Our Team of Strategic Wealth Advisors

As Assante strategic wealth advisors, we recognize that you work hard to build your wealth and realize your dreams. We also understand that wealth management is complex and can be time consuming. That’s why we offer an integrated wealth planning approach that will give you peace of mind and help you achieve each of your goals. We work in collaboration with different experts, including the ones you already have, to make sure all aspects of your financial life are taken care of.

Because we know that life sometimes has surprises in store for us, we will accompany you throughout your life. We will be there for you. We will listen, provide sound advice and adapt your wealth management strategies to each situation and stage of your life. Whether you want to get ahead of your retirement, acquire a second home, ensure the future of future generations or even travel around the world, our wealth advisors are there to support you every step of the way.

Time to meet our team of strategic wealth advisors!

The St-Georges Group of Assante Capital Management Ltd.

With over 15 years of experience in the industry, Darren is the 2nd generation owner of The St-Georges Group which offers wealth management services in Montreal. He started contributing to the family business while completing his bachelor of commerce in finance at the John Molson School of Business. After many years studying and living abroad in Australia, he reintegrated the business in 2009 as partial owner and completed the transition in 2015.

Darren is a strong believer in the strength of collaboration which is why he has built a team of leading professionals in key areas of taxation, financial and estate planning, and complementary insurance solutions. For him, a complete approach to wealth management has more value than simply providing investment and tax saving advice in isolation.

For Darren and the St-George team, it is important that his clients are engaged and fully understand his recommendations and proposed strategies for managing their wealth. The individuals and families he works with fully appreciate his ability to simplify complex issues. As a father and family man, he recognizes that peace of mind goes beyond financial matters and as such, he takes time to listen to his clients and act as a sounding board, regardless of the discussion

When not running the business, Darren enjoys spending time with his wife and two sons, learning new instruments, and traveling. He also gives back to the community by being involved in various causes including the reading program at his children’s school. He also enjoys coaching little league soccer.

Valérie has been working within the large Assante family since 2015. She joined the St-Georges Group in 2019 after working for 3 years as an administrative assistant for another financial advisory group. Having graduated from the University of Quebec in Outaouais with a Bachelor of Finance with honours in 2016, she is currently studying to obtain her financial planning designation (Pl. Fin.).

Valérie’s main role is to support the team by performing behind-the-scenes calculations and analyses for our clients. She has a natural affinity with the next generation of clients (in particular, the children of our existing clients) and leads these relationships to provide comprehensive wealth management solutions to meet their evolving needs.

In her spare time, she is an avid snowboarder and motorcycle rider. In addition, Valérie volunteers her time to the Canadian Cancer Society, Leucan and the Breakfast Club of Canada.

Stéphanie has been with The St-Georges Group since 2013 and holds the position of administrative assistant. She is a graduate from the Institut Supérieur de Gestion de Paris as well as from Université Paris VIII. Her role is to ensure excellent customer service, process and review financial transactions, as well as keep client files up to date.

Stéphanie has obtained her certificate on Canadian Securities at CSI and is studying to become a licensed assistant.

Our Support Team of Assante Professionals

As Regional Vice President, Wealth Planning, Francis works closely with our high net worth clients to determine issues and provide comprehensive and tactical wealth planning support that complements their wealth plans. He focuses specifically on tax and financial planning strategies for entrepreneurs, professionals and other high net worth individuals and families.

After working as a senior tax manager in the Montreal office of KPMG Enterprise, Francis joined CI Assante Private Client in 2016. For five years he was part of the KPMG Enterprise tax team, providing corporate and shareholder tax planning and advisory services for private companies and their shareholders, with a focus on high net worth individuals and owner-managed businesses. He also worked ten years for the tax department of Ernst and Young in Montreal, providing tax consulting to private corporations and their shareholders. Overall, his professional experience in wealth planning exceeds 20 years.

