Stonegate Leadership

Rick is a Managing Director at Stonegate Private Counsel, with over 30 years of experience in the financial services industry. Rick specializes in managing the financial affairs of high net worth families, and focuses on providing innovative and customized solutions to help his clients preserve and enhance their personal and business wealth.

As a founding partner at both Assante Wealth Management and Stonegate Private Counsel, Rick has served in different roles and provided input into the development and execution of various strategic initiatives. Prior to beginning his career in wealth management, he worked at KPMG where he gained experience in personal and corporate tax, and corporate finance. His investment career began with McLeod Young Weir (now Scotia McLeod). Following that, Rick worked at Equion Securities before founding First Affiliated Securities - a company that combined financial planning and real estate syndication. In a senior management role with Cadillac Fairview he developed considerable experience in real estate operations and development.

He graduated with a B.Comm. Honours from the University of Manitoba and is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants.

Rick and his wife Nancy reside in Toronto and have three daughters. He is active in his community, and has sat on a number of not-for-profit boards.

Joanne Dereta is a Founder, Managing Director and Principal of Stonegate Private Counsel. Joanne manages wealth for Millionaires. How did her clients get that way? Some of them saved it, some of them inherited it, some of them married it and some of them built their wealth themselves, from the ground up. But they all have reached the realization that the most important thing now is to make the most of it. So, Joanne's specialty is quarterbacking comprehensive wealth management for her exclusive group of high net worth individuals and families, preferably through generations. For over 20 years, she has advised business owners, lawyers, retirees and their families in planning and managing their wealth. She is very effective at personally guiding her clients toward a Financial Life in Order, a process she personally designed, in order to take her clients from chaos to confidence.

Joanne is both a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) and Registered Financial Planner (R.F.P.) who holds an MBA from Queen's University, as well as the Canadian Investment Manager (CIM) and Trust and Estate Practitioner (TEP) designations.

In 2003, Joanne established Jo's Snowflake Fund, a charitable trust, providing Comfort Packs to children who, through no fault of their own, find themselves in Toronto homeless shelters. This gifting is done through the valuable involvement of Windfall Clothing Service. Joanne also supports UNICEF, Toronto's Hospital for Sick Children, Share Plan, The Stop, Pathways to Education and AMREF (the African Medical Research Foundation).

George Edwards uses an integrated and collaborative approach to manage the financial affairs of a select group of high net worth individuals and their families. He focuses on helping multiple generations solve issues, mitigate risk and capture opportunities to ensure their financial and life goals are met in a timely and effective manner.

As an expert in tax, estate and succession planning, George ensures that both wealth and family values are protected and preserved for the benefit of future generations. With over 34 years of industry experience, George has developed a conservative and disciplined approach to wealth management, which has proven to deliver effective results for his clients and their families.

George has a B.A. Economics degree from the University of Western Ontario. Prior to joining Stonegate, he owned and managed a branch office for Assante Wealth Management in Bracebridge, Ontario. He is active in his local community and has served as director on a number of charitable boards including Community Living South Muskoka and the South Muskoka Hospital Foundation. In addition, George and his wife Penney created a home within their community to provide care and independent living for their two children with Angelman Syndrome. This home also provides a place for other young adults with disabilities to gather and enjoy a sense of importance and belonging.

Dan Finegan is one of the founders of Stonegate Private Counsel and predecessor companies, Assante Asset Management and Equion Securities, with a career spanning over 30 years in the wealth management industry.

Dan works with affluent families in and around the Toronto area. At Stonegate the emphasis is on managing clients’ overall wealth, helping clients reach their financial objectives, preserve and grow their capital, minimize their tax and ensure that their retirement, estate, and succession planning are current and in order.

Dan has a B.Sc. from Michigan State University and holds the Chartered Investment Manager (CIM®) designation and is a Fellow of the Canadian Securities Institute (FCSI®).

Dan is an active contributor to the Dorothy Ley Hospice, is a member at St. Georges Golf and Country Club, Oviinbyrd Golf Club in Muskoka, and lives in the Kingsway area of Toronto with his wife Lesley.

