Team Leadership

Our Groups advisory team is comprised of highly experienced and accredited wealth management specialists working together to provide you with a superior wealth advisory experience. Sam ‘s group is backed by an experienced executive management team overseeing the firm’s investment due diligence, operational and compliance needs to best serve our clients.

Advisors Team
Support Team

Sam-El-Chaer — Senior Financial Advisor
Sam El-Chaer B.Comm

rony_abi-aad — Senior Investment Advisor
Rony Abi-Aad

alex_argento — Investment Advisor
Alex Argento B.Comm

Jean-Marie-Bejjani — Investment Advisor
Jean-Marie Bejjani BBA, CIM

david_belair-bergman — Senior Wealth Advisor
David Belair-Bergman CFA

xavier_dupuy-deslières — Associate Financial Advisor
Xavier Dupuy-Deslieres BBA

gerry_gatto — Associate Financial Advisor
Gerry Gatto B.Comm

jihane_el_jaafari — Senior Wealth Advsior
Jihane El Jaafari BBA

jospeh_el-khoury — Investment Advisor
Joseph El-Khoury B. Comm

mehdi_maherzi — Investment Advisor
Mehdi Maherzi B.Sc

philippe_mamane — Wealth Management Advisor
Philippe Mamane B.Comm

jonathan_simeone — Investment Advisor
Jonathan Simoene, B. Comm

joud_thomas — Associate Financial Advisor
Joud Thomas B. Comm-Finance

Senior Financial Advisor

Sam El-Chaer B.Comm

Since joining Assante in 2006 as a senior advisor, Sam has developed a core philosophy centered on taxation, retirement, estate and particularly succession planning.

As founder of the Sam El Chaer Group since 2006 Sam has specialized in customized wealth strategies, life insurance analysis and wealth preservation for professionals, business owners and multi-generational families.

Sam surrounds himself with his team of specialists comprised of tax lawyer, financial planner, insurance, and mortgage specialist as well as a CFA.

These are the components that distinguish the level of his unique perspective of wealth management and the depth of committed service he offers his clients helping them streamline the complexities and capitalize on multi-faceted opportunities.

Email:selchaer@assante.com

Phone:(514) 832-5100

Senior Investment Advisor

Rony Abi-Aad

Investment Advisor

Alex Argento B.Comm

Alex Argento holds a bachelor’s degree in finance from McGill University. Alex joined the group in 2008 where he built a reputation with his analytical abilities coupled with a strong work ethic.

In his current position as a senior advisor in the group, Alex manages business relationships with high-net-worth clients who are entrepreneurs and high level executives seeking tailor made solutions to the evolving complexities of their financial lives. Coming from a family of entrepreneurs has helped Alex gain a keen understanding of the needs of this type of prestigious clientele and allows him to come up with solutions to address them. Alex has also successfully become a key contributor in the mentoring of new financial advisors joining the industry.

Investment Advisor

Jean-Marie Bejjani BBA, CIM

A graduate from HEC-Montreal in the trilingual program, Jean-Marie’s passion for economics and investment led him to Assante in 2010. This starting point was no accident, Assante’s approach to money management, allied with its full-service range of financial services, tax and estate planning made it a natural fit for Jean-Marie.

On an individual level, Jean-Marie is a Chartered Investment Manager® holding both an investment dealer and an insurance dealer license to service his clientele.

Senior Wealth Advisor

David Belair-Bergman CFA

With over 10 years of experience, David understands that advice goes beyond numbers on a page. He and his clients work together to envision and create a path to their financial future. Along the way, he helps them tackle the issues that are most important to them including retirement, risk management, tax planning, protecting their loved ones, and transferring their wealth to the next generation. Working with his team, they provide peace of mind for successful families and business owners so they can focus on the things that matter most to them. David is also a CFA charterholder.

Avec plus de 10 ans d’expérience, David comprend que les conseils doivent représenter plus que des chiffres sur une page. David travail main dans la main avec sa clientèle afin de faire en sorte que le chemin vers leurs avenir financier ait le moins de mauvaises surprises que possible. Convaincu que la planification est un processus continu, David aide ses clients à identifier et résoudre les problèmes les plus importants auquel les ménages et les chefs d’entreprises peuvent faire face. Dans ce processus de planification, il fait en sorte d’intégrer tous les éléments importants qui sont notamment la planification financière, la gestion des risques, la planification fiscale, la protection de leurs proches et le transfert de leur patrimoine à la prochaine génération. En coopération avec son équipe, il offre la tranquillité d’esprit aux familles et aux propriétaires d’entreprises prospères afin qu’ils puissent se concentrer sur ce qui compte le plus pour eux. David est également titulaire du CFA.

Associate Financial Advisor

Xavier Dupuy-Deslieres BBA

A graduate of HEC Montréal with a bachelor’s degree in finance and postgraduate study in financial profession, Xavier joined the team in January 2012. He helps his clients with financial planning & estate planning, portfolio management, risk management and tax optimization.

