Wade D. Kozak, B.Sc., FCSI, CIM, FMA
Senior Portfolio Manager
Senior Wealth Advisor
Wade joined the financial services industry 29 years ago in 1993 and has served his calling with distinction, becoming a fellow of the Canadian Securities Institute (FCSI) in 2005. Wade can be heard regularly on Talk to the Experts 770 CHQR on Saturday Mornings. Wade has dedicated his career to taking the mystery out of building a solid financial future for his clients. Although our clients rely on him for financial advice and portfolio performance, they also trust his guidance with their personal concerns regarding retirement, selling a business, marriage, divorce, illness and estate planning. Wade strives to be a guidepost for his clients throughout their lives. He leads the Kozak Financial Group with this same dedication and has built a strong, compassionate, uniquely skilled team that shares his commitment to their clients.
Brenda Akins, BA, CIM®
Associate Portfolio Manager
Wealth Advisor
Brenda graduated from the University of Calgary in 1994. She has been part of the CIBC Wood Gundy family since 1997. As an Investment Advisor, Brenda provides excellent advice grounded in her extensive experience and ability to empathize. Brenda loves meeting new people, hearing their stories, and helping them achieve their financial goals.
Chris Porochnuk, B.Comm., CIM®
Associate Investment Advisor
Associate Portfolio Manager
Chris is a graduate of the University of Calgary with a Bachelor's Degree in Commerce, and has been part of the Kozak Financial Group since 2007. Through a combination of education and experience, Chris is a key member of the team providing advice and service to clients. In addition to advising clients, Chris has a key role in the daily management and structure of our clients' portfolios. Born and raised in Calgary, Chris now raises a family of his own with two daughters.
Harrison Kozak, B.B.A., CIM®
Associate Investment Advisor
Harrison joined the Kozak Financial Group after completing his degree at Mount Royal University. Harrison is an invaluable member of the Kozak Financial Group, his time in the office is spent meeting with clients and striving to make their financial goals a reality. When not in the office, Harrison and his wife, Emma, spend their time renovating their new home..
Naomi English, BA, CIM
Financial Associate
Naomi holds a BA in Economics with a minor in Management from the University of Calgary, and is a fully qualified licensed registered representative with 21 years of industry experience. Naomi is responsible for coordinating and evolving the business administration for the team, she is involved in team planning, training, marketing and special events. Naomi is well versed in handling Estates and Power of Attorney situations for our clients. Her spare time is kept eventful with her family and two dogs.
Ida Durante
Financial Associate
Ida Durante is a native Calgarian with strong ties to the community. Ida has over 20 years of experience in the investment industry. She began her career with Wood Gundy in 1993 and has worked at expanding her knowledge throughout the industry at many different levels including institutional trading and client service roles. Ida was excited to return to CIBC Wood Gundy in 2016 and join her colleagues and friends of many years. Ida is proud to share this life adventure with her husband and two daughters.
Dhruti Desai, B.Sc.
Client Associate
Dhruti graduated in 2001 with a Science Degree in Microbiology. She has nine years of experience in the financial industry, including four years at Wood Gundy before taking a break to start her family. With her two children a little older she returned to CIBC Wood Gundy in 2017 and joined the Kozak Financial Group. Dhruti is responsible for looking after the administrative needs of our clients in an efficient and friendly manner. In her spare time Dhruti enjoys the creative artistic pursuits of painting and crafts.
Tracey Groves
Client Associate
Tracey has been with CIBC Wood Gundy for five years and joined the Kozak Financial group shortly after her arrival. She started her career in retail banking with CIBC and has 10 years of experience; having started as a Bank Teller in 2007 and working her way up to Manager of Client Experience. Tracey rounds out our administrative team with a her proficient approach and friendly style. In her spare time her young daughter keeps her busy but when she gets a moment Tracey enjoys reading and going to see live music and theatre. She can also be found playing on a recreational slo-pitch team in the Spring/Summer months.
Cheryl Randall
Administrative Assistant
Cheryl moved to Calgary from a small French community in Northern Alberta, where she and her mother owned a small hotel. She decided that she wanted to move to Calgary and pursue a different career in the financial industry. She joined Kozak Financial Group in October 2012, and has been brightening all our client's days with her easy smile and positive outlook. Cheryl focuses on building a strong foundation of trust in order to provide a personalized, deep level of service. Cheryl works three days a week for the Kozak Financial Group: Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. On her days off she keeps very busy with her two young daughters.
Ted Kozak, B.Mgt
Client Associate
Ted graduated from the University of British Columbia Okanagan in 2020 with a Bachelor Degree in Management. He spent a year gaining industry experience before joining the Kozak Financial Group in November of 2021. Ted is responsible for client servicing and is heading the teams tax reporting administration. When not at work you can find Ted on the ski hill in the wintertime, and somewhere near a lake during the summer.
