Karen E. Shea, CIM®, FMA, CIWM
Senior Wealth Advisor
I understand that finances can be emotional and energy-consuming. In the blink of an eye, circumstances may change, and priorities shift.Sometimes the conversation is about having enough money to do the things you want; other times, it’s about reducing risk and providing security for the future. Together we will develop a holistic plan that
prepares you for what you need, builds wealth for what you dream about, aligns investments with causes near and dear to your heart, and shapes your legacy–whatever you want that to be. I will work hard to grow, maximize and protect your wealth according to your goals, and I promise I will always be available and accountable to you.
I enjoy working with all types of clients, but as a female advisor, I am attuned to the particular needs of women investors and how they want to be served. I grew up in Ottawa and now live in a small town in the Ottawa Valley. Both experiences have taught me the importance of community and building relationships with integrity and authenticity. These are the values I bring to my clients.
As a senior wealth advisor and portfolio manager with over 25 years of experience, I can provide you with a full range of personalized services, from investment management and wealth planning expertise to working with our CIBC Partners on private banking, estate and trust solutions. I strive to provide my clients with peace of mind knowing that my credentials include the Financial Management Advisor (FMA), the Chartered Investment Manager (CIM®), and most recently, the Certified International Wealth Manager (CIWM) designations.
When I’m not working for my clients, you will often find me outside soaking up all that mother nature offers. I live in the beautiful Ottawa Valley, where I enjoy gardening, hiking, and kayaking on the lake with my husband and my lovely dog Foxy.
Kalli Ryder
Administrative Assistant
I appreciate the individual needs of our clients, that gives meaning to the work I do.
I moved from New Brunswick to pursue a degree in Commerce, which I am simultaneously completing while working at Wood Gundy. Coming from a community-minded town on the Bay of Fundy, where strangers become friends in a grocery line, finding work with purpose was my priority.
I am proud to support a business that strives to help clients achieve their financial and life goals.
Working in a sector with ever-changing regulations has provided the perfect opportunity to challenge myself as I learn and helping me develop personally and professionally.
Whether you’re looking into opening new accounts, or have questions about existing accounts with us, I’m committed to handle your needs with high quality service.
I understand the deeply personal nature of your finances, and am committed to helping you stay informed and involved in your journey to financial success with us.
Samira Beiraami
Client Associate
I have been with CIBC Wood Gundy since 2022 ,I am a Registered Representative. My passion for investments and wealth management made me make an industry shift 4 years ago and pursue my career in new world.
For more than 5 years, I worked as a project coordinator in different sectors in my home country, Iran and I’m proud to utilize all the soft skills and client service experience in my role to support our clients achieve their financial goals.
I understand the importance of knowing that your family and your business are taken care of financially, according to your wishes. I will be able to help with day-to-day transactions, trades, and reporting needs.
I am working towards the completion of the Wealth Management Essentials (WME) course, and Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designation to better assist our clients with their long-term goals.
Outside the office, I am an outdoor enthusiast, I like playing tennis, yoga and snowboarding. I enjoy traveling and learning new activities. I am fluent in English and Farsi.
Karen E. Shea, CIM®, FMA, CIWM
I understand that finances can be emotional and energy-consuming. In the blink of an eye, circumstances may change, and priorities shift.Sometimes the conversation is about having enough money to do the things you want; other times, it’s about reducing risk and providing security for the future. Together we will develop a holistic plan that
prepares you for what you need, builds wealth for what you dream about, aligns investments with causes near and dear to your heart, and shapes your legacy–whatever you want that to be. I will work hard to grow, maximize and protect your wealth according to your goals, and I promise I will always be available and accountable to you.
I enjoy working with all types of clients, but as a female advisor, I am attuned to the particular needs of women investors and how they want to be served. I grew up in Ottawa and now live in a small town in the Ottawa Valley. Both experiences have taught me the importance of community and building relationships with integrity and authenticity. These are the values I bring to my clients.
As a senior wealth advisor and portfolio manager with over 25 years of experience, I can provide you with a full range of personalized services, from investment management and wealth planning expertise to working with our CIBC Partners on private banking, estate and trust solutions. I strive to provide my clients with peace of mind knowing that my credentials include the Financial Management Advisor (FMA), the Chartered Investment Manager (CIM®), and most recently, the Certified International Wealth Manager (CIWM) designations.
When I’m not working for my clients, you will often find me outside soaking up all that mother nature offers. I live in the beautiful Ottawa Valley, where I enjoy gardening, hiking, and kayaking on the lake with my husband and my lovely dog Foxy.
Kalli Ryder
I appreciate the individual needs of our clients, that gives meaning to the work I do.
I moved from New Brunswick to pursue a degree in Commerce, which I am simultaneously completing while working at Wood Gundy. Coming from a community-minded town on the Bay of Fundy, where strangers become friends in a grocery line, finding work with purpose was my priority.
I am proud to support a business that strives to help clients achieve their financial and life goals.
Working in a sector with ever-changing regulations has provided the perfect opportunity to challenge myself as I learn and helping me develop personally and professionally.
Whether you’re looking into opening new accounts, or have questions about existing accounts with us, I’m committed to handle your needs with high quality service.
I understand the deeply personal nature of your finances, and am committed to helping you stay informed and involved in your journey to financial success with us.
Samira Beiraami
I have been with CIBC Wood Gundy since 2022 ,I am a Registered Representative. My passion for investments and wealth management made me make an industry shift 4 years ago and pursue my career in new world.
