Dr. Nathaly GagnonPh.D., Fin.Pl.Finance Financial Planner and Financial Security Advisor at Investors Group Securities Inc.

WDM

January 2016

Dr. Nathaly Gagnon Ph.D., Fin.Pl.Finance Financial Planner and Financial Security Advisor at Investors Group Securities Inc.Westmount, Quebec, Canada

Over the years, Nathaly has recognized that people are nearly paralyzed with the overwhelming amount of financial information available on a daily basis. Therefore, her role has evolved into providing knowledge and wisdom to alleviate all the confusing and contradicting information. Based on their past, present, and future goals; she customizes financial plans for what is most important to each client and provides them with the knowledge they need in order to achieve their goals.

“I become their ‘quarterback’; sort of a coordinator between the different experts my clients need, since I have access to a whole network of experts in other fields, including taxation, estate planning, income protection, fiscal lawyers, notaries, etc. Above all, trusted financial advisors offer wisdom to help clients decipher contradicting information and provide their expertise and experience. This is what I call my contribution funnel.”

Nathaly defines ‘financial wisdom’ as doing what actually contributes to having a great life.

“Life is too short to waste. Dreams are fulfilled only through action; not through endless planning to take action!”

As a lifelong learner in this profession, Nathaly believes that the world of finances requires continual adaptation; the capacity to use a foundation of years of experience and knowledge and transform it into practical wisdom.

“You cannot find the myriad of solutions we provide in school or in books; period. I help my clients cut through the complexities and confusion of their situations and assist them in identifying what actions will produce immediate change and progress. There is no prepared script and new strategies emerge as I create new value for my clients in different situations. This avoids being derailed by circumstances that no one can control, like a temporary market downturn or an increase in interest rates.”

She also believes that no one’s success is achieved in solitude.

“I decided early in my career that I would benefit from hiring a coach. In fact, I’ve been coached by several people. I attribute part of my success to the different lessons they have taught me and would like to recognize the ones who have had the most significant impact in my ability to create greater value for my clients. In doing so, I believe that other professionals may be inspired to reach out to some of the great coaches available today.”

“We can always reinvent our past as much as we can envision our future. In retrospect, I see more clearly how and why one path was chosen over another.”

Dr. Nathaly Gagnon’s career as a Financial Planner and Financial Security Advisor started at the end of 1997, the same year she became a mother. Nathaly

had been a university professor for many years, but knew that to be respected and successful in her field, she had to devote all her time to teaching, writing, and doing scientific research. However, the required schedule isn’t very compatible with raising children; at least not for the kind of mother she wanted to be.

Nathaly and her husband, Babis, elected to adopt two children from Asia; their son in 1997 and their daughter in early 1998.

“At the time, Babis was the Regional Director of Investors Group in Westmount, Quebec, Canada. We had long conversations about our goals, expectations, and aspirations for our children and agreed that I would be the one to halt my career for a while. My colleagues thought that I was completely nuts to leave such a promising career, but my children were my first priority.”

Something that many people don’t realize about adopting children is that you often get very little or sometimes inaccurate health data about the child. It turned out that when both children arrived in Canada, neither had been vaccinated (despite what their medical dossiers stated) and had to be in regular contact with other children their age, where the risk of acquiring childhood diseases was higher for them while their immune systems developed. This meant that her need to be a stay-at-home mom for the first few years of their life was no longer a viable plan.

Nathaly was then at a crossroad. Would she go back to teach at the university, or accept Babis’ invitation to join his team of financial planners? She chose the latter.

“It was a decision I never regretted, even if it entailed rethinking my entire perspective on accepting a lifetime of constant changes and remain a lifelong learner in my ‘new’ field.”

Her first years were spent on acquiring the competence and required skills on how to offer financial guidance in a world in constant evolution, and where the level of uncertainty seems to increase. At the end of the 1990s, one could see that the corporate and bureaucratic structures that had provided financial security for millions of people were slowly abandoning this kind of support and individuals were forced to take charge of their own future. Their future became their responsibility.

“But who has learned how to do that? The answer is simple; nobody. All of a sudden, I realized that it would be my role to provide my clients with the form of guidance needed to achieve financial security. I now embrace the challenge of providing each one of my clients with a lifetime financial plan and the strategies they need to ensure their self-reliance and prosperity.”

6 Women of Distinction

7 Women of Distinction

The first of these coaches is Bill Bachrach, who created the Values-Based Financial Planning approach; a program that Nathaly has implemented and used to determine how she chooses the clients she accepts to help.

