Jean-François Démoré

Founder, Managing Partner, Chief Investment Officer
CIM, CFP, MBA, H.B. CCS

After earning an Honours Bachelor’s degree in Commerce and Computer Science (HBCCS), J-F began his career in the financial services industry in 2005. Under the mentorship of a successful advisor, he learned the importance of preserving capital in down-markets and factoring taxes into all investment decisions.

In an attempt to better understand the markets following the 2008 financial crisis, J-F completed a Master's in Business Administration degree authoring a thesis on Tactical Asset Allocation in 2010. Recognizing his achievements, he was offered a teaching position at Laurentian University where he lectured in 2011. Furthering his education, he completed the Canadian Insurance Course in 2011 and earned his Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designation in 2012, the industry’s gold standard in financial competence, knowledge and professionalism.

It was at this time that Innova Wealth was born. With the goal of providing comprehensive advice on all financial matters, J-F broadened the service offerings to include retirement planning, income tax preparation, mortgages and insurance. A true believer in 360 degree financial advice, all the pieces were now in place for the business to grow.

As the investment needs of his clients grew in complexity, J-F responded by transitioning the business to include full-service securities management and became a Chartered Investment Manager (CIM) in 2016. That same year, he published his first book 'Divide & Conquer' a financial blueprint for entrepreneurs.

J-F now serves as Chief Investment Officer at Innova, helping to oversee more than $300 million in investable assets.

An avid traveler, he has backpacked to more than 30 countries.  He loves to learn more about the world and share his experiences. He published several travel columns as the 'Northern Nomad' for a local newspaper.

He is equally passionate about his community, serving on multiple boards and chairing the Golf Marathon Sudbury, which has raised more than $250,000 to the benefit of charities benefitting underprivileged youth.

Cliff B. Richardson

Partner, Insurance and Advanced Planning Lead
CIM, CFP, H.B. Comm

Helping clients achieve their financial peace of mind and simplify their already complex lives are just a few of Cliff’s passions.

A lifelong native of Sudbury, ON, for the past over decade Cliff has been advising clients on a wide spectrum of financial issues and strategies. Since 2008 he has held the sought-after Certified Financial Planner designation, the industry’s gold standard in financial competence, knowledge and professionalism. He also holds the Chartered Investment Manager designation which allows him the rare distinction of acting as both a registered Portfolio Manager but also as a true fiduciary of his clients’ best interests.

A specialist in tax effective debt repayment, wealth accumulation, and insurance strategies, Cliff works primarily with affluent business owners, professionals, and families helping their money work harder for them. When not working with clients, Cliff can be found either spending time with his wife and children, enjoying a round of golf or game of tennis with friends, or volunteering in his community.

Portfolio Manager - Innova Wealth Management of ACPI.

Allain Labelle

Partner, Trust & Estate Practitioner
CFP, CHS, CLU, TEP

Allain also believes in giving back to his profession and his community.  A former President of the local chapter of Advocis, he still sits on the executive acting as program chair and teaches a Tax Course for those hoping to obtain the coveted Certified Financial Planners (CFP) designation.  Within his community, he is known as a generous donors and tireless fundraiser.  Along with acting as the former President of the Club Richelieu of Sudbury, he has been a proud supporter of the Sudbury Hospice and NEO Kids while being recognized as the ‘Top Walker’ at the 2018 ‘Coldest Night of the Year’ fundraiser.

On a personal level, he enjoys downhill skiing, travel and spending time with his daughters and granddaughters.

Kelly Dussiaume

Account Management Specialist
HBA, BA, Technical Writing

Following her graduation from McMaster University in 2008, Kelly gained experience in Accounts Payable and Receivable while working in the Toronto area. Since then, she broadened her skill-set with a Certificate in Technical Communication to accompany her background in Bookkeeping and Accounting.

After returning to Sudbury, Kelly joined the Innova Wealth team where she enjoys using her strong math skills and love of numbers. Most recently, Kelly completed the Canadian Securities Courses and is pleased to share her increased expertise with our clients.

Kelly enjoys the dynamic environment of Innova Wealth and being part of the close-knit family of colleagues and clients. She is responsible for all investment client support in French and English.

Chantal Romain

Administrative Support
BSc. ND

Having completed her Bachelor of Sciences and studies in Naturopathic Medicine, Chantal is a licensed Naturopathic Doctor with ample experience as an entrepreneur in the medical field. As a business owner, she acquired organizational skills as well as bookkeeping and income tax knowledge. In addition, she has over a decade of experience working with financial firms in an administrative role, half of which has been spent within Innova Wealth Partners.

Chantal continues to provide administrative support on an on-going basis while also practicing naturopathic medicine with clients out of a local clinic based in Sudbury.

Laura Schmidt

BA, B.Ed, CPA Candidate

Laura graduated with Summa Cum Laude honours from the University of Ottawa with a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Education, and holds post-graduate university certificates in Financial Accounting and Management Accounting from the University of Toronto. A lifelong learner, she is currently a candidate in the CPA Professional Education Program to obtain her Chartered Professional Accountant designation, where she specializes in taxation and finance.

Her career experience has encompassed various accounting and administrative roles, including as a group accountant, where she gained further knowledge through detailed analyses and financial reporting, intercompany transactions and foreign currency transactions; and as the director of a local private college, where she dipped her toes into operational management, budgeting, and oversight of revenue, operational and capital expenditures.

