Greg Pollock, M.Ed., LL.M., C.Dir., CFP
President and CEO
Greg Pollock is the President and CEO of Advocis, The Financial Advisors Association of Canada. He is also a member of the federal government’s Task Force on Financial Literacy.
At Advocis, Greg is responsible for providing effective strategic leadership and direction for the association. He oversees all aspects of Advocis' day-to-day activities on behalf of the association's members, including advocacy, continuing education, best practices and E&O insurance. He also coordinates the interests of Advocis' 43 chapters throughout Canada and continues to build membership by giving voice to the more than 10,000 Advocis members nationwide.
Prior to joining Advocis in 2008, Greg was General Secretary of the 43,000 member strong Ontario English Catholic Teachers' Association (OECTA). The general secretary is the executive director, responsible for all aspects of the organization and management of the provincial association. This position encompassed collective bargaining, government liaison, strategic planning, dispute resolution and financial management.
Greg has been a member of the Board of Directors of the Canadian Teachers' Federation and of the Ontario Teachers' Federation (OTF). He was also a member of the Board of Directors of the Ontario Teachers' Insurance Plan (OTIP) for more than 10 years. During that time, Greg chaired the finance and audit committee of the Board. OTIP is the leading provider of insurance products for education employees in the province.
Greg has a Master of Laws degree from Osgoode Hall Law School at York University and a Master of Educational Administration from the University of Toronto.
Greg can be contacted via email at president@advocis.ca.
Ed Skwarek, B.A., LL.B., LL.M.
Vice President, Regulatory and Public Affairs
Ed Skwarek was appointed Vice President of Regulatory and Public Affairs at Advocis, The Financial Advisors Association of Canada, in September 2010. Previous to this, he was an Associate Director, Regulatory Affairs.
Prior to joining Advocis in 2008, Ed was Senior Legal Counsel for the British Columbia Securities Commission, and Legal Counsel for the Ontario Securities Commission.
Ed is a past appointee to the Regulatory Steering Committee of the Investment Funds Institute of Canada. He has also worked for leading financial product and services firms in the private sector.
Ed has a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from York University, an LL.B. from the University of Windsor Law School, and an LL.M. in Corporate and Securities Law, with merit, from the London School of Economics and Political Science in London, England.
Peter Tzanetakis
Vice President, Government and Corporate Relations
Peter Tzanetakis is Vice President, Government and Corporate Relations. As part of the management team at Advocis, Peter’s role is to advocate key association positions to legislators and corporate stakeholders as well as other identified groups such as key industry associations and to promote the value proposition of Advocis, including its education and designation offerings to external stakeholders.
Peter’s main objective is to ensure the Association’s views are communicated to and well understood by major stakeholders including: government officials; politicians; corporate stakeholders and key industry associations. This is important in building the Association as a relevant and influential player within the financial services sector through government as well as corporate recognition.
As Vice President, Government and Corporate Relations, Peter:
- Leads the Government Relations Group, including the development and implementation of a pan-Canadian grassroots advocacy program;
- Leads the Corporate Relations program ensuring that Advocis is positioned as the leading professional association for financial advisors;
- In collaboration with the VP of Regulatory and Public Affairs, leads advocacy initiatives relevant to the work of the Association and make representations to government officials and politicians regarding Association policy positions;
- Ensures key stakeholders are seeking the Association’s input on legislative and policy initiatives by developing lasting relationships with key government officials; and
- Represents the Association at industry working groups and develops strategic alliances with key industry stakeholders.
Peter can be reached at ptzanetakis@advocis.ca
Kathy Kaskiw, FLMI
VP, Education & Member Services
Kathy Kaskiw is the Vice President of Education and Member Services for Advocis, The Financial Advisors Association of Canada. In this position, Kathy is responsible for the creation and oversight of a robust operation dedicated to serving Advocis members and meeting the educational needs of financial advisors.
Kathy collaborates with a team of experts at the Advocis national office as well as several committees of dedicated volunteers. Under her leadership, the Best Practices environment, designation programs, continuing education programs, and the industry-leading Advocis/Foran LLQP are consistently developed.
Kathy ensures responsiveness to members’ needs while fostering the value of community through 43 Advocis chapters across Canada. In addition, she oversees accountability for Business Alliances, Advocis Schools, GAMA International Canada, and the Century Initiative.
Kathy began her career in the financial services industry in 1976. Over the years she has gained significant experience in customer service, quality business, management, and program development. She joined Advocis in 2005, and was appointed to her current position in 2010.
Kathy, who is currently a member of the Financial Planning Standards Council’s Certification Scheme Committee, has served as chair of LIMRA’s Quality Business Committee and President of the Insurance Conference Planners Association. She is also a Fellow of the Life Office Management Association. Among other education-related initiatives, Kathy has engaged in university education programs in psychology and corporate social responsibility.
Kathy can be reached at kkaskiw@advocis.ca.