About Us

Ahmed brings a world of experience to his position at Educators – literally. After studying economics in Lausanne, Switzerland, and living in Dubai, Qatar and Egypt, he decided to build his future in Canada. With the Canadian Securities Course, Personal Financial Planner designation, and 7 years working with RBC under his belt, he now helps others create their futures as well. “Canada welcomed me almost 10 years ago and ever since I’ve tried to give back, providing advice to help Canadians grow their assets, maximize their retirement income and achieve their lifetime goals.” Ahmed’s grandfather was the Dean of a college, giving him an insider’s perspective of the education community. He is also fully bilingual in French and English. Ahmed appreciates Educators’ focus on the community and how it provides valuable, in-depth advice around issues unique to the education community, such as understanding the Ontario Teachers Pension Plan and OMERS pension, and navigating pension income gaps.

Financial experts come from all backgrounds.  Andrée, for example, studied French before discovering her passion for helping others manage their finances to achieve their goals.  She obtained her Certified Financial Planner (CFP) in 2001 and her Canadian Investment Manager (CIM) in 2002.  For the past 22 years she worked as a Financial Planner with clients at Scotia Wealth Management, Royal Bank, and Hepcoe Credit Union…and even worked in Bermuda for 4 years.  She returned to Ontario, and we’re glad she did, because she’s now with us at Educators Financial Group.

Her interest in helping clients at Educators is personal. “As a mom with two sons in Grade 2 and 3 I see the time and effort that the teachers and staff devote to the kids and I’m so grateful for all that they do that I look forward to paying it forward with honest, objective financial advice that helps them reach their goals.”

There’s a lot to managing ones finances today – from establishing convenient and economical day to day finances, to understanding debt, to choosing investments to save for your future. With his diverse experience, Bill can help Educators Financial Group clients with it all. At the Bank of Montreal, Bill started as a teller and worked his way up to become Financial Services Manager, acquiring his mutual fund license along the way. He has helped clients build their portfolios with investments such as GICs and mutual funds. “I am looking forward to helping education members with their financial needs at every stage in their careers – from just starting out, to preparing for retirement”, says Bill.

Brad knows all about the unique challenges faced by education members, dealing with specific financial questions, stretching a budget and raising a family. His wife is a teacher, and their young son will soon be going to school. Brad combines this personal understanding with specific training and experience in the financial sector, in order to help Educators’ clients. He holds a Diploma in Financial Services from Mohawk College, recently achieved his Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) designation, and has worked for seven years in financial planning for RBC and Scotiabank. “I love being able to find unique ways to help my clients reach their goals. I also love meeting new people from a wide range of backgrounds.” Brad chose to work at Educators Financial Group because “Educators offers something special to our clients, which is a unique understanding of their needs.” With Brad’s background, we’re sure his clients would agree.

Born and raised in the London area, Caitlin has the know-how and experience to help with all of your financial needs, from mortgage and savings advice, to planning for retirement. A Certified Financial Planner professional, she is also a Registered Retirement Consultant and Registered Financial and Retirement Advisor. Caitlin has worked with 2 of the 5 major banking institutions in different roles, from working closely with mortgage specialists to her most recent role as Senior Financial Advisor. “The best part of my day is celebrating financial milestones with people,” she says. “It can be advising how to pay down debt, purchase a new car or retirement! My satisfaction comes from knowing I helped in some way.” At Educators, she is looking forward to “working with members of the education community who are shaping our future leaders. They deserve the best sound advice, and a financial service team dedicated to helping shape their financial future.”

Education members working with Chris Knoch truly have the best of both worlds. As he worked as a teacher for 32 years, Chris knows first-hand about an educator’s financial challenges, and the importance of financial literacy. “As a teacher I witnessed the gaping void in educating our youth in the area of financial literacy, therefore my favourite aspect of working in the financial field is educating clients of all ages in the intricacies of the financial world”, he says. Now, as an Accredited Mortgage Professional (AMP) and experienced Mortgage Agent, he combines this personal insight into educators’ needs with an in-depth and specialized education in mortgages and the real estate market. Working at Educators, Chris has found that there is a “team atmosphere, which creates an atmosphere of ease and camaraderie as we all strive to assist our clients.”

