Search for 2016 Distinguished Advisor Conference (DAC) Young Advisors Award Winners Begins Now

Keeley Simpson of Rorabeck Wealth Advisory Group, BMO Nesbitt Burns, and Brandon Silbermann, a financial advisor at Manulife Securities Investment Services Inc and Don Stockman Financial Services Ltd, were awarded prestigious plaques in commemoration of their selection as the two inaugural winners of the Distinguished Advisor Conference (DAC) Young Advisors Award.

Keeley and Brandon each received a scholarship to the Distinguished Advisor Conference, which was held November 8-11, 2015. Keeley and Brandon also participated in a lively panel discussion on stage at the event, offering thought leadership on the future of their industry from the perspective of the Millennial Advisor; speaking with poise and passion to the audience of over 150 delegates from across Canada. This session provided an opportunity for national recognition of their profile and leadership.

“Manulife believes in the value of advice,” said Catherine Milum, Head of Wealth Sales, Retail Markets, Manulife. “That’s why we support organizations such as Knowledge Bureau and their Distinguished Advisor Conference, that provide a forum for advisors to increase their knowledge base, deepen their understanding of industry best practices and provide Canadians with sound financial advice. It's also why we sponsor the DAC YOUNG ADVISORS AWARD, to encourage the next generation of advisors to pursue excellence in the field. Congratulations to this year's winners."

“Knowledge Bureau is pleased to recognize outstanding potential through the DAC Young Advisors Award together with Manulife, Title Sponsor of DAC. We firmly believe that today’s outstanding young advisors are tomorrow’s great leaders.  We are pleased to provide an opportunity to recognize their accomplishments, celebrate their aspirations, and foster leadership development opportunities.  This Award champions our industry’s young leaders and contributes to the building of a nationwide strategy for the success of young advisors and their firms,” said Evelyn Jacks, President, Knowledge Bureau.

Application forms for the 2016 DAC Young Advisors Award are now being accepted from young advisors, their clients, employers or mentors and can be found on the Knowledge Bureau Website at the Conference Tab at www.knowledgebureau.com. The application process will close on May 31st and selection will be announced on June 15, 2016. The 2016 DAC will be held in San Diego, CA November 6-9, 2016. This years’ theme is SOAR HIGHER: Plan for your Greater Potential. 

About the DAC Young Advisors Award: The award recognizes outstanding young advisors who have excelled in the following areas:

1. KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:  outstanding service satisfaction in managing family wealth.
2. REFERRABILITY:  demonstrated excellence in exceeding expectations in providing services.
3. INDUSTRY COLLABORATION:  a commitment to an inter-advisory approach to services.
4. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT:  excellence in breadth of professional development activities.
5. COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP:  participation in leadership at work and/or in the community.
6. BUSINESS LEADERSHIP:  demonstrated skills in working with a team to grow the practice.  
7. INNOVATION: “out of the box” thinking in practice management and client base development.
8. BUSINESS GROWTH AND RETENTION:  demonstrated business growth and retention rates.

Young advisors may apply by providing a completed application form, CV and written synopsis of their achievements to DAC Young Advisors Award before May 31, 2016.  Applications are available on the DAC web site.

Our 2015 DAC Young Advisors Award Winners:

About Keeley Simpson 

Keeley Simpson joined BMO Nesbitt Burns in 2007. She is a native Montrealer and graduated from McGill University in Finance & Accounting with a Bachelors of Commerce. She received her Wealth Advisor designation in 2014.  She specializes in working with professional women and delivers educational seminars to women investors at various associations and companies. She has been an annual speaker since 2009 for the McGill Women’s Alumnae Association in Montreal – Planning for Success: An Investor Education Program for Women Investors.  She has also been an annual speaker since 2012 for the McGill Alumni Toronto Chapter – The New Realities of Retirement.  As part of her commitment to the community, she is a volunteer at a few different organizations including the McGill Women's Alumnae Association, Action Against Hunger Canada and the Crohn's Colitis Foundation of Canada. Outside of the office, Keeley likes golfing, tennis & running.

About Brandon Silbermann

A Graduate of the University of Ottawa’s Telfer School of Management with an Honours Bachelors of Commerce in Finance, Brandon started his career at Don Stockman Financial Services Ltd. and Manulife Securities Investment Services Inc. in 2010 where he gained knowledge and insight into the financial planning industry. Hired through his University’s co-operative education program, he developed an in-depth knowledge of insurance solutions and the operations side of the firm. Succeeding co-op terms introduced Brandon to investment analysis and financial plan design. Upon graduating with distinction in 2012, Brandon joined Stockman Financial Services as an associate advisor. Currently pursuing his CFP designation, he looks to add value to young business owners in select industries that have formed the cornerstone of the firm’s client base for over 30 years. The firm’s familiarity with the issues and opportunities in agriculture, construction, and the skilled trades help give tailored advice.  Outside of the firm, Brandon enjoys sharing insights about entrepreneurship and business ownership with university students. An active member of the Greater Kitchener – Waterloo Chamber of Commerce, he recognizes that the future of Canadian business depends on the development of young entrepreneurs.

ABOUT MANULIFE

Manulife Financial Corporation is a leading international financial services group providing forward-thinking solutions to help people with their big financial decisions.  We operate as John Hancock in the United States, and Manulife elsewhere.  We provide financial advice, insurance and wealth and asset management solutions for individuals, groups and institutions.  At the end of 2014, we had 28,000 employees, 58,000 agents, and thousands of distribution partners, serving 20 million customers.  At the end of September 2015, we had $888 billion (US$663 billion) in assets under management and administration, and in the previous 12 months we made more than $23 billion in benefits, interest and other payments to our customers.  Our principal operations are in Asia, Canada and the United States where we have served customers for more than 100 years.  With our global headquarters in Toronto, Canada, we trade as ‘MFC’ on the Toronto, New York, and the Philippine stock exchanges and under ‘945’ in Hong Kong.  Follow Manulife on Twitter @ManulifeNews or visit www.manulife.com or www.johnhancock.com.

ABOUT KNOWLEDGE BUREAU

Knowledge Bureau™ is Canada's leading national educational institute for continuing professional development in the tax and financial services.  It is focused on providing the knowledge, skills and confidence practitioners need to navigate the rapidly changing tax and economic environment their clients face in building sustainable wealth. Its network of graduates in certificate courses, diploma and designation programs spans to thousands across Canada.  For more information see https://www.knowledgebureau.com/index.php/about-us/.

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