OUR TEAM
Richard Smith, CIM, RIAC
Senior Wealth Strategist
Portfolio Manager
For over 30 years, Richard has partnered with clients to provide sophisticated investment advice in the areas of portfolio construction, wealth preservation, and estate planning. He creates personalized portfolios using strategic asset allocation, tax-efficient investing, and advanced risk-management strategies to help clients achieve their long and short-term goals.
By applying an institutional-style investment approach and conducting extensive research, Richard works closely with CIBC partners to create comprehensive financial plans tailored to each client's unique needs. His philosophy is to manage client portfolios with the same level of care and discipline typically reserved for pension plans, institutions, and family offices. Richard builds lasting client relationships through his strong technical expertise and dedication to client needs, priding himself on providing the highest level of service.
Richard is a devoted family man and as a former national team gymnast, spends a lot of his time coaching his two daughters' multiple sports teams. His hobbies include skiing, ball hockey, baseball, golf and playing drums.
Sebastian Sinnott
Client Associate
Sebastian graduated from Wilfrid Laurier University in 2022 earning his Bachelor of Business Administration with a concentration in Finance. He also minored in both Financial Mathematics and Economics. After graduating, he began his career in Financial Services at CIBC. In this time, he has earned many credentials through the Canadian Securities Institute, including the CSC, CPH, and WME. He is now working towards his Chartered Financial Analyst® designation. In his spare time, Sebastian enjoys playing volleyball, going to the gym, and exploring Toronto’s vibrant food scene.
Frank Mueller
Financial Associate
Frank brings 25 years of industry experience across a range of roles, from administration to advisory positions. He is a keen observer of market trends and maintains a strong personal interest in financial markets. Outside of work, Frank enjoys playing soccer and jogging regularly. He is happily married and the proud father of two children.
Kris Pesut
Client Service Coordinator
Kris joined our team in 2023 after a 25-year career in enterprise account business development and sales of Enterprise Software Services, focused primarily on the Financial Services vertical. Kris’ experience working with leading financial institutions has given her a strong understanding of client needs and service excellence. Kris leverages this background to develop and enhance programs that strengthen client engagement, improve communication, and deliver an exceptional client experience.
Richard Smith, CIM, RIAC
For over 30 years, Richard has partnered with clients to provide sophisticated investment advice in the areas of portfolio construction, wealth preservation, and estate planning. He creates personalized portfolios using strategic asset allocation, tax-efficient investing, and advanced risk-management strategies to help clients achieve their long and short-term goals.
By applying an institutional-style investment approach and conducting extensive research, Richard works closely with CIBC partners to create comprehensive financial plans tailored to each client's unique needs. His philosophy is to manage client portfolios with the same level of care and discipline typically reserved for pension plans, institutions, and family offices. Richard builds lasting client relationships through his strong technical expertise and dedication to client needs, priding himself on providing the highest level of service.
Richard is a devoted family man and as a former national team gymnast, spends a lot of his time coaching his two daughters' multiple sports teams. His hobbies include skiing, ball hockey, baseball, golf and playing drums.
Sebastian Sinnott
Sebastian graduated from Wilfrid Laurier University in 2022 earning his Bachelor of Business Administration with a concentration in Finance. He also minored in both Financial Mathematics and Economics. After graduating, he began his career in Financial Services at CIBC. In this time, he has earned many credentials through the Canadian Securities Institute, including the CSC, CPH, and WME. He is now working towards his Chartered Financial Analyst® designation. In his spare time, Sebastian enjoys playing volleyball, going to the gym, and exploring Toronto’s vibrant food scene.
Frank Mueller
Frank brings 25 years of industry experience across a range of roles, from administration to advisory positions. He is a keen observer of market trends and maintains a strong personal interest in financial markets. Outside of work, Frank enjoys playing soccer and jogging regularly. He is happily married and the proud father of two children.
Kris Pesut
Kris joined our team in 2023 after a 25-year career in enterprise account business development and sales of Enterprise Software Services, focused primarily on the Financial Services vertical. Kris’ experience working with leading financial institutions has given her a strong understanding of client needs and service excellence. Kris leverages this background to develop and enhance programs that strengthen client engagement, improve communication, and deliver an exceptional client experience.
Our partners
We partner with CIBC experts to help address all of your wealth needs.
Jamie Golombek, CPA, CA, CFP®, CLU, TEP, FCPA
Managing Director Tax and Estate Planning
As CIBC’s tax expert, Jamie supports CIBC Wood Gundy investment advisors in delivering integrated financial planning and advisory solutions to our high-net-worth clients. Jamie is quoted frequently in the national media and writes a weekly National Post column called Tax Expert.
Aram Agopian, TEP, CLU, CHS, EPC, FMA, FCSI
Estate Planning Specialist
With over 20 years of experience in the life insurance industry, Aram works with affluent families, business owners and executives to create tax efficient insurance based strategies that build and safeguard wealth. Insurance planning with both personal or corporate wealth is tailored to each client with the end goal of providing certainty that enhances the lives of clients, their families and businesses.
