Executive Management

Executive Management

Greg Pollock

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 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.

Barbara Riddell

Barbara Riddell

Vice-President of Learning and Development

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.

Julie Martini

Julie Martini

Vice-President, Strategic Engagement

Julie Martini is Vice-President, Strategic Engagement for Advocis, The Financial Advisors Association of Canada. With two decades of marketing and communications experience in financial services, 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. Julie is 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 for professionalization and consumer protection, Julie is a proud mom, philanthropic activist, and veteran of the Canadian Forces.

Linda Illidge

Linda Illidge

Vice-President, Operations

Linda Illidge is Vice-President, Operations at Advocis, The Financial Advisors Association of Canada. She oversees finance, human resources, technology, and office services. 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.

James Ryu

James Ryu

Vice-President, Advocacy and General Counsel

James Ryu is Vice-President, Advocacy and General Counsel at Advocis. James leads Advocis’ work on advisor professionalism, standards of conduct and product distribution matters, with a particular focus on how they impact the advisor-client relationship. He engages regulators and governments across the country and liaises with industry and consumer stakeholder groups to promote pragmatic laws and regulations that govern the advisory sector. Prior to joining Advocis, James practiced corporate and securities law and worked on public policy development.

James was called to the Bar of Ontario in 2008. He has an Honours Bachelor of Commerce and a Juris Doctor, both from the University of Toronto.

Jack Mazakian

Vice-President, Advocis Broker Services Inc.

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.