Meet the Wellspring Planned Giving Advisory Committee:

Wellspring Cancer Support Foundation welcomes the members of our inaugural Planned Giving Advisory Committee. These newly appointed committee members are all familiar with Wellspring and its mission. The group is comprised of long serving, dedicated volunteers who have provided their expertise in the Money Matters clinics.

As highly successful professionals in the fields of financial planning, estate planning and law, their knowledge, expertise and commitment will be an invaluable contribution in helping grow Wellspring’s Planned Giving Program.

Please join us in welcoming:

Brenda Hiscock, CFP, RHU

Brenda grew up in Toronto, the daughter of a single, hard-working mother of 4 children. At age 12, Brenda’s life was changed forever when her mother suffered a massive stroke. The stroke left her mother hospitalized and completely unable to care for herself. 18 months later she tragically passed away, leaving her four children to fend for themselves. With no life insurance or planning in place, financial hardship led to homelessness for her children, and an early introduction into adulthood.

Brenda went on to build a successful career in Financial Services, then in her late 30’s, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Recently single, on her own with a 13 year old son, Brenda was faced with major financial challenges when she required a year off work.

After completing cancer treatment, Brenda earned her Certified Financial Planner designation (CFP) and Registered Health Underwriter (RHU) designation which provides a specialty in Disability, Critical Illness and Long Term Care products.

Her life experiences have armed her with a deep insight into the emotional and financial impact that an illness, accident or death can have on families, and the importance of good financial planning. Brenda’s goal is to help people achieve the life they dream of, by effectively managing their financial risks, and taking advantage of the financial opportunities that exist for them.

Brenda enjoys running, triathlons, and practicing yoga. She is a devoted mother to her son, Michael, who recently received a Bachelor of Journalism degree.

Mary Wahbi J.D., TEP
Partner – Management Committee
Basman Smith LLP 

Background

Mary was called to the bar in 1986 and is a partner of Basman Smith LLP. She is one of the Managing Partners of the firm. Mary received her law degree from Osgoode Hall Law School. She received her Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Certificate from the Faculty of Law, University of Windsor in 2000. She is also a member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP).

Areas of Practice

Trusts and estates, Business Law & Corporate Commercial

Professional Experience

Mary’s estates and trusts practice focuses on estate planning (including business succession, estate freezes, creation of trusts), and the preparation of wills, insurance directions and trusts, powers of attorney for property and powers of attorney for personal care, medical directives, and the administration of the estate of deceased persons.

Mary’s corporate/commercial practice is focused on business acquisitions and dispositions, business relationships (including executive employment agreements, partnership agreements, and shareholders’ agreements), business financing (secured transactions), corporate re-organizations (including tax related transactions) and general business and commercial agreements.

Her two areas of expertise allow her to provide her clients with an integrated solution to their business and personal planning issues.

Professional Activities

Mary is a past instructor in Estate Planning at the Bar Admission Course, Law Society of Upper Canada, and is former Chair of the Statutory Review Committee, Executive of the Ontario Bar Association. Mary also acts as a Mentor in the Ontario Bar Association’s Mentorship Program, providing guidance and mentoring new lawyers.

Mary volunteers as a supervising lawyer at Pro Bono Student Canada’s Wills Project, which provides estate planning legal services to low income clients. She is instrumental in both the training and the supervision of law students to deliver these services. Mary is also a volunteer lawyer at the Wellspring pro bono Wills/Powers of Attorney Clinic which provides estate planning legal services to cancer patients who have little income and assets. Mary is a frequent speaker with the Ontario Bar Association, speaks regularly to community groups, is former Treasurer of the 344^th Brownie Pack, and is co-founder of Smart Choices, a women’s information exchange and networking group.

Damian Borges is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP), Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) and Chartered Financial Consultant (CH.F.C.) with over 25 years in the financial services industry. He provides comprehensive and integrated financial planning solutions for a diverse clientele in the Greater Toronto Area.

Damian is a member of the Financial Planners Standards Council of Canada (FPSC) and the Institute for Advanced Financial Education (IAFE). He also serves as a volunteer financial advisor with Wellspring’s Financial Advice Clinic.

Gerry D’Souza, CFP, CLU, CH.F.C., Vice-President & Estate Planning Specialist, RBC DS Financial Services Inc.

Gerry joined RBC Wealth Management in March of 2002. He brings with him over 39 years of life insurance industry experience. After recruiting for the industry in the cities of Toronto and Ottawa, Gerry assumed a role in Senior Management with Equinox Financial, where he oversaw the Sales Distribution for Canada.

In addition to his Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) degree, Gerry has also acquired the Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU), which is recognition of a specialization in life insurance and estate planning. He has also obtained the professional designation for Chartered Financial Consultant (CHFC) and the Certified Financial Planner (CFP). As a specialists in his field, Gerry provides solutions to individuals and corporations to increase net worth and reduce the impact of taxation. He can also ensure that wealth is transferred in accordance with clients’ wishes. To help in this endeavour, Gerry has access to insurance solutions from the top-ranked insurance providers in Canada. Gerry serves on the Advisory Board for the Financial Services Commission of Ontario (FSCO).

Gerry claims that the cleanest recreational activity, providing the maximum ecological balance for the whole community, is “Forest Management” where he devotes his spare time. He is married to Sandra and they have 3 wonderful children.

Gifts of any denomination are vital to Wellspring. Your legacy gift will make a tremendous impact on Wellspring members today and tomorrow.

When you plan to include Wellspring in your Will, our legal name is: Wellspring Cancer Support Foundation

Our Charitable Registration Number: 89272 8940 RR0001

For more information on Wellspring’s Planned Giving Program, please contact Rebecca Babcock at 416.961.1928 or rebecca@wellspring.ca.