Sean Messing, B.Sc., CIM
Senior Wealth Advisor
Senior Portfolio Manager
Sean Messing is a distinguished alumnus of the University of British Columbia, holding a B.Sc. He embarked on his illustrious career with CIBC Wood Gundy in 1995, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to wealth management excellence. As a Chartered Investment Manager (CIM®), Sean possesses a wealth of expertise in navigating both prosperous and challenging market climates alongside his esteemed team of advisors.
Driven by a profound passion for his vocation, Sean remains deeply dedicated to each individual he has the privilege to serve. Recognizing the unique trajectory of every client's "Family Life Cycle," he considers it a privilege to accompany them on their financial journey, leveraging his extensive knowledge to help them achieve their aspirations and attain peace of mind.
Beyond his professional endeavors, Sean treasures quality time spent with his family. He also finds fulfillment in pursuits such as marathon running, cross-country skiing, and actively engaging in community service initiatives.
Colin Ross, CIM
Senior Wealth Advisor
Senior Portfolio Manager
Colin believes that meticulous financial planning serves as a cornerstone for achieving success in investment endeavors and overall financial autonomy. As a seasoned Chartered Investment Manager (CIM®) with over thirty years of dedicated service exclusively at CIBC, Colin brings a wealth of experience, unwavering discretion, and a proven track record in advancing client objectives.
Throughout his extensive tenure in wealth management, Colin has developed an acute understanding of the unique requirements of a discerning clientele. His expertise spans various dimensions of substantial wealth management, encompassing bespoke portfolio construction, legacy planning, pre-liquidity event strategizing, concentrated stock management, next-generation stewardship, and tailored lending solutions facilitated through CIBC. Colin adopts a constructive, forward-looking investment outlook aimed at empowering investors to secure predictable retirement income, safeguard capital, and realize their financial aspirations. Central to Colin's approach is his team's collective commitment to delivering exceptional value to the families they serve. Leveraging their combined expertise, they strive to synergize efforts and achieve excellence in meeting client needs effectively.
Beyond his professional pursuits, Colin holds dear to his heart his family, fitness regimen, musical passion for the bagpipes, and voracious appetite for historical literature. He maintains that understanding the trajectory of history illuminates the path to a promising future.
Aki Sarkar, B.Sc., MBA
Investment Advisor
Originally from Delhi, Aki finished his undergraduate degree in Oxford before moving to British Columbia where he completed his MBA. Aki previously worked with the banking side of CIBC, with a focus on lending and investment planning.
Aki loves to travel, try new cultures and food in his free time.
Stacie Weir
Client Associate
Stacie has over 28 years’ experience in the financial industry. She is registered to assist clients with their securities trading. As a Client Associate, she is committed and responsible for servicing our clients at the highest level. She approaches all client requests in a professional, diligent, and efficient manner.
Stacie enjoys the outdoors, camping and cherishes time spent with her husband and their four children.
Cathleen OuYang
Client Associate
Client satisfaction is very important to Cathleen and is her main drive on how she starts her day. Cathleen is committed to lifelong learning in the industry and strives to assist our clients with highest level of care.
Cathleen enjoys the outdoors spending time walking with her husband and son, while chatting about their life journey, doesn’t matter snow, rain, or shine.
Bak Yusuf
Client Associate
Bak is one of the Messing Ross Advisory Group Client Associates. His background in Economics and Finance coupled with his experience in the investment industry is brought to the forefront as he endeavors to deliver a seamless client experience. He is registered professional who is responsible for executing trades, tax reporting, and account administration and maintenance.
In his spare time Bak enjoys traveling and spending time with family.
Nikki Chau
Client Associate
Nikki has been with CIBC for 8 years. She is registered to assist clients with their securities trading. As a Client Associate, she focuses on each client's experience and connects on a personal level to make every interaction meaningful.
Nikki enjoys the outdoors and relaxing by the fireplace with a cup of hot chocolate.
Sean Messing, B.Sc., CIM
Sean Messing is a distinguished alumnus of the University of British Columbia, holding a B.Sc. He embarked on his illustrious career with CIBC Wood Gundy in 1995, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to wealth management excellence. As a Chartered Investment Manager (CIM®), Sean possesses a wealth of expertise in navigating both prosperous and challenging market climates alongside his esteemed team of advisors.
Driven by a profound passion for his vocation, Sean remains deeply dedicated to each individual he has the privilege to serve. Recognizing the unique trajectory of every client's "Family Life Cycle," he considers it a privilege to accompany them on their financial journey, leveraging his extensive knowledge to help them achieve their aspirations and attain peace of mind.
Beyond his professional endeavors, Sean treasures quality time spent with his family. He also finds fulfillment in pursuits such as marathon running, cross-country skiing, and actively engaging in community service initiatives.
Colin Ross, CIM
Colin believes that meticulous financial planning serves as a cornerstone for achieving success in investment endeavors and overall financial autonomy. As a seasoned Chartered Investment Manager (CIM®) with over thirty years of dedicated service exclusively at CIBC, Colin brings a wealth of experience, unwavering discretion, and a proven track record in advancing client objectives.
