“I BELIEVE IN PLANNING YOUR DAY, YOUR MONTH, AND PLANNING TO GROW IN THE FUTURE.”

 

A Portfolio Manager who holds the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA®) designation and 40+ years of experience, Barbara Zukor leads the Zukor Investment Group with distinction and invaluable guidance. She reached the pinnacle of our industry at a time when few women were doing that – especially few women raising four children.

 

Since 1984, Barbara has fostered deep relationships with her clients – many of Canada’s most successful families and institutions – and has built a solid reputation and track record. Barbara attended McGill University where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology. In 2001, she became a CFA® charterholder. As a registered Portfolio Manager, she enables our team to manage our clients’ wealth on a discretionary basis.

Barbara is a leader within her branch and firm. She is a Senior Vice-President of BMO Private Wealth, serves as a role model and mentor for her fellow Investment Advisors and has been recognized as a member of the BMO Private Wealth Chairman's Council for many years.

Michael Zukor is a Portfolio Manager, a Chartered Accountant, and an Investment Advisor with 20 years of experience. As an accountant, he endevours to develop a deep understanding of his clients’ tax and financial situations, and has strong ability to read and understand corporate financial reports. Michael works with business owners, retirees, young professionals, entrepreneurs, non-profit organizations and foundations. He provides them with tailored financial, retirement, estate and tax plans.

 

 Through high-value discussions, Michael gains a deep understanding of his clients’ financial situations and mindsets, then structures custom portfolios. Achieving excellence in money management is his and his team’s key focus. Michael believes in taking a moderate approach to investing, which has helped his clients remain comfortable during difficult market cycles. To add value, Michael advises on estate planning and family issues. As needed, he also introduces other key professionals, such as notaries, BMO Private Wealth tax specialists and private bankers. Michael builds in-depth financial plans and uses them as benchmarks for many years.

 

During university in New York, Michael worked as a Financial Analyst at the boutique hedge fund Stechler Investments, and for an advisor at Merrill Lynch. Upon graduation, he worked at Richter LLP, one of Canada’s largest accounting, business advisory and consulting firms. In 2005, he joined BMO Nesbitt Burns in partnership with his mother, Barbara Zukor, a CFA and Portfolio Manager with 40 years’ experience. Barbara reached the pinnacle of the industry at a time when that was rare for women, and provided Michael with invaluable guidance. Michael and Barbara have built a high quality team and developed a methodical process to take care of their clientele.

 

Michael graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Finance from the Sy Syms School of Business at Yeshiva University in New York. He enrolled in the Graduate Diploma in Accountancy at McGill University to qualify for the Graduate Diploma in Public Accountancy at Concordia University, which he successfully completed. In 2006, he obtained his Chartered Accountant (CPA, CA) designation.

 

Michael was recently the Treasurer of Camp Massad and served on its Board. He formerly served on the Board of Hebrew Academy. Michael has run business networking groups, fundraised for non-profits such as The Family Store, and helped coordinate events for Federation CJA and Israel Bonds. 

 

He lives with his psychologist wife and their two daughters, a son and a sheepadoodle. Michael makes a mean pulled brisket sandwich and is a master of the barbecue and smoker. He loves backcountry skiing, fishing, mixed martial arts and daily workouts. He has recently taken up the guitar.

Rosie has more than 20 years of industry experience and strong interpersonal and organizational skills. She executes trades and handles all our administrative tasks – keeping us well structured, answering clients’ questions, making account withdrawals and deposits, and managing all their day-to-day financial needs.

 

Rosie pays attention to detail, always finishes what she starts, and connects extremely well with clients. Having known most of our clients for many years, she has created friendships with them and people know they can count on her.

 

Rosie graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Concordia University after earning a Diplôme d’étude collégiales (DEC) in Commerce at Dawson College. She has completed the Canadian Securities and the Conduct and Practices Handbook Courses with the Canadian Securities Institute. Prior to joining Zukor Investment Group in 2005, Rosie worked in the real estate division of the ALDO Group, during the company’s growth boom. She helped them to source good locations, arranged leasing, liaised with store managers on planning and construction, and performed bookkeeping. Before that, Rosie worked as an Investment Representative at TD Waterhouse.

