Our Team

Mike McPhillips

Mike McPhillips, M.Sc., CIM, FCSI

Senior Portfolio Manager

Michael is a graduate of St. Francis Xavier University and he completed graduate studies at the London School of Economics, earning a Masters of Science (Economics).

After four years as an analyst at a major Canadian multinational, Michael joined BMO Nesbitt Burns as an Investment Advisor. He has held a number of senior management positions within the Private Client Division and now manages client portfolios exclusively, in addition to mentoring developing Advisors and Portfolio Managers. 

Hani Zakaria

Hani Zakaria, CFA

Portfolio Manager

Hani holds a Bachelor of Commerce, Specialization in Finance and in Management, from the Rotman School of Business at the University of Toronto. He is also a CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) Charterholder.


While completing his B.Comm, Hani was selected through Rotman for an internship position with the firm and remains a dedicated team member today, in his Portfolio Management position. The breadth of his CFA & university training in Investment Management and Capital Markets, coupled with the practical experience gained at BMO Nesbitt Burns provide a valuable combination of academic insights and real world know-how.

In his time away from the office, Hani has acted on both stage and television as well as being an accomplished musician. Some of Hani’s philanthropic passions include the Bay Street Performers, benefitting Arts For Children And Youth, as well as the Friends For Life Bike Rally, benefitting the Toronto People With Aids Foundation.

Sarah McPhillips

Sarah McPhillips

Investment Associate

Sarah launched her career at BMO Nesbitt Burns after balancing her undergraduate studies at Western University with achieving qualifications and accreditation for a career in investment management. As an Investment Associate, she focuses on Financial Planning and Business Development. Building strong, lasting client relationships is at the core of her approach, and she excels at fostering connection through comprehensive, ongoing financial planning to align with customized investment programs. Outside of work, Sarah is passionate about running and staying active, cooking and traveling.

Mark Thomas

Mark Thomas

Administrative Assistant

Mark Thomas is a dedicated employee at BMO Nesbitt Burns, where he has been contributing his expertise for the past five years. An alumnus of the University of Toronto, Mark has consistently demonstrated excellence in his field, earning numerous internal awards at BMO. Outside of work, he enjoys playing beach volleyball, which helps him stay active and balanced. His commitment to his work and his continuous pursuit of professional growth make him a valued member of the McPhillips Zakaria team.

Our Partners

Ieen Liu

Ieen Liu, PFP

Senior Private Banker

Private wealth management with a difference.

Ieen is a dedicated Senior Private Banker providing the highest level of services to successful and affluent individuals and families. With her longstanding, established financial services knowledge and experience, Ieen assists her clients in a number of key banking areas: tailoring services to meet individual client requirements, taking initiative to sustain personal contact, customized lending, business financing for professionals, U.S. banking and above all, maintaining discretion.

John Michael Durrant

John Michael Durrant

Senior Estate & Insurance Advisor

John Michael Durrant specializes in helping high-net-worth individuals and families integrate insurance solutions into their broader wealth management plans. With more than 20 years of experience, he works with clients to structure insurance as both a risk management tool and a unique asset class, supporting wealth preservation, tax efficiency, philanthropic objectives, and legacy planning.

Working closely with our team, specialists across BMO Wealth Management, and clients' trusted tax and legal advisors, John Michael develops tax-efficient insurance strategies using personal and corporate assets. He helps clients understand the unique role insurance can play within a comprehensive wealth plan and how it can complement and enhance their overall financial strategy.

John Michael is committed to helping clients make informed decisions by providing clear, customized solutions that align with their goals and priorities. Through a collaborative approach, he helps create wealth planning strategies that provide confidence, flexibility, and peace of mind for the future.

Outside of work, John Michael enjoys spending time with his family at the cottage, on the ski slopes, and at countless hockey rinks.

Rhonda Blanch

Rhonda Blanch

Senior Estate & Insurance Advisor

Rhonda began her career in the financial services industry in 2001 and joined BMO Private Wealth in 2013. A CFP professional, Rhonda employs a comprehensive process to understand and assess your wealth management needs. Her objective is to ensure you meet your specific goals for building, preserving, and passing on your wealth. Where appropriate, personal and/or corporate insurance-based strategies are implemented to provide tax sheltered investment accumulation, mitigate financial risk, create tax-efficient income, and reduce investment and estate taxes.

headshot

Carlos Salgado, MBA

Senior Relationship Manager Canadian Commercial Banking

With a decade of experience in Corporate and Commercial Banking, Carlos Salgado is dedicated to building strong, long term partnerships with Mid Market and high growth companies across diverse industries. Known for his relationship driven approach and ability to deeply understand client objectives, he works closely with business owners and finance leaders to support their growth, expansion, and strategic decision making.

Carlos specializes in delivering tailored financial solutions, including senior debt financing, capital structuring, subordinated debt, cross border banking, equipment financing, and mid market mergers and acquisitions. He also partners with specialists to provide comprehensive treasury, payment, and investment solutions. By combining broad product expertise with a client first mindset, Carlos serves as a trusted banking partner to companies navigating complex financial challenges and pursuing long term success