THUY (Twee) CHOU, CFP® , CIM® , FCSI® , Senior Wealth Consultant & Investment Counsellor, Cidel Asset Management Inc. Calgary, AB
- TAYLOR STRANAGHAN
- Jul 21
- 5 min read
Updated: Jul 28
THUY CHOU
“It’s not about what you know, or what you do;
it’s how you make your clients feel”
Thuy (Twee) Chou (CFP® , CIM® , FCSI® ), Senior Wealth Consultant & Investment Counsellor, Cidel Asset Management Inc. combines over two decades of experience with a passion for holistic financial planning. Guided by a commitment to empowering clients, Thuy specializes in serving Canadian professionals and their families, integrating a personalized approach that balances technical skill with meaningful, practical advice.
“I graduated from the University of Calgary with the intention of going to law school, but life took me in a different direction,” she says. Following a stint working in stock transfers, Thuy got married and had two kids. Despite a shift in her career path, she mentions “I now believe in fate and that the universe has its own plans.”
Having gained experience in the industry working in the legal field at a large trust company, and eventually receiving training in estate and trust, Thuy found her calling to help people with estate planning and financial matters.
“Eventually, I decided to broaden my impact by transitioning to Financial Planning, hoping to assist the next generation and beyond,” she says. “I pursued my Certified Financial Planner (CFP® ) and Chartered Investment Manager (CIM® ) and Fellowship designations thereafter.”
“I spent another six years in this field before taking a year off due to family health issues. During that time, I was deeply impressed by the care my son received at the Alberta Children’s Hospital. This experience inspired me to return to work with a renewed purpose, leading me to focus on working with medical and other professionals, where I have been for nearly 10 years.” In fact, she later had the opportunity to work with the physician who had previously cared for her son. Thuy noted, “To thank them for their care, I offered my own in return.”
Balancing Wealth and Purpose
At Cidel, although Thuy specializes in working with physicians, she also serves a broad range of Canadian professionals and their families—often across multiple generations. This breadth allows her to build deep, lasting relationships and support a diverse network with evolving financial needs.
A key priority for many of the professionals Thuy works with is effective tax and estate planning. She explains, “Given the complexity of their financial situations and the level of wealth involved, I often collaborate closely with lawyers, accountants, and other specialists. Working as a team allows us to address intricate challenges and deliver solutions that are both strategic and highly personalized.”
Her approach to financial planning is deeply aligned with Cidel’s core philosophy: Humanity, Simplicity, and Agility. Whether she’s guiding a family through a complex estate plan or helping a client navigate retirement, Thuy brings warmth, clarity, and responsiveness to every interaction—ensuring that each client feels heard, supported, and empowered.
Together with the Cidel team, Thuy provides comprehensive financial planning that can focus on one or several key areas, including asset management, risk management, tax strategies, retirement planning, and estate planning. Her work is guided by Cidel’s core philosophy—ensuring that every plan is thoughtful, approachable, and responsive to life’s changes.
This scenario aligns with Thuy’s overarching practice philosophy. “I engage with my clients using a holistic approach, integrating financial planning with investment management and other facets such as risk management and financial oversight,” she says. “This method creates a personalized plan that extends beyond the one-size-fits-all approach, which clients are often accustomed to.”
She goes on to say, “While clients may initially find this approach different, it leads to more meaningful, purposeful conversations and better alignment with their financial needs and goals.”
Given her background in estate and trust, Thuy recognizes that planning is never linear. “Rather, it is about navigating different paths and addressing both extremes of spending and saving. I encourage clients who tend to save excessively to embrace spending within their limits and live purposely and intentionally. My reminder to them is that life is finite, and it is essential to make the most of it!”
For Thuy, success is measured not in numbers, but in the moments when clients feel truly understood, supported, and confident in the guidance they receive.
Curiosity-Driven Planning
“At the heart of my work at Cidel is educating, guiding, and supporting clients to achieve their financial goals.” Guided by one of her favourite quotes by Maya Angelou ‘It’s not about what you know or what you do, but how you make your clients feel’, Thuy says “I believe in the importance of relationship building and giving back.”
In her role, Thuy’s approach diverges from the traditional method of aligning a client’s life with a plan. She says, “ Instead, I start by understanding their life plan and aligning their financial and investment plan to that, not the other way around.” Thuy highlights the common case of clients transitioning into retirement. “This new phase of life can be daunting, as people often struggle with their identity and purpose after a career defines them.”
Thuy mentions, “Curiosity is a key strength in my approach. Rather than relying on assumptions or biases, I focus on asking numerous questions to understand my client's goals and desires deeply. This curiosity helps uncover their underlying aspirations, as initial answers might only reflect immediate needs like taking a summer holiday rather than long-term retirement plans.”
“Retirement planning is more complex than simply addressing short-term desires. It’s crucial to consider what remains for the years ahead if everything is fulfilled in the first year,” she says.
Thuy excels in exploring these aspects through detailed and inquisitive dialogue. By gaining a comprehensive understanding of clients' broader life plans, she can more effectively align their financial strategies with their long-term objectives, leading to more personalized and impactful planning.
Empowering Women in Financial Planning
Thuy looks back to a particularly meaningful experience in her career that has transformed her vision. “In my work assisting with investment planning, I got to know many couples, especially the men who managed the family’s finances. I learned a lot from one couple, in which the male client was diagnosed with cancer. After two years of working with him and his wife, I visited him in hospice. He expressed relief, knowing that his wife would be well taken care of after his passing.”
Since then, Thuy has developed a strong focus on empowering women to take greater ownership of their financial lives. “Whether they’re single, married, or raising children, women today are balancing demanding careers with growing financial responsibilities,” she explains. “I’m passionate about helping them take a more proactive and confident approach to their finances—so they feel informed, supported, and in control at every stage of life.
In Thuy’s experience, she says, “Women often bring a different perspective and patience to financial planning, which can be more impactful when mirrored in the advisory industry. Balancing technical details with meaningful, practical advice is essential, as some clients find technical information overwhelming and prefer a more relatable approach.”
From Career to Quality Time
Outside of work, Thuy is dedicated to her family, including her two sons, aged 27 and 20, whom she is guiding toward independence. “Since my older son has moved out and is doing well, I have had more time to spend quality time with my husband. We recently celebrated our 29th wedding anniversary.”
After a bustling career over the past two decades, her husband’s retirement around nine years ago has allowed them to spend more time together, which Thuy now considers one of her main hobbies. “Despite being known as a workaholic, I find joy in travelling and spending time with my family, balancing my love for work while making intentional time to enjoy life’s adventures.”
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.
Thuy Chou, CFP® , CIM® , FCSI®
Senior Wealth Consultant, Investment Counsellor
Cidel Asset Management Inc.
Suite 403, 322-11th Avenue SW
Calgary, AB T2R 0C5
587 - 830 - 3211