With 15 years of experience in the financial industry, Darryl brings specialized knowledge in the realms of pension and retirement plans, in addition to his proven ability to offer sound, strategic advice on a wide range of other financial planning areas. Darryl has a diploma in Business Administration from Algonquin College in Ottawa, a Registered Retirement Consultant (RRC^®) designation from the Canadian Institute of Financial Planning, as well as a Life Insurance License from the Financial Services Commission of Ontario. He also recently achieved his Certified Financial Planner^® designation. As for what he enjoys most about working with the education community, “I would have to say it’s educating the educators… helping them to clarify and prioritize their financial goals, then implement a plan of action.” Darryl can answer your needs in both French and English.

A resident of Orleans, Ottawa, Ed comes to Educators Financial Group from BMO Nesbitt Burns. After 20 years of helping people from all walks of life achieve their financial goals, he’s enjoying working specifically with education members. “It’s an opportunity to apply my skills to a unique group, which I believe is underserved by the financial community”, he says. A believer in ongoing education, he has his Financial Planner 1 and 2, Personal Financial Planner certification, Canadian Securities Course, and is taking his Certified Financial Planner certification. A father of two, Ed says, “serving the education community is a way to say thanks for their service to our children and communities.”

With a passion for putting financial plans into action, it’s no surprise that Certified Financial Planner professional Franc Oliveri is a big fan of Warren Buffet quotes. One of his favourites is “In the world of business, the people who are most successful are those who are doing what they love.” Before joining Educators, Franc put his love of the financial field to work at Scotiabank, providing proactive planning and advice so individuals and families could put their finances on autopilot and focus on other aspects of their lives. He is pleased to be at Educators, because he believes it provides incomparable service to education members who work so hard in the formation and development of others.

Graham has had a lifelong link to the education community. Not only did he grow up in a household headed by educators, but after getting his Bachelor of Science and MBA at Niagara University, he’s taught at and continues to work with Niagara College’s School of Business. Before joining Educators Financial Group, Graham worked for over six years with TD Canada Trust and Meridian Credit Union, where he used his Personal Financial Planner (PFP) designation to empower his clients to achieve their goals. He is currently working towards getting his Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designation. Graham is looking forward to working with Educators’ clients. “Having been raised by educators, I understand the sacrifices the education community makes for the growth and development of our future generations. I look forward to giving back to the community that gave and continues to give me so much, so I can help enrich their lives like they did for me.”

When it comes to knowing educators firsthand, Jim Wanamaker has an advantage—he comes from a family of educators. Jim brings many years of experience in financial planning, retirement counselling, and investment advice. Prior to joining our team, he was a Financial Services Manager at one of the largest banks in Canada and has also worked for a leading insurance company. Jim holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Windsor, a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Guelph and the Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) designation. What advantages does he bring to his clients? “It’s the fact I understand the financial concerns of our client. This enables me to recognize their needs, and assist them in attaining their personal financial goals.”

Lisa’s love for knowledge and comprehensive background in the finance and investment sector enables her to provide educators with the sound financial solutions they’re looking for with the right combination of smarts, and heart. The ‘smarts’ comes from 15 years experience in several roles within the financial services sector. Having graduated from the University of Toronto with a Bachelor of Economics, Lisa has also obtained her Certified Financial Planner (CFP), Financial Management Advisor (FMA), and Fellow of the Canadian Securities Institute (FCSI) designations. She completed the Registered Retirement Consultant designation through the Canadian Institute of Financial Planning. Lisa’s love for knowledge and dedication to learning motivated her to join the Junior Achievement Program.

