CRESCO WEALTH MANAGEMENT - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Team Manager, Investment Associate
Carissa joined Cresco Wealth Management in 2018 and has been a natural leader since. She takes great care and pride in helping guide, support and elevate our team members and clients' experience. Carissa has completed the Canadian Securities Course and the Conduct and Practice Handbook. Her previous years in an administrative role give her the edge to truly understand the needs of our team members and clients. As our team manager, Carissa ensures we are delivering on our personal and team promises to our clients.
After hours, Carissa enjoys adventures with her daughter, being outdoors, travelling, being creative, and spending time with her husband and dog too.
Transitioning from a professional hockey player to an Investment Advisor seems like a 180 because, well, it is. When Chris was young, he thought he would be a pro hockey player all of his life, but reaching his mid-30s changed that. Chris had studied Business and Finance in college and decided to return to that for a post-hockey career.
He started managing his own portfolio and as his involvement increased, it became a passion. What began as stock picking turned into much more. Now all of the broader wealth management strategies he's learned are integral to his day-to-day interactions with clients, so he can help them achieve their goals.
Using what he's learned on and off the ice has made Chris the financial professional he is today: teamwork, an unyielding work ethic, being a mentor for kids, and volunteering as part of the Calgary Flames Alumni - an organization which has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for different causes.
Chris has travelled to Italy and all over the United States for hockey, and still skates all the time, but these days it's at the neighborhood park with his wife and three kids.
Chris began his career in Finance in 2010 before joining Cresco Wealth Management in 2022. Cresco's reputation and high standards approach to client care was the primary appeal to Chris when looking for the right team to join. As part of our in-house planning team his focus is on helping our clients with all aspects of planning. This includes tax planning, insurance planning, investment planning, estate planning and cash flow management. It's all in the plan for Chris, finding custom solutions that are unique to each individuals circumstances is the goal. Always having placed a high value on continuing education, Chris is currently working towards his CIM® and CFP® designations.
Chris is an aviation enthusiast and enjoys travel, sports and testing out the newest local hot spots for dining with his wife and two small children.
Connie joined Wellington-Altus Private Wealth in 2019. Based in Winnipeg, she works closely with advisors and clients to preserve and pass on wealth. With over 20 years in the financial services industry, Connie takes pride in fostering strong relationships built on trust and integrity.
Connie graduated from the University of Winnipeg with a Bachelor of Education and holds her Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) and Certified Health Specialist (CHS) designations. She is licensed across the country to provide life, accidental and critical illness solutions through Wellington-Altus Insurance Inc.
She loves to cook, enjoys travelling and is fanatic about baseball. Between May and September, she can be found at Shaw Park with her husband Clint and daughter Madison cheering on her hometown Winnipeg Goldeyes.
Job Titles:
- Senior Investment Advisor
Dean puts deep knowledge of and experience in the investment industry to work, empowering business owners, professionals, retirees, and multiple generations of families to achieve their financial goals. For him, it's always about building wealth beyond investment. It's getting to know investors on a personal level, understanding their fears and behaviors, and mentoring them to alleviate worry and to make wise investment decisions.
Dean puts an enormous emphasis on integrity, openness, and transparency, which allows him to build strong, lifelong relationships. It also allows him to gain an understanding of the totality of a client's financial needs and personal interests. With this focus on service, Dean creates a cohesive, no-nonsense financial strategy that's specifically created for each individual.
When he's not busy working with clients, Dean is active with his wife and children, being present to watch them reach their own dreams and aspirations.
Dimitri's career began in restaurant management - an industry that quickly teaches you about money management and pressure. At age 26, he had built enough capital to invest in ownership of a popular Greek restaurant franchise. After five years, Dimitri was up for a new challenge and decided to pursue a career in wealth management. This allowed him to put his social skills and passion for helping people to work.
As an Investment Advisor for Cresco Wealth Management, Dimitri's focus is on implementing effective strategies to help his clients achieve their goals. At the same time, he is driven to deliver exceptional client service at every turn.
Away from the office, Dimitri spends as much time as possible with his family and gets in some hockey and boxing whenever he can.
Joining Cresco Wealth Management in 2022, Emily brings valuable experience and enthusiasm to our team. A University of Saskatchewan (BA Political Studies) graduate, she became an IIROC-licensed Investment Representative and has been working in Finance since 2016. Starting in operations and transitioning into wealth management give her an edge in providing exemplary customer service and a deeper understanding into the totality of our client's needs. Emily is a key player in providing the five-star administrative services our clients have grown accustomed to.
In her free time, Emily enjoys cooking with friends, watching good (and bad) movies and listening to podcasts
Gabriela joined Cresco Wealth Management with over 10 years of international business experience. She worked in the banking industry in Dubai as a Personal Executive Assistant and she worked in Romania as a Customer Service Manager. As our valued receptionist Gabriela offers exceptional first-class service to our clients.