As Managing Director of Stonegate Private Counsel in Atlantic Canada, Roger brings a wealth of experience to address the complex financial affairs of wealthy families and individuals.

Roger's professional background includes personal and corporate tax planning, portfolio construction and management, life and disability insurance analysis, estate planning, business valuations, succession planning and negotiation in business purchase and sale.

Roger was Vice President of a full service wealth management firm in Halifax for eight years. Prior to that, he worked with PricewaterhouseCoopers as a Senior Associate in the Financial Advisory Services Group, Halifax. His primary areas of practice were corporate valuations and dispute analysis and investigation.

Roger has a Bachelor of Commerce degree from Dalhousie University. He holds professional designations as a CA (Chartered Accountant) and CIM (Chartered Investment Manager).

Eric Lapointe is a Managing Director of Stonegate Private Counsel in Montreal, a Chartered Investment Manager (CIM) and a Fellow of the Canadian Securities Institute (FCSI®). Along with his team of specialists, he assists high net worth entrepreneurs and families with complex affairs to sustain, grow and transition their wealth to future generations. Eric and his team offer a tailored service that includes portfolio management, financial, tax, and estate advice and the coordination of his client’s various wealth professionals to simplify their life.

With more than 15 years of financial experience working with affluent clients, Eric previously worked as a senior advisor at Assante Wealth Management, and as the founding president of the branches in Saint-Hyacinthe and the Dix/30 District of Brossard.

From 1999 to 2007, Eric developed his leadership skills in the Canadian Football League as running back and team captain for the Hamilton Tiger Cats, the Toronto Argonauts and the Montreal Alouettes. He led his team to the Grey Cup twice while with Hamilton and Montreal, and he holds many records in the Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) football league. He was also inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in 2012.

Eric is President and ambassador of the Alouettes Alumni Association. He is also active in the Armed Forces as honorary Lieutenant-Colonel of the 4th Battalion, 22nd Royal Regiment. Eric’s passion and big heart have greatly contributed to the success of several foundations, including Fondation Source Blueue, Hôpital Charles-Lemoyne, FIDA, and many more.

Clyde is a Senior Associate for Stonegate Private Counsel in Montreal.

Clyde worked his way up the ladder in the Saint-Hyacinthe and Dix/30 District of Brossard branches to become a specialist in dealing with affluent clients.

With several years of industry experience, Clyde developed a conservative and disciplined approach to wealth management, and works in the development of strategic and tactical asset allocation for a select group of clients.

Clyde, along with the CI Private Counsel team, helps his affluent clients reach their goals through portfolio management strategies that are tailored to their needs, while taking into account their risk tolerance.

He is responsible for coordinating the management of family and company finances to ensure that each tax, legal and testamentary component is addressed in the portfolio management process.

Clyde is a Chartered Investment Manager (CIM) and has completed level 1 of the CFA program.

Jock MacDonald provides an integrated approach to assisting a select group of individuals and their families manage their financial affairs.  He focuses on helping his clients achieve their personal financial goals, minimize taxes and preserve capital.  His expertise includes tax, estate and succession planning, and a disciplined approach to portfolio management, which has been very successful for his clients over the last twenty-five years.

Jock is a founder of Stonegate Private Counsel.  Prior to Stonegate, he co-founded a large North American wealth management firm which he left to set up Stonegate.  He has also worked as a consultant to business owners on succession planning and finance, as a management consultant for a New York based firm focused on investment policy and risk management, and managed a billion dollar portfolio of fixed income securities for a large institution in Canada.

Jock is a registered Portfolio Manager. He achieved an Honours MBA from the University of Western Ontario and an Honours B.Sc. in Chemical Engineering from Queens University.

Jock lives in Toronto with his wife Janet and their three children.

For over twenty years, Doug has provided wealth management services to high net worth individuals and families. He has helped them achieve personal financial goals by growing and preserving their wealth, minimizing personal taxes and simplifying their financial affairs. Many clients have expressed the benefits of a reduction in anxiety and a gain in peace of mind.

