David Acker
David Acker is a Senior Wealth Advisor with Acker Wealth Management at CIBC Wood Gundy, serving clients from the Annapolis Valley and across Canada. A Kentville, Nova Scotia local and Acadia University Business graduate, David began his advisory career in 1983 and brings nearly 4 decades of experience in investment management. David is also deeply connected to the Annapolis Valley with past leadership and boar roles including the Kentville Development Corporation, VRHF, Landmark East School, Alpine Ski Nova Scotia, and the Atlantic Investment Dealer Association.
David leads a client-focused team that provides holistic wealth management, including investment management, retirement planning, wealth preservation, risk management, estate planning, and multi-generational wealth strategies. He is known for taking the time to understand each client’s goals and priorities to support their financial well-being over the long term.
An avid golfer and longtime member of KenWo Golf Club, David has played an active leadership role in the sport throughout Nova Scotia. He served as President of Golf Nova Scotia from 2018-2020, following earlier service on its board and continues to be a passionate supporter of the game in his community.
Boston Leier
Boston Leier is an Investment Advisor with the Acker Wealth Management team, where he helps clients navigate complex financial decisions through disciplined portfolio construction, retirement planning, and integrated wealth strategies. He works closely with individuals, families, and their professional advisors to align investment solutions with long-term objectives, risk tolerance, cash-flow needs, and tax and estate considerations.
Boston brings five years of experience within the wealth management industry and has worked with a competitive firm since 2021. Through this experience he developed a strong foundation in investment management, portfolio construction, and comprehensive investment planning, shaping his belief that effective wealth management goes beyond investment performance. Today, he is focused on building an independent advisory practice centred on personalized advice, disciplined investing, and lasting relationships. He is committed to helping individuals and families build, protect, and preserve their wealth while providing the clarity and confidence to make informed financial decisions.
Before entering wealth management, Boston developed a strong foundation in leadership, accountability, and performance through a competitive hockey career spanning the AHL, ECHL, U SPORTS, and the WHL. Serving in multiple leadership roles and earning recognition for community involvement, he brings a team-oriented mindset, resilience, and professionalism to his work with clients.
Boston holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance from Acadia University and is committed to delivering personalized, goal-based advice that helps clients plan with confidence.
Born and raised in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Boston moved to Nova Scotia's Annapolis Valley after attending Acadia University. He enjoys giving back to his community as a volunteer and treasures his time with his wife, Chantal, and their sons Henry and Sullivan.
Tanna Zwicker
Tanna Zwicker is a Financial Associate with Acker Wealth Management at CIBC Wood Gundy, where she supports clients with attentive, personalized service throughout their wealth-management journey. She has been part of the Acker Wealth Management team since 2016.
Tanna has been an integral member of Acker Wealth Management, progressing from administrative and client associate roles to her current position as Financial Associate. Her background in hospitality has shaped a client-first approach built on responsiveness, clear communication and genuine care for the people she serves.
A graduate from Mount Saint Vincent University, Tanna holds a Bachelor of Tourism and Hospitality Management as well as a certificate in Business Administration. She combines that service-oriented education with her investment-industry experience to help clients feel informed, supported and confident as they work toward their financial goals.
Outside of work, Tanna is a proud leader with Girl Guides, where she enjoys helping young people build confidence, develop new skills and give back to their community. Family-oriented and deeply connected to her local community, she brings the same warmth, reliability and dedication to her work with clients that she brings to her personal life.
Lauren Acker
Lauren Acker is an Administrative Assistant with Acker Wealth Management at CIBC Wood Gundy, working alongside her father, David Acker, in the family business. Always striving to support client success, she brings a personable, service-focused approach to client relationships, day-to-day administrative support, and event planning for the group.
Lauren began her career with CIBC Wood Gundy as a summer student at the Halifax branch before moving into full-time work while attending Saint Mary’s University, where she was also a varsity athlete. In 2014, she transferred to Acadia University and stepped away from Wood Gundy to focus on her education, graduating in 2018 with a degree in History and minor in Canadian Studies.
A retired competitive ski racer, Lauren represented Nova Scotia and Team Canada in national and international competitions. She began coaching with the Canadian Ski Coaches Federation at 16 working with U5’s and U12’s. She was also coaching in Grade 7, working with junior high and high school students. She continued sharing her passion for the sport until retiring from coaching at age 28. Lauren attended King’s Edgehill School for 7 years, where she holds the school’s MVP record.
Her love of skiing and wine took her west to British Columbia, where she explored the mountains and developed her career in the wine and hospitality industries. Her experience as a sommelier, bartender and bar manager included work with L’Acadie Vineyards, CedarCreek and Mission Hill in the Kelowna area, as well as Fox Harb’r, Glen Arbour, and Lightfoot & Wolfville in Nova Scotia.
