Michelle Maandag, CFP®
Wealth Planning Consultant
Michelle has an extensive career within the Financial Services industry. She has 15 years of experience working with high net worth individuals, gaining a deep understanding of their financial needs and identifies solutions to help them achieve their goals. Michelle is committed to providing a holistic approach to her clients, including estate planning, tax management, business succession planning, investment management, and banking and credit management to develop wealth management strategies to simplify complicated financial affairs.
Michelle has lived and worked in the GTA for several years and when not working will often be found enjoying outdoor activities with her family. She has a diverse range of interests and enjoys contributing to others’ success.
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.
John Kimpton, CFP, TEP
Estate and Insurance Advisor, Vice-President
We believe that wealth should remain in the control of those who created it. As the team of choice for successful Canadians, John's team brings to each engagement over 50 years of experience and the all resources of BMO Financial Group. The Kimpton Team is fortunate to work with a select group of affluent families, professionals, entrepreneurs and business owners to promote wealth and protect what is most valuable in life:
Goal identification and finding a unique tax-based solution to your objectives
Tax-efficient accumulation and income strategies
Intergenerational wealth transition planning for tax mitigation, legacy maximization and philanthropy
Corporate and personal risk management
Since joining the firm, John has drawn upon his years of experience working with BMO Partners and third-party client advisors to customize insurance-based solutions. Collaborating with a group of experts results in unique solutions for unique families. The Kimpton Team has the knowledge, expertise and the toolbox to help you achieve your financial objectives.
In addition to his multiple industry designations, in 2015 John was nominated as a member of the Conference for Advanced Life Underwriting (CALU), a national advocacy group working on advanced planning issues in cooperation with the three levels of government. John has a special interest in corporate and personal tax, focusing on ways to reduce or eliminate it from the client’s plan. Away from work, John enjoys golfing and spending time with his wife and two boys.
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.
Sandra Cruz, TEP, MTI
Director, Wealth Services
With over thirty years of experience in the financial services industry, 25 years dedicated to the Estate and Trust field, Sandra can skillfully discuss complex and sensitive estate and trust matters with clients in a compassionate and easy to understand manner. By taking the time to understand each client’s specific goals and objectives, Sandra brings her extensive subject matter expertise to help guide families through the unique opportunities and challenges that they may be facing during the many different stages of life.
Sandra manages a diverse portfolio of Estate, Trust, Power of Attorney, encircle and continuity accounts.
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.