Professional services are offered through an integrated wealth management approach covering two distinct services:

1. a highly disciplined investment planning and management process and 
2. financial planning services that include family business transition counseling, retirement, tax, estate and insurance planning. In doing so, Doug works closely with a client's existing professional advisors.

Clients are a select group of qualifying individuals who want to delegate responsibility for wealth management. Their objective is to find a trustworthy financial professional who has the exposure and experience to gain the knowledge required to understand their concerns and suggest workable solutions. A common characteristic is that these clients lack the time, desire, or experience to manage family wealth but want to be kept regularly informed.

Doug's knowledge comes from more than 40 years of exposure to numerous business and financial management issues. In his practice, he is supported by the Stonegate in house wealth management team which adds strong investment, financial analysis, tax, legal and insurance expertise.

Doug graduated in Business Administration from Ryerson University, Toronto. He subsequently earned his Chartered Accountant (CA) designation with Ernst & Young. He is also a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) and holds the Canadian Investment Manager (CIM) certification.

Rob is a registered Portfolio manager, and has spent over 30 years helping high net worth families, individuals, executives, entrepreneurs, corporations, foundations, and trusts meet their wealth management objectives.

A demonstrated history of business success, Rob is a co-founder of Stonegate Private Counsel and predecessor companies; Assante Asset Management and Equion Securities. In addition, he is Chairman of the Board of Governors at the Royal Ontario Museum; and a member of the Finance and Investment and Executive Committees. Rob holds an Economics degree from University of Western Ontario, is a Masters of Philosophy Candidate at Georgetown University, and has completed studies at Harvard and Disney University. He balances his professional endeavours by spending time at Rosedale Golf Club, the Country Club of Florida, the Granite Club and the ROM.

Rob believes a family’s wealth extends well beyond its financial resources as it includes their collective skills and competences, intellectual knowledge, and by far the most important, the family’s reputation for fairness and decency in its business and community relationships.

Rob resides in Toronto and has three children.

With almost 20 years of financial industry experience, Gina's focus is on the creation and implementation of wealth management solutions for the affluent community. As a member of the CI Financial group of companies since 2006, Gina specializes in discretionary investment management and comprehensive wealth planning services.

Prior to joining Stonegate Private Counsel, Gina was Senior Vice-President of Knight Bain Private Counsel. She also previously held the role of Vice-President, Investment Services and Associate Portfolio Manager at a prominent investment counsel firm. From 1993 to 2001, Gina was Director of Investment Services at a major Canadian financial institution, and an eight-time recipient of the President's Award for her outstanding performance during her tenure.

Gina is a Portfolio Manager who holds the Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) and Certified Investment Manager (CIM) designations, and is experienced on insurance matters. She also holds a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) degree from the University of Toronto.

Gina has been featured in several regional and national business publications. In addition, she was highlighted in the 2003 book Made in Canada: The Italian Way, as one of 32 successful Canadian entrepreneurs of Italian origin.

As a Senior Associate, Erik brings extensive experience and a strong client service ethic to the wealth management process. Through his focus on the needs of high net worth individuals and families, he is able to help clients reach their goals and objectives through Stonegate Private Counsel's integrated wealth management service. Erik plays an important role in the design, implementation and review of portfolios to ensure that the long-term investment objectives of each client are being met. Erik understands the importance of both growing and preserving clients' hard-earned investment capital. He always keeps these objectives in mind when constructing investment portfolios.

Erik has been a member of the CI Financial group of companies since 2004. Prior to joining Stonegate in 2012, Erik was responsible for managing and developing relationships with CI's institutional clients, including major Canadian financial institutions, pension funds, endowments and foundations.

Erik holds the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and Chartered Investment Manager (CIM) designations. He is a member of the CFA Institute and the Toronto CFA Society.

Keith Thomson began his career in 1985 as a financial advisor with McLeod Young Weir. He is a Fellow of The Canadian Securities Institute (FCSI®) which places him in an elite group of only 5% of financial advisors in Canada to have obtained this distinction. He is a licensed Chartered Investment Manager (CIM®) and Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) with a specialized focus in philanthropy. Keith has had numerous articles featured in such publications such as The Globe and Mail and CPA Magazine, the latter being read monthly by over 90,000 Chartered Professional Accountants.

