MARIE ORGAN, CFP ® , Senior Investment Advisor, CIBC Wood Gundy, Halifax, Nova Scotia
MARIE ORGAN
“Trust is the foundation as we craft and implement your tailored financial plan”
Driven by a desire to uphold her standards of trust and maintain meaningful client relationships, Marie Organ (CFP® ), Senior Investment Advisor at CIBC Wood Gundy in Halifax, believes in creating a lasting positive impact on every individual she meets. “Beyond financial gains, success to me is leaving clients feeling relieved and reassured, regardless of their initial apprehensions.”
Marie’s journey into financial planning began unexpectedly, rooted in her upbringing in a family owned business along the Labrador coast. Despite the business not transitioning smoothly to the next generation, Marie found inspiration in her parents’ entrepreneurial spirit.
“Growing up, I gained valuable insights into business operations,” she says. “Whether it was observing my mom manage accounting tasks or assisting my dad at our family’s general store, I learned firsthand about handling finances and interacting with customers from a very young age.”
“Unfortunately, not having access to the right advice from professionals ultimately hindered the business’s success.” This experience shaped Marie’s perspective on the importance of sound financial guidance.
“After completing my degree in e-commerce, I landed a banking gig where I was hired as a teller. While I enjoyed interacting with clients, I disliked the cash-balancing aspect of the role.” Despite certain obstacles along the way, Marie’s desire to provide comprehensive financial assistance persisted, driving her to explore avenues beyond traditional banking roles.
“By 1999, I transitioned into financial planning where I could pursue my passion in assisting clients with their financial needs and goals.”
By the early 2000s, Marie had the opportunity to join an independent firm where she honed her expertise in investment management while collaborating with professionals in tax planning and insurance. The diverse exposure offered by this transition from banking to the finance industry enriched her skill set and broadened her professional horizons.
“In the upcoming decade, I was approached by a major banking institute where I was able to grow my business with the promise of a more balanced professional life that would allow me to raise my two young kids alongside my partner with more ease,” she says. “While this was a phenomenal opportunity to grow and expand as a Financial Planner, I reached a point where this transition no longer resonated with the path I wished to pursue.”
Marie began her search for a firm that aligned with her goals, vision, and values.
“In November 2022, after extensive discussions with various providers and firms, exploring their practices, cultures, and strategies, I made the decision to transition to CIBC Private Wealth,” she says. “I proudly reflect back on this move, as I feel that it is a career that provides me with integrity and purpose.”
“I prioritize everything starting with a plan”
Recognizing the diverse needs, concerns, and uncertainties among clients, Marie continuously emphasizes the necessity of a personalized roadmap to guide their financial journey. “The foundation of our approach is always rooted in having a plan,” she says. “It not only furnishes me with a comprehensive understanding of the client’s situation but also serves as a blueprint for our future endeavours together.”
“The plan serves as the foundation, outlining clients’ aspirations for the present, near future, and long term. By having a comprehensive plan in place, we gain clarity on whether clients’ current actions align with their desired outcomes and objectives.”
This lesson from her family’s history serves as a heartfelt reminder of the transformative power of effective planning, driving her commitment to providing clients with a robust framework for success. “Reflecting on how different our lives might have been had we had sound financial planning and advice in our initial business deal is something that fuels my passion and determination in this industry.”
“While not every detail finds its way into the plan, I have noticed that the more we engage in dialogue, the more willing clients become to share pertinent information. They seek reassurance that we are fully informed, allowing us to perform our duties effectively without running into any surprises.”
As someone who is not fond of surprises, not even in the form of surprise birthdays, Marie mentions “I carry this sentiment into my professional life, striving to ensure that my clients are never caught off guard. Once the foundational plan is established, we can then meticulously identify gaps, inefficiencies, and opportunities where we can add substantial value.”
"There is almost always an area where we can enhance their financial strategy, address overlooked aspects, or introduce new perspectives.”
