Who We Are
About KenMar
Started by industry veterans and partners, Ken Guarisco and Marci Perreault, KenMar is proud to be one of Ottawa’s boutique financial services, wealth management, insurance, and estate planning firms. With over 50 years of experience, a tight-knit group of supporting staff, and growing roster of knowledgable external professionals, we’re here to help you handle anything life throws your way
So if you’re looking for increased stability and clarity in these challenging times, choose KenMar. Because everyone deserves to sleep well at night knowing their future is in good hands.
Our Approach
Sincere
We endeavour to create sincere, genuine relationships with our clients. This not only improves our work, but creates an additional layer of shared trust and comfort that our larger competitors just can’t match.
Sensible
We’ve been in this industry for over 50 years. You don’t last that long without a clear track record of sensible, intelligent financial planning and management that delivers results.
Straightforward
We’re not interested in fluff or being overly verbose. We know what we’re doing, and we’ll help you reach your goals in a clear, easy-to-understand manner.
The KenMar Difference
Our Team
Ken Guarisco | CFP®
Certified Financial Planner
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Ken brings 35+ years of financial planning experience with wide and extensive knowledge in the industry.
As captain of the University of Ottawa’s 1975 National Championship team, he has continued to demonstrate leadership in both the football and business communities, developing many cherished relationships. Discipline, resilience and a strong work ethic are instilled in him and diligently applied daily.
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Marci Perreault | FLMI, CHS, CFP®
Certified Financial Planner
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Marci has been in the financial services field for over 30 years helping clients make the best decisions possible when it comes to protecting their families and businesses. Her experience has only deepened her belief that each individual needs a unique plan, one that is tailored to their personal situation.
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Justin Gagnon
Financial Advisor
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Justin works alongside a team of financial planners, accountants, lawyers, and notaries, specializing in comprehensive holistic planning that covers financial, insurance, tax and estate preparation for business owners and their families. Justin and his team also work closely with trusted consulting partners in the areas of employee benefits and group retirement services.
Justin is a graduate of The University of Ottawa and joined KenMar in 2022. Justin began his career in the financial services industry with Desjardins Financial Security Independent Network in 2016. As a firm believer in continuing education, Justin is currently pursuing the Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) designation.
Justin is deeply committed to building and sustaining a balanced work-life philosophy. When not working at the office, Justin enjoys playing hockey and values time spent with family and friends. He is also an avid golfer and a long-standing member at Rideau View Golf Club.
Justin is licensed to practice in the province of Ontario and Quebec.
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Marcel Mares | CFA®
Investment Counsellor
Amy Archambault
Executive Assistant
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Amy has over 20 years of serving KenMar clients, making sure the entire process runs smoothly between our team and them.
John Christensen | CPA®, CA®, TEP®
Vice-President, Wealth Planning
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John works closely with our high-net-worth clients to identify issues and provide complex, tactical, wealth planning support that complements their wealth plans. John has a focus on tax and financial planning strategies for business owners, professionals and other affluent individuals and families.
John joined CI Assante Private Client in 2020 after working as a Senior Tax Manager at Ernst and Young LLP. John also worked as a Tax Manager at KPMG LLP in their Enterprise practice. John brings more than 11 years of professional wealth planning experience to CI Assante Private Client.
John is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CA) who has completed the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants’ (now Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada) In-Depth Tax Program.
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Dan graduated from the University of Ottawa with a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) degree, and then obtained a graduate diploma in public accountancy from McGill. He worked with KPMG before heading into a large high-tech firm to handle some of their tax issues, and then joined Metropolitan Life as their manager of Advance Sales before moving to London Life more than eighteen years ago.
Dan is a member of the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants, the Insitute of Chartered Accountants of Ontario, the Canadian Tax Foundation, the Conference for Advanced Life Underwriting (CALU) and the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP).
Miranda Carson
Client Relations Specialist
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Miranda comes to KenMar with over 15 years of experience in the financial services industry.
Dan Stewart | FMA, TEP®, CFP®
Wealth Planner
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Dan Stewart facilitates the delivery of wealth planning reports. Using a needs based approach, Dan works with our clients to not only gather pertinent financial information, but more importantly, to identify issues and to help our clients articulate and document their goals in order to build a plan that meets their complex needs.
Dan became part of CI Assante Private Client in 2015. His experience in wealth planning and asset management spans over 20 years. It includes Account Executive at Manulife Financial, Training and Development Manager for advisors at Freedom 55 Financial and as a Financial Planner at SISIP Financial Services. For the past 15 years he has taught as a part-time Faculty Professor at Algonquin College where he facilitates courses leading to the PFP and CFP® designations.
Dan holds a BA (Finance) from Algonquin College. In addition, he holds his Certified Financial Planner® (CFP®) and Financial Management Advisor (FMA) designations.
Dan Slattery | CPA®, CA®
Tax and Estate Planning Specialist
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Marcel provides portfolio management services and brings over 15 years of diverse experience to our high-net-worth clients in the CI Assante Private Client program. In consultation with our team, he determines an appropriate asset allocation to best meet the objectives of every client. He also provides ongoing reviews of client portfolios and works closely with our Wealth Planning team to ensure that their investment plans continue to meet their needs.
Marcel graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Honours degree in Economics from York University and University of Toronto and holds a Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA) designation.
Our Community
The Glebe: One of Ottawa’s Premiere Neighbourhoods
Our office is located in the north end of The Glebe, one of Ottawa’s most historic and sought after neighbourhood. With its tree-lined streets, historic homes, and thriving commercial district, we’re happy to call it our home. Many of our clients seem to think the same, as we’re only a short walk from their front door.