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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Click below to download resources.
Contact Maja Golich, Education Coordinator at mgolich@advocis.ca.
Click below to download resources.
Contact Maja Golich, Education Coordinator at mgolich@advocis.ca.
Click below to download resources.
Contact Maja Golich, Education Coordinator at mgolich@advocis.ca.
Click below to download resources.
Contact Maja Golich, Education Coordinator at mgolich@advocis.ca.
Click below to download resources.
Contact Maja Golich, Education Coordinator at mgolich@advocis.ca.
Click below to download resources.
Contact Maja Golich, Education Coordinator at mgolich@advocis.ca.
Join us for another year of benefits, resources, and
access to your professional association.
Click below to download resources.
Send an email to ce@advocis.ca.
Click below to download resources.
Contact Sue Bailey, Education Coordinator at mgolich@advocis.ca.
Click below to download resources.
Contact Maja Golich, Education Coordinator at mgolich@advocis.ca.
Click below to download resources.
Contact Maja Golich, Education Coordinator at mgolich@advocis.ca.
Click below to download resources.
Contact Maja Golich, Education Coordinator at mgolich@advocis.ca.
Start strong in your career as an advisor with the advantage of the PFA designation.
Registration for the Fall 2021 Semester is NOW AVAILABLE.
Our Registration Portal is undergoing maintenance. You may experience issues when registering for a course or program.
Please email Member Services or call us at 1-877-773-6765 for assistance.
Develop the skills to build and express the value of your advice
with the PFA designation.
Registration for the Fall 2021 Semester is NOW AVAILABLE.
NOTICE: We are currently experiencing a technical issue with our course registration system. Our support team is working diligently to resolve this problem and we expect to restore service shortly. If you require immediate assistance with course registration, please contact our Member Services team via email at info@advocis.ca
NOTICE: We are currently experiencing a technical issue with our course registration system. Our support team is working diligently to resolve this problem and we expect to restore service shortly. If you require immediate assistance with course registration, please contact our Member Services team via email at info@advocis.ca.
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