Keith currently serves on the board of Seva Canada whose mission is to restore sight and prevent blindness in the developing world. For over five years he was Chair of The African Medical and Research Foundation and has served on the boards of The Power Plant Contemporary Art Gallery and The Toronto Foundation. For over two decades Keith has funded his own family foundation supporting initiatives in Canada and around the world. Every year, and at a minimum, ten percent of all business income is donated to a wide range of charitable organizations locally, nationally, and internationally. To learn more about his philanthropic initiatives please visit Philanthropy Matters.

Keith, his wife, Tanja, their daughter Kiera, and dog Haggis, reside in the Beach neighbourhood of Toronto.

Nicolas Yvon is a Managing Director of Stonegate Private Counsel in Montreal. As a Financial Planner (F.Pl.) and Trust and Estate Practitioner (TEP), Nicolas provides his clients with peace of mind by acting as the main coordinator for the different legal experts and tax accountants of wealthy families. Nicolas and his team of specialists implement tax, estate, investment, risk management and philanthropic strategies, maximizing the wealth of his clients today and for generations to come. Complex questions are addressed with care while taking into account family, personal and corporate structures, and trustees to make informed decisions and apply the best tailored solutions.

For more than 15 years, Nicolas has been diligently and rigorously developing his expertise and knowledge with professional organizations such as Institut québécois de planification financière (IQPF), Association de planification fiscale et financière (APFF) and the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP). Nicolas distinguishes himself by playing an active part in the development of plans for his clients. He has reached the highest level in his profession and has a strong reputation with his peers and other professionals, and has been part of Chairman's Council Elite for the past several years.

His entrepreneurial spirit encouraged him to join the ranks of Assante Wealth Management in 2009, where he then founded, as Vice-President, the Saint-Hyacinthe and Dix/30 District of Brossard branches.

Alan Cranfield is a Principal with Stonegate Private Counsel, a division of CI Private Counsel LP. Alan specializes in helping successful senior business executives and entrepreneurs to gain financial peace of mind so they can spend more time enjoying their families, maintaining good health and living life to the fullest.

As a founding shareholder of a national wealth management company, Alan is in a better position than most advisors to understand the unique needs of high-net-worth clients. He is committed to building long-term client relationships based on trust, results and a genuine enjoyment of each other's company. He limits his practice to less than 50 clients so that he can provide each client with a high level of attention and personal service.

Since 1983, Alan Cranfield has been dedicated to helping his clients achieve their financial goals. He has earned the professional designations of CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER^TM practitioner (CFP) and Registered Financial Planner (R.F.P.). In addition to passing comprehensive examinations, continuing education is a requirement of maintaining these designations. Alan also attended the Harvard Kennedy School, Investment Decisions and Behavioral Finance course, in 2004 and 2008.

Successful individuals and families work with Alan to:

• Develop and implement a comprehensive wealth management plan.
• Make smarter decisions in today's uncertain political, economic and social environment.
• To obtain an independent second opinion from a top wealth management team.

Alan grew up in Hamilton, Ontario, where he earned a B.A. in Economics and Business from McMaster University. After graduating, he worked at IBM Canada for more than a decade, where he was recognized as President of the Office Products Division 100% Club in 1969. He also spent four years at AES Data, where he managed one of the company's most successful branches and helped market one of the first models of the personal computer.

As a member of a team with Alan Cranfield, Donnie helps manage the financial affairs of a select group of affluent families in order to maintain and grow their wealth, allowing them to live their dreams worry free. Stonegate Private Counsel employs a consultative process of holistic, integrated wealth management solutions. Using two distinct Investment Policy Questionnaires, Donnie ensures every investment policy is tailored to compliment the individual needs of each client family and is then responsible for overseeing the implementation of that policy, using The Strategic Wealth Management Cycle.

