Wealth Professional reveals its 2026 award winners

On June 4 at Liberty Grand in Toronto, Wealth Professional Awards revealed the top performers across 24 categories spanning advisory excellence, product innovation, leadership, and community impact — capping a multi-month process that drew nominations from across the country. 

How winners were chosen 

The process ran across five stages, opening with nominations that closed February 13, followed by a research phase drawing on Wealth Professional's own knowledge to supplement submissions.  

Excellence Awardees were selected in March, independently judged by a panel of industry leaders in April, and winners were revealed live at the June 4 gala. 

Each submission was scored against category criteria, with a minimum of three judges per category; any judge with a conflict of interest recused themselves.  

The 2026 winners 

• Excellence in Philanthropy and Community Service — Skyline 

• Advisor of the Year – Tax & Estate Planning — Filomena May, Filo Financial Solutions 

• Financial Literacy Champion — Shannon Lee Simmons, The New School of Finance 

• Employer of Choice — Equiton 

• The RBC Investor Services Trust Award for ETF Provider of the Year — 3iQ 

• WealthTech Service Provider of the Year — iCapital 

• The CMI Financial Group Award for Fund Manager Innovator of the Year — Chris McHaney, Global X 

• The Pier 4 Award for Female Trailblazer of the Year — Sonia LeRoy, LeRoy Wealth Management 

• Mutual Fund Provider of the Year — RPIA 

• Young Entrepreneur of the Year — Chris Arthur, Bold Wealth 

• The FP Canada Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Financial Planning Industry — Tina Tehranchian 

• Holistic Advisory Team of the Year — Generation Private Wealth, Harbourfront Wealth Management 

• The Optimize Wealth Management Award for Rising Star Advisor of the Year — Jordan Mauro, Mauro Family Wealth, Wellington-Altus Private Wealth 

• CEO of the Year — Som Seif, Purpose Investments 

• The Avenue Living Award for Portfolio/Discretionary Manager of the Year — Francis Sabourin, Richardson Wealth 

• The Centurion Asset Management Award for Advisor of the Year – Alternative Investments — Mark Samborski, Pinnacle Wealth Brokers 

• Private Asset Investment Provider of the Year — Franklin Templeton 

• Most Innovative Use of WealthTech — Harbourfront Wealth Management 

• BDM/Wholesaler of the Year — Naseem Husain, TD Asset Management 

• Real Estate Investment Provider of the Year — Centurion Asset Management 

• Advisory Team of the Year (Under 10 Staff) — Assad Wealth Management 

• The Focal AI Award for Advisory Team of the Year (10 Staff or More) — MLD Wealth Management 

• The Franklin Templeton Award for Dealer of the Year — Nicola Wealth 

• The Equiton Award for Canadian Advisor of the Year — Christie Bartam, TD Wealth Private Investment Advice 

Lexi Lebrun, chief of staff at Nicola Wealth, accepted the Franklin Templeton Award for Dealer of the Year on behalf of the firm, crediting its team-based model.

She thanked Franklin Templeton and Wealth Professional and accepted on behalf of Nicola Wealth's advisors, support staff and clients.

The award, she said, "reflects the model we've built together: planning-first, team-based, and grounded in ownership, so our advisors can focus on relationships that last."

Now in its 12th year, the WP Awards serve as a national benchmark for excellence in Canada's wealth management sector.  

To learn more about the Wealth Professional Awards, click here.