For more than 5 years, I worked as a project coordinator in different sectors in my home country, Iran and I’m proud to utilize all the soft skills and client service experience in my role to support our clients achieve their financial goals.
I understand the importance of knowing that your family and your business are taken care of financially, according to your wishes. I will be able to help with day-to-day transactions, trades, and reporting needs.
I am working towards the completion of the Wealth Management Essentials (WME) course, and Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designation to better assist our clients with their long-term goals.
Outside the office, I am an outdoor enthusiast, I like playing tennis, yoga and snowboarding. I enjoy traveling and learning new activities. I am fluent in English and Farsi.
Our partners
We partner with CIBC experts to help address all of your wealth needs.
Chantal Dubé
Senior Trust and Estate Consultant
As an experienced estate professional, I believe that a key component of wealth management is an estate plan that protects your assets, preserves your legacy, and ensures your estate is efficiently distributed. With the support of a team, I provide customized estate, trust, and incapacity solutions. Prior to joining CIBC Trust Company, I worked in the financial services industry for over 15 years before finding my vocation in estate and trust administration. In my former role as a Trust Officer, I was responsible for managing the administration of complex accounts. I am also a member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP Canada) and became a Certified Estate and Trust Administrator in 2020. With a career focused on building client relationships, my goal is to provide you and your family with confidence and peace of mind.
Karen West-Taylor
Senior Trust and Estate Consultant
As a CIBC Senior Trust and Estate Consultant, Karen believes that a key component of any wealth management plan is an estate plan that protects your assets, preserves your legacy and ensures your estate is distributed. She offers services as a professional executor, power of attorney for property or trustee. She can also support someone else you appoint for these roles.
Effectively administering a trust or acting as an attorney can require time and an understanding of investments and taxes. Karen has the expertise to execute or assist others to execute that role effectively and efficiently.
Mark Defalco, CFP, F.Pl.
Financial Planning Specialist
Mark is a Financial Planning Specialist with CIBC Private Wealth Management working with the Advisory teams at the Ottawa Main, Kanata & Kingston Wood Gundy branches. Mark joined CIBC in 2020, and has over 16 years’ experience in financial advice and planning. He believes in a holistic and comprehensive approach to financial planning. Mark has extensive experience working with high net worth clients, both personal and corporate, to help them achieve their financial goals.
Fred Kyriazis, CPA, CA
Estate Planning Specialist
I am an Estate Planning Specialist with CIBC Private Wealth Management. As a Chartered Professional Accountant, my focus over the years has been working with private business owners, professionals and farmers in developing strategies to help minimize their tax burden at various stages in their lives, including business transitions and estate planning.
I have developed a holistic approach to estate planning and provide my clients with solutions that will help them achieve their goals as it relates to their estate by minimizing the impact that taxes can have on a family’s estate.
Milan Stipancevic, CFP®, CIM®, FCSI
Senior Private Banking Advisor
Having learned the importance of trust and reliability early on, I’ve applied this to all my relationships and take great pride in providing my clients with a high level of service. Ensuring a positive client experience for you and your family is my priority. Through a discovery process, I will take the time to understand what is important to you.
Whether it be complex planning strategies, lending needs or simple banking questions, I endeavour to address each in a timely and efficient manner. With my team of CIBC experts, we use a holistic approach to create a personalized plan tailored to your unique needs.
Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with family, travelling and playing music.
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.
Nigel Newland, B.Comm., CFP
Estate Planning Specialist
As a CIBC Wood Gundy Estate Planning Specialist I work with your trusted advisor to provide you with a specialized estate plan. My expertise is rooted in financial and intergenerational wealth transfer solutions, including; preservation, estate enhancement, business succession, charitable giving, retirement income planning and tax minimization.
Before joining CIBC Wood Gundy, I worked for a private sector company based in the United States and prior to that I spent 9 years working with a large financial institution as a wealth advisor. I strive to provide you with timely professional advice that you can put into action.
Chantal Dubé
As an experienced estate professional, I believe that a key component of wealth management is an estate plan that protects your assets, preserves your legacy, and ensures your estate is efficiently distributed. With the support of a team, I provide customized estate, trust, and incapacity solutions. Prior to joining CIBC Trust Company, I worked in the financial services industry for over 15 years before finding my vocation in estate and trust administration. In my former role as a Trust Officer, I was responsible for managing the administration of complex accounts. I am also a member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP Canada) and became a Certified Estate and Trust Administrator in 2020. With a career focused on building client relationships, my goal is to provide you and your family with confidence and peace of mind.
Karen West-Taylor
As a CIBC Senior Trust and Estate Consultant, Karen believes that a key component of any wealth management plan is an estate plan that protects your assets, preserves your legacy and ensures your estate is distributed. She offers services as a professional executor, power of attorney for property or trustee. She can also support someone else you appoint for these roles.
Effectively administering a trust or acting as an attorney can require time and an understanding of investments and taxes. Karen has the expertise to execute or assist others to execute that role effectively and efficiently.
Mark Defalco, CFP, F.Pl.
Mark is a Financial Planning Specialist with CIBC Private Wealth Management working with the Advisory teams at the Ottawa Main, Kanata & Kingston Wood Gundy branches. Mark joined CIBC in 2020, and has over 16 years’ experience in financial advice and planning. He believes in a holistic and comprehensive approach to financial planning. Mark has extensive experience working with high net worth clients, both personal and corporate, to help them achieve their financial goals.