We showcase the advisors who have gone above and beyond to navigate market volatility and elevate their service to clients
Stricter regulations, tightening economic conditions, and the continuing influence of the pandemic were among the long list of challenges that confronted Canada’s wealth space last year. But while many advisors might have buckled under the strain, it was a chance to shine for Wealth Professional’s 2022 5-Star Advisors in Ontario & Eastern Canada.
For its second annual list of 5-star Advisors, WP opened a survey for clients to identify exceptional financial professionals. Respondents were asked to evaluate nominees based on six criteria including client trust, customer service, and communication.
In each metric, clients rated the advisors they named on a five-point scale, with five points being the highest. The WP team evaluated all submissions, determining and selecting the winners from the top-scoring and most-voted names.
Among this year’s crop of 35 5-Star Advisors, WP is casting a spotlight on five winners:
- David Little, Senior Wealth Advisor, Blue Oceans Private Wealth;
- Francine Dick, Financial Advisor, Carte Wealth Management;
- Janet Dawes, Insurance Strategist, JD Wealth Insured;
- Leony deGraaf Hastings, Certified Financial Planner, deGraaf Financial Strategies; and
- Anthony Gordon, CEO, FiduSure Financial.
While good client service is table stakes in today’s industry, Little takes it to the next level by ensuring his philosophy of delighting clients permeates every facet of his practice.
“I never want a client to tell me one of the staff didn’t go above and beyond to help them,” Little says. “That is the minimum standard acceptable in my practice.”
Through one-on-one interviews with 5-star financial advisors, WP also discovered strong threads and themes running through the industry. Aside from guiding their clients’ and their portfolios through volatility, advisors are elevating themselves not just through better digital communication, but also by increasing their focus on responsible investment.
“Given the current world events and inflation, it appears that diversification of energy sources would be ideal to enhance global economic stability,” says Kristina De Souza, Registered Financial Advisor, Kleinberg Private Wealth with Carte Wealth Management.
