Melissa Rush

Melissa Rush, BA, PFP®, CIM®, FCSI®, CPCA®

Senior Wealth Advisor

Melissa Rush is a Senior Wealth Advisor and leads the Melissa Rush Wealth Advisory Group. Melissa is her clients’ comprehensive financial advocate, unstoppable in her quest to surpass their financial goals, enhance their wealth, and break through their perceived limitations. As an endurance athlete, she puts passion and commitment into everything she undertakes.

Melissa was recognized in the prestigious rankings of Canada's Top Women Wealth Advisors 2023 and Canada’s Top Wealth Advisors, Best in Province 2022, by The Globe and Mail's Report on Business / SHOOK Research.  She was also recognized by BMO Private Wealth for Distinguished Client Loyalty.  These honours are a testament to her wealth advisory team's high standard of excellence and commitment to her clients.    

With over 20 years experience, Melissa and her team provide personalized investment management, financial planning, trust and estate planning, tax reduction strategies, insurance solutions, philanthropic services, and private banking. Within her best-in-class wealth advisory practice, she collaborates with her network of experts to save clients’ time, solve challenges, provide reassurance, and simplify the complexities that wealth presents.

She works closely with affluent professionals, executives, and families. Melissa breaks down complex problems into smaller goals, connects with clients on a deep level, and taps her boundless energy to advocate for their success. Her multi-generational team builds, manages, and preserves wealth, for the eventual transfer to the next generation. 

Melissa's career began at Merrill Lynch Canada Inc. She proudly joined BMO Nesbitt Burns in 1999 as an Investment Associate within a Chairman’s Council team, then worked as a Financial Planner at BMO Bank of Montreal directly managing investment portfolios. At the height of the Global Financial Crisis in 2008, Melissa became an Investment Advisor.

Melissa earned an Honours Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Western University. She holds the Fellow of the Canadian Securities Institute (FCSI®), the Chartered Investment Manager (CIM®), the Personal Financial Planner (PFP®), and the Certified Professional Consultant on Aging (CPCA®) designations, as well as the Life Licensing Qualification Program (LLQP) license.

Iron-clad discipline is hardwired and demonstrated through studying ballet for 13 years, and completing 50 road races and 14 marathons, including Boston, New York City and Berlin. Melissa is passionate about running, cycling, and cross-country skiing. An avid overseas traveler, she enjoys immersing herself in new cities, sights, art, and culture within Europe.

Melissa has deep empathy for those struggling and the less fortunate, so she actively supports the United Way, The Sanctuary, Evangel Hall Mission, Nellie’s Shelter, Home Instead Charities, and Women’s Brain Health Initiative. She offers her knowledge and expertise to young professional women, hoping to inspire them to choose a career within wealth management.

Gordon Minty

Gordon Minty, BA

Senior Client Services Associate

Gord Minty is a Senior Client Services Associate, who is very analytical, client-focused, and solutions oriented.  As our first point of contact, he handles all client service and day-to-day administration responsibilities. Gord's most valuable contribution is his insights into solving clients' problems, saving clients' time, and addressing the complexities that arise with our affluent and sophisticated clients.

He has worked in the financial services industry for ten years and joined BMO Nesbitt Burns in 2016, after working with BMO InvestorLine as an equity and options trader. Gord has received numerous professional awards, including the BMO Nesbitt Burns GTA Award in 2020. 

Gord is an avid golfer who enjoys playing in tournaments and is a member at Brampton Golf Club. He also spends his time at the family cottage with his wife and son.

Vasili Liantziris, B.Comm. (Hons)

Client Service Assistant

Vasili joined the Melissa Rush Advisory Group in 2023 bringing with him three years of financial services experience. He graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce from Toronto Metropolitan University and is currently pursuing studies towards an MBA. As a Client Service Assistant, Vasili is responsible for marketing initiatives, social media content, investment research and client account administration for the team. 

Outside of the office, Vasili enjoys playing soccer, travelling overseas, and experiencing Toronto's diverse restaurants.

