Our Team
Putting your needs first takes a strong, cohesive team to do it right
Our Leadership Team
David Schaffner, CFA
President & CEO
David's career in the financial markets began more than three decades ago, with 25 of those years focused on investment management. He's worked as an investment professional and in multiple executive and senior leadership roles in corporate strategy, asset management and client portfolio management.
David Schaffner, CFA
President & CEO
Joelle Ritter, CFP®
VP, Wealth Management Client Solutions
For over 20 years, Joelle’s career has seen her work in a diverse range of roles, building on her experience and expertise in financial planning and client relations. She’s previously worked in wealth management and banking and held senior leadership roles in client experience, sales and marketing.
Joelle Ritter, CFP®
VP, Wealth Management Client Solutions
Scott Blair, CFA
Senior AVP, Head of Research
Scott’s expertise in portfolio management and equity research stems from his over 25 years of experience in the financial industry. His role sees him developing, executing and overseeing the investment philosophy, which guides the investment teams, asset allocation and new investment products.
Scott Blair, CFA
Senior AVP, Head of Research
Loretta Carbonelli
Chief Compliance Officer
Earning a long list of titles, responsibilities and designations, Loretta’s more than 30 years in the financial services has seen her previously work with a variety of organizations, providing oversight in compliance, operations and human resources.
Loretta Carbonelli
Chief Compliance Officer
Linnea McKercher, CFA
VP, Portfolio Manager
Linnea’s more than 20 years in the investment management industry has seen her work in a multitude of roles, including senior leadership experience in all areas of investment management including asset management, compliance, client management and sales.
Linnea McKercher, CFA
VP, Portfolio Manager
Kevin Dehod, CIM®
President & CEO, CWB McLean & Partners
As a founding member of CWB McLean & Partners Wealth Management, Kevin has more than 25 years of investment management experience. He specializes in corporate strategy and team coaching, all while managing the wealth and finances for a limited client base.
Kevin Dehod, CIM®
President & CEO, CWB McLean & Partners
Our Team Leads
Linnea McKercher, CFA
VP, Portfolio Manager
Linnea’s more than 20 years in the investment management industry has seen her work in a multitude of roles, including senior leadership experience in all areas of investment management including asset management, compliance, client management and sales.
Linnea McKercher, CFA
VP, Portfolio Manager
Robert Bradburn, CFP®, CIM®
AVP, Wealth Advisory Services
Robert’s background includes over 12 years of helping business owners with financial planning, which has helped specialize him in wealth preservation, risk management, business wealth integration and retirement planning. He leads the wealth advisory team, ensuring a consistent approach to advice and strategies to all wealth management clients.
Robert Bradburn, CFP®, CIM®
AVP, Wealth Advisory Services
Bjorn Frohnsdorf
AVP, Client Strategies
Bjorn’s career started more than 20 years ago, seeing him in roles of business development, leadership and executive management. As AVP of Client Strategies, he coaches and trains the client facing teams while helping the wealth management clientele develop its range of products and services.
Bjorn Frohnsdorf
AVP, Client Strategies
Karen Nguyen
Director of Marketing
Karen’s role sees her leading all marketing and communications strategies for CWB Wealth Management and subsidiaries. Previously, she worked with CWB McLean & Partners, where she oversaw marketing and communications strategies and provided support in business development and culture initiatives.
Karen Nguyen
Director of Marketing
Praveen Thyagarajan, ACSI, CAIA
Manager of Operations
With over 10 years in the wealth management industry, Praveen has experience in providing oversight and governance on mutual fund operations, as well as knowledge of insurance products and advisory platform implementation for retail wealth. He is responsible for the management of the operations team, overseeing cash projections, settlements, reconciliations, client performance reporting and net asset valuations.
Praveen Thyagarajan, ACSI, CAIA
Manager of Operations
Richard Bergeron
AVP, Chief Compliance Officer, Canadian Western Financial
Guiding Canadian Western Financial and its representatives through the Mutual Funds Dealers Association and other regulatory requirements, Richard’s over 20 years’ of experience with mutual funds has given him extensive experience in all areas of the industry, from operations to sales and compliance.
Richard Bergeron
AVP, Chief Compliance Officer, Canadian Western Financial
Our Wealth Advisory Services Team
Robert Bradburn, CFP®, CIM®
AVP, Wealth Advisory Services
Robert’s background includes over 12 years of helping business owners with financial planning, which has helped specialize him in wealth preservation, risk management, business wealth integration and retirement planning. He leads the wealth advisory team, ensuring a consistent approach to advice and strategies to all wealth management clients.
Robert Bradburn, CFP®, CIM®
AVP, Wealth Advisory Services
Raymond Letendre, CPA, CGA,CFP®,CIM®,FCSI®
Senior Planner
Raymond’s experience in corporate finance, business planning and risk management has helped develop his specialization in assisting business owners and individuals integrate all aspects of their wealth including taxation, investment management, retirement, business succession and estate planning.
Raymond Letendre, CPA, CGA,CFP®,CIM®,FCSI®
Senior Planner
Kim Stevens, CFP®, CLU, CHS
Senior Planner
Kim’s more than 20 years in the financial service industry has given him extensive experience with life and living benefits insurance, including expertise with concepts and sales strategies, as well as tax and estate planning considerations.
Kim Stevens, CFP®, CLU, CHS
Senior Planner
Alice Lin, CFP®, FCSI®, MBA
Wealth Advisory Associate
Alice’s passion for coaching and educating people about financial planning needs stems from her close to 20 years of extensive experience in the financial services industry. She’s previously worked in banking, investment, retirement planning and in wealth advisory management services.
Alice Lin, CFP®, FCSI®, MBA
Wealth Advisory Associate
Our Client Portfolio Management Team
Linnea McKercher, CFA
VP, Portfolio Manager
Linnea’s more than 20 years in the investment management industry has seen her work in a multitude of roles, including senior leadership experience in all areas of investment management including asset management, compliance, client management and sales.
Linnea McKercher, CFA
VP, Portfolio Manager
Orest Fialka, P.Geol, CFA
Client Portfolio Manager
Orest’s more than 25 years of experience in the financial services industry has helped develop his specialization in the energy (oil and gas) and materials (gold and mining) sectors. He previously worked in securities analysis, portfolio analysis and in private wealth management.
Orest Fialka, P.Geol, CFA
Client Portfolio Manager
Guanzhi Ma, CFA
Client Portfolio Manager
Guanzhi specializes in minimizing risk and strategically protecting the total wealth of business owners and entrepreneurs. Using a professional process to identify risks, he’s able to manage and reduce any downside in his clients’ business assets and personal portfolio.
Guanzhi Ma, CFA
Client Portfolio Manager
Richard Pearson, CFA
Client Portfolio Manager
Richard has more than 20 years of experience in the financial services industry. He previously worked in asset management, sales, marketing, private wealth management and portfolio analysis. He is able to serve his clients in either English or French.
Richard Pearson, CFA
Client Portfolio Manager
Ann Bawden, CIM®
Associate Portfolio Manager
Ann has been a Licensed Portfolio Manager since 2015, the same year she earned her Chartered Investment Manager designation. Her experience in the wealth management industry includes previous roles in operations, trading, securities and asset management.
Ann Bawden, CIM®
Associate Portfolio Manager
Brett Phare, FMA, CFP®, FCSI®, CIM, FCSI
AVP, Private Wealth Specialist
Brett’s career in wealth management spans over 20 years, specializing in helping high net worth clients and ultra high net worth clients over the last 11 years. He is dedicated to helping clients find their why – what is the purpose of their money and how they can ensure their hard work in building up their wealth is protected. Brett’s affinity to help clients has awarded him recognition as a top advisor in his previous role.
Brett Phare, FMA, CFP®, FCSI®, CIM, FCSI
AVP, Private Wealth Specialist
Our Research Team
Scott Blair, CFA
Senior AVP, Head of Research
Scott’s expertise in portfolio management and equity research stems from his over 25 years of experience in the financial industry. His role sees him developing, executing and overseeing the investment philosophy, which guides the investment teams, asset allocation and new investment products.
Scott Blair, CFA
Senior AVP, Head of Research
Malcolm Jones, MBA, CFA
VP, Portfolio Manager
Malcolm has 25 years of experience in wealth management. He joined the CWB team in 2010 and now directs the analysis and execution of fixed income projects for Onyx Managed Solutions and Adroit Investment Method. Today, he manages more than 60 different client relationships with CWB Wealth Management.
Malcolm Jones, MBA, CFA
VP, Portfolio Manager
Liliana Tzvetkova, CFA
AVP, Portfolio Manager
Lilly has close to 10 years of experience in the investment management industry as an equity analyst and portfolio manager. She spent half of her career with CWB, where she oversees the US Equity Portfolio with the Adroit Investment Method. Previously, she worked with Dundee Capital Markets and Industrial Alliance securities.
Liliana Tzvetkova, CFA
AVP, Portfolio Manager
Mark Maksymowych
Research Analyst, Equities
Mark completed his Bachelor of Commerce degree at the University of Alberta and is currently working through the Charted Financial Analyst program. He specializes in researching North American equities, including analysis of business models, financial metrics, management teams and growth potential.
Mark Maksymowych
Research Analyst, Equities
Nikita Arora
Research Analyst, Investments
Nikita joined CWB Wealth Management in 2017, previously working with BMO Capital and Morningstar Research, and is currently working through the Chartered Financial Analyst program. Her research is primarily focused on Canadian equities, asset allocation and performance attribution.
Nikita Arora
Research Analyst, Investments
Connor Barth
Research Analyst, Equities
Connor graduated the University of Alberta with a degree in mechanical engineering. He worked for Canadian Natural Resources as a facility engineer, while working towards his CFA designation and also has experience working at a sell-side firm.
Connor Barth
Research Analyst, Equities