Our Team
Our dedicated advisors and staff prioritize your needs, ensuring that your goals are at the forefront of everything we do.
Gregory Bennett
Principal
In 2006 Greg joined Freedom 55 Financial and began his journey of providing professional financial advice. He merged his practice with Goals Based Financial Inc., in 2017 as one of the founding partners. Greg has a passion for protecting his clients with the most beneficial insurance products. He is a public speaker throughout Ontario and Eastern Canada. In 2010 Greg obtained the Certified Health Insurance Specialist (CHS) designation. He has also been a qualifying member of the Million Dollar Round Table, the premier association of financial professionals. Members serve their clients with the exemplary performance and the highest standard of ethics and professional knowledge.
Bryan Scott
Managing Partner
Bryan graduated from the Odette School of Business in April 2012. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree with a concentration in finance. He is recognized as a member of the Golden Key Society for ranking in the top 15% of his class in academics. Upon graduation, in July 2012, Bryan began his career in the financial services industry. Since beginning his career, he has been a member of Advocis, The Financial Advisors Association of Canada. Bryan is the Managing Partner and Co-Principal Planner of Goals Based Advisory and Consulting™, the high-net-worth financial planning division of Goals Based Financial Inc. Bryan strongly believes in professional development and is an advocate for continuing education. He is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP), Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) and holds several other additional professional designations concentrating in financial planning. Bryan is currently working with STEP Canada towards obtaining his Trust and Estate Practitioner (TEP) designation. As a CFP Professional, Bryan specializes in comprehensive financial planning in both the personal and corporate landscapes. Bryan’s real passion is consulting with wealth management advisors. He strongly believes that complimenting a wealth management advisor’s practice with holistic financial planning creates a synergy that brings considerable benefit to all aspects of the client’s financial position. Bryan works very closely with the advisors that he consults with throughout the entirety of his distinct financial planning process. He sincerely believes trust and transparency is the foundation of a successful partnership and yields the best outcome for the advisor’s client. Bryan uses complex tax and estate planning strategies to formulate clear and concise client recommendations. This enables the client to truly comprehend their financial plan and recognize the value provided by their advisory team. In Bryan’s time away from the office, he enjoys spending time with his wife, Krista, their children, Lincoln and Marley, and their dog, Lenny. Bryan is also passionate about sports, health and wellness, specifically hockey, golf, baseball, and CrossFit.
Brendan Gordon
Managing Partner
In 2007 Brendan graduated from the University of Guelph and started his career providing financial advice to a variety of clients. He completed an honors degree at the University of Guelph majoring in economics and finance. He started his career at Freedom 55 Financial as a financial security advisor until 2017 when he merged his practice Goals Based Financial Inc., as one of the founding partners. Brendan is a second-generation financial advisor, having followed in his father’s career path which began in 1980. To advance his knowledge and expertise in the Finance industry, Brendan has obtained his Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designation, his Canadian Health Insurance Specialist (CHS) designation, and his Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) designation. He continues to pursue a higher education every year. He is a qualifying member of the Million Dollar Round Table, the premier association of financial professionals. Brendan is also a member of Advocis, the Financial Advisors Association of Canada.
Jennifer Janicas
Advisor Support Associate
Jennifer started with Freedom 55 Financial in 2004 as a marketing associate. In 2002, she was an advisor with Freedom 55 Financial before moving over to President’s Choice home and auto insurance at its launch in 2003 as a tele-sales associate. Jennifer’s preference for an administrative role lead her back to Freedom 55 Financial, where she worked closely with Vince Della Pia. When he incorporated into Elan Planning & Wealth Management she was right there by his side. She satisfies clients’ needs and expectations through efficient and effective customer service and provides professional, knowledgeable sales and service and support to Elan customers and associate advisors
Philip Lewis
Financial Security Advisor
Investment Representative
Philip started as a financial security advisor at Freedom 55 Financial and, after two and a half years, he joined Elan Planning & Wealth Management. Since then, he has earned his certification in Chartered Life Underwriters (CLU) and Certified Executor Advisor (CEA) designations. Philip works with individuals, families, and business owners. The clients’ needs, goals and financial well-being are always first and foremost. He helps attain his clients’ best interests by creating a financial plan to meet their changing needs throughout their lifetime. Philip builds long-term relationships based on trust, integrity and transparency, which he feels is integral in ensuring the success of his client’s goals and dreams. Philip has volunteered for over seven years with Junior Achievement Central Ontario, an organization that believes in the power of education to positively impact the future of students and youth in our community through practical, hands-on learning in the field of financial literacy at schools, colleges and universities. Philip is married with three children. His hobbies and interests are travel, music, and sports, especially cricket and soccer.
Andrew Gordon
Certified Financial Planner
Investment Representative
Andrew joined the team at Elan Planning and Wealth as an associate advisor in July 2020 after 10 years with Freedom 55 Financial and over 20 years as an actuary at a large multi-national insurance company in downtown Toronto. In his current role, Andrew serves his clients by developing customized insurance, retirement and financial planning solutions to meet their current and future needs. He is a strong believer in professionalism and continuing education and holds the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) and Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) designations, in addition to being an actuary and an active member of Advocis. It is his belief that the client’s best interest forms the basis of all relationships and he accomplishes this by partnering with the professionals at Elan. A resident of Ajax for over 30 years, Andrew is an avid martial artist and can be found on the Latin dance floor when not in the office.
Michael Maugeri
Financial Security Advisor
Investment Representative
Mike has been a financial security advisor for 29 years. After acquiring a degree from the University of Toronto, Mike began his career with London Life which transitioned to Freedom 55 Financial where he has worked to help his clients attain their financial goals both short and long term through education about insurance, investments, employer benefit packages and retirement planning. Mike has a strong history and proven track record working with individuals and with a wide range of industries including not for profit healthcare organizations where he has designed and customised individual financial plans, employee benefit plans, pension and group rrsp plans to fit their budgets. Mike now brings his expertise and professionalism to Elan Planning and Wealth Management starting March 2023. Mike is the eldest of 8 children, grew up in North York and now resides in York Region, married with three children. Mike volunteered as a house league hockey coach for 20 years and is an avid Toronto Maple Leaf fan. He enjoys his free time by travelling and holidaying at the family cottage surrounded with family and friends.
Laura Reid
Financial Security Advisor
Laura has extensive experience in the financial industry. She has worked with property managers, banks and insurance companies for more than 20 years. She joined London Life/Canada Life in 2016 and has been helping clients work towards achieving their financial goals for the future. She also provides individual financial coaching to those who request it. Laura volunteers within the community as a volunteer and board member for Girls Inc of Durham.
Mishu Vellani
Certified Financial Planner
Mishu holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Western Ontario as well as the professional designation of Certified Financial Planner CFP®. Her interest in this profession lies with her desire to help those who are committed to planning for the security of their families and their futures. She works closely with her clients to understand their priorities as well as their needs. Mishu has been an advisor with London Life/Canada Life for 5 years before joining Elan Planning and Wealth Management.