School Committee

We would like to introduce you to your 2025 Banff School Committee. These individuals have been donating their time to put together one heck of an amazing school for 2025.

Scott Grant

Scott Grant has been in the industry for 25 years with Ridge Planning Group Inc. and has benefited and grown from his attendance at the Banff School. He has enjoyed volunteering at the Banff School each year and particularly this year in his role as School Chair. Scott is a Qualifying and Life Member of MDRT.

Tami Romanchuk

Tami has been a volunteer since her first year of attendance in 2006.  She has served on multiple chairs for the school since getting involved with the board. Tami volunteers because the school has been an amazing resource of knowledge and friendships over the years and she loves being able to help the momentum continue.  

For more information on Tami, you can find her full bio here.

David Lord 

CPA, CMA, CFP
Treasurer

David Lord is a CPA, CMA, CFP whose practice Red Seal Financial Ltd. is run in partnership with Dawn Vader, CFP. After attending the Advocis Banff School as a delegate for 5 years, David was recruited to the organizing committee in 2018 as the Chair of Marketing. In 2021 he took on a Board role as the Treasurer. David believes in giving back and is also an active volunteer for Junior Achievement where he delivers financial literacy education to school-aged children in the public school system. For more information on Dave, please see his full bio here. 

Company website click here.

LinkedIn page click here.

Jason Desaulniers

CFP, CLU, CIM, CHS
Sponsorship Chair

Jason has been attending Banff School since 2016, and was honoured to be invited to join the Committee as Sponsorship Chair for 2023’s Banff School.  He has been an Advocis member since 2000, and has served as President of Advocis Edmonton’s Board, in addition to other roles there over the years. 

Jason owns and operates Excalibur Executive Planning Inc and BP Group Solutions; and in his spare time can often be found running the trails, climbing mountains or competing in endurance races wherever they may be found. 

Carolyn Melnychuk

CFP
Registration Chair

Carolyn has been attending Banff School faithfully since 2013.  She started volunteering in 2015 and is honoured to be the 2024 Registration Chair.  The knowledge, experiences & relationships keep bringing her back year after year.

Company website click here.

Winnie Wu

Marketing Chair

Winnie first attended the Banff School in 2015 and found it incredibly valuable for her financial practice. She truly believes that regardless of one’s financial career stage, everyone can benefit from attending the school.

As the Marketing Chair on the Committee, she's committed to raising awareness about the school’s value for financial advisors. 

Outside of work, Winnie loves to spend time with family and hang out with her cat. Hiking and playing badminton are her go-to leisure activities.

Joseph Wagner

CFP, RWM, CHS, EPC
Faculty Chair

Joseph has been a part of The Banff School community since 2009, crediting much of his success to the wealth of knowledge he has gained from the many speakers he has had the opportunity to hear at the school. In 2017, he took on the role of Technology Chair and has since transitioned to the position of Faculty Chair. Joseph is passionate about giving back and is excited to dedicate his time to supporting the education and success of financial advisors in Canada.

Company website click here.

LinkedIn page click here.

Brenda Dreissigacker

School Administrator

Brenda began volunteering on the Advocis Banff School Committee in 2008. 

She then served as: Registration Chair – 2010 – 2013, Chair – 2014 & 2015, & Past Chair – 2016 & 2017

Brenda also served as the National Schools Chair from 2016 to 2020.

In the fall of 2018, Brenda retired from full time work with IA Financial Group and was offered the part time position of Administrator for the school.  She loves her role as it keeps her connected to long time friends and former business associates within the industry!

LinkedIn page click here.