
Studies project that by 2026, women in Canada will inherit $900-billion in assets. This responsibility, coupled with an uncertain economic landscape and competing obligations, makes financial planning complex. Join The Globe and Mail for an event focused on balancing finances and long-term goals for women in different stages of life. Sessions will focus on financial planning, wellness and navigating tough conversations.
This presentation will address the unique financial challenges women in Canada face. Attendees will gain insights into the emotional and financial stressors that come with dual caregiving, single-income homes, wealth transfer, the rising costs of elder care and education. This talk will look at financial and demographic trends in Canada and their potential impacts on personal savings and retirement planning.
Dr. Vivien Brown
Family Physician and Author of The New Woman's Guide to Healthy Aging
Dr. Woganee Filate
Co-founder and MD, Lume Women + Health
Dr. Katy Kamkar
Clinical Psychologist
Deanne Gage (moderator)
Reporter, Globe Advisor, The Globe and Mail
This session will explore the health impacts of modern living, highlighting the emotional and physical toll that can result from demanding roles and responsibilities. Participants will learn about common stressors, including burnout and anxiety, and the importance of recognizing these challenges. The discussion will also focus on practical wellness tips that women can incorporate into their daily lives.
The Toronto-Dominion Bank and its subsidiaries are collectively known as TD Bank Group ("TD" or the "Bank"). TD is the sixth largest bank in North America by assets and serves over 27.5 million customers in four key businesses operating in a number of locations in financial centres around the globe: Canadian Personal and Commercial Banking, including TD Canada Trust and TD Auto Finance Canada; U.S. Retail, including TD Bank, America's Most Convenient Bank®, TD Auto Finance U.S., TD Wealth (U.S.), and an investment in The Charles Schwab Corporation; Wealth Management and Insurance, including TD Wealth (Canada), TD Direct Investing, and TD Insurance; and Wholesale Banking, including TD Securities and TD Cowen. TD also ranks among the world's leading online financial services firms, with more than 17 million active online and mobile customers. TD had $1.97 trillion in assets on July 31, 2024. The Toronto-Dominion Bank trades under the symbol "TD" on the Toronto and New York Stock Exchanges.
To learn more, visit the Investment Planning Council's website to read the Women and Wealth: The changing face of wealth in Canada and its implications for financial advisors report.
Franceen was born in Montreal, Quebec. After she graduated from the University of Western Ontario with a degree in Administrative and Commercial Studies, she came to Toronto to start her business career. Franceen worked in financial and budget management at a real estate company that was going through bankruptcy protection and this ignited her passion for transformational change. For this reason, she joined Deloitte to work as a Manager in management consulting. She later joined Bank of Montreal in November 2004 where she held various roles in Corporate Audit, Wealth, HR, and Enterprise Transformation. She joined TD in March 2018 to lead the Wealth Experience Delivery Group building a Centre of Excellence for Wealth project management, change management, process excellence, client experience and colleague experience. In January 2020, she took on the role of VP, Wealth Operations overseeing all processing activities along the Wealth Client Servicing Journey including New accounts, Transfers, Cash management, Entitlements, Trading and Settlements and Client Reporting.
Franceen has 2 children – Noah (21) and Sarah (19). She is passionate about career development and talent management. She is a valued mentor to colleagues across various organizations.
Eva Sachs is a recognized expert and trusted resource specializing in the financial aspects of divorce. With over 18 years of experience, she supports clients navigating the complexities of divorce through traditional negotiations, mediation, and collaborative divorce process. By providing comprehensive financial analysis, she empowers clients to make informed decisions about their futures.
From the initial information-gathering stage to preparing detailed financial forecasts, Eva meticulously outlines the potential financial impacts of various settlement options, ensuring that her clients understand how each choice may affect their long-term financial stability.
As a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®), Chartered Financial Divorce Specialist with Advanced Accreditation (CFDS-AA), and Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA™), Eva possesses a robust skill set that uniquely positions her to assist clients throughout this challenging journey. She is adept at translating complex financial concepts into clear, actionable strategies, enabling her clients to confidently navigate their divorce proceedings with peace of mind.
She is also the co-author of the book "When Harry Left Sally – Finding Your Way Through Grey Divorce" which addresses the unique challenges faced by people separating later in life. As the financial professional team specialist at The Modern Divorce and Modern Marriage Contracts, she collaborates closely with legal professionals and other specialists to ensure a holistic approach to her clients’ situations.
Eva is deeply passionate about providing clients with financial clarity, compassion, and confidence throughout the various stages of separation and divorce. She believes that with the right guidance and support, individuals can emerge from the divorce process not only intact but empowered to embrace their new financial reality. Her client-centered approach prioritizes open communication and personalized strategies, making sure that each individual feels supported and understood during this transformative time.
Deanne Gage is a reporter for Globe Advisor at The Globe and Mail. She has specialized in issues pertaining to financial advisors for more than two decades.
She is the former editor of FORUM and Advisor’s Edge magazines and has been the recipient of several business journalism awards during her tenure.
She was the Toronto Star's Money Makeover columnist for five years. Her articles have also appeared in Morningstar.ca, Chatelaine, MoneySense, and Today’s Parent.
Amy Friesen is a best-selling author, award-winning entrepreneur, and leading expert in eldercare. As the founder of Tea & Toast, she has helped countless families navigate the complexities of senior living, ensuring informed decisions that prioritize both immediate needs and long-term well-being.
