James Vickers, CIM™
I lead the CIBC Private Wealth, Wood Gundy office in Kingston, Ontario. In partnership with the breadth of all of CIBC Private Wealth, we are dedicated to helping the integrated needs of high-net-worth clients.
At Vickers Wealth Advisory Group, we provide custom investment programs, financial planning, estate & tax planning, as well as private banking and insurance solutions to our clients.
I am a Queen’s University graduate, spending time and growing up in Toronto, Ottawa, the U.K, and Bermuda. I am passionate about art, design, photography, as well as vintage cars and boats.
I look forward to working with you.
Rachel Legros
I have been working in the financial industry with CIBC since 2017, and made the move to Private Wealth in 2020. Starting my career in Private Wealth as our Branch Assistant, and quickly obtaining my CSC & CPH to enable me to be industry registered to enter trades. I worked closely with an investment team as a Client Associate, assisting with client care on a daily basis.
Recognizing my strong suit was in administration, training, and compliance, I had the opportunity to take on the role of Branch Administrator in 2022. Dedicated to enhancing my skills and knowledge base, I continue to pursue professional development courses to best serve our office.
In my time off, I enjoy spending a great deal of time outside visiting the local hiking trails and camping during the summer months with my husband Jeremy, son Myles, and dog Jaxx. We are growing our family and will be welcoming our second child March 2025.
Aleksei Rubin
I am currently a Queen’s University student in my final year of studies majoring in applied economics. I spent the summer of 2025 working with a CIBC Wood Gundy advisory group in my hometown of Vancouver, BC, where I helped introduce new prospective clients to the team and showcase the value of personal, dedicated, and trusted advice. As of September 2025 I have joined the Vickers Wealth Advisory Group in Kingston as an Administrative Assistant, where I will provide support to clients with reporting, transfers, record-keeping, consolidating assets, and other general day-to-day workflow. I will also be leading the organization of client service, events, marketing, and business development. My passion and academic background in economics and statistics is a natural segue into a thoughtful understanding of the capital markets and portfolio construction as I complete my industry requirements.
On a personal note I am an outdoors fanatic always eager to find new trails to hike or lakes to swim in, however, my true passion lies in weightlifting as it has been an integral part of my life for the better part of the last decade and is something I have loved for as long as I can remember.
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.
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.
Our partners
We partner with CIBC experts to help address all of your wealth needs.
Colleen Derrick, CFP®, CIM, FMA
Financial Planning Specialist
With over 25 years industry planning experience, Colleen joins us from an independent planning firm where she was a Financial Planner working with high-net-worth clients. Her background includes wealth planning with BMO Wealth Management, financial planning with Educators Financial Group, Financial Consultant with Scotia Private, & Senior Financial Consultant with MD Management. Colleen is passionate about financial planning, with a proven track record of success in delivering financial plans and advanced planning strategies to clients. She is well versed in providing advice, support and direction on complex issues such as retirement planning, tax planning, cash management, estate planning, business succession, & transition planning.
As an accredited professional, Colleen earned her Bachelor of Administration degree at the University of Ottawa. She has earned the Certified Financial Planner (CFP), the Canadian Investment Manager (CIM), & the Financial Management (FMA) designations.
In her spare time, Colleen enjoys raising her two children, with a son active in competitive hockey and a daughter active in horse riding.
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.
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.
Lizanne Ranger, CFP®, RRC, FCSI
Senior Private Banking Advisor
As a Sr. Private Banking Advisor, it is important I understand your values, dreams and goals and to provide you with the financial stewardship to help realize them. I start by understanding your financial goals—whether it's cash and credit management, investments or planning—and develop services customized to your unique needs.
You'll enjoy convenience, flexibility and peace of mind from your CIBC Private Banking team, so you can focus on other things, without worrying about your finances. My associate and I offer highly personalized and proactive attention, along with timely, professional and reactive services.
Susan Wood, CPA, CA
Director and Senior Wealth Strategist
Susan Wood has over 25 years of experience in the financial services industry. Her background includes experience in public practice, investment banking, commercial banking, private banking and financial planning. Working throughout Eastern Canada, she collaborates with advisors, accounting/legal professionals and their affluent clients to provide in depth and customized planning solutions.
In her role as Wealth Strategist, she provides comprehensive financial planning information and recommendations to clients with specific emphasis on tax optimization, will, estate and trust planning.
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.
Colleen Derrick, CFP®, CIM, FMA
With over 25 years industry planning experience, Colleen joins us from an independent planning firm where she was a Financial Planner working with high-net-worth clients. Her background includes wealth planning with BMO Wealth Management, financial planning with Educators Financial Group, Financial Consultant with Scotia Private, & Senior Financial Consultant with MD Management. Colleen is passionate about financial planning, with a proven track record of success in delivering financial plans and advanced planning strategies to clients. She is well versed in providing advice, support and direction on complex issues such as retirement planning, tax planning, cash management, estate planning, business succession, & transition planning.
As an accredited professional, Colleen earned her Bachelor of Administration degree at the University of Ottawa. She has earned the Certified Financial Planner (CFP), the Canadian Investment Manager (CIM), & the Financial Management (FMA) designations.
In her spare time, Colleen enjoys raising her two children, with a son active in competitive hockey and a daughter active in horse riding.
Nigel Newland, B.Comm., CFP
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.
Fred Kyriazis, CPA, CA
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.
Lizanne Ranger, CFP®, RRC, FCSI
As a Sr. Private Banking Advisor, it is important I understand your values, dreams and goals and to provide you with the financial stewardship to help realize them. I start by understanding your financial goals—whether it's cash and credit management, investments or planning—and develop services customized to your unique needs.
You'll enjoy convenience, flexibility and peace of mind from your CIBC Private Banking team, so you can focus on other things, without worrying about your finances. My associate and I offer highly personalized and proactive attention, along with timely, professional and reactive services.
Susan Wood, CPA, CA
Susan Wood has over 25 years of experience in the financial services industry. Her background includes experience in public practice, investment banking, commercial banking, private banking and financial planning. Working throughout Eastern Canada, she collaborates with advisors, accounting/legal professionals and their affluent clients to provide in depth and customized planning solutions.
In her role as Wealth Strategist, she provides comprehensive financial planning information and recommendations to clients with specific emphasis on tax optimization, will, estate and trust planning.
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.