ROBERT J. OGLOFF, CFP®, CPCA, Financial Planner, Sun Life, in Grand Forks, BC
- TAYLOR STRANAGHAN
- Feb 21
- 6 min read
ROBERT OGLOFF
“Success isn’t just about financial outcomes -
it’s about gratitude and community impact”
Robert J. Ogloff (CFP® ), Financial Planner at Sun Life in Grand Forks, British Columbia has built a career rooted in small-town values and a passion for helping others. Guided by trust and community, Robert is dedicated to helping families navigate life’s defining moments, turning plans into lasting legacies.
What brought Robert to the financial world, however, was anything but conventional. It began with a seemingly simple act of kindness that would shape his future in ways he could have never imagined.
Stepping into the financial field in his early 20s, Robert started on his path as a college student studying Business Administration in Kelowna, BC. His father, a realtor in their small farming community, unknowingly set the wheels of Robert’s career in motion. “I received a call from my dad with an unusual request. He mentioned that a financial advisor by the name of Adolf Franz was in Kelowna Hospital recovering from surgery and asked me to bring him a golf magazine and say hello.”
Curious but with no expectations, Robert tracked him down in the hospital, golf magazine in hand, and introduced himself. “Having an interest in finance without a set path in advising, Adolf referred me to Mutual Life of Canada, and before I knew it, I seized the opportunity to work alongside him and eventually take over the business when he retired.”
“This was more than just a career move—it was a homecoming”
Born and raised in a tight-knit family community, Robert is deeply rooted in its values. “I am a small-town farm boy at heart,” he says, reflecting on his return to Grand Forks. “The familiarity of the community felt like the perfect place to start building my own legacy.”
After making the move, Robert received his CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® designation, wasting no time to work alongside the senior advisor. Eager to learn, he gained hands-on experience managing client accounts, providing insurance and critical illness protection strategies, offering in-depth estate planning services, and preparing tailored financial plans for future generations.
During the early years of his career, Robert absorbed not only the technical aspects of financial advising but also the importance of relationships—something his father always emphasized. “The connections I made and the trust I built with clients became the foundation of my career,” he says proudly.
Today, Robert’s practice is shaped by the small-town values he grew up with. His team includes his wife Tamara, who is his Operations Manager; his Executive Assistant Brenda Shione, who has been with him for 18 years, and Kristy Newman, who joined recently as his Administrative Assistant. As a team, they bring these values to life in every interaction. “For us, clients are not just numbers, they’re family,” he says.
Building Lifelong Relationships in a Small Community
For Robert, working in a small community means more than solely managing finances. It’s about embracing versatility, fostering trust, and building lifelong relationships with his clients. His mission is clear: to provide financial strategies that allow clients to move forward confidently with their decisions, transforming complex challenges into manageable solutions.
Over the 30+ years of service he has provided, Robert has had the privilege to witness his clients’ major milestones. “From helping young clients at the start of their financial journeys by setting up savings plans, to walking alongside couples as they plan for family milestones like education expenses, our goal is always to simplify the process and provide clarity,” he explains. “Eventually, we help with end-of-life planning, ensuring estate taxes are handled and assets are transitioned to the next generation in a tax-efficient manner.”
Integrity, professionalism, and empathy are the core values that guide every client interaction in Robert’s practice. He is proud of the deep generational connections his small-town roots have fostered, creating a sense of continuity and trust. “It’s fulfilling to know I’ve helped clients leave something meaningful behind for their children or beneficiaries,” he says.
Robert’s commitment to expertise and innovation has also allowed his practice to grow beyond its Grand Forks roots. “While we’re proud to serve many local families, we’ve expanded our virtual capabilities to connect with clients across British Columbia,” he shares. “No matter where they are, we provide the same level of care, professionalism, and tailored strategies to help them achieve their financial goals with confidence.”
Success Rooted in Planning and Gratitude
For Robert, success begins with a strong financial plan. Unlike larger financial institutions that continue to limit options, Robert’s practice offers diverse investment strategies and customized portfolios. He adds, “Portfolio diversification is key, where each is tailored to the client’s risk tolerances and goals. This ensures clients have the tools they need to achieve their savings and retirement goals.”
Looking back, Robert feels the mentorship he received at the beginning of his journey was instrumental in shaping his habits and approach. “Adolf always emphasized the importance of planning, saying, ‘Make a plan and work the plan.’ That advice has stuck with me to this day.”
As for the bigger picture of what success means for Robert, he believed that while important, success is not just about financial outcomes—it’s about gratitude and community impact. “For me, success includes moments like receiving a thank-you note or a gift basket from a client expressing gratitude for helping them with their retirement or funding their child’s education. Beyond that, success is about giving back to our community.”
Together with his wife and office manager, Tamara, Robert allocates a portion of profits to local causes through their Valley Cornerstone Community donor-advised fund. From supporting the ski hill and hockey teams to helping sports groups, Robert ensures his practice’s success translates into community growth. He adds, “Running a successful practice isn’t just about helping clients. It’s about giving back to the community that has supported us all along. That’s what makes everything worthwhile.”
As Robert’s practice continues to evolve, he is also excited to announce the upcoming rebranding of his firm to Valley Cornerstone Financial Services Inc. in the coming year. He adds, “The name ‘Ogloff’ translates to ‘cornerstone’ in Russian, and as I look to the future, this rebranding represents both growth and the solid values I’ve built over the years. We’ll keep the same trusted logo, but the new name will reflect a broader vision, focused on expanding and bringing in the right talent to join our team.”
Currently, through the Valley Cornerstone Community Fund, Robert and his team are exploring new initiatives which include offering scholarships to local children pursuing post-secondary education and sponsoring students who wish to join a sports team but whose families are not financially able to support the cost.
A Stronger Team for a Better Tomorrow
As he looks ahead, Robert adds, “I am most excited about growing my team to better serve our clients while fostering a supportive and balanced workplace.”
With an expanding client base, Robert is searching for an associate advisor who shares his passion for helping the community build their wealth and their futures. “Expanding our team will not only help us manage our growing client base but also allows me to focus more on maintaining my work-life balance.”
At home, he and Tamara have 13-year-old twins, a boy and a girl, who keep life exciting and full of joy. “With Tamara overseeing the administration side of the business and additional staff helping to ease the workload, I’m able to focus more on my family, my clients, and my community as a whole—something I’m grateful to prioritize.”
As Robert reflects on his journey, one thing becomes clear: his career is more than a job, rather, it is a testament to the values he’s carried with him from the farm fields of his childhood to the office he leads today. Guided by integrity, professionalism, and a deep care for others, Robert has built a practice that prioritizes relationships, community, and lasting impact.
“At the end of the day, it is all about creating a strong team and continuing to meet our clients’ needs wherever they are,” Robert reflects. “That’s what I look forward to the most.”
Taylor Stranaghan is a skilled business content writer and editor who brings forth a wealth of knowledge and expertise. With years of experience crafting compelling narratives, she excels at producing high-quality, engaging content that informs, educates, and inspires readers.
Robert J. Ogloff, CFP ® , CPCA
Financial Planner
Sun Life
7323 - 3rd Street
Grand Forks, BC V0H 1H0
250.442.3164