OUR TEAM

GILLIAN KUNZA

Recognized as a leader with strong strategic instincts, Gillian Kunza brings a creative and fresh approach to the ‘client and advisor first’ mindset. With 15 years experience in the industry, she has seen the challenges faced by advisors, dealer head offices, and by staff and is committed to bringing innovative and well-rounded solutions to the forefront. As an experienced Chief Compliance Officer at her former firm, and with a background as a Chartered Professional Accountant, her leadership is inclusive of many perspectives and aims to ensure clients and their advisors have the right tools and resources in place to pursue their financial well being.

She works collaboratively with advisors and industry peers to pursue modernization in the wealth management industry and is an advocate of gender representation in senior leadership roles. Gillian also holds her Chartered Investment Manager designation and is a Fellow of CSI designation holder.

Gillian serves on IIROC’s Ontario Regional Council, and is vice chair of the IIROC Conduct, Compliance & Legal Advisory Section committee.

MICHAEL KONOPASKI

Known for his entrepreneurial strengths and strategic management, Michael Konopaski brings 25 years of experience building and managing investment dealers. As a former advisor and portfolio manager, and Chartered Professional Accountant, he helps advisors across Canada develop their practice and build out their future. He has unique insights and offers guidance to experienced and inexperienced advisors alike to help them best serve their clients needs. 

Michael currently sits on the board of the Investment Funds Institute of Canada (IFIC). He is the founder of the IIAC small and independent dealer committee, served on the IIROC Ontario District Council, and is former vice chair of the IIROC Financial and Operations Advisor Section committee. He has a Master’s degree in Finance, a PhD in Management, and his Certified Financial Planner and Chartered Investment Manager. He has also held senior officer roles of CCO and CFO of IIROC dealers and is a Portfolio Manager.

FARDAN ALI

Fardan Ali is a registered Supervisor and deals with regulatory reporting matters and the firm’s overall compliance regime. His areas of expertise are compliance and operations, including branch audits, transition management, and retail supervision. He serves on Designed’s Product Review and Managed Accounts committees and is involved in several committees with the Investment Funds Institute of Canada (IFIC). He has built a strong reputation with advisors, particularly in light of his experience auditing practices as well as having spent time in the trenches of one of the big banks working day to day with clients.

He is actively engaged with alternative asset managers, fund companies and investment counsellors, to perform due diligence, and manage Designed’s product shelf. Fardan is a proud father of one and avid traveler who enjoys hitting the road on his motorcycle.

JESSICA SMITH

With 15 years in the industry, 10 of which in private wealth management, Jessica’s strengths come from her insights into managing portfolios and building strong client relationships. Her big picture knowledge of the industry, experience with regulators and asset managers, and her experiences working directly with advisors allows her to collaborate on many initiatives within Designed, and with our advisors. Jessica develops the operational areas of Designed to give our advisors the best experience possible and to continuously enhance the interface between Designed’s operations, compliance and back-office protocols. She is an Associate Portfolio Manager, and works with advisors who are pursuing their Portfolio Manager registration. She’s also earned her Chartered Investment Manager Designation.

Jessica spends her free time outside with her husband and two young daughters, and going for long runs out in the country.

TYLER SHETTELL

Tyler Shettell handles operational procedures for Designed and collaborates internally with compliance, finance and operations to support our advisors. Tyler joined us from an 8-year tenure in the wine business management industry and has quickly shifted gears into his role with Designed. With a 3 year advanced diploma with Distinction, in Business Administration from St. Lawrence College Tyler ties his education in accounting and experience in customer service to provide our advisors with a unique and personal approach. He has experience in entrepreneurial environments that translates well with the mindset of our independent advisors.

Tyler enjoys watching local hockey and playing volleyball. He is an avid Formula One fan and is always up to date on the latest sports news.

Richard Holland

Richard Holland is a Project Manager with Designed and brings 6 years of experience in finance, programming and process development. He holds the Project Management Professional designation, PMP, and focuses on the internal development and integration of systems and processes across the firm. A finance and economics graduate of Wilfred Laurier University, Richard is a trusted resource for advisors. He has helped advisors save time, money and gain new perspectives on how an advisor’s practice and dealer structure can be more cohesive. Richard analyzes data of advisory practices to find efficiencies and create value. Richard has been instrumental in creating efficiencies for both transitioning and existing advisors, helping them find success.