Lauren returned to the family business in 2020, bringing the teamwork, discipline and attentive service developed throughout her varied career. She enjoys helping the group create welcoming, thoughtfully organized client events and supporting a positive client experience.
Outside the office, Lauren is an avid golfer at KenWo Golf Club and has volunteered with the PGA Tour’s Korn Ferry Tour. Connected to the Wolfville community, she also enjoys her love of music by singing the national anthems at Acadia University sporting events.
Our partners
We partner with CIBC experts to help address all of your wealth needs.
Bruce Morrison
Estate Planning Specialist
Bruce believes that the key to working successfully with clients is talking to them, not just about their needs, but also their life objectives and how insurance can assist them in the achievement of their goals. Prior to joining CIBC Wood Gundy, Bruce was with a leading insurance company where he was the Director of Sales for National Accounts. In addition to his sales and management roles, he also brings experience from the actuarial side of the desk. This perspective allows him to have a deeper understanding in dealing with insurance needs. Bruce brings with him a strong analytical and mathematical background, having earned his MSc. in Mathematics from Dalhousie University.
Thomas Elinesky
Estate Planning Specialist
Thomas is a proponent of wealth management and believes that the key to successful financial planning is listening to clients’ needs and life objectives with a focus on how the use of life insurance can assist them in achieving their goals. He previously worked at one of the most successful independent financial planning firms where he primarily provided estate planning and retirement solutions. In addition to his sales and client relationship experience, Thomas also worked with one of the largest insurance companies on the product service and development side allowing him to build in-depth knowledge of current and past insurance products.
Kate Ross, BA, JD
Senior Trust and Estate Consultant
As a Senior Trust and Estate Consultant, I believe that a key component of any wealth management plan is estate planning which provides you and your family with confidence and peace of mind by protecting you, your family, your assets, and preserving your legacy.
For complex estate and trust issues, I can draw on the expertise of my Cl BC partners, recommend external professionals and help develop solutions and coordinate communication.
Administering an estate or trust or acting as an attorney for property is time consuming and requires knowledge of many different areas. My team and I have the expertise to execute or assist others to execute those roles effectively and efficiently, relieving the burden of administration from loved ones and allowing them to focus on what matters most.
Krista LeBlanc, CFP®
Financial Planning Specialist
Krista joined the financial planning industry in 2008. She has held various roles throughout retail banking and wealth management. She uses her knowledge and experience to help Canadian families achieve their financial goals and enjoy peace of mind.
As a Financial Planning Specialist, Krista's goal is to create confidence through knowledge; giving families the ability to move forward on decisions affecting their wealth knowing they have a well-thought-out comprehensive plan in place.
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.
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.
Bruce Morrison
Bruce believes that the key to working successfully with clients is talking to them, not just about their needs, but also their life objectives and how insurance can assist them in the achievement of their goals. Prior to joining CIBC Wood Gundy, Bruce was with a leading insurance company where he was the Director of Sales for National Accounts. In addition to his sales and management roles, he also brings experience from the actuarial side of the desk. This perspective allows him to have a deeper understanding in dealing with insurance needs. Bruce brings with him a strong analytical and mathematical background, having earned his MSc. in Mathematics from Dalhousie University.
Thomas Elinesky
Thomas is a proponent of wealth management and believes that the key to successful financial planning is listening to clients’ needs and life objectives with a focus on how the use of life insurance can assist them in achieving their goals. He previously worked at one of the most successful independent financial planning firms where he primarily provided estate planning and retirement solutions. In addition to his sales and client relationship experience, Thomas also worked with one of the largest insurance companies on the product service and development side allowing him to build in-depth knowledge of current and past insurance products.
Kate Ross, BA, JD
As a Senior Trust and Estate Consultant, I believe that a key component of any wealth management plan is estate planning which provides you and your family with confidence and peace of mind by protecting you, your family, your assets, and preserving your legacy.
For complex estate and trust issues, I can draw on the expertise of my Cl BC partners, recommend external professionals and help develop solutions and coordinate communication.
Administering an estate or trust or acting as an attorney for property is time consuming and requires knowledge of many different areas. My team and I have the expertise to execute or assist others to execute those roles effectively and efficiently, relieving the burden of administration from loved ones and allowing them to focus on what matters most.
Krista LeBlanc, CFP®
Krista joined the financial planning industry in 2008. She has held various roles throughout retail banking and wealth management. She uses her knowledge and experience to help Canadian families achieve their financial goals and enjoy peace of mind.
As a Financial Planning Specialist, Krista's goal is to create confidence through knowledge; giving families the ability to move forward on decisions affecting their wealth knowing they have a well-thought-out comprehensive plan in place.
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.
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.