Diplômé de HEC Montréal avec un baccalauréat en finance et des études de deuxième cycle en profession financière, Xavier a rejoint l’équipe en Janvier 2012. Il aide ses clients au chapitre de la planification financière & successorale, de la gestion de portefeuille, de la gestion de risques et de l’optimisation fiscale.

Associate Financial Advisor

Gerry Gatto B.Comm

A graduate of John Molson School of Business with a Major in Finance, Gerry joined the firm after working as an advisor with a prominent Canadian Bank. He prides himself in offering custom-tailored tax and estate planning strategies for high net worth clients. His deep understanding of financial markets allows him to design personalized investment strategies in order to maximize retirement income while at the same time maintaining tax efficiency.

Gerry is securities licensed and well positioned to make recommendations on investment funds and individual securities such as stocks, bonds and ETFs.

Senior Wealth Advsior

Jihane El Jaafari BBA

A graduate of HEC Montreal with a bachelor’s degree in stock finance and a graduate in Financial Planning, Jihane worked over a decade in the wealth planning arm of two major Canadian banks before joining the El-Chaer group.

Jihane’s emphasis is Retirement Strategies, Investment Management, and Estate Strategies. Her goals are to assist professionals and families in achieving financial independence. Using a defined method, Jihane simplifies the decision-making process for clients.

Investment Advisor

Joseph El-Khoury B. Comm

Avec plus de 10 ans d’expérience dans le domaine, Joseph aide ses clients à atteindre leurs objectifs financiers et de retraite à travers une approche intégrée qui couvre tous les aspects de leur situation financière.

Sa devise en investissements: Le temps ne transformera pas un mauvais investissement en un bon, choisissez judicieusement.

With over 10 years’ experience in the financial industry, Joseph helps Canadian households and business owners achieve their financial and retirement goals through an integrated approach that covers all aspects of their financial situation.

His investment motto: Time will not turn a bad investment into a good one, choose wisely.

Investment Advisor

Mehdi Maherzi B.Sc

Mehdi joined Assante after working with the World Bank and CIBC. His macroeconomic vision and knowledge of the markets are the result of solid training and a heightened awareness that Quebec and Canadian households’ reality is ever evolving.

Strongly convinced that your personal story dictates your financial plan, Mehdi, surrounded by a team of dynamic professionals, is a modern advisor, who can understand your needs and address all your financial concerns.

Wealth Management Advisor

Philippe Mamane B.Comm

Philippe graduated from John Molson School of Business in 2013 with a degree in finance and marketing. Since joining Assante, Philippe has provided wealth management solutions to high-net-worth families, corporations and foundations by helping them manage their risk and minimize their taxes.

Philippe was chosen as one of Assante’s Top 40 under 40 which represents Canada’s top ranked advisors. Philippe is the National Chairman of Young Professionals for Canadian Magen David Adom (the Israeli Red Cross). As well, he sits on the board of the Caisse Beth Yossef, a charitable organization that helps people in the community in times of need and crisis.

Investment Advisor

Jonathan Simoene, B. Comm

A graduate of John Molson School of Business with a Major in Finance, Jonathan is among Montreal’s most dynamic Investment Advisors. He joined Assante 6 years ago after having worked as an analyst in business valuation for Deloitte Canada, and worked as a day trader negotiating future contracts of the S&P TSX and CGB Index.

He has an extensive knowledge of the global financial market mechanics and deep understanding of estate planning and tax efficient strategies. Jonathan has completed his Canadian Securities Course and Wealth Planning Essentials Course, and is currently completing his Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and Chartered Investment Manager (CIM) designations. He is actively involved in the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation.

Jonathan is securities licensed and well positioned to recommend mutual funds and individual securities such as stocks, bonds and ETFs.

Associate Financial Advisor

Joud Thomas B. Comm-Finance

With more than 6 years of experience as an investment advisor with Assante wealth management, Joud and his team work as a family office for his clients, and will help you with your investment management, tax, retirement, and estate planning. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Concordia, JMSB in Finance. Moved to Assante after working with a prominent consultancy firm.

martin_cloutier — Regional Vice President, Wealth Planning
Martin Cloutier LL.B., M. Fisc., TEP

mathieu_kouri — Regional Wealth Planner
Mathieu Kouri CPA, CA, CGA, M. Fisc

francis_latour — Regional Vice President, Wealth Planning
Francis Latour CPA, CA, LL.M. Tax

annick_desmarais — Regional VP, Estate Planning
Annick Desmarais

benoit_henault — MBA, CFA
Benoit Henault CFA

Chloe-Ajamian — Financial Security Advisor
Chloe Ajamian

connie_crooks — Executive Assistant
Connie Crooks

Regional Vice President, Wealth Planning

Martin Cloutier LL.B., M. Fisc., TEP

As Regional Vice-President, Wealth Planning, Martin Cloutier works closely with our high net worth clients to identify issues and provide complex, tactical wealth planning support that complements their wealth plans. Martin has a particular focus on tax and estate planning strategies for business owners, professionals, and other affluent individuals and families. He joined Assante Private Client in 1998 after practicing general, personal and corporate taxation in Montreal with Desjardins Ducharme, a prominent business law firm. In addition, Martin has authored and co-authored articles for the Fiscal and Financial Planning Association, the Canadian Tax Foundation and other associations. His overall professional experience in wealth planning exceeds 20 years. Martin is a lawyer with a Bachelor of Law degree from Laval University. He was called to the Quebec Bar in 1991. He also has a Master’s degree in Taxation from the University of Sherbrooke and the Trust and Estate Practitioner (TEP) designation. He is a member of the Canadian Tax Foundation, the Fiscal and Financial Planning Association and the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners.