Wade D. Kozak, B.Sc., FCSI, CIM, FMA
Wade joined the financial services industry 29 years ago in 1993 and has served his calling with distinction, becoming a fellow of the Canadian Securities Institute (FCSI) in 2005. Wade can be heard regularly on Talk to the Experts 770 CHQR on Saturday Mornings. Wade has dedicated his career to taking the mystery out of building a solid financial future for his clients. Although our clients rely on him for financial advice and portfolio performance, they also trust his guidance with their personal concerns regarding retirement, selling a business, marriage, divorce, illness and estate planning. Wade strives to be a guidepost for his clients throughout their lives. He leads the Kozak Financial Group with this same dedication and has built a strong, compassionate, uniquely skilled team that shares his commitment to their clients.
Brenda Akins, BA, CIM®
Brenda graduated from the University of Calgary in 1994. She has been part of the CIBC Wood Gundy family since 1997. As an Investment Advisor, Brenda provides excellent advice grounded in her extensive experience and ability to empathize. Brenda loves meeting new people, hearing their stories, and helping them achieve their financial goals.
Chris Porochnuk, B.Comm., CIM®
Chris is a graduate of the University of Calgary with a Bachelor's Degree in Commerce, and has been part of the Kozak Financial Group since 2007. Through a combination of education and experience, Chris is a key member of the team providing advice and service to clients. In addition to advising clients, Chris has a key role in the daily management and structure of our clients' portfolios. Born and raised in Calgary, Chris now raises a family of his own with two daughters.
Harrison Kozak, B.B.A., CIM®
Harrison joined the Kozak Financial Group after completing his degree at Mount Royal University. Harrison is an invaluable member of the Kozak Financial Group, his time in the office is spent meeting with clients and striving to make their financial goals a reality. When not in the office, Harrison and his wife, Emma, spend their time renovating their new home..
Naomi English, BA, CIM
Naomi holds a BA in Economics with a minor in Management from the University of Calgary, and is a fully qualified licensed registered representative with 21 years of industry experience. Naomi is responsible for coordinating and evolving the business administration for the team, she is involved in team planning, training, marketing and special events. Naomi is well versed in handling Estates and Power of Attorney situations for our clients. Her spare time is kept eventful with her family and two dogs.
Ida Durante
Ida Durante is a native Calgarian with strong ties to the community. Ida has over 20 years of experience in the investment industry. She began her career with Wood Gundy in 1993 and has worked at expanding her knowledge throughout the industry at many different levels including institutional trading and client service roles. Ida was excited to return to CIBC Wood Gundy in 2016 and join her colleagues and friends of many years. Ida is proud to share this life adventure with her husband and two daughters.
Dhruti Desai, B.Sc.
Dhruti graduated in 2001 with a Science Degree in Microbiology. She has nine years of experience in the financial industry, including four years at Wood Gundy before taking a break to start her family. With her two children a little older she returned to CIBC Wood Gundy in 2017 and joined the Kozak Financial Group. Dhruti is responsible for looking after the administrative needs of our clients in an efficient and friendly manner. In her spare time Dhruti enjoys the creative artistic pursuits of painting and crafts.
Tracey Groves
Tracey has been with CIBC Wood Gundy for five years and joined the Kozak Financial group shortly after her arrival. She started her career in retail banking with CIBC and has 10 years of experience; having started as a Bank Teller in 2007 and working her way up to Manager of Client Experience. Tracey rounds out our administrative team with a her proficient approach and friendly style. In her spare time her young daughter keeps her busy but when she gets a moment Tracey enjoys reading and going to see live music and theatre. She can also be found playing on a recreational slo-pitch team in the Spring/Summer months.
Cheryl Randall
Cheryl moved to Calgary from a small French community in Northern Alberta, where she and her mother owned a small hotel. She decided that she wanted to move to Calgary and pursue a different career in the financial industry. She joined Kozak Financial Group in October 2012, and has been brightening all our client's days with her easy smile and positive outlook. Cheryl focuses on building a strong foundation of trust in order to provide a personalized, deep level of service. Cheryl works three days a week for the Kozak Financial Group: Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. On her days off she keeps very busy with her two young daughters.
Ted Kozak, B.Mgt
Ted graduated from the University of British Columbia Okanagan in 2020 with a Bachelor Degree in Management. He spent a year gaining industry experience before joining the Kozak Financial Group in November of 2021. Ted is responsible for client servicing and is heading the teams tax reporting administration. When not at work you can find Ted on the ski hill in the wintertime, and somewhere near a lake during the summer.