Karen E. Shea - For Women, By Women.

Karen E. Shea, CIM®, FMA, CIWM

Senior Wealth Advisor, Portfolio Manager

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.

Making People a Priority: My Approach to Wealth Management

Since 1997, I’ve been helping clients manage wealth a little differently — by putting people first. At Shea Wealth Advisory, relationships come before returns, and every financial plan begins with understanding your story.

Over the years, I’ve realized my true calling: creating a safe, supportive, and empowering space for women to take charge of their financial future. I’ve built a practice for women, by women — one that prioritizes education, clarity, and compassion. No one here is just a number. My team and I work closely with our clients, helping them feel confident, informed, and heard every step of the way.

In this article, I share more about how my personal experiences shaped my mission, and why making financial self-care accessible to women continues to be at the heart of everything I do.

Read the full story:

https://www.mybusinessmagazine.ca/single-post/karen-e-shea-cim-fma-ciwm-senior-wealth-advisor-portfolio-manager-cibc-wood-gundy-ottawa

Karen Shea's story

Commercial Banking and Wealth Management – Ottawa, ON

I started my journey with CIBC 28 years ago in an administrative support role, working my way to becoming a Senior Wealth Advisor at CIBC Wood Gundy– a position I’ve held for the past 12 years.

In my career, I’ve worked with mostly men and, in my current team of 30 advisors, I’m one of only four women advisors. The journey hasn’t been easy. Early on, I noticed how difficult it was to break into established groups but I refused to fade into the background. Instead, I made it a point to attend every sales meeting early, securing my seat in the boardroom. I wanted to be seen. I wanted to be heard. I wanted everyone to know, I belonged there.

Challenges have never intimidated me. Fortunately, I had the privilege of working with an advisor who became my mentor for 14 years. He taught me invaluable lessons, but the most important one was understanding my own mission: I wanted to empower women. Too often, I sat in meetings where the financial advisors would direct the conversation toward the husband while the wife was overlooked. I wanted to change that. Women should feel like equal decision-makers when it comes to their financial future.

I was fortunate to have a manager who fully supported me and encouraged my ideas. That’s why International Women’s Day holds such significance for me because empowering women is my passion. With this year’s theme, Accelerate Action, emphasizing the need for swift and decisive steps towards gender equality, I knew exactly how I could contribute.

I created a workshop called For Women, By Women, a space where I could help women better understand their finances and gain confidence in making financial decisions. The need for this became even clearer when I realized that the last four women clients I signed up all shared the same story: they felt ignored or undervalued by their previous advisor. These women weren’t just looking for financial guidance but for someone who would listen, respect their unique perspective, and make them feel like they have a voice in their own financial future.

If there’s one piece of advice I could give younger women, it’s this: Be yourself and go after what you want. Challenges will come, but don’t let that stop you. Take your seat at the table, speak up, and know that you are just as capable as anyone else in the room.

Karen Shea (she/her) is a Senior Wealth Advisor on the Commercial Banking and Wealth Management

For Women, By Women

Karen E. Shea, CIM®, FMA, CIWM

Making People a Priority: My Approach to Wealth Management

Karen Shea's story

Commercial Banking and Wealth Management – Ottawa, ON

CIBC Women’s Circle

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Use link below for Retirement budget calculator:

https://www.cibc.com/en/personal-banking/smart-advice/tools-calculators/retirement-budget-calculator.html