A CFA Charterholder and registered Portfolio Manager with over 15 years of industry experience, Donnie's commitment to a world class, process driven approach to investment management stems from his belief that we serve our client’s needs best by employing a team of experts to specialize in each step of the process.

Prior to joining Stonegate, Donnie spent many years focusing on the investment side of a client’s wealth plan, but more importantly, also on the holistic financial planning side. His experience in the financial industry began in British Columbia with the largest independent brokerage in Canada, followed by a move to Ontario to join one of the large banks. After a few years, Donnie made the switch to United Financial, a sister company of Stonegate Private Counsel, as an Investment Counsellor concentrating on managed money and in-depth wealth planning for successful families throughout Ontario and Manitoba.

Donnie split his childhood and early adult life between Winnipeg and Vancouver, but has made his full time home in Ontario for the last 12 years. He also spent a couple years in Tokyo, which kick started his love of travel. Donnie is an avid sports fan and participant, and you will often find him golfing, running, cycling, playing organized sports, or being active with friends.

Donnie graduated from the University of Manitoba where he majored in finance. He is a CFA Charterholder and a member of the Toronto CFA Society.

As a Principal and Portfolio Manager at Stonegate Private Counsel, Bryan brings extensive experience in managing all financial aspects of high net worth individuals' lives. He assists clients in reaching their objectives by providing discretionary investment management and integrated wealth management solutions.

Bryan began his career in the financial services industry over 13 years ago with Scotia Cassels Investment Management, where his focus was on investment planning and he assisted in the management of over $300 million in assets. Bryan joined Loring Ward Private Counsel when the first Toronto office opened in 1997, and is one of the founding partners of Stonegate Private Counsel.

Bryan graduated from the University of Western Ontario with a bachelor's degree in Economics. He continues to further his industry education, holding the Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) and Canadian Investment Management (CIM) designations.

As a Principal and Portfolio Manager at Stonegate Private Counsel, Shawn brings extensive experience in managing all financial aspects of high net worth individuals' lives. He assists a select group of wealthy families in realizing their financial goals through ongoing retirement, tax and estate planning.

Shawn works with affluent families, corporations, trusts and foundations across Canada and abroad.

With over 15 years of experience in the financial services industry, Shawn started his career with a major international insurance company before joining Loring Ward Private Counsel shortly after the first Toronto office opened in the late 90s, and is one of the founding partners of Stonegate Private Counsel.

Shawn is a CFA Charterholder and a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) as well as a member of the Toronto CFA Society and the CFA Institute. He earned a B. Comm. in Management Economics and Finance from the University of Guelph.

Shawn lives in Oakville with his wife Neelam and their two children.

As Principal and Wealth Advisor at Stonegate Private Counsel, Koel brings extensive experience in managing the financial affairs of high net worth business owners, professionals and other successful Canadian families. Koel has expertise in helping his clients optimize the use of their holding companies from a tax and investment perspective. Koel takes a “Family Office” approach, providing discretionary investment management and holistic, integrated wealth management solutions, with a special emphasis on tax planning and tax mitigation. Koel has built a particular specialty in working with “family” business owners and senior lawyers at some of the country’s top firms.

Prior to joining Stonegate as a founding member in 2006, Koel was an advisor with a large North American wealth management company for several years. An MBA graduate from the Michael G. Degroote School of Business at McMaster University, Koel also holds an Honours degree in Commerce from Queen’s University. Koel is a member of the Financial Planners Standards Council and holds several professional accreditations including the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) and Canadian Investment Manager (CIM) designations. Most recently, Koel has been awarded the coveted Fellow of the Canadian Securities Institute (FCSI) designation, placing him in the top five percent of all financial advisors in Canada.

Koel resides in Toronto’s Little Italy community and during his spare time, Koel is involved with The Canadian Association of Family Enterprise (CAFE), The Stop Community Food Centre in Toronto’s west end as well as serving on the ROM’s Executive Board for its Royal Patrons’ Circle. With a special passion for food and wine, Koel co-chairs “Joanne’s and Koel’s Wine Club”. Koel works closely with his client families to provide specialized wealth planning strategies in the context of a very proactive, personal and caring relationship.

