Executive Management

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Executive Management

Greg Pollock is the President and CEO of Advocis, The Financial Advisors Association of Canada. He is responsible for providing effective strategic leadership and direction and oversees all aspects of Advocis’s day-to-day activities. Greg is also the Chief Operating Officer of The Institute, the leading designation body in Canada for financial services practitioners in the areas of wealth transfer, estate planning and living benefits.

Prior to joining Advocis in 2008, Greg was general secretary of the 43,000-member Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association (OECTA), responsible for all aspects of the organization and management of the provincial association. This position involved collective bargaining, government liaising, strategic planning, dispute resolution and financial management.

Greg is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® Professional and has a Chartered Director designation from McMaster University’s DeGroote School of Business. He has both a Master of Laws degree from York University’s Osgoode Hall Law School and a Master of Educational Administration from the University of Toronto. In 2012, he was awarded the Diamond Jubilee Medal for his contribution to the teaching profession in Canada.

Julie Martini is Chief Operating Officer (COO) for Advocis, The Financial Advisors Association of Canada. With two decades of experience in the financial services sector, Julie combines her professional background and education in cultural anthropology to form a unique understanding of the challenges, opportunities and human behaviours that are driving transitions in the industry. In her role as COO, Julie is responsible for day-to-day operations of the association and ensuring that all of the systems, resources, and people are in place to support its members, partners and clients.

Julie is a graduate of McGill University, a Professional Certified Marketer (PCM®) and Certified Digital Marketing Professional (CDMP®), and holds a Certificate in Diversity and Inclusion from Cornell University.

When she isn’t passionately advocating on behalf of Advocis members and financial literacy, Julie is a proud mom of two, community volunteer, and veteran of the Canadian Armed Forces.

Barbara Riddell, CFP® is Vice-President of Learning and Development at Advocis, The Financial Advisors Association of Canada. She is primarily responsible for leadership and strategic direction in designation and certificate credentials, standards, continuing education, and e-learning services.

More than 25 years of effective leadership experience in financial services in product development, marketing and communications, training, and coaching have given Barbara the skills, knowledge, and perceptiveness to position the value of professional membership in the association and Advocis as the industry standard in education.

A firm believer in the importance of giving back, Barbara is an advocate for mentorship, volunteerism and contributes to several charities.

Linda Illidge is Vice-President, Finance at Advocis, The Financial Advisors Association of Canada. In her fifteen years with Advocis, Linda has also served as Manager of Accounting, Associate Director of Accounting and Administration, and Senior Director of Finance.

Linda has been a Member Volunteer of the Chartered Professional Accountants of Ontario for nine years. She is also a member of the Canadian Society of Association Executives (CSAE), Canadian Payroll Association and the Human Resources Professionals Association.

Linda has a BA in Music and Economics from Wilfred Laurier University, as well as CPA, CMA designation. She is pursuing Payroll Compliance Practitioner certification.

Jack Mazakian is the principal broker and responsible for management of all facets of Advocis Broker Services’ national operations, supporting and executing strategic objectives while maintaining all relationships with partner organizations. He oversees and manages the day-to-day operations of the Advocis sponsored Advisor Insurance Protection program. Jack is an active member of The Financial Advisors Association of Canada’s (Advocis) Executive Management Team.

A successful career in establishing and growing insurance business in Canada, Jack has a professional background in Accounting & Financial Management, and is a licensed Property & Casualty Broker across the country.