EXPERT FINANCIAL ADVICE TAILORED TO YOUR NEEDS
Our actions are driven by trust, reliability, empathy, prudence, and innovation. We are committed to contributing positively to the quality of our clients’ lives, and their financial future. With respect and confidentiality, we will give priority to your goals and concerns and work exclusively for your benefit. We have the range of expertise and the comprehensive offering of products and services to meet your unique needs.
With over 20 years of experience in the field, Joseph Bakish has built his career by putting the best interests of his clients at the forefront of his objectives.
With a long track record of high achievement, Joseph graduated Academic All-Canadian in 2005 from McGill University with a B.Sc (Biochemistry major/ Management minor). Committed to continuing his education, Joseph earned the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation in 2012, recognized as the gold standard for the global investment industry. In addition, he holds the Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU), Certified Financial Planner (CFP, outside of Quebec) and Certified Health Insurance Specialist (CHS) designations.
Coming from a family of scientists & physicians, Joe specializes in dealing with the wealth complexities physicians face & has successfully made the counsel of healthcare professionals a cornerstone of his practice.
Joe is actively involved in promoting educational seminars called 'From Resident to Retiree', in which he provides financial advice & literacy seminars to both the ARM (Association of McGill Residents) & the McGill faculty of Dentistry*.
In the past, Joe was very active in the financial community as a volunteer for the Financial Planning Standards Council to mark and design exam questions for the CFP examination and served on the board of the Financial and Estate Planning Council of Montréal, a pillar of advanced financial education in the community. He was also very involved in his local community as President of the Citizen’s Association of Sainte-Anne-des-Lacs Citizen’s Association and Treasurer of a prominent youth club to promote athletics and strong values.
Currently, his focus is on the most important thing to him: raising his three children with his wife, which he considers a full time job on its own! However, philanthropy remains close to his heart: his two favourite causes are the Jewish National Foundation’s Climate Solutions Prize and the McGill University Health Centre’s Dream Big campaign, which raises money for research into solving antibiotic resistance and curing infectious diseases.
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*Manulife Wealth Inc. and Manulife Wealth Insurance Services Inc.("Manulife Wealth") as well as the Association of McGill Residents and the McGill faculty of Dentistry are not affiliated and neither are responsible for the liabilities of the other.
Max is a Portfolio Manager and Associate Wealth Advisor with over 20 years of experience helping clients build and protect their wealth through thoughtful, personalized strategies. Max holds the following designations - Certified Financial Planner (outside of Quebec), Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU), and Chartered Investment Manager (CIM) and he brings a strong foundation of expertise in both financial planning and discretionary portfolio management. Max uses holistic approach by looking at the full picture of each client’s financial life to design strategies that balance investments, risk management, and long-term goals. Whether it’s structuring a portfolio, planning for retirement, or protecting a family’s legacy, Max's goal is always to provide clarity and confidence in financial decision-making. Outside of work, Max enjoys CrossFit and training for triathlons, which reflect the discipline, endurance, and balance he also brings to his professional life.
Gord Kennedy brings more than a decade of financial planning experience to the Bakish Wealth team. Over the course of his career, he developed a unique ability to understand the wants and needs of high net worth families, small business owners and medical professionals – and translated those goals into an adaptive plan.
After earning a B.Comm in Economics from Ryerson University, Gord entered the publishing industry including a stint at a manufacturing trade journal. It exposed him to the world of entrepreneurship and small businesses. In 2008, he joined a major Canadian financial firm where he established a reputation for thoughtful client service and comprehensive financial planning, receiving numerous awards of distinction and working with a select group of wealthy professionals and families.
As Joseph’s brother-in-law, Gord has known the Bakish family for 20 years and watched as they moved from their predecessor firm in 2015 in order to tap into the comprehensive suite of resources services offered by Manulife Wealth. Drawn by Joseph’s experience, Gord joined Bakish Wealth in 2020 to provide clients with access to an expansive set of investment tools and expertise while leveraging the resources of a Canadian independent wealth advisory firm.
Gord lives in Toronto’s community-focused Beaches neighbourhood where he loves spending time with his wife and their three kids. Gord stays active through sports, cycling and coaching several hockey teams. He also likes reading biographies and books on finances.
Connie Gallant supports the Bakish Wealth team’s dedication to client excellence through her coordination of client-focused activities and services. She also happens to be Joe Bakish’s wife and mother to their three young children (including a set of twins) that keep her life very busy! In her free time, she can be found reading architectural magazines, practicing her carpentry skills, and preventing her eight-year old twins from climbing the walls.
Siwei Liu is an enthusiastic and reliable professional with strong organizational and time management skills. Trilingual in English, French, and Mandarin Chinese, she is very customer oriented and passionate towards servicing clients to help achieve their financial goals. Siwei is efficient and very knowledgeable in providing financial solutions for clients and has obtained her CSC (Canadian Securities and Conduct & Practices Handbook) and CPH courses, so she can assist in the management of clients’ accounts. She also oversees daily transactions and makes sure they are compliant with Manulife Wealth standards. In her free time, Siwei enjoys playing piano, snowboarding and spending time with her husband, nine-year-old son Noah & 3-year old daughter Riley.
Tania has 22 years of experience in the financial services sector with an emphasis on administration and client servicing. She prides herself on being organized and customer oriented.
She is trilingual in English, French and Italian. She enjoys spending time with her husband and twin teenagers, reading, gardening and traveling with family.
Chrys Stamatakos handles our clients’ needs & administrative tasks. Her professional and personal approach is a great asset – one which is appreciated by our clients. She is a dedicated and committed member of our team ready to lend her support to both clients and colleagues. In her free time, Chrys enjoys gardening, reading for her book club and spending time with her husband & teenaged daughter.