Lisa Applegath, CIM®
Lisa started in her business to help manage money, but she quickly realized that her purpose was helping people, and really truly this is what the Applegath Group does. Lisa helps people create a vision for themselves to follow their dreams. She likes to say that she designs a life path for her clients and then she walks it...right beside them.
She founded the Applegath Group and continues to be recognized in many of the country’s leading media channels.
Today, Lisa has achieved the CIM designation, and is a Senior Wealth Advisor and Portfolio Manager.
READ MORE about Lisa...
Tom Trimble, CIM, CIMA
As a Portfolio Manager, I specialize in synthesizing large volumes of data and conducting deep research to uncover the relationships between complex variables. This analytical approach enables a comprehensive understanding of context, which is essential for sound decision-making.
Achieving optimal outcomes requires viewing the full picture. By integrating insights from across the Life Wheel, I support better decision-making through strategic asset allocation, the evaluation of new investment opportunities, and the ongoing balancing of portfolios.
This pursuit of clarity and performance extends beyond investment strategy. The intersection of design and functionality—whether in financial instruments or engineered systems—is a consistent source of professional inspiration. Performance, precision, and focus are the underlying principles that guide my approach.
Whether managing high-stakes investment decisions or contributing to a collaborative team environment, the goal remains the same: deliver consistent, high-performance results rooted in context and insight.
READ MORE about Tom...
Matt Hennebury
With an economics degree from Western University, Matt began his career as a stock and options trader at a major U.S firm. However, witnessing the challenges investors faced in self-directed brokerages—where he was unable to guide them—became a turning point. He realized that true success in wealth management goes beyond numbers; it’s about helping people navigate financial decisions, family relationships, and their long-term goals with confidence.
For over a decade, Matt has been a Wealth Advisor with The Applegath Group, where he takes pride in being part of a team that prioritizes people, not just portfolios.
By fostering long-term relationships built on trust and tailored advice, Matt helps individuals and families make informed financial choices that align with their values, aspirations, and legacies. His mission is to provide clarity and peace of mind in an increasingly complex financial landscape, empowering clients to achieve their goals with confidence.
READ MORE about Matt
Carter Whitehead
Carter brings over 12 years of expertise and leadership in Wealth Management, including key roles at CIBC Wood Gundy and Deloitte, where he consulted with several Canadian financial institutions. It wasn’t long after his start at Deloitte, that senior leadership at Wood Gundy recognized his expertise, leading him to join CIBC to contribute to their strategic planning efforts. Over four years at head office, Carter played a key role in developing a strategic growth plan for CIBC Wood Gundy, CIBC Trust, and Private Banking, as well as advancing a high net worth asset management platform. He has shaped strategic initiatives in private wealth, making him a standout among his peers.
Carter obtained his Bachelor of Commerce from the Queens School of Business and his MBA from the Richard Ivey School of Business where he was both class President and Valedictorian.
READ MORE about Carter
Maddie Tanzola
Maddie joins The Applegath Group after completing the CIBC Private Wealth Management Rotational Program, where she gained broad experience across National Office, Private Banking, and Wood Gundy.
She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Applied Economics and a Certificate in Business from Queen’s University and is currently pursuing her Chartered Investment Manager (CIM®) designation. With a strong analytical foundation and a creative mindset, Maddie brings a thoughtful, strategic approach to problem-solving.
As a key part of our team, she supports client reporting, tax reporting, trading, system administration, and serves as Junior Client Relationship Manager.
READ MORE about Maddie
STUART PULKINEN
With over 10 years of experience in finance and wealth management, Stuart brings a wealth of knowledge to The Applegath Group.
He holds a Bachelor’s degree in finance from Adelphi University in New York and has earned the Chartered Investment Manager (CIM) designation.
Before joining CIBC, Stuart spent five years at another leading financial institution. His early career also includes time as an analyst at a market-neutral hedge fund in Toronto, focusing on equity research.
Stuart specializes in portfolio management, asset allocation, and fund manager research, playing an essential role in helping us deliver tailored investment solutions for our clients. His experience in creating customized portfolios across a range of asset classes has enabled him to develop a sharp insight into market trends and a disciplined, strategic approach to asset allocation.
READ MORE about Stu
Susy Fossati
Susy brings over 20 years of experience in marketing, event planning, and client service to TAG, where she has been a key team member since 2000. Her long-standing collaboration with Lisa and Tom spans more than 25 years, contributing to a deeply refined approach to client experience.
Known for her poise, Susy ensures every aspect of the client journey is thoughtful and polished—from events and meetings to digital strategy and communication. Her education in fine art, luxury event planning, and etiquette, including training at the Institute Villa Pierrefeu in Switzerland, gives her a unique perspective on creating meaningful, elegant experiences.
At TAG, she leads client services including marketing, events, communication, appointment coordination, and high-touch support..
READ MORE about Susy...
Mara Draper
Mara has been a committed professional in the industry since 2013 and is currently advancing her skills through additional industry courses. She holds a diploma in Medical Administration from Metro College of Technology and completed a continuing education program in Administration with the Toronto District School Board.