Outside of work, Gabriela enjoys cooking and spending time outdoors.
Jennifer's interest in the world of Finance was sparked at a young age while working at her father's life insurance and financial planning firm. Although she ended up receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology, she always held onto that interest. In August 2001, Jennifer started her Financial career as a Trader at a boutique brokerage firm in Calgary. After completing the Professional Financial Planning course, she moved on from her trading role in 2003 and became licensed as an Advisor. Jennifer stayed with the same team of advisors for 15 years which involved two mergers, and a brokerage firm move.
After taking some time off from 2015 - 2017 to have a family, Jennifer's excited to be back to doing what she loves for a reputable wealth management team and firm.
The most rewarding aspects of Jennifer's career include:
Helping families assess and preserve their financial health, discussing goals and current risks, and then creating a plan that will help them achieve their objectives
Working with soon-to-be retirees to identify their financial risks and put asset-protection strategies in place
Away from the office, Jennifer enjoys badminton, yoga, brisk walks and escaping to the mountains with her family for ski and camping weekends.
During his University years, Jordan began investing in penny stocks with his friends, gaining knowledge and learning lessons along the way. This was the beginning of his passion for pursuing a career in wealth management. In 2021 Jordan graduated from Acadia University in Nova Scotia with a major in Finance. Joining Cresco Wealth Management as an Associate, we are supporting him as he works towards earning his CIM® designation, Canadian Securities Course and the Canadian Practices Handbook. Jordan has an appetite for learning and growth as he works towards an Investment Advisor role. He is focused on bringing the exceptional customer service that sets Cresco apart from others.
Outside of work, Jordan enjoys cooking, golfing, skiing and spending time with his friends and family.
Michelle Connolly is the Senior Vice-President, Advance Wealth Planning leader at Wellington-Altus Private Wealth. She is responsible for overseeing the Advanced Wealth Planning team and for providing income tax, retirement and wealth transfer support to Wellington-Altus investment advisors and their clients. Michelle is Chartered Professional Accountant, Trust and Estate Practitioner, a Certified Financial Planner and holds a Bachelor of Accounting, Honours (Co-op) from Brock University. Her community involvement includes speaking on Financial Literacy and Estate Planning matters for CPA Canada, the incoming chair of the sponsorship committee for STEP (Toronto), being an ambassador for Sick Kids and Camp Oochigeas/Camp Trillium, and sitting on the audit committee for the Kensington Health Foundation.
Mikaela joined Cresco Wealth Management in 2022. She graduated in 2020 from Mount Royal University with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance. Mikaela knew early on she wanted to be in a client-facing role within wealth management. Working towards her industry license, she has completed The Canadian Securities Courses and is currently working on the Conduct and Practices Handbook.
Mikaela exemplifies important traits to be successful within this team, including her appetite for learning, enthusiasm, and desire to raise the bar in customer service.
Outside of work, Mikaela values her time with friends and family. She's inspired to travel the world and enjoys hikes with her Mini Australian Shepherd, Ozzy.
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Investment Associate
In 2021 Ngozi joined Cresco Wealth Management as an Associate. Ngozi started her professional career as a dietician after completing her Bachelor's degree in Nutrition and Dietetics, and eventually transitioning into Financial Services. She has completed the Canadian Securities Course and the Conduct and Practices Handbook. Using her extensive knowledge in client engagement and administrative support, Ngozi assists in the many day to day tasks of our business. She believes in actualized potential, bringing dreams to reality and helping our clients ultimately attain their financial goals.
Ngozi enjoys her time at home with her husband and son. She loves to ice skate and the occasional thrill of sky-diving.
As a University of Calgary (BA Econ) graduate Pamela began her career as a financial service associate in 2014 in banking then transitioned to private wealth management shortly there after. As an IIROC-licensed Investment Representative Pamela joined Cresco Wealth Management in 2021. She is responsible for trading on discretionary and managed platforms, assisting with client transactions, and the conversion of estate accounts. Pamela takes great pride in strengthening client relationships and delivering custom-tailored solutions. She finds joy in simplifying data with spreadsheets and has become our in house excel maven.
Outside the office, Pamela enjoys yoga, tennis and seeking culinary adventures with her husband.
Pete was raised in Calgary and has always had strong entrepreneurial appetite. After completing his B.Sc. in Earth Sciences at Western University and working as an analyst in Calgary's energy sector, Pete's music career took off and he travelled Canada and the world. From here he parlayed his success as a DJ into becoming an investor in multiple bars, restaurants and venues in Calgary and Edmonton. Even during this whirlwind career Pete always held a keen interest in financial markets. He began to turn his focus into portfolio management with his own personal and family accounts. This interest and desire to learn continued to grow into a broader passion in wealth management leading Peter to enroll in the Canadian Securities Course, which he is currently working on. Pete's ethos, values, and desire for continued learning align with Cresco Wealth Management's approach to business. As an Associate, Pete brings an exciting element to our team, connecting his previous life experiences with a refreshing perspective and commitment to elevating our client's experience.