Our Partners

Stéphane Rochon

Stéphane Rochon, CFA, MBA

Vice President and Managing Director, Head of Private Client Research

Stéphane has over 15 years of experience in the investment industry, focusing primarily on Canadian and U.S. equities. Stéphane chairs the Private Client Investment Strategy Committee, which establishes the overall asset allocations for client portfolios. He also researches and publishes reports on longer-term investment themes and their expected impact on the markets. As the Head of Private Client Research, Stéphane is also responsible for the overall direction and oversight of the team's publications. Stéphane is a CFA charter holder and holds an MBA from McGill University.

Before joining the BMO team, Stéphane was Director and U.S. Research Product Manager in Credit Suisse’s Equity Research department in New York. As part of that role, he was responsible for approving and coordinating new stock and sector initiations as well as thematic research reports. He also managed the Credit Suisse Focus List and outperformed the S&P 500 seven consecutive years. Prior to joining Credit Suisse in 2004, he spent six years working with a major Canadian bank in Toronto.

Richard Bellay

Richard Belley, CFA

Managing Director and Fixed Income Strategist

Richard has been involved with Fixed Income and Interest Rate Derivative markets for over 20 years including 7 years in direct sales and trading. Early in his career, Richard worked as an interest rate Futures and Options institutional representative for BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc. and then for an international bank advising national and international clients. This was followed by a 3-year period as a provincial and municipal trader for the Private Client Division of BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc.

In 2001, Richard participated in the launch of the newly created Portfolio Services Group within the Private Client Division to provide a low-cost alternative for management of fixed income portfolios for high net worth individuals and institutional clients. Richard has been actively managing fixed income portfolios for more than 10 years. He has been a CFA Charterholder since 1999 and is a registered portfolio manager.

Elly Richmond

Elly Richmond

Wealth Planning Consultant

As a professional with over 20 years in the Wealth Management industry, developing and fostering client relationships with business owners, professionals and corporate executives, Elly has always prided himself on taking a client-first approach to Financial Planning.

Elly joined BMO Private Wealth in 2013. Prior to joining BMO, Elly was an advisor providing Mutual Fund, Insurance and Financial Planning advice to a portfolio of medium and HNW clients. He also worked as an Investor Consultant providing fee-only Financial Planning advice, and then as a Financial Planner for the advisor network.  

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David Tremblett, CFP®, TEP

BMO Trust Company, Vice President, Personal Trust

David brings over 20 years of experience as a Trust and Estate Planner. He is also a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® and a member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners.

David has worked extensively with our clients in the area of Estate, Will and Trust Planning, and is committed to providing his expertise by ensuring our clients have a capable executor that can fulfill their duties. When considering who to appoint as executor, he suggests looking for the following qualities: Knowledge, Accessibility, Fairness, Integrity, and Emotional stability.

If you have been appointed as executor or trustee and find the responsibility too onerous or time consuming, we can simplify your life by helping you fulfill your duties, and act as your Agent.

If you are considering a corporate executor, you can choose to appoint BMO Trust Company to help you with estate planning and administration.

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John Michael Durrant

Senior Estate & Insurance Advisor

John Michael is an expert in his field and a valuable member of the team. He has been working with high net worth clients with a targeted insurance focus for over 20 years. He specializes in structuring insurance as a risk management tool and as a unique asset class for our clients. He helps our clients  by maximizing  their wealth, minimizing tax, enhancing  philanthropic goals, and providing peace of mind. Collaborating with our team, other specialists within  the BMO wealth group, and our clients own trusted tax and legal advisors, John Michael structures tax intelligent insurance strategies for our clients using personal or corporate investment dollars. John Michael ensures our clients clearly understand the uniqueness of insurance as an asset class and how insurance planning complements and enhances their wealth management plans. Outside of the office he enjoys time with his family at the cottage, on the slopes and at countless hockey rinks. 

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Dante Rossi, CPA, CA, CFP®

Director, Tax Planning

Dante advises high net worth business owners and families on specialized Tax & Estate solutions aimed at maximizing their wealth, as part of an integrated wealth planning team. Drawing on a decade of tax accounting experience, his clients benefit from a depth of informed insight and the ability to distill complex concepts into actionable strategies. Specializing in Canadian corporations and entrepreneurs, Dante offers guidance on tax structuring, estate planning, exit strategies and tax-efficient wealth transfer, creating tailored solutions for a diverse group of clients.

Dante joined BMO Wealth Management in 2015 from global professional services firm Deloitte LLP, where he worked for 10 years in progressively senior roles, managing and executing detailed reviews of complex corporate, personal, partnership and trust tax compliance and planning engagements.

