Manulife Wealth names Lior Valitsky COO and restructures its leadership team as Manulife WAM posts record gross flows and 9% earnings growth in Q2 2026
Manulife Wealth, part of Manulife Wealth & Asset Management, has appointed Lior Valitsky as Chief Operating Officer, effective August 4, 2026, as the firm moves to deepen its operational capabilities and sharpen its focus on advisor service amid a period of strong financial performance.
Valitsky will report directly to Brett Marchand, President and CEO of Manulife Wealth, and will be responsible for driving operational excellence, enhancing organisational alignment, and supporting the execution of the firm's strategic priorities. His mandate includes advancing the experience delivered to both advisors and clients, strengthening business performance, and positioning the organisation for continued growth.
Valitsky brings extensive leadership experience in the Canadian wealth management industry, with a background that spans growth initiatives, large-scale transformation, and operational improvement across complex organisations. He has worked directly with investment advisors throughout his career.
"As our business continues to grow and evolve, investing in strong leadership remains a priority," said Marchand. "Lior's experience, perspective, and passion for the advisor business will be invaluable as we continue enhancing the experience we deliver to advisors and clients."
A broader leadership realignment
The appointment is part of a wider restructuring of Manulife Wealth's senior leadership team. Farhan Hamidani, previously serving in a broader growth mandate, will now direct his full focus toward helping advisors grow their businesses, prepare for succession, and meet their long-term goals — a shift that underscores the firm's intensifying commitment to the advisor channel.
Julie Seberras, Head of Wealth Planning Solutions, will concentrate exclusively on advancing Manulife Wealth's planning capabilities, with a particular emphasis on integrating longevity planning into the advisor and client experience. The move reflects a broader industry-wide recognition that Canadian clients are living longer and require more holistic financial guidance beyond traditional investment management.
Justin Stiebel, meanwhile, takes on the newly defined role of Head of Advisor Engagement & Growth, leading initiatives in advisor attraction, onboarding, development, succession planning, and practice growth — areas that have become central to how major wealth firms compete for talent and client assets in a tightening market for experienced advisors.
Record quarter adds momentum
The leadership announcements come alongside the release of Manulife's second-quarter 2026 earnings, which showed Manulife Wealth & Asset Management (Manulife WAM) delivering its strongest gross flows quarter on record.
The division reported core earnings of $505 million (CAD), a core EBITDA margin of 31.2% — above the firm's 30% target — gross flows of $58.7 billion, and net flows of $0.4 billion. Core earnings grew 9% year over year.
"Our strong second-quarter results reflect the strength of our diversified Wealth and Asset Management franchise, with record gross flows, healthy margins, and continued earnings growth," said Paul Lorentz, President and CEO of Manulife Wealth and Asset Management. "We are pairing financial performance with strategic investments in AI, product innovation, and global distribution, while expanding our investment capabilities through recent acquisitions including Manulife | Comvest Credit Partners, Manulife | CQS, and Schroders Indonesia."
Beyond the headline numbers, Manulife WAM flagged several strategic advances during the quarter. The firm expanded its alternatives and private credit offerings, grew its CLO capabilities through Comvest and CQS, and launched new ETFs and funds in North America. It also continued deploying AI tools to improve operational efficiency and support faster software development for advisors and clients.
Manulife WAM also flagged progress on longevity and retirement planning resources across the US, Canada, and Asia — a priority that aligns with Seberras's expanded mandate domestically.
