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Research Associate
Jay Saspara is a Research Associate at SONA Wealth Counsel Inc. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Honors) from Ontario Tech University, with a double major in Finance and Marketing, and a Master’s in Business Administration from Carleton University. Currently, Jay is pursuing his CFP (Certified Financial Planner) and CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) designations to deepen his expertise. Before joining Ryan Lamontagne Inc., Jay worked as a marketing assistant at ProudMouth, where he created social media and website content on retirement, investment, and financial planning for wealth management firms in the U.S. and Canada.
Jay is passionate about helping clients make informed financial decisions and is dedicated to empowering them toward greater financial security. In his free time, he enjoys staying active at the gym, playing badminton, reading, and exploring creative writing.
Research Associate
Phil Drouin is a Research Associate with Sona Wealth Counsel Inc.
Phil completed a Bachelor of Arts degree with a double major in finance and accounting at Mercyhurst University in Pennsylvania. He was also a member of the men’s NCAA Division 1 hockey team. Phil is a holder of the Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) designation, in which he placed 3rd nationally at the final examination. Phil is fluently bilingual, having completed his early education in French.
After completing his university education, Phil pursued his passion for hockey and played professionally in Europe. Following his hockey career, he most recently worked as a Senior Financial Advisor for one of Canada’s major chartered banks. After three years with the bank, Phil made the transition to Sona Wealth Counsel to be able to focus on investment management.
Phil loves playing and watching sports, particularly golf, hockey, and soccer. He enjoys staying involved in hockey by coaching and scouting.
Portfolio Manager & Chief Compliance Officer
Enjoying thirty years in the financial services industry, David is a Founding Partner of Sona Wealth Counsel Inc. and is the firm’s Chief Compliance Officer. His area of practice includes transition planning, small business advisory, personal and corporate taxation. Considered a tax-planning specialist, David provides comprehensive financial planning for professionals, the self-employed, closely held corporations and trusts. Working with a relatively small client base allows David to develop personal relationships with each of his clients and their families. Those relationships, in turn, provide him with the in-depth understanding of his clients’ needs, as well as the level of trust required to be an advocate for positive change in their financial affairs.
David is considered an experienced and entertaining orator and has facilitated hundreds of presentations to a wide cross-section of audiences, for both public and private sector organizations in Canada. An author, media resource, and keynote speaker, David has been quoted in a variety of local and national publications as a fluent authority for matters of financial education, compensation transparency and regulatory compliance.
David was appointed a CFP® Brand Ambassador in 2003 and named as a Fellow of the Canadian Securities Institute in 2013. David holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration and was formerly an adjunct professor at Algonquin College in Ottawa.
An active member within the community, David continues to lend his time and support as a board member and advisor for both not-for-profit and charitable organizations within Canada. When not spending time with his wonderful wife Andria and three young adult children, David enjoys playing drums and percussion to his favourite music.
Portfolio Manager
Chris Ferris is a Portfolio Manager with Sona Wealth Counsel. Chris holds a Bachelor’s of Commerce Degree with a specialization in finance from the University of Ottawa, which he attained summa cum laude in 2011. Chris achieved the top grade nationally on the final exam leading to his Certified Financial Planner® designation, and is also a Chartered Financial Analyst® charterholder.
Chris has been working in the financial services industry for over seven years, with a focus on investment strategy and retirement savings planning. Prior to his financial services career, Chris worked for the BDC venture capital investment fund and for the Canada Revenue Agency.
In his spare time, Chris enjoys living an active lifestyle, and is an avid motorcyclist.
Portfolio Manager
Marc is a graduate of Carleton University, and a member of the SONA Wealth Counsel Inc. investment committee. With 30 years’ experience in the financial services industry, Marc has a broad range of knowledge and experience in the world of personal finance.
He specializes in comprehensive financial planning, investment advisory services, and tax planning. His background in the financial services industry provides him with a unique understanding of the complexity of comprehensive wealth management.
Marc has a history of staying in the forefront of the financial planning industry trends, transitioning to fee-for-advice in 1996. In addition, Marc is past-president of the Ottawa chapter of the Canadian Association of Financial Planners (now called Advocis), and has served on the faculty of the Canadian Academy of Senior Advisors as well as on the Advisor’s Edge Report advisory board. He is a CFP® Brand Ambassador. In 2012 Marc was awarded the Fellow of FPSC™ distinction.
As a recognized financial expert, Marc has been quoted extensively in the media, including The Globe and Mail, National Post, CBC, Ottawa Citizen, Toronto Star, and MoneySense magazine. Also an accomplished speaker, Marc has delivered numerous seminars and workshops across Canada.
Marc volunteers on the Pro bono committee of the Financial Planning Association of Canada, which provides free, unbiased financial guidance to those who need it, regardless of their ability to pay.
In his leisure time, he stays active with running, hiking, and cross-country skiing.
President and CEO Privacy Officer
Thomas Ryan is the President and CEO of SONA Wealth Counsel Inc. He is a graduate of the University of Ottawa Commerce Program, and holds the Certified Financial Planner designation. Thomas has over 30 years of experience in the financial services industry. With broad experience at a major Canadian chartered bank and one of Canada’s largest mutual fund distribution companies early in his career, Thomas launched his own financial planning firm in 1992. For the past 25 years, he has specialized in providing comprehensive wealth management solutions for executives, business owners, and high net worth individuals.
Thomas enjoys an active lifestyle centered on his family and his passion for sports and outdoor activities. He is an accomplished marathon runner, an avid canoeist, and a recreational hockey player. In the summer of 2012, he paddled the Nahanni River, a remote white-water river in Canada’s Northwest Territories.
Thomas also volunteers within his local community. He served for five years as a member of the Gloucester Soccer Association, including two years as Treasurer and three years as Chairman of the Gloucester Hornets Executive Committee.
Thomas and his wife Kim are the proud parents of three children. They enjoy spending quality time together at the family cottage located northeast of Ottawa.
Portfolio Manager
Chris Ryan is a Portfolio Manager with SONA Wealth Counsel Inc. Chris completed a Bachelor’s of Commerce Degree with a specialization in finance at the University of Ottawa. He is also a holder of the Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) designation and the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA®) designation. Chris is fluently bilingual, having completed most of his early education in French.
After completing his university education Chris worked briefly for the Canada Revenue Agency. He was then recruited by one of Canada’s major chartered banks where he worked his way to the role of Senior Financial Advisor. He brings with him a specialization in financial planning, investment management, tax planning and he is an expert on the Government of Canada Superannuation Pension Plan.
Chris loves staying active and spending time outdoors. He particularly enjoys trips to the cottage, home renovations, playing hockey and golfing.