As our team’s administrator, Mara ensures smooth daily operations with precision and care. Her attention to detail
and dedication to service play a key role in delivering a seamless client experience.
She supports clients with withdrawals, deposits, annual contributions, statements, tax documents, and general account updates.
READ MORE about Mara...
Nicholas Sarjeant, CFA
Nick evaluates potential investment opportunities and provides ongoing portfolio management advice to the branch by leading weekly investment meetings for the discretionary investment portfolios. In pursuit of superior risk-adjusted portfolio performance, Nicholas spends time deeply analyzing fundamental and statistical trends.
Nicholas earned a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) from Queen's University with a specialization in finance and holds the Chartered Financial Analyst designation. He is also a registered representative of CIRO and has completed a number of Canadian Securities Institute courses including the Technical Analysis Course, Canadian Securities Course, and the Conduct of Practices Handbook.
Our partners
We partner with CIBC experts to help address all of your wealth needs.
Jim Stevenson
Estate Planning Specialist
Jim has supported wealth advisors and their clients for close to 30 years, helping thousands of high-net-worth families better plan their estates with straightforward advice.
An expert in Canadian life insurance strategies, Jim helps clients develop a robust estate plan, providing guidance on deferring and/or funding tax liabilities and tax-sheltered insurance to provide immediate liquidity, ensuring family assets remain in the family. He helps families navigate complex value and ownership situations including managing the division of non-liquid assets, such as a private business, family farm or cottage.
Jim also ensures that families take into account philanthropic goals and consider all possible insurance strategies to preserve wealth for future generations.
Nunzio Rucchetta
Estate Planning Specialist
Nunzio believes that a solid estate plan is a key component to a comprehensive financial plan. With over years 20 experience Nunzio assists Investment Advisors and clients with the analysis of estate and insurance needs. He works with our clients to help ensure they reach their underlying goals of maximizing their wealth from a tax perspective, building a comfortable retirement and creating a legacy for future generations.
Elaine Liao, CFP, CLU, CFA
Wealth Strategist
Elaine obtained extensive experience in wealth planning for high-net-worth and ultra-net-worth clients through various roles in some of the largest financial institutions.
As a Wealth Strategist, Elaine takes an in-depth approach guiding clients through our integrated wealth planning process with thoughtful consideration of each client and their family’s unique financial situation and their long-term goals for the future.
Elaine collaborates with internal and external teams of specialists to develop a customized wealth plan that is comprehensive and forward-looking to help each client and their family achieve their financial success, as they define it, and further to the stewardship of their family wealth and legacy. Elaine also holds an MBA degree and speaks Mandarin and Cantonese.
- Certified Financial Planner (CFP®)
- Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU®)
- Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)
Alison Pang, MTI
Senior Trust and Estate Consultant
As a Senior Trust and Estate Consultant, my goal is to provide you and your family with confidence and peace of mind regarding your estate plan. For complex estate and trust issues, I draw on the expertise of my CIBC partners, recommend external professionals and act as an objective third-party to help develop solutions. Administering an estate, trust or acting as an attorney for property is time consuming and requires a knowledge of many different areas.
My team and I have the expertise to execute, or assist others with the execution of those roles effectively and efficiently, thereby relieving the burden of the administration from those appointed and allowing them to focus on what matters most.
Jim Stevenson
Jim has supported wealth advisors and their clients for close to 30 years, helping thousands of high-net-worth families better plan their estates with straightforward advice.
An expert in Canadian life insurance strategies, Jim helps clients develop a robust estate plan, providing guidance on deferring and/or funding tax liabilities and tax-sheltered insurance to provide immediate liquidity, ensuring family assets remain in the family. He helps families navigate complex value and ownership situations including managing the division of non-liquid assets, such as a private business, family farm or cottage.
Jim also ensures that families take into account philanthropic goals and consider all possible insurance strategies to preserve wealth for future generations.
Nunzio Rucchetta
Nunzio believes that a solid estate plan is a key component to a comprehensive financial plan. With over years 20 experience Nunzio assists Investment Advisors and clients with the analysis of estate and insurance needs. He works with our clients to help ensure they reach their underlying goals of maximizing their wealth from a tax perspective, building a comfortable retirement and creating a legacy for future generations.
Elaine Liao, CFP, CLU, CFA
Elaine obtained extensive experience in wealth planning for high-net-worth and ultra-net-worth clients through various roles in some of the largest financial institutions.
As a Wealth Strategist, Elaine takes an in-depth approach guiding clients through our integrated wealth planning process with thoughtful consideration of each client and their family’s unique financial situation and their long-term goals for the future.
Elaine collaborates with internal and external teams of specialists to develop a customized wealth plan that is comprehensive and forward-looking to help each client and their family achieve their financial success, as they define it, and further to the stewardship of their family wealth and legacy. Elaine also holds an MBA degree and speaks Mandarin and Cantonese.
- Certified Financial Planner (CFP®)
- Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU®)
- Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)