Francis is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CA) with a Bachelor of Commerce degree from McGill University and a Master’s degree in Taxation from HEC Montréal. He is a member of the Ordre des comptables professionnels agréés du Québec (CPA), the Canadian Tax Foundation and the Association de planification fiscale et financière (APFF). He has been a speaker at tax conferences, notably at the APFF and the Canadian Tax Foundation. In addition, he has acted as a group leader for the CICA’s In-Depth Tax Course.

As Regional Vice President, Wealth Planning, Martin works closely with our high net worth clients to determine issues and provide comprehensive and tactical wealth planning support that complements their wealth plans. He focuses specifically on tax and financial planning strategies for entrepreneurs, professionals and other high net worth individuals and families.

Heading up the Quebec wealth planning team, Martin joined CI Assante Private Client in 1998 after practicing general, personal and corporate taxation in Montreal with Desjardins Ducharme, a prominent business law firm. In addition, Martin has authored and co-authored articles for the Canadian Tax Foundation, the Association de planification fiscale et financière and other associations. Martin has over 25 years of professional experience in wealth planning.

Martin holds a Bachelor of Laws degree from Laval University and is a lawyer who was called to the Quebec Bar in 1991. He also holds a master’s degree in taxation from the Université de Sherbrooke and the title of Trust and Estate Practitioner (TEP). He is a member of the Canadian Tax Foundation, the Association de planification fiscale et financière and the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners.

In her role as Regional Vice President of Estate Planning, Annick is well positioned to handle the technical aspects of our clients’ most complex situations. Annick is efficient at mitigating risk, protecting assets and providing tax deferral strategies and solutions that allow for a smooth transition of estate or business assets to surviving beneficiaries or partners. She provides in-depth information on a variety of insurance products and services that complement our clients’ overall wealth management.

Annick joined Assante Estate and Insurance Services Inc. in 2018. Annick’s 20-year career in the financial services industry spans in roles of increasing responsibility with a major insurance company throughout the province of Quebec. This includes 7 years of working with advisors and insurance specialists at investment firms as national account wholesaler. Annick brings a wealth of knowledge and experience that is leveraged by our advisors and complements the philosophy of our organization. Based in Montreal and servicing Quebec, Annick holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Sherbrooke and is also a licensed financial security advisor.

As a wealth planning advisor, Magali works closely with our high net worth clients to identify issues and provide tactical and complex wealth planning support that complements their wealth plans. She focuses specifically on estate planning and wealth transfer strategies for professionals, business owners, and other high net worth individuals and families.

Magali joined CI Assante Private Client in 2016 after practicing estate, trust and family law at several firms. During her time in private practice, she assisted clients in establishing and implementing personalized estate plans, including protective mandates and wills. She has also assisted clients in other aspects of their planning, such as the implementation of marriage and common-law agreements and inter vivos trusts.

Magali has been teaching trust law in the Master of Notarial Law program at the University of Montreal since 2015. She has also taught at the Université de Sherbrooke. She has authored or co-authored articles for the Chambre des notaires du Québec and the Association de planification fiscale et financière. Magali brings over 12 years of experience in wealth planning to our CI Assante Private Client team. A notary, she holds a Bachelor of Laws, a Graduate Diploma in Notarial Law and a Master’s Degree in Taxation, all from the University of Sherbrooke. Magali has been a member of the Chambre des Notaires du Québec since 2009 and is also a member of the Association de planification fiscale et financière.

As an investment advisor, Charles provides experience and portfolio management services to our high net worth clients through the CI Assante Private Client program. He works with our team to review clients’ circumstances and determine an appropriate asset allocation that best meets their objectives. Working closely with our Wealth Planning team, Charles not only conducts ongoing reviews of our clients’ portfolios, but also ensures that our clients’ investment plans continue to meet their needs.

Charles brings over 10 years of diverse financial services experience to his role at CI Assante Private Client. He held various senior positions at CIBC, becoming a specialist in portfolio management before joining our team in 2020. He has extensive experience managing global equities, North American equities, fixed income and responsible investment mandates.

Charles is a Chartered Financial Analyst^® professional and has graduated from McGill University with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics.