Our Team
Putting your needs first takes a strong, cohesive team to do it right
Our Leadership Team
Matt Evans, CFA
President & CEO
Matt joined CWB Financial Group as a private wealth advisor more than a decade ago. Prior to assuming leadership for CWB Wealth Management in 2020, Matt held progressive leadership roles with CWB in corporate strategy, mergers and acquisitions, and investor relations.
See Full BioMatt Evans, CFA
President & CEO
Jim Andrews, CA, CPA, MBA
Chief Operating Officer
With nearly 20 years in the financial services industry, Jim has extensive experience in sales, operations, and management. Jim has held a number of primary leadership roles in his career, including Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President at MGI Securities.
See Full BioJim Andrews, CA, CPA, MBA
Chief Operating Officer
Scott Blair, CFA
Chief Investment Officer
Scott serves as Chief Investment Officer, and has in excess of 25 year of experience in investment management and equities research.
Scott Blair, CFA
Chief Investment Officer
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
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.
See Full BioLinnea McKercher, CFA
VP, Portfolio Manager
Tracy Easveld-Pontone
Head of Operations
Tracy's career in the industry began over 28 years ago. In her role as Head of Operations, she is responsible for all aspects of operations and client service administration, hardware and software development, technology issues, office administration, and client reporting.
Tracy Easveld-Pontone
Head of Operations
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.
See Full BioLinnea McKercher, CFA
VP, Portfolio Manager
Robert Bradburn, CFP®, CIM®, CLU®
General Manager, CWB Insurance Solutions
Robert’s background includes over 10 years of helping business owners with financial planning, which has helped specialize him in wealth preservation, risk management, wealth integration and retirement planning. He now leads the insurance solutions team, ensuring a consistent approach to advice and strategies to all wealth management clients.
See Full BioRobert Bradburn, CFP®, CIM®, CLU®
General Manager, CWB Insurance Solutions
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
Our Wealth Advisory Services Team
Robert Bradburn, CFP®, CIM®, CLU®
General Manager, CWB Insurance Solutions
Robert’s background includes over 10 years of helping business owners with financial planning, which has helped specialize him in wealth preservation, risk management, wealth integration and retirement planning. He now leads the insurance solutions team, ensuring a consistent approach to advice and strategies to all wealth management clients.
See Full BioRobert Bradburn, CFP®, CIM®, CLU®
General Manager, CWB Insurance Solutions
Kim Stevens, CFP®, CLU®, CHS
Wealth Preservation Advisor
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.
See Full BioKim Stevens, CFP®, CLU®, CHS
Wealth Preservation Advisor
Amit Tewary, BComm., CFP®, CIM®
Associate Financial Consultant
Amit has over 15 years of industry experience helping high net worth clients and professionals with comprehensive financial and investment planning.
See Full BioAmit Tewary, BComm., CFP®, CIM®
Associate Financial Consultant
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.
See Full BioLinnea McKercher, CFA
VP, Portfolio Manager
Orest Fialka, P.Geo, CFA
AVP, 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.
See Full BioOrest Fialka, P.Geo, CFA
AVP, Portfolio Manager
Richard Pearson, CFA
AVP, 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.
See Full BioRichard Pearson, CFA
AVP, Portfolio Manager
Ann Bawden, CIM®
AVP, 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.
See Full BioAnn Bawden, CIM®
AVP, Portfolio Manager
David Dilworth, MBA, CFA, CFP®, TEP, CPCA
VP, Portfolio Manager
David began his career in 2000 and is a member of CFA Society Toronto and is a Fellow of the Canadian Securities Institute. He completed his MBA from Dalhousie University.
David Dilworth, MBA, CFA, CFP®, TEP, CPCA
VP, Portfolio Manager
Ralph Muth, CFP®, CIM®, CPA, CMA
VP, Associate Portfolio Manager
Ralph began his career in 1987. Ralph holds a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®), Chartered Investment Manager (CIM®), Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) and Certified Management Accountant (CMA) designation.
See Full BioRalph Muth, CFP®, CIM®, CPA, CMA
VP, Associate Portfolio Manager
Tamara Owchar, MSc., CFA
Portfolio Manager
With more than 21 years’ experience in the institutional investment space, Tamara uses her far-reaching expertise to give people the framework, tools, and advice they need to achieve their investment goals. She seeks to know the paths her clients have taken as well as their future goals, believing this is paramount to finding the best solutions.
See Full BioTamara Owchar, MSc., CFA
Portfolio Manager
Brett Phare, FMA, CFP®, CIM®, FCSI®
AVP, Private Wealth Specialist
With over 20 years of experience working in the private wealth industry, Brett deeply understands the intricacies of high-net-worth clients.
See Full BioBrett Phare, FMA, CFP®, CIM®, FCSI®
AVP, Private Wealth Specialist
Stephanie Mann, BBA, CFP®, PFP
AVP, Private Wealth Specialist
With over 20 years of experience in the private wealth management industry, Stephanie has a deep understanding of the intricacies and complexities of high net worth clients. The client is at the center of everything Stephanie does.
See Full BioStephanie Mann, BBA, CFP®, PFP
AVP, Private Wealth Specialist
Praveen Thyagarajan, CAIA
Wealth Associate
An accomplished financial management professional with over 12 years of industry experience, Praveen works with our portfolio management team to create focused and sophisticated financial management plans. A true student of what makes people tick, Praveen loves to fully understand our clients’ goals and help our experts deliver smart financial strategies.
See Full BioPraveen Thyagarajan, CAIA
Wealth Associate
Our Research Team
Scott Blair, CFA
Chief Investment Officer
Scott serves as Chief Investment Officer, and has in excess of 25 year of experience in investment management and equities research.
Scott Blair, CFA
Chief Investment Officer
Liliana Tzvetkova, CFA
Portfolio Manager, U.S. Equities
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 Equity Portfolio with the Adroit Investment Method. Previously, she worked with Dundee Capital Markets and Industrial Alliance securities.
Liliana Tzvetkova, CFA
Portfolio Manager, U.S. Equities
Saket Mundra, CFA, MBA
Portfolio Manager, U.S. Equities
Saket manages our US equity pool. His previous experience includes co-founding an investment firm, Genesis Financials.
See Full BioSaket Mundra, CFA, MBA
Portfolio Manager, U.S. Equities
Glen Chui
Research Analyst, U.S. Equities
Prior to joining CWB McLean & Partners in July 2020, Glen worked with several banks in their corporate banking and distressed loans departments, primarily covering companies in the resources and energy industry. He enjoys reading up on business and psychology, and applies this knowledge to his research.
See Full BioGlen Chui
Research Analyst, U.S. Equities
Gil Lamothe, CFA
Senior Portfolio Manager, Canadian Equities
Gil Lamothe draws from over 25 years of financial expertise to manage Canadian Dividend portfolios for high-net-worth families, individuals and corporation at Leon Frazer & Associates. Gil views his clients’ financial success as more than just an accumulation of assets. In his view, their wealth represents a lifetime of effort and accomplishments. He considers it a great privilege to be entrusted with the task of securing this.
Gil Lamothe, CFA
Senior Portfolio Manager, Canadian Equities
Scott Cuthbert, CFA
Associate Portfolio Manager, Canadian Equities
Scott joined the investment management team at Leon Frazer in 2018. His role is concentrated on stock analysis and structure of the Canadian portfolio.
Scott Cuthbert, CFA
Associate Portfolio Manager, Canadian Equities
Connor Barth, CFA
Senior Research Analyst, Canadian 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, CFA
Senior Research Analyst, Canadian Equities
Ric Palombi, CFA
Senior Portfolio Manager, International Equities and Alternative Income
Ric provides leadership to the research team as head portfolio manager for CWB Wealth Management’s international equities and alternative income.
See Full BioRic Palombi, CFA
Senior Portfolio Manager, International Equities and Alternative Income
Edward Friedman, CFA, MBA
Portfolio Manager, International Equities
Edward has been managing Canadian Equity Pool at CWB McLean & Partners for the past five years, and moving forward, will be more focused on our International investing strategy.
Edward Friedman, CFA, MBA
Portfolio Manager, International Equities
Jimmy Desai, CFA, MBA
Associate Portfolio Manager, International Equities
Jimmy is the lead of the firm’s Global Equity Pool and he also covers international equities. Prior to joining CWB McLean & Partners, Jimmy worked as an environment consultant and was a software developer.
See Full BioJimmy Desai, CFA, MBA
Associate Portfolio Manager, International Equities
Imran Usmani, CFA, CPA, CA
Associate Portfolio Manager, International Equities
Imran is part of the international equities team. He comes to CWB McLean & Partners with experience as a financial auditor and, more recently, was an analyst at a well-respected local investment firm.
See Full BioImran Usmani, CFA, CPA, CA
Associate Portfolio Manager, International Equities
Malcolm Jones, MBA, CFA
Senior Portfolio Manager, Fixed Income
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
Senior Portfolio Manager, Fixed Income
Mykel Samuel, MBA
Manager, Trading & Investment Performance
Mykel spent his first year with CWB Wealth Management on our operations team as the Mutual Fund Administrator before moving to Research. His previous experience also includes private banking, asset management and executing fixed income and equity trades. His current role sees him take on leadership for trading, settlement, and investment performance analysis.
Mykel Samuel, MBA
Manager, Trading & Investment Performance