Aram strongly believes best results are achieved through a holistic team approach. He will work collaboratively with other trusted advisors ensuring wealth is sheltered for both future generations and philanthropic aspirations.
Aram is fully committed to his profession and views continuing education as vital. He has earned several industry designations, including the Trust and Estate Practitioner (TEP), Certified Financial Planner (CFP), Financial Management Advisor (FMA), Certified Health Insurance Specialist (CHS) and Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) designations. It is his knowledge, experience and high ethical standards that allows him to add value and educate each client.
Benjamin Tal
Deputy Chief Economist, CIBC
Benjamin Tal is responsible for analyzing economic developments and their implications for North American fixed income, equity, foreign exchange and commodities markets. He also acts in an advisory capacity to bank officers on issues related to wealth management, household/corporate credit and risk. Benjamin is a regular commentator on financial and economic trends in the Canadian and American media.
Chris Mylonas, PFP
Financial Planning Specialist
Chris specializes in providing financial planning services to high net worth clients. He is committed to providing holistic financial planning and customized strategies to assist them with their goals around wealth accumulation, preservation and distribution. Chris holds his CFP and PFP designations, bringing over 25 years of experience in the financial services industry and maintains his dedication towards ongoing professional development. Chris has been a financial planner for 16 years and throughout he has provided clients with value; creating plans which serve as the framework for their financial aspirations.
Chrissy Giouzelis, CPA, LL.M.
Wealth Strategist
Chrissy is a tax and accounting professional, holding her CPA title and a Masters in Tax Law, providing her with a comprehensive understanding of the intricacies of tax law and regulations here in Canada. Over the past 9 years, she has held various positions at Deloitte, EY and national accounting firms in the tax compliance and advisory space. She uses her knowledge and experience to help affluent Canadian families achieve their financial goals and enjoy peace of mind. As a Wealth Strategist, Chrissy's role at CIBC Wealth Management is to provide comprehensive financial planning advice and recommendations to clients with specific emphasis on tax efficiency, wills, and estate and trust planning. Chrissy provides a holistic review of a client’s current situation by performing a deep discovery to learn about the family, understand the family’s goals, and assess the family’s financial position, as well as any current planning and structures in place. Chrissy works closely with the family’s other advisors to effectively identify and recommend appropriate strategies.
Jamie Golombek, CPA, CA, CFP®, CLU, TEP, FCPA
As CIBC’s tax expert, Jamie supports CIBC Wood Gundy investment advisors in delivering integrated financial planning and advisory solutions to our high-net-worth clients. Jamie is quoted frequently in the national media and writes a weekly National Post column called Tax Expert.
Aram Agopian, TEP, CLU, CHS, EPC, FMA, FCSI
With over 20 years of experience in the life insurance industry, Aram works with affluent families, business owners and executives to create tax efficient insurance based strategies that build and safeguard wealth. Insurance planning with both personal or corporate wealth is tailored to each client with the end goal of providing certainty that enhances the lives of clients, their families and businesses.
Aram strongly believes best results are achieved through a holistic team approach. He will work collaboratively with other trusted advisors ensuring wealth is sheltered for both future generations and philanthropic aspirations.
Aram is fully committed to his profession and views continuing education as vital. He has earned several industry designations, including the Trust and Estate Practitioner (TEP), Certified Financial Planner (CFP), Financial Management Advisor (FMA), Certified Health Insurance Specialist (CHS) and Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) designations. It is his knowledge, experience and high ethical standards that allows him to add value and educate each client.
Benjamin Tal
Benjamin Tal is responsible for analyzing economic developments and their implications for North American fixed income, equity, foreign exchange and commodities markets. He also acts in an advisory capacity to bank officers on issues related to wealth management, household/corporate credit and risk. Benjamin is a regular commentator on financial and economic trends in the Canadian and American media.
Chris Mylonas, PFP
Chris specializes in providing financial planning services to high net worth clients. He is committed to providing holistic financial planning and customized strategies to assist them with their goals around wealth accumulation, preservation and distribution. Chris holds his CFP and PFP designations, bringing over 25 years of experience in the financial services industry and maintains his dedication towards ongoing professional development. Chris has been a financial planner for 16 years and throughout he has provided clients with value; creating plans which serve as the framework for their financial aspirations.
Chrissy Giouzelis, CPA, LL.M.
Chrissy is a tax and accounting professional, holding her CPA title and a Masters in Tax Law, providing her with a comprehensive understanding of the intricacies of tax law and regulations here in Canada. Over the past 9 years, she has held various positions at Deloitte, EY and national accounting firms in the tax compliance and advisory space. She uses her knowledge and experience to help affluent Canadian families achieve their financial goals and enjoy peace of mind. As a Wealth Strategist, Chrissy's role at CIBC Wealth Management is to provide comprehensive financial planning advice and recommendations to clients with specific emphasis on tax efficiency, wills, and estate and trust planning. Chrissy provides a holistic review of a client’s current situation by performing a deep discovery to learn about the family, understand the family’s goals, and assess the family’s financial position, as well as any current planning and structures in place. Chrissy works closely with the family’s other advisors to effectively identify and recommend appropriate strategies.