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Elizabeth Bozek, LL.B

Director, Estate Planning at BMO Wealth Management

Elizabeth works with other members of the High Net Worth and Specialized Wealth Planning team to develop personalized estate planning solutions for high net worth and ultra-high net worth clients. Elizabeth is sympathetic to the needs of her clients and mindful of the importance of family dynamics in the estate planning conversation. She is adept at communicating the importance of a total estate plan to clients and advisors alike.

Elizabeth has a wealth of experience in the world of estates and trusts.  She joined BMO after 7 years in private practice, where her practice encompassed estate litigation, planning and administration, alternative dispute resolution, and incapacity planning. She most recently spent 3 years at a national trust company, where she honed her expertise in estate planning for high net worth clients. She is actively involved in the estates bar, and continues to organize and chair programs of interest for estate and trusts lawyers across the province.

Linda

Linda Leung

Manager, US Tax

Linda is responsible for Canadian and U.S. tax planning support and is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). Before joining BMO Nesbitt Burns, Linda was a member of a global tax team at a large consulting firm where she assisted individuals in understanding the Canadian, U.S. and international tax implications of their various forms of compensation. Prior to that, she was employed by a large, international accounting firm in their International Assignment Services and Small Business tax groups. Linda has expertise in U.S. personal tax matters and can provide guidance on cross-border personal income tax issues.

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Karen Sparks, MBA, CFP®, TEP

Director, Philanthropic Advisory Services

Karen advises high net worth families and business owners on comprehensive wealth planning solutions, as part of an integrated team of Wealth Consultants and in-house technical specialists. Drawing on extensive financial product expertise and planning acumen, Karen helps clients articulate and understand their unique objectives for accumulated wealth. A skilled listener, she acts as a value-add resource for Investment Advisors and their clients, ultimately providing a blueprint from which to execute a customized – and optimized – wealth plan.

Karen joined BMO Wealth Management in 2011, following progressively senior roles in the financial services industry, specializing in wealth planning, marketing and communications, and business development. In her previous role, she worked as a Vice President for a private investment counsel firm where she provided high net worth clients with comprehensive wealth planning and investment counselling services.

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Paul Wylie, CIMA

Head, Client Development & Experience, BMO Family Office

Paul is Head of BMO Family Office, Canada. The integrated services team serves the wealth professionals throughout BMO Private Wealth by providing solutions to their Ultra HNW individuals, businesses, and family offices to support their financial planning, tax & estate, investment, philanthropic, and risk & capital needs.

In this role, Paul focuses on fully developing and executing the “go to market” strategy to grow the business. This includes formalizing the value proposition to clients, partners and talent. He focuses on the client experience, including client acquisition and the overall client relationship management process and service model in partnership with BMO Private Wealth advisors.

Paul joins the BMO Family Office team with 25+ years of domestic & international experience managing business development, people development, and sales & service at various financial institutions. He is client-centric and performance-oriented, with extensive experience around investments in the UHNW and Family Office space. Prior to BMO, Paul spent time mentoring, coaching, and consulting in the financial services field. Paul also held senior management roles at numerous Top 5 financial institutions in the country. 

Paul currently sits on the board of Capital Direct Income Trust. He is immensely proud of his time and effort spent supporting community causes that range from the United Way, Oshawa Hospital (Cancer Care) Foundation, and First Peoples’ Truth & Reconciliation efforts. Paul earned a BA from the University of Toronto and has completed his CIMA and Investment Management Consulting from the Wharton School of Business.

Residing between Fenelon Falls and downtown Toronto, Paul and his wife have 2 children studying at university. When possible, he finds time to golf, ski, and cheer on the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Nadya Campbell

Nadya Campbell, BA (Econ), PFP®, CIM®, CIWM, FCSI®

Private Banker

Nadya is a dedicated and multifaceted financial professional working with affluent individuals and families to understand and address their objectives and priorities. In creating your personalized wealth strategy, Nadya will simplify your wealth journey with a full suite of Private Banking solutions.

As a Private Banker, Nadya is committed to sourcing new and better ideas to support you. She will engage a team of BMO Private Wealth specialists in investment management, trust and estate planning, philanthropy, succession planning, and concierge services and coordinate everyone’s advice and services for you