Rick J. V. Brenneman, QAFP®
Investment Advisor
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.
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.
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.
Jean Richard, LL.B, LL.M, TEP
Sr Manager Cross Border & International Tax Consultant
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 practice Jean’s clients can rely on his in-depth technical expertise to facilitate discussions on high-level planning while addressing a wide range of situations across international, U.S. income and estate tax, and Canadian income tax considerations.
Jean joined BMO Wealth Management in 2001 with a solid expertise acquired advising individual clients and business owners with a leading Canadian insurance carrier, a leading accounting firm and a law firm.
Chris Markou, LL.B, BA (Hons)
Director, Estate Planning
Chris advises high net worth individuals and families on specialized Estate & Trust solutions as part of an integrated wealth planning team.
Chris draws on his prior experience as an estates lawyer in private practice to assist BMO clients with complex estate and trust planning solutions in a variety of contexts. He provides support and direction on matters related to estate, gift and tax planning, succession planning for business owners, charitable giving and planning for family members with special needs.
Prior to joining BMO Wealth Management, Chris operated his own law firm, worked as in-house counsel with an insurance company, and worked in the estates and real estate groups in one of the largest and oldest law firms in Brampton, Ontario. Chris has been actively involved in the community as a member of numerous boards and committees, and has chaired and presented at several programs for the Ontario Bar Association.
Wade Wagstaff, PFP
Wealth Planning Advisor
Wade joined BMO in April 2015 and holds the prestigious Personal Financial Planner (PFP) designation from the Canadian Securities Institute. As a committed financial professional, he specializes in wealth planning, advanced financial strategies, and delivering tailored advice to meet each client's unique needs. Wade works closely with a team of experts in investment management, tax strategy, and estate planning to create holistic wealth plans for clients within BMO Private Wealth.
His mission is to empower clients with personalized and comprehensive solutions for complex financial scenarios, offering proactive and coordinated wealth strategies. With deep expertise in navigating the intricacies of wealth management, Wade ensures that clients can confidently pursue their financial goals."
In his spare time, Wade enjoys golf, free-climbing, pickle ball, longboarding, and travelling.