A sought-after speaker and educator, Amy is passionate about empowering caregivers—especially in the sandwich generation—by providing them with the tools and strategies needed to manage caregiving responsibilities while prioritizing their own well-being. Through her work as a speaker, podcast host, and advocate, she sparks meaningful conversations on generational caregiving, aging with dignity, and creating sustainable caregiving solutions.
Recognized for her contributions to business and community, Amy has received numerous accolades, including the Businesswoman of the Year Award and being named a Forty Under 40 honoree. Whether guiding families through life’s toughest transitions or inspiring audiences with her insights, Amy is committed to making a lasting impact in the world of eldercare and education.
Dr. Woganee Filate is a passionate and dedicatedadult Respirologist and Sleep Medicine physiciancommitted to providing comprehensive, evidence-based and patient-centered care. She has a wealth of experience in diagnosing andmanaging respiratory and sleep disorders. Her interests include educating patients on thechanges in sleep during the menopause transitionand what can be done to optimize sleep during thiskey life stage. Dr. Filate is a founding partner with Lume Women +Health, an elevated healthcare destination forwomen founded by female MDs to empower healthyaging in a preventive, personalized and holistic way.Dr. Filate also holds her MSCP designation from theNorth American Menopause Society. Cofounder | MHSc, MD, FRCPC, MSCP Trailblazer for Women’s Healthy Aging
Erica Alini is the personal economics reporter at The Globe and Mail, where she writes about how the economy, technology and government policy affect what people do with their money. Previously, Erica covered personal finance at The Globe. She also worked at Global News, Maclean’s and Canadian Business magazine, among others. She got her start in journalism at The Wall Street Journal, reporting on the ripple effects of the 2007/2008 financial crisis from New York.
Erica is the author of the bestselling book, Money Like You Mean It, Personal Finance Tactics for the Real World. In it, she shares strategies for how millennials and Gen Z can fight their way to prosperity despite unaffordable housing, the traps of easy borrowing, and other obstacles that stand in their way.
Saijal Patel is the Founder & CEO of Saij Elle, a financial education and consulting platform that helps women build financial independence, financial institutions better serve female investors, and corporations create effective and inclusive financial wellness programs.
A Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with over 25 years in the financial industry across North America and Asia, Saijal has worked as an high-net-worth strategist, investment analyst, and business anchor for BNN and CNBC Asia, delivering market insights to millions. Her exceptional coverage earned her recognition as one of the most influential South Asian Women Executives in the Media and Entertainment Industry.
Saijal is also the creator and host of Strictly Money, where she blends personal finance with economic policy to drive meaningful conversations about financial empowerment for Canadians.
Dr. Katy Kamkar, Ph.D., C. Psych., is a renowned Clinical Psychologist with global acclaim. Since 2023, she has held an appointed executive position with the Government of Canada. With nearly 17 years of dedicated service at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) in Toronto, Dr. Kamkar also holds the position of Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry within the Temerty Faculty of Medicine at the University of Toronto. She is a Founding & Credentialed Member of the Canadian Association of Cognitive Behavioural Therapies (CACBT). Dr. Kamkar was awarded the 2022 Canadian Psychological Association (CPA) Award for Distinguished Contributions to Public or Community Service. She is presently a Fellow of the Global Law Enforcement and Public Health Association Inc. (GLEPHA).
She makes frequent media appearances (National and International), approximately four hundred (400) public relations appearances, and has written nearly two hundred (200) publications for the public regarding mental health. She has received national and international recognition for her work on trauma and resiliency, moral injury, and workplace mental health, as evidenced by her extensive national and international public speaking and media engagements, work with the ministries and the Public Health Agency of Canada, involvement with the House of Commons of Canada, being consulted as a subject matter expert, and her refereed publications, book chapters, and publications for the public.
Amy D’Aprix is an internationally respected expert on lifestyle issues relating to retirement, aging, caregiving, and family dynamics. With a Ph.D. in Social Work, “Dr. Amy,” as she is affectionately known, provides down-to-earth, practical, and professionally informed guidance on Life Transitions to individuals, professionals, and organizations.
An inspirational speaker, trainer, and coach, Dr. Amy has addressed thousands of Financial Advisors and their clients across North America. She has consulted for the financial industry and trained advisors for over 20 years, providing sound guidance in navigating Life Transitions to ensure the success of overall life goals and financial plans.
Amy is a Certified Professional Consultant on Aging (CPCA) and sits on the Board of Directors of the International Federation on Ageing. She's an author, guest podcaster and writer, education provider, and is the founder of LifeMap, an exclusive membership website to help people proactively prepare for the myriad of life transitions they face.
Kristine Beese is the CEO and Founder of Untangle Money, an innovative financial education & planning platform tailored specifically for women. With a background in engineering and finance, Kristine has dedicated her career to addressing women's unique financial needs - aiming to reduce financial anxiety and promote their financial empowerment. She shares captivating stories about what women need to know about money and what they can do differently to align their day-to-day spending with their long-term goals so that women can make the best financial decisions for themselves.
Before launching Untangle Money, Kristine gained extensive experience in the finance industry, working with institutional investors and earning an MBA from the Ivey School of Business. Her journey into entrepreneurship was sparked by a personal experience with disappointing financial advice, which motivated her to create a service that offers accessible and effective financial planning for everyday women. Her ambitious goal is to provide financial plans to one million women by 2029.
Kristine and her husband are kept busy by their three adorable, Lego-loving boys. Kristine does her best to make time to do the things that bring her joy - reading, climbing, cycling, and spending time with friends. Kristine's recent Joyful purchase was a pack of Gobstoppers candy.