Steve has more than 25 years of experience managing investment portfolios. Prior to joining BMO Nesbitt Burns, Steve was the Chief Financial Officer of an Oil & Gas Producer and was a Chartered Accountant with Deloitte and Touche.
Steve has a Bachelor of Commerce degree from University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV) with a major in accounting. Steve attended UNLV on an athletic scholarship and played on the varsity tennis team at the university. He has been on the board of directors for the Osten Victor Alberta Tennis Centre for more than 10 years.
Steve spends a considerable amount of his free time on either the tennis court or the ski hills of British Columbia and Alberta with his wife and three kids.
For over 30 years I have been advising clients on how to formulate a trusted investment strategy for their own personal wealth creation. To develop an understanding of a client’s financial and retirement goals I am able to customize a portfolio tailored to best suit their individual needs.
Simplify your investment strategy. Focusing on high quality equities through diversification, which reduces portfolio risk, will reward clients with long-term capital appreciation and dividend growth, a sentiment that anchors my own personal investment strategy.
Relationship quality serves as a predictor of client loyalty and being part of a strong group of Investment Advisors and Administrative Professionals with over 150 years of combined experience, I am able to meet client expectations today and even better tomorrow.
James joined the McCreath Group in 2009 where he helps clients reach their financial, budgetary, and retirement needs. He is a Chartered Investment Manager (CIM®), allowing him to manage discretionary client portfolios. James is also a Certified International Wealth Manager (CIWM), the global standard for strategic wealth management. James has earned the highest level of certification granted by the Canadian Securities Institute, the prestigious Fellow of CSI (FCSI®).
James was class president of the 2009-2010 BMO Nesbitt Burns training class, an honour bestowed by his peers across Canada. Prior to joining BMO Nesbitt Burns, James worked at a publicly-traded company as the Manager of Corporate Communications and he previously owned Byson Communications, a company specializing in investor relations for TSX-listed companies.
James has a Bachelor of Journalism degree from Thompson Rivers University (TRU) in Kamloops, BC and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree from Royal Roads University in Victoria, BC.
James has volunteered for a number of charities including the YMCA of Calgary, Volunteer Calgary, KidSport Calgary and EducationMatters. In 2012, TRU awarded James the Distinguished Alumni Award for Community Service. He has coached soccer from community to collegiate levels and he remains active in a number of sports activities. James was the co-creator and executive publisher of the Calgary Chamber book “Dear Calgary: Advice to the city’s next generation of leaders.” James was the co-chair of Calgary’s 2018 Terry Run.
In 2020, James helped Terry Fox’s family publish “Forever Terry: A Legacy in Letters.” The book featured 40 letters from Canadians who recount the inspiration Terry has provided their lives. Contributors include Wayne Gretzky, Margaret Atwood, Jann Arden and Michael Buble. The book was a No. 1 national bestseller in Canada.
James and his wife Amber have two boys. Their family enjoys travelling, outdoor activities, and spending time in Amber’s home state of Minnesota.
Lila has been with BMO Nesbitt Burns for over 25 years assisting investors. She manages client wealth using a customized investment approach to meet each client’s needs. She holds the Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) designation. She is also a Chartered Investment Manager (CIM®) which allows her to manage client portfolios on a discretionary basis. Lila has a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Calgary.
Lila has been actively involved with the Business and Professional Women's (BPW) Club since 2004. She has served as President of the Calgary Club for four years, on the National Board as Alberta Provincial President for two years, Treasurer for two years and four years as Chair of the Club’s Capital Fund.
In her spare time Lila enjoys travelling, hiking, skiing, and yoga.
Brendon joined The McCreath Group in 2015, after starting his career as an Operations Engineer at a junior oil and gas company.
Brendon has an extensive educational background across a wide range of analytical studies. He has a Bachelor of Science Engineering degree with first class honours from Queen’s University and he holds the internationally-recognized Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation. Brendon also completed a Master of Management in Artificial Intelligence (MMAI) degree from Queen’s Smith School of Business, where he was recognized for graduating at the top of his class. As a fully-licensed discretionary Portfolio Manager, Brendon builds customized investment portfolios for clients across Canada.
Outside of work, Brendon can be found exploring the mountains with his wife. He loves being outdoors and spends his weekends hiking, skiing, golfing, and fly-fishing in the backcountry.
Jill joined the McCreath Group in 2022 and has over a decade of experience helping clients to grow their private wealth. Prior to joining the McCreath Group, Jill was a Financial Planner with the Bank of Montreal and held various senior roles within private companies. Jill places her client’s individual aspirations at the center of her wealth practice. Working with her clients, she provides a wealth roadmap; a plan to attain their financial goals and the portfolio management to achieve them.
Jill holds her Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designation from FP Canada and is currently pursuing her Chartered Investment Manager (CIM) and Certified International Wealth Manager (CIWM) designations. She also holds her Bachelor of Management from the University of Lethbridge: isa a member of the Canadian Securities Institute, FP Canada and Women in Capital Markets.
Volunteering, community service and supporting local causes is extremely important to Jill. She has most recently been involved with the BMO Kids Day – Calgary Stampede, the United Way, Women in Need Society, Walk So Kids Can Talk Fundraiser, Alberta Cancer Foundation and Alberta Children’s Hospital.
Jill, her husband and their daughter, enjoy spending time together hiking, skiing, biking and travelling.
Ashley has been with BMO Nesbitt Burns since 2010. Prior to joining the McCreath Group, she worked in branch operations and administration. Ashley has completed her Canadian Securities Course, Conduct and Practices Handbook and Investment Representative training, which allows her to further assist our clients with their wealth management needs.
When not at work, Ashley spends her time mentoring children and youth in her community, taking advantage of the hiking available in nearby Canmore and Banff area, and pursuing her passion of travel. Ashley includes London, San Francisco, and the Hawaiian Islands among her favourite places visited.
Tara has been with the McCreath Group since 2019. She has more than 7 years of banking and investment experience and six years of prior sales and customer service experience.
Tara graduated in 2017 from the University of Saskatchewan with a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Management, and has completed her Canadian Securities Course, Conduct and Practices Handbook and Investment Representative training.
Outside of work, Tara enjoys traveling and spending time with family and friends. Tara is also fluent in French.
Hilary joined BMO Nesbitt Burns in 2021 as an administrative assistant with a background in the financial industry, as well as 9+ years experience in client services. She has a strong passion for helping people achieve their goals and is currently working on completing her Canadian Securities Course and Conduct and Practices Handbook to further assist our clients with their wealth management needs.
Hilary is a born and raised Calgarian, and in her personal time she enjoys going to the nearby Mountains, travelling, and pursuing art.
Boedy has been in customer service and investment-focused roles with BMO since 2021. He joined the McCreath group in 2024 after graduating from the University of Saskatchewan with a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Finance.
He spent two years as an analyst managing the Dembroski Student Managed Portfolio Trust (SMPT) at University of Saskatchewan. During this time, the portfolio was awarded 2nd place at the Global Asset Management Education Forum in New York City where they competed against more than 130 schools.
Boedy is excited to build on this background and continue to learn under the experience of the McCreath Group. Outside of work, he enjoys golfing and staying active with hockey, after a long junior career.
James McCreath