SHAWN MILLIGAN, Senior Wealth Advisor of RBC Dominion Securities Inc. The Milligan Private Wealth Management Team, Regina, SK
- GARY MILAKOVIC
- 3 hours ago
- 5 min read
SHAWN MILLIGAN
"Success is a team sport"
Shawn Milligan serves as Senior Wealth Advisor with the Milligan Private Wealth Management Team at RBC Dominion Securities. With nearly 40 years of experience, Shawn’s vision has helped clients build stronger financial futures. Even after decades in the industry, his passion for the work hasn’t changed. From the day he graduated university, Shawn knew this was the career he wanted to pursue.
Today he helps clients navigate wealth management, estate planning, healthier retirements and long-term financial success. As his business has grown, so have the services he’s able to provide.
“We offer a comprehensive array of services for clients,” Shawn said. “They appreciate having all their needs met in one place because it makes life easier. I work with a lot of high-performing individuals and business leaders. They don’t have time to drive around the city just to sign paperwork. They appreciate that we do it all. That full-service approach is really what sets us apart.”
Whether it’s wealth management, estate planning, insurance or complex tax considerations, Shawn and his team take a 360-degree approach to a client’s financial life. They thoughtfully approach each client’s goals and dreams, taking time to understand them fully before making even a single decision. Rather than offering a one-size-fits-all solution, they focus on getting to know who the client is at their core.
That’s the Milligan-team difference.
Hard work pays off
Shawn had a humble upbringing where the family worked for everything they had. His father worked at SaskPower. His mom stayed at home taking care of the household. They lived modestly without frills. His parents were an inspiration to him and Shawn still credits them for his work ethic. He learned a lot from his grandfathers too. One was a farmer and the other was a railroad mechanic.
Each was hardworking and honest beyond measure.
Their wives helped too by growing vibrant gardens to help feed the family and bringing lunch out to the field so grandpa could continue working.
“People may not realize it,” Shawn said contemplatively. “But wealth management is a lot like farming. What you put in is what you yield. You plan, sow the fields, water, fertilize and use your knowledge to get the best result. Then when the time is right you harvest and you’re all the better for it. It’s something I’m trying to teach my kids: the harder you work the luckier you get. That’s especially true in our business.”
Shawn has seen a lot in his nearly four decades including the crash of 1987, the tech bubble, wars, COVID-19, crypto mania and tariffs. Through it all he counsels clients to trust the process. The market moves up and down but sticking to the plan often yields the best results. Of course, sometimes that’s easier said than done.
“Supporting people through the hard times means reminding them that we made a plan for a reason and that rash decisions based on emotion almost always work out worse in the long run. Sticking to it is hard but worth it.”
Shawn Milligan, Senior Wealth Advisor, Milligan Private Wealth Management Team, RBC Dominion Securities Inc.
Shawn credits his empathetic and supportive nature to a life-changing near-death experience. Many years ago, Shawn was involved in a devastating motorboat accident that caused his entire life to flash before his eyes. It was an incredibly serious accident, and his recovery was long and difficult.
Some might call his recovery a miracle. Others might credit the toughness and determination he built from years of fearlessly “going into the corners” in sports. But Shawn believes the real difference came from the support surrounding him — his family, his friends, and the teammates who stood beside him throughout his recovery.
Today, Shawn and his team strive to provide that same sense of support and guidance to their clients every day.
Clients are family
Shawn is proud of all that he’s accomplished throughout his career, but what he values most are the genuine relationships he’s been able to build with clients.
One client, who we will refer to as Clem, needed Shawn’s help with estate planning. He had accumulated a significant amount of wealth with an impressive portfolio, under Shawn’s management. Clem decided he was going to leave his money to the agricultural department at a university close to his heart. Shawn helped him achieve his dream.
Then one day out of the blue Clem’s executors called Shawn.
“Clem wants to speak to you by FaceTime Shawn,” he recalls them saying.
He didn’t know what to expect.
“I knew he was sick, so I was expecting the worst. But truthfully, I wasn’t prepared for our conversation. Clem told me that he had decided to end his own life through the Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) program. I was shocked. I didn’t know what to say. But what shocked me even more was what Clem said next. He wanted to thank me and say farewell.
“I was so moved by his thoughtfulness. On the eve of his passing, he decided that he wanted to call and thank me for my hard work. I was sad and proud at the same time knowing that I was one of the last people he chose to speak to.
“I think the average person doesn’t realize how deeply invested we become in the lives of our clients. I know I’ll remember Clem for as long as I live. Our relationship was special and I’ll never forget him.”
Bringing it all together
Shawn has been fortunate to be part of some great teams throughout the years. He still plays hockey to this day — go RBC Bulls! The team around him now is no different.
Brett Birnie is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) and a Chartered Investment Manager (CIM). With over 20 years of experience, Brett navigates complex financial challenges and builds customized wealth management solutions for clients. Brett excels in offering clients holistic advice in planning and investment expertise.
Mavis Miao was born in China and came to Canada when she was 18. She knows the immigrant experience well and is able to connect with clients on a deep personal level while providing unparalleled support.
Eamon Milligan is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA). He’s also Shawn’s son and he’s made an immediate impact since joining the team. Eamon specializes in working closely with their client’s, accountants, lawyers, and banking partners to get the best results.
Shawn knows what it takes to be successful: a dynamic group of individuals who are obsessed with providing industry-leading service.
He also recognizes that there’s another vitally important member of the team: the client.
Their passion, drive and work ethic have gotten them to a point where they’re looking for guidance on how to take their financial future to the next level.
Shawn Milligan, Senior Wealth Advisor, Milligan Private Wealth Management Team, RBC Dominion Securities Inc.
Shawn, Brett, Eamon and Mavis won’t ever forget who the real MVP is.
“I’ve often said there are three things that set our team apart. We aren’t afraid to go into the corners. We’ll get the job done even when it’s tough. Nobody will ever outwork us because nobody fights harder for clients than we do. And we will always tell a client what they need to hear even if it’s hard. They deserve nothing less. “Clients have moved mountains to get where they are in life and we want to help them achieve their dreams.” Success is a team sport and at the Milligan Private Wealth Management Team everyone plays hard until the final whistle.
Gary Milakovic is a veteran writer with more than a decade in the public sector and corporate communications. He has covered a wide spectrum of topics and his work has been featured by large and small organizations across Canada. Gary is passionate about communication, his writing often focuses on uncovering the “story behind the story.”
Shawn Milligan, Senior Wealth Advisor,
The Milligan Private Wealth Management Team
RBC Wealth Management | RBC Dominion Securities Inc.
12th Ave – 16th Floor, Regina, SK, S4P 0M3
306-777-0516