Mara’s life is diverse. She has studied political science, economics, accounting, finance … as well as reflexology. Her passions range from finance (she’s worked in Collections, Operations, Underwriting, Lending, Sales Leadership and Business Development, and Sales and Client Experience) to being a Reflexologist. As a result, she believes in taking a broad, holistic approach with her clients. “We function in connectedness. Our finances are part of our journey, not necessarily something to be focused on in isolation”, she says. Mara is pleased to work at Educators, because the company supports education members who help our children by building a solid learning foundation and a safe place to explore and have fun. As a licensed mortgage agent, she looks forward to helping clients focus on all their priorities, and celebrating with them as new chapters of their story come together

Raised in Vancouver and educated at University of Toronto, Marian’s 25-year career in the financial industry has spanned both cities. Prior to joining Educators Financial Group, she provided investment advice, financial planning, and management of portfolios to physicians and their families. When she started at Educators in 2002, Marian recalls that she was one of only two financial planners. A Certified Financial Planner professional (CFP), Marian has taken the Canadian Securities Course, Registered Representative Exam, and has earned Financial Management Advisor (FMA), Fellow of the Canadian Securities Institute (FCSI), and Registered Retirement Consultant (RRC) designations. “One of the great satisfactions of the job”, says Marian, “is finding out what makes our clients unique, and finding solutions that satisfy their needs.”

Michail Tsirikos is all about focusing on goals. In his spare time, he’s an avid soccer player and coach who shows his team how to score. And professionally, for the past 6 years at Educators Financial Group, he’s honed his skills as a Customer Service Rep, Account Manager, and now Senior Financial Advisor, to help his clients reach their financial goals. Certified as a Personal Financial Planner, his own goals include completing the CFP® certification, and then moving on to become a Chartered Financial Analyst. Michail believes that being a member-driven institution helps to make Educators unique. “Being part of a community and looking out for one another is great”, he says. He looks forward to continuing to make a difference in his clients’ lives and knowing they are on the right path.

Early retirement. Pay grids. Pension income fluctuations. Mike Cunningham understands that education members have a lot of financial considerations, and that navigating it all can be puzzling. Using his education and experience to help clients solve the puzzle of their financial situation is what he enjoys most about the job. His qualifications help. In addition to taking the LLQP (Life License Qualification Program), Mike is a Certified Financial Planner professional (CFP) and Chartered Investment Manager (CIM). He brings over 10 years of experience working with Edward Jones and Sun Life Financial to Educators Financial Group, and is looking forward to working with educators. As he says, “Educators are knowledgeable, detail-oriented clients. They understand that knowledge is power, and are fully engaged in making the most of their investments.”

Nadeen acquired her true passion for financial planning early in her career when she started to see the impact her advice and guidance had on her clients.  She has since obtained her Personal Financial Planner (PFP^®) and Qualified Association Financial Planner (QAFP^TM) designations and is on track to obtain her Certified Financial Planner (CFP^®) designation.

Before joining the team at Educators Financial Group, Nadeen has spent over a decade in banking including a position as an Assistant Branch Manager at RBC, where she also volunteered for community events. She is excited about how Educators is dedicated to helping the education community with their financial needs.  “Teachers are my super-heroes,” she says. “They’ve made a huge impact on who I am today, and I am proud to give back to this incredible community”.

After graduating from York University with a degree in Economics, Robert worked in the IT industry for a few years before shifting gears to become a Financial Consultant with Investors Group Financial Services. An avid Formula 1 Racing fan, he has a ‘track record’ of helping families build their financial future and plan for retirement. At Educators, he says he is looking forward to helping “a unique and intelligent group of professionals” with all their financial needs. Have questions about retiring? Talk to Robert – as well as being a Certified Financial Planner professional, he is a Registered Retirement Consultant, whose retirement dream is to follow the Formula 1 on its global tour!

Shannon knows how to make a dream become a reality. Growing up, she had two dreams: becoming a teacher, and working in the business world. Today, she has achieved both, through a career where she teaches clients about the business of finances. She has her RRC® (Registered Retirement Consultant) designation from the Canadian Institute of Financial Planning, is working towards becoming a CFP® (Certified Financial Planner), and aims to ultimately become a CFA® (Chartered Financial Analyst).

Working as a Financial Advisor at Scotiabank, she developed in depth knowledge of borrowing and investing. She has chosen to work with Educators Financial Group because, “Some of the most influential people in my life have been my teachers. Working for a company that has the teaching community’s best interests at heart really drew me in.” Shannon looks forward to helping her clients at Educators achieve their dreams.