 

Rosie and her husband have a young daughter who keeps them busy with her school activities and swimming, skiing, skating and competitive soccer. A former skier, Rosie is now the family’s chief spectator and cheerleader. When Rosie gets time to herself, she likes to train at the gym as often as she can.

Deborah Petraroia assists Barbara and Michael with daily transactions such as trade execution and preparing client reports. She has tremendous organizational skills, a strong intent to learn, and an insatiable passion for the markets. Very helpful, approachable, patient, and knowledgeable, Deborah is a strong team player who helps us to train new staff and is always happy to assist her coworkers.

 

Deborah’s favourite part of the day is witnessing Barbara and Michael’s thought processes as they select securities for each unique investment profile. She reads voraciously and has more questions the more she learns about investing. There is always something new to learn within our team and we keep her on her toes – and as a ballet dancer and instructor, Deborah is very comfortable on her toes!

 

After graduating from the Université de Montréal with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Communications and earning a Certificate in Marketing from McGill University, Deborah joined BMO Private Wealth in 2011 and assisted another team as a Sales Assistant before become part of Zukor Investment Group in October 2021. Deborah has completed the Canadian Securities, Conduct and Practices Handbook and Wealth Management Essentials Courses with the Canadian Securities Institute.

 

Deborah formerly served as a volunteer for the Associazione Giovani Campani Mondo Canada, a youth group in Italy’s Campania region. Their mission is to promote the culture of Italy and the Campania Region among youth. Deborah and her husband reside in Montréal and have two small children. In her personal time, her hobby is collecting real estate properties. She rents one home and her objective is eventually to renovate and resell all her places. Deborah also teaches classical ballet in her community and has served on the board of her condominium association since 2020. 

Nicola Avvampato joined our team in 2022 from the banking side of the financial industry. Very analytical, fluent in English and French, always willing to take on new tasks, and eager to learn about all aspects of the financial world, Nicola loves a challenge. He is driven to help people and enjoys the satisfaction of doing a great job assisting our clients with their transactions, account updates, queries, and other needs.

 

Nicola originally joined BMO Private Wealth in January 2018 as a Customer Service Representative and was soon promoted to Personal Banking Associate and then Personal Banker. He has handled mortgage applications and bank account openings and helped customers to invest through Tax-Free Savings Accounts, mutual funds, and registered accounts such as RRSPs, RRIFs and RESPs. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Finance from Concordia University, has completed the Canadian Securities Course, and is currently in the process of completing the Conduct and Practices Handbook Course with the Canadian Securities Institute.

 

Having been raised by a big family, Nicola’s top priority is spending time and helping out with loved ones. He is a devoted football fan who loves nothing more than cheering on the New England Patriots on a Sunday afternoon. He is also an avid hiker and fisherman – as soon as the waters defrost in the spring, he heads up into the countryside to drop a lure with his brothers.  

Very helpful, cheerful, organized, and detail-minded, Nancy Ann Fex joined our team in April 2022. In addition to supporting Barbara and Michael in their daily tasks and keeping their schedules organized, Nancy Ann manages our administrative hub. She answers clients’ calls and questions, opens accounts, and transfers funds. She also updates client profiles and accounts, tracking what needs to be done to ensure portfolios align with clients’ goals and parameters and following up to make sure the right steps are taken.

 

Nancy Ann’s dedication to meeting client needs has been recognized over many years of outstanding performance reviews. Prior to joining our team, she was a Client Service Representative and Administrative Assistant in the Fixed Income Department at Rothenberg Capital Management in Westmount for more than 16 years. There, she was voted by her colleagues as the Associate of the Year in 2017 for being a team player with a strong work ethic who always gave her best to help the company succeed.

 

Nancy Ann holds a Diploma of College Studies (DCS) in Business Administration from CEGEP de Trois-Rivières. Since January 2021, she has volunteered privately to assist a family with their Batshaw Youth and Family Centre foster children. Acting as a foster aunt, she spends time doing activities with the kids to help build their self-esteem and wellbeing. Nancy Ann formerly volunteered for almost five years as an Assistant and Helper with CHSLD St-Charles-Borromee, assisting paraplegic individuals on field trips and other outings.

 

Nancy danced ballet as a child and has taken ballet jazz dance lessons for many years. She also enjoys skiing, swimming, and cycling, and even cycles to work most days from her home in Westmount.