 20 years. He specializes in structuring insurance as a risk management tool and as a unique asset class for our clients. He helps our clients  by maximizing  their wealth, minimizing tax, enhancing  philanthropic goals, and providing peace of mind. Collaborating with our team, other specialists within  the BMO wealth group, and our clients own trusted tax and legal advisors, John Michael structures tax intelligent insurance strategies for our clients using personal or corporate investment dollars. John Michael ensures our clients clearly understand the uniqueness of insurance as an asset class and how insurance planning complements and enhances their wealth management plans. Outside of the office he enjoys time with his family at the cottage, on the slopes and at countless hockey rinks.