Always believing in work-life balance - Pete enjoys music (of course), cooking, hockey, tennis, snowboarding and most of all spending time with his wife and two daughters. Pete also believes in giving back to the community and has spent his recent years volunteering for various charities, as well as mentorship programs at the University of Calgary.
At the age of 16, Peter began investing in the financial market and paying attention to the business section of the newspaper. He took the money he earned as a busboy and put it into a mutual fund. Seeing his money grow was the "coolest thing ever". Peter thought if it continued to grow, he wouldn't have to work. That's not exactly what happened, but what did happen was his formal investment education.
Since then, Peter has earned the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designation, the Chartered Investment Manager (CIM®) designation, the Derivatives Marketing Specialist (DMS) certification, and his MBA from Dalhousie University.
Investment, however, isn't his only educational pursuit. Peter is also working on his third of four sommelier designations. He loves wine, cooking for large gatherings (he's Greek so every gathering is a large gathering), coffee, and planting a garden each year with his two young kids.
Growing up around the farming and forestry industries in northern Alberta, Rod understood the value of hard work at an early age. Before pursuing a career in finance, Rod held roles varying from operator to supervisor in forestry, civil construction and oilfield.
Rod prides himself on two things, trust and commitment. Working with clients to develop, action and ultimately achieve their financial and personal goals is what drives him. Rod has completed the Personal Financial Planner (PFP®) designation and Chartered Investment Manager (CIM®) designation.
Job Titles:
- Senior Investment Associate
Sharon has been with Cresco Wealth Management since 2014. As an IIROC-licensed Investment Representative, she has an impressive nearly 30 years of industry experience under her belt. Our clients are big fans of Sharon and often share their wonderful experiences they've had whether it be for a simple request or a highly complex one. For Sharon, the client experience comes first period. As a highly valued team member, she is dependable and a true asset to our team.
Since joining the financial services industry in 2001, Sheena has built her career through the strength of her relationships and trust built over years of dependable service and collaborative advice.
Sheena has completed her CIM® designation, received her certificate in Advanced Investment Advice along with her Life Insurance Qualification program. Sheena is currently working towards her Certified Divorce Financial Analyst designation.
Through comprehensive planning and understanding of each of her client's unique circumstances and goals, she has built her career through the strength of her relationships and trust built over years of dependable service and collaborative advice.
Although she is incredibly proud of her professional accomplishments, her pride and joy comes from being a mother to her daughter, Madison. When not at work, she enjoys spending time at her family's cabin where she enjoys nature walks with her fur babies, boating, relaxing in the sun with a good book and sitting by the fire roasting marshmallows with her daughter.
Job Titles:
- Marketing Lead, Senior Investment Associate
Vicki Wells has been with the team since 2006. As our team Marketing Lead, Vicki is responsible for our various client communications, online presence, events and seminars, as well as overseeing our intricate client service model. She also chairs our philanthropic endeavors in the Cresco Cares Committee.
She has a Business Administration Marketing Diploma from SAIT and has completed the Canadian Securities Course as well as the Conduct and Practices Handbook course.
In her free time Vicki and her husband enjoy snowboarding with their 3 children. Their favorite vacation spot is Oceanside, California where a quick drive north to Disney is a must! Vicki is also a working artist with most of her pieces being inspired by ocean.
As our Senior Wealth Planner, Wayne helps our clients work towards their goals and aspirations while respecting their individual values. Wayne joined Cresco Wealth Management in October 2022.
Wayne has worked with high-net worth business owners and families for over a decade, recommending suitable wealth strategies to achieve objectives, while minimizing risk and maximizing tax efficiency. His experience includes:
Building and implementing plans for tax-efficient family business succession and sales,
Creating peace of mind for families, entrepreneurs and executives facing retirement,
Utilizing trusts and corporate structures to fund retirement efficiently, reduce family tax bills, and protect assets from creditors,
Identifying philanthropic tools and structures to achieve impactful charitable legacies, and
Protecting and enhancing estates to maximize wealth that can be transferred to future generations.
Wayne graduated from Redeemer University with a Bachelor of Arts, completed a Certificate in Financial Planning from Centennial College, holds his CFP® designation, and is working towards his TEP designation. His knowledge, expertise and keen interest in financial and legacy planning are a crucial asset to our exclusive in-house services.
Outside of work Wayne enjoys spending time with his wife and two sons, grooming his lawn, and trying (in vain) to lower his handicap.