Melissa Rush

Melissa A. Rush, BA (Hon), PFP®, CIM®, FCSI®, CPCA®

Senior Wealth Advisor

Melissa Rush is a Senior Wealth Advisor and leads The 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.

Melissa works closely with affluent professionals, executives, and families. She 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

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.

Gord 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. He 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.

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.

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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.

John Waters

John Waters, CA, CFP, TEP

Head of Tax

John's area of expertise includes personal tax and corporate tax for private corporations as well as financial and estate planning for high net worth individuals, executives and entrepreneurs. John is a Chartered Accountant (CA), CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER (CFP®) and member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (TEP). He holds a Bachelor of Commerce (B. Comm) From Queen's University.

Before joining BMO Nesbitt Burns, John was employed by a large, international accounting firm as a senior member of the Toronto High Net Worth tax practice. John has also assisted in the design and execution of executive compensation plans and has expert ice in a wide range of planning scenarios involving the taxation of individuals, corporations, trusts, and partnerships. 

Linda Leung

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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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.