With access to a wealth of tools and resources, Assante advisors and their clients are supported by the exceptional investment management team and wealth planning group available through our sister company, CI Investments Inc., and Assante Private Client, a division of CI Private Counsel LP.

Regional Wealth Planner

Mathieu Kouri CPA, CA, CGA, M. Fisc

As a regional Wealth Planner, Mathieu Kouri facilitates the delivery of wealth planning reports. Using a needs-based approach, Mathieu works with our clients to not only gather pertinent financial information, but more importantly, to identify issues and to help our clients articulate and document their goals in order to build a plan that meets their complex needs. Working with the support of the wealth planning team, Mathieu delivers a plan that addresses retirement planning, cash flow management, risk management, business planning and estate planning.

Mathieu became part of Assante Private Client in 2018. Prior to this he was a tax specialist at MNP. As a tax specialist, Mathieu gained extensive experience collaborating on consulting mandates for individuals, trusts, and private companies, focusing mostly on corporate reorganizations and owner managed businesses. Mathieu also worked at Deloitte and KPMG where he primarily focused on small and medium sized enterprise and public corporations in the tax department.

Mathieu is Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) with a master’s degree in Taxation from Sherbrooke University. He is member of the Chartered Professional Accountants of Quebec, the Canadian Tax Foundation and the Association de planification fiscale et financière.

Regional Vice President, Wealth Planning

Francis Latour CPA, CA, LL.M. Tax

Francis joined Assante Private Client in 2016 after working as a senior tax manager in the Montreal office of KPMG Enterprise. He was part of the KPMG Enterprise tax team for five years providing corporate and shareholder income tax planning and advisory services for private companies and their shareholders, with a concertation on high net worth individuals and owner-managed businesses. Francis also spent ten years working for EY’s tax department in Montreal providing tax advice to private corporations and their shareholders. His overall professional experience in wealth planning exceeds 18 years.

Francis is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CA) with a Bachelor of Commerce from McGill University and a Master’s degree in Taxation from Ecole des Hautes Etudes Commericales, Montreal. HE is a member of the Ordre des comptables professionnels agréés du Québec (CPA Order), the association de planification fiscale et financière (APFF) and the Canadian Tax Foundation. He has presented at tax conferences such as the APFF and Canadian Tax Foundation. In addition, he has acted as a group leader for the CICA In-Depth Tax Course.

Regional VP, Estate Planning

Annick Desmarais

Annick brings almost 20 years of experience in the insurance industry, most recently, as a Wholesaler with Canada Life in the Montreal Region. Annick also brings experience as a Sales Manager and an Insurance Wholesaler within a Financial Advisory Practice, coaching and supporting financial planning professionals with their insurance business. Annick is fully bilingual and is an experienced resource who can help build your insurance business, provide advanced case consultation, and provide leadership for AEIS in Quebec.

Annick Desmarais possède près de 20 ans d’expérience dans le secteur de l’assurance, plus récemment, à titre de grossiste auprès de Canada-Vie, dans la région de Montréal. Elle a également été directrice des ventes, puis grossiste en assurance auprès d’un cabinet de services consultatifs financiers, accompagnant et prêtant ainsi assistance à des professionnels en planification financière, notamment en matière d’assurance. Annick est parfaitement bilingue et possède l’expérience pour aider à faire croître vos activités d’assurance, fournir des services de consultation pour les affaires plus complexes et assurer la direction générale des SSAA au Québec.

MBA, CFA

Benoit Henault CFA

Prior to joining Assante, Benoit held the role of trader at National Bank Financial and W.D. Latimer Group.

Benoit holds the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation from the CFA Institute and a master’s in business administration (MBA) from the Goodman Institute of Investment Management of the John Molson School of Business (Concordia University).

Financial Security Advisor

Chloe Ajamian

Chloe joined the Sam El-Chaer Group in 2015 where she works closely with clients to create personalized wealth planning strategies that support their goals and objectives.

She earned her bachelor’s degree in economics at Concordia University. She holds the financial planner designation in Quebec (F.Pl.).

She also holds the Financial Security Advisor designation and is fully licensed with the Canadian Securities Institute.

Executive Assistant

Connie Crooks

After 2 years as a GIC specialist/Receptionist at Rothenberg and Rothenberg, she decided she needed a more dynamic environment with more responsibility. As an Administrative Assistant for Sam ELChaer at Sam ElChaer Group, it is more about the clients who she come in contact with daily and ensuring they receive the exceptional care and service they deserve each and every day.