Securing Stability Through Thoughtful Planning
As circumstances change, life happens, and rates of return rise and fall, the need to adapt remains essential. “Looking into the plan that we collaborated on, if there is misalignment, it signals areas where we need to focus our efforts,” she says. “This is where planning becomes instrumental, guiding us in recalibrating their strategies to better align with their goals.”
Within this holistic framework, investments play a pivotal role, with Marie often observing clients taking on unnecessary risks to chase high returns. “By recalibrating their investment strategy, we can create a more comfortable portfolio that allows them to navigate market fluctuations without losing any sleep.”
The plan serves as the guiding light, evaluating investments in the broader context of short, mid, and long-term goals, alongside crucial components such as will and estate planning, tax planning, and cash flow management.
“Our aim is to ensure clients remain on track to achieving their desired outcomes, even when unexpected life events happen. Ultimately, the plan helps instill clients with a sense of security and confidence in their financial future.”
Trust Provides the Foundation for Collaboration
In the world of Financial Planning, trust forms the bedrock of client relationships.
Marie’s clientele encompasses a diverse range of individuals, including widows, business owners, and busy women in the workforce seeking trusted financial guidance. “These clients value having a reliable partner to manage their financial affairs, allowing them to focus on other aspects of their lives without worrying about their financial future.”
“Clients must feel confident that I can effectively address their needs and provide value, while also feeling comfortable sharing personal information,” she says. “When I establish a rapport with someone and feel confident in their trust in me, it lays a solid foundation for our collaboration. With this trust in place, we can continuously modify and adapt the plan as needed, navigating life’s twists and turns together.”
Professional Pride and Personal Fulfillment
Marie shares her journey of navigating the delicate balance between her professional commitments and family life with sincerity and practicality. “Having children has reinforced the importance of disconnecting from work and cherishing the time spent with loved ones. Their busy lives and activities serve as a reminder of how quickly time passes, motivating me to prioritize family time and create lasting memories together.”
While acknowledging the inherent challenges in balancing work and family life, Marie takes immense pride in being in a position to love what she does – both personally and professionally. “I feel a renewed sense of capacity to grow my business,” she says. “I am actively seeking opportunities to expand my client base and further develop my professional pursuits.”
On top of growing her business, Marie also plans to deepen her connection with the community while also staying involved in her children’s lives. “I have recently taken on an active role within my community by joining the board of my son’s paddling club. Knowing how much he loves it, I feel a great sense of pride in being able to contribute.”
“I am also motivated to contribute to the field of medicine,” she says. “Having firsthand experience with life's fragility and recognizing the importance of giving back has guided me to seek opportunities to make a meaningful difference in this space.
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Marie Organ, CFP®
Senior Investment Advisor
CIBC Private Wealth Wood Gundy
54 Dellridge Lane
Halifax, Nova Scotia B4A 4H6
902.425.6990
“CIBC Private Wealth” consists of services provided by CIBC and certain of its subsidiaries through CIBC Private Banking; CIBC Private Investment Counsel, a division of CIBC Asset Management Inc. (“CAM”); CIBC Trust Corporation; and CIBC Wood Gundy, a division of CIBC World Markets Inc. (“WMI”). CIBC Private Banking provides solutions from CIBC Investor Services Inc. (“ISI”), CAM and credit products. CIBC Private Wealth services are available to qualified individuals. Insurance services are only available through CIBC Wood Gundy Financial Services Inc. In Quebec, insurance services are only available through CIBC Wood Gundy Financial Services (Quebec) Inc. The CIBC logo and “CIBC Private Wealth” are trademarks of CIBC, used under license. “Wood Gundy” is a registered trademark of CIBC World Markets Inc. Clients are advised to seek advice regarding their particular circumstances from their personal tax and legal advisors. Marie Organ is an Investment Advisor with CIBC Wood Gundy in Halifax Nova Scotia. The views of Marie Organ do not necessarily reflect those of CIBC World Markets Inc.