Throughout his extensive tenure in wealth management, Colin has developed an acute understanding of the unique requirements of a discerning clientele. His expertise spans various dimensions of substantial wealth management, encompassing bespoke portfolio construction, legacy planning, pre-liquidity event strategizing, concentrated stock management, next-generation stewardship, and tailored lending solutions facilitated through CIBC. Colin adopts a constructive, forward-looking investment outlook aimed at empowering investors to secure predictable retirement income, safeguard capital, and realize their financial aspirations. Central to Colin's approach is his team's collective commitment to delivering exceptional value to the families they serve. Leveraging their combined expertise, they strive to synergize efforts and achieve excellence in meeting client needs effectively.
Beyond his professional pursuits, Colin holds dear to his heart his family, fitness regimen, musical passion for the bagpipes, and voracious appetite for historical literature. He maintains that understanding the trajectory of history illuminates the path to a promising future.
Aki Sarkar, B.Sc., MBA
Originally from Delhi, Aki finished his undergraduate degree in Oxford before moving to British Columbia where he completed his MBA. Aki previously worked with the banking side of CIBC, with a focus on lending and investment planning.
Aki loves to travel, try new cultures and food in his free time.
Lucio Riccio, CFP, RRC, B.B.A.
Senior Wealth Strategist
Lucio works with high net worth and ultra-high net worth families to establish a roadmap for their future financial success. Lucio has the ability to assemble a multi-disciplined team to develop innovative domestic and global solutions for our clients’ personal and business needs. Some of these solutions include banking, investing, estate and trust planning, tax minimization, education, business valuation, sale of a business and charitable giving.
Lucio has been in the financial services industry since 1994, holding senior positions with leading Canadian insurance, banking, investment and multi-family office firms.
Ryan Romanko, CFP, CLU
Estate Planning Specialist
Ryan has extensive insurance and estate planning expertise gained through nearly a decade of service to affluent clients. He and his team provide advice on insurance and wealth management strategies and services to select clients. By establishing trusted relationships Ryan serves our clients effectively, working in collaboration with other professional advisors to develop customized strategies that address our clients aims and hopes. Ryan has attained the Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) and the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designations, which demonstrate his ongoing commitment to education in order to better serve our clients.
Laurie Johnston, B.Comm., PFP, MTI
Senior Trust and Estate Consultant
Laurie's goal is to provide you and your family with confidence and peace of mind. She and her team offer 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. Laurie and her team have the expertise to execute or assist others in efficiently executing that role. Laurie has been in the financial services industry since 1999 and with CIBC since 2012.
Kristina Weenink, B.Comm.
Private Banking Advisor
Kristina cares about her clients and is passionate about helping them achieve their financial goals. Once she understands her clients’ goals, she engages colleagues from across the CIBC Group of Companies to develop financial solutions and recommendations to best position their financial resources for today and the future. Her clients enjoy convenience, flexibility and peace of mind from their CIBC Private Banking team, so they can get on with living their life, without worrying about their finances.
Julia Garner, CFP®, CLU
Estate Planning Specialist
Julia Garner is an Estate Planning Specialist with CIBC Wood Gundy. She began her career in insurance 10 years ago with a focus on values-based risk management, helping individuals, families, and businesses protect what is most important to them. Julia is an expert in facilitating conversations around successful wealth transition, business succession and financial security.
Julia graduated from the University of Western Ontario with a major in Finance. She is committed to constantly learning and evolving in advisory services. Julia is a Certified Financial Planner® and Chartered Life Underwriter®. She is experienced in the family enterprise space, having facilitated family meetings, and completed level 1 of the Family Enterprise Advisor (FEA) designation.
Julia and her husband, Mathieu, enjoy spending time in the mountains, travelling, and cooking.
Amun Whig, B.Comm., CA
Managing Director, CIBC Mid-Market Investment Banking
Managing Director, Mid-Market Investment Banking
Amun’s experience includes numerous successful divestures, management-led buyouts, public and private financings and acquisition transactions in a variety of industries, including: energy services, telecommunications, aerospace, transportation, contract manufacturing, business services, consumer products and food.
Amun's investment banking experience goes back to 2004. He has spent the last 15 years specializing in private company, mid-market M&A and corporate finance transactions.
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.
Lucio Riccio, CFP, RRC, B.B.A.
Lucio works with high net worth and ultra-high net worth families to establish a roadmap for their future financial success. Lucio has the ability to assemble a multi-disciplined team to develop innovative domestic and global solutions for our clients’ personal and business needs. Some of these solutions include banking, investing, estate and trust planning, tax minimization, education, business valuation, sale of a business and charitable giving.
Lucio has been in the financial services industry since 1994, holding senior positions with leading Canadian insurance, banking, investment and multi-family office firms.
Ryan Romanko, CFP, CLU
Ryan has extensive insurance and estate planning expertise gained through nearly a decade of service to affluent clients. He and his team provide advice on insurance and wealth management strategies and services to select clients. By establishing trusted relationships Ryan serves our clients effectively, working in collaboration with other professional advisors to develop customized strategies that address our clients aims and hopes. Ryan has attained the Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) and the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designations, which demonstrate his ongoing commitment to education in order to better serve our clients.
Laurie Johnston, B.Comm., PFP, MTI
Laurie's goal is to provide you and your family with confidence and peace of mind. She and her team offer 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. Laurie and her team have the expertise to execute or assist others in efficiently executing that role. Laurie has been in the financial services industry since 1999 and with CIBC since 2012.