Michael Mallinos, a Principal and founding Partner of Stonegate Private Counsel, brings extensive experience in managing all facets of a high net worth families’ financial affairs. Michael has worked for many years developing a ‘Family Office’ solution- dealing not only with Investment, Estate, and Tax planning, but also wealth and business succession planning.

Understanding that wealth stewardship means more than just the numbers, Michael facilitates a focus on open and transparent communication with all family members. Helping families define their own unique “Philosophy of Wealth” as an integral step in creating the foundation on which a successful transition plan is built.

With more than 18 years of experience in the financial services industry, Michael holds the Family Enterprise Advisor (FEA), the Certified Financial Planner (CFP®), the Financial Management Advisor (FMA) and the Chartered Investment Manager (CIM) designations, as well as being a registered Portfolio Manager. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of Toronto and is involved in various charities, serving as the Chair of the Royal Patron's Circle, the (past) Co-Chair of the Young Patron’s Circle and a current member of the Planned Giving Committee at the Royal Ontario Museum, as well as a founding member and board member of the Sarcoma Cancer Foundation of Canada.

He and his wife reside in Toronto with their two children.

David Martin brings over 15 years experience to the role of Principal and Portfolio Manager of Stonegate Private Counsel. David's experience in the financial services industry includes six years as an institutional bond broker with various boutique bond trading firms, and nine as an investment counsellor and portfolio manager at a mid-sized investment counsel firm in Southwestern Ontario.

David's experience provides him with an in-depth knowledge of the investment process, as well as a broad understanding of the issues related to personal finances and financial planning. David's holistic approach of the clients' financial well-being, serve him well in the administration of investment management and wealth planning services to Stonegate clients.

David attended Carleton University in Ottawa where he earned a B.A. in economics. His professional credentials include a Canadian Investment Manager (CIM) designation. In 2007, David attained the Fellow of the Canadian Securities Institute designation (FCSI).

Patrick brings over 40 years of financial experience to his role of Principal at Stonegate Private Counsel.

Previously, as a Managing Partner of the Halifax office of PricewaterhouseCoopers, Patrick was responsible for audit and consulting engagements for multi-national companies and major Atlantic region corporations. Throughout his career he has been active in leadership positions with professional, educational and community organizations.

Patrick graduated from the University of Western Ontario with a Masters degree in Business Administration (MBA) and has a Bachelor of Commerce degree from Saint Mary's University. He is a Chartered Accountant and earned the Certified Management Consultant (CMC) designation. He has been honoured with the designation Fellow (FCA) by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nova Scotia and the designation Fellow (FCMC) by the Atlantic Institute of Certified Management Consultants.

Michael believes in providing an integrated and strategic approach to protecting the wealth of his clients and ensuring their financial goals are attained. As a registered Associate Portfolio Manager with over 20 years of financial industry experience, Michael distinguishes himself as a leader in guiding individuals and families through various life transitions, ensuring both wealth and family principles are preserved from one generation to the next. His systematic and process-driven approach has enabled him to work with a variety of affluent families in communities from Toronto to Muskoka.

Prior to joining Stonegate, Michael was a Senior Financial Advisor and Managing Partner at Assante Wealth Management in Bracebridge, Ontario. In addition, he worked as a Trust Officer for both National Trust and Scotia Trust and as a Senior Private Client Manager for the United Financial division of CI Private Counsel LP, providing investment and wealth planning services and solutions.
 
Michael completed his B.A. Economics degree from the University of Western Ontario.  He is also a fellow of the Canadian Securities Institute (FCSI^®), and holds the Chartered Investment Manager (CIM^®) as well as the Trust and Estate Practitioner (TEP) designations.

Michael lives in Muskoka with his wife and three children where he spends much of his spare time involved in extra-curricular activities with his children, including coaching soccer at the representative level for many years. When not in the office or on the field, Michael enjoys boating on Lake Muskoka and golfing at the Muskoka Bay Club.