Having lived across the country from the Badlands of Alberta to the Gatineau hills of Quebec, Laura is a lover of the outdoors, and outside of the office she can be found enjoying all of Sudbury’s magnificent green space with her daughter. She is also an avid rock and ice climber, travelling as far as Nevada and Bermuda to climb, and is honoured to have been a part of numerous press and public speaking engagements related to rock climbing, corporate wellness, and cultivating the balance in your life to pursue your passions.

Laura joined the Innova Wealth family in November of 2019, and is thrilled to bring her current expertise to the table while continuing her CPA education and pursuing ongoing professional development opportunities in tax, financial planning, and trust and estate administration.

Tanya Edwards

Mortgage & Lending Specialist, Group Plan Administrator
Mortgage Agent, Business Administration Diploma

After completing the Business Administration Program at Georgian College in 1996, Tanya began her career in the financial services industry. Her experience in Mutual Funds and Life Insurance enables her to efficiently execute and troubleshoot the complex issues often associated with our business. Tanya joined our team bringing with her a wealth of knowledge that she gained working with Matt Houghton at WealthLogix. 

In 2015, Tanya completed her mortgage license with the Independent Mortgage Broker Association. A few years later, she went on to complete her Canadian Security Courses. Tanya enjoys working closely with clients and assisting them in finding the very best lending solutions for their needs.  A long time employee of Innova Wealth, she now works in conjunction with the team as an independent mortgage broker.

Brandon Beeson

Associate Advisor
CIM, B. Sc

Having spent more than a decade in the Financial industry, Brandon has built his expertise around helping people make decisions that go beyond the numbers. His wide array of experience, including a designation as a Chartered Investment Manager (CIM), helps him to make sure that no part of your plan goes without the attention that it deserves.

In the early stages of his career at a large brokerage firm, he assisted multi-million dollar institutional clients like municipalities and endowments to manage their assets. As his clientele grew to include incorporated professionals, his skill-set also evolved to include specialized tax and estate planning strategies for these professionals and business owners alike. Whether your goals are to get more out of your pension dollars, or to transfer your wealth to the next generation tax-effectively, Brandon has the skills and experience to help you to take complicated decisions and break them down to solutions you can understand.

When he’s not helping clients, Brandon is an active volunteer in the community having served in leadership roles for many local organizations and was honoured as one of Subdury’s “Top Forty Under 40”in 2013. A proud father, you can usually find him involved in their sports and activities, or out on the water enjoying what Northern Ontario has to offer.

Calvin Henderson

HBA, CFA Candidate
Investment Analyst

Entering the investment industry with an unconventional background, Calvin has developed multidisciplinary approaches to investment research and analysis that add new depth to Innova’s wealth management process. Calvin co-founded an angel-backed tech startup while pursuing his undergraduate degree. He was the lead author of several United States and international utility patent applications and his company was honored at the 2017 Crunchies Awards in San Francisco as one of ten highlight startups launched at TechCrunch Disrupt 2016. He has developed deep academic backgrounds in both law and neuropsychology in addition to finance, which augment his entrepreneurial background.

Outside of his entrepreneurial activities, Calvin developed public sector work experience as a T1 Accounts Officer at the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), where he was responsible for reviewing junior employees’ casework, performing complex interest calculations, and providing coaching and training services. 

Calvin’s day-to-day work at Innova lives at the intersection of his lifelong interests in capital markets, technology, and current events. 

A voracious reader of biographies, histories, and economic texts, Calvin actively fuels his passion for self-directed learning. He enjoys adventure travel, gourmet cooking, and playing guitar. 

Calvin earned his Honours Bachelor of Arts magna cum laude from Laurentian University in 2016, with a Specialization in Law and Justice and a Minor in Experimental Psychology. He has passed all three levels of the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) examinations and is currently completing CFA Institute’s work experience requirements.

Amanda Potts

Life & Group Insurance Specialist
HB. Sc. Forensics

Following her graduation from Laurentian University in 2010, Amanda began working in the financial service industry as a Life Insurance Agent. In 2012, she joined a large financial institution where she gained experience in banking and investing. Amanda enjoys the welcoming environment of the Innova Wealth team and being part of the close-knit family of colleagues.

She specializes in helping our clients find the right insurance products, at the best rates.

A proud mother of two boys, she is an excellent multi-tasker capable of problem-solving any issues that arise.

Travis Trim

H.BSc (2022), CFA Candidate, ASA Candidate
Business Analyst

Currently completing his fourth year at Laurentian University, Travis is pursuing an Honours Bachelor of Science (H.BSc) degree with a Major in Actuarial Science and a Minor in Finance and has been recognized on the Dean’s List in all four years of his study. He is on track to graduate magna cum laude, the highest distinction awarded for academic excellence at Laurentian. Along with his undergrad, Travis is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Candidate and an Associate of the Society of Actuaries (SOA) Candidate.

During his second year at Laurentian University, Travis founded the Faculty of Management’s first student-run finance association (FALU). During his tenure as President, his organization hosted many lectures delivered by a large rolodex of C-level Bay Street executives.

Travis began his career in the financial industry at the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) in 2018 in an entry level position, where he then underwent a series of promotions from an entry-level role to the most senior position within his department. He was personally responsible for training, coaching, and resolving the technical problems of over one hundred junior employees. Working at the CRA helped Travis develop leadership skills and gave him a strong understanding of taxation.

His combined passions for finance, mathematics, and computer science – coupled with his demonstrated leadership ability, project management skills, and deep industry network come together in his role at Innova Wealth Partners.