“Not all professional relationships are mutually beneficial. In fact, some clients can literally destroy your confidence if you don’t pay attention to the warning signs. Bill has taught me to choose every professional relationship very carefully. This means that I seek to understand at the very onset what kind of intrinsic values we share. A potential client must be willing to share with me what is most important about money to them; and by design, what is more important than money to them. This is the only way I will accept a new client. Simply put, I know what I’m doing and my competence allows my clients to devote their time and energy to the things that are most important to them. In time, they know that my approach works, because I ask them: ‘What would your life be like if you had a financial strategy based on what was truly important to you, where your investments and insurance programs were working in harmony to achieve your goals?’ I know for a fact that this would be in stark contrast to what most people have, which is a hodgepodge of financial products purchased one by one over the years from various salespeople and companies based on tips from friends or brochures.”

Dan Sullivan is the other coach who helped Nathaly discover that what she is doing as a financial advisor is one of the most significant roles that anyone can play in the 21st century marketplace with his program for entrepreneurs, The Strategic Coach.

“I know intuitively that we’re at the heart of human progress when we help people become

‘economic adults’; being full citizens who take responsibility for their future and use

all the financial tools we put at their disposal for their financial success. For instance, Dan encourages us to use the concept of Value

Creation that consists of providing leadership, relationship, and creativity.”

What does that mean in concrete terms when you are having a conversation with a client about his or her financial situation?

Leadership is providing direction to clients who are confused. A very practical example would be to help a client avoid doing the wrong thing at the wrong time (i.e. selling their investments in a moment of panic because the markets have declined sharply).

“In my own practice, leadership would mean that there are only two courses of action in such

a situation; status quo or better yet, acquiring excellent investments that are temporarily ‘on sale’.”

Relationship consists of providing a new sense of confidence when a client feels isolated and incapable of dealing with constant changes.

“Most people believe that their feelings of isolation are unique to them. Not so. For instance, newly retired clients are often

disoriented by their new ‘freedom’ and loss of their professional status. They need to establish

a trustful relationship with others, including their financial advisor. Newly divorcees feel

completely isolated and benefit from a truthful conversation with their advisor to find ways to

deal with this major change in their life.”

Creativity comes in the form of new capabilities when clients are feeling powerless as a result of change.

“People need to feel good about their future. I help them with the tools and strategies at my

disposal, so that they’re the artisan of their own future. Yes, there is a future even when tragedy

has struck!”

At Investors Group, financial advisors are considered entrepreneurs. Each one builds his/her own clientele and works within a defined code of conduct and strict compliance rules.

“I feel a great deal of responsibility in protecting my integrity and working in the best interest of my clients. My actions reflect on the company’s

reputation. Given the importance of money in our lives, integrity is at the core of what Investors Group instills in each one of us.”

Nathaly’s greatest professional inspiration comes from something she heard early on in her career.

“I was invited to a financial conference in 1998 and one of the keynote speakers (I forgot his name) said something so profound, that it has influenced my practice since. I am paraphrasing: ‘In the end, life’s success is being surrounded by people you love. On our deathbed, it really won’t matter how much money we had, what kind of car we drove, or how big our house was. What will truly matter is the difference we made in a child’s life.’ In my office, I mentor and offer guidance to some of the new recruits joining the industry.”

8 Women of Distinction

She encourages them to reflect on four distinct aspects:

1. I urge them to stay away from pessimistic people, because they will always have a rationale to predict or explain your future failure. Complainers do not contribute to your success and will always try to bring you down with them.

2. I assure them that their success does not take anything away from me or anyone else; so go for it! There are millions of people who need you and you can only serve a finite amount of clients. Choose them well, define how you see your ideal clients, and find them.

3. We practice a very noble profession, are more needed than ever, and are the only advisors in this era of economic adulthood that can provide clarity, confidence, and wisdom to help our clients with their individual progress. Particularly, an aspect of our mission is to simplify as described below:

4. I emphasize that there are different levels of trust needed in every profession and in particular, when it comes to financial advisors. One level is based on our technical competence and know-how. The second level is linked to our ethical conduct and character. And the third level relates to our empathic skills and maturity. Some qualities can be learned or acquired with experience, while others are innate. You cannot create empathy out of thin air.

Despite her years of experience, Nathaly still faces her share of professional challenges.

“One of these challenges is to know that what I don’t know will always be infinitely greater than what I do know!”

Another challenge has to do with the perception of others regarding her company and what it actually does.

“When I was a professor, it seemed simple. I was respected de facto and my responsibilities were to share knowledge and ideas; and I was paid regardless if my students agreed with my ideas or not. Sadly, I rarely found out what kind of impact I had on my students’ lives; if any. Today, as a financial planner, I still share knowledge and ideas, but I’m paid with the financial products that my clients eventually buy. One major difference is that I can measure the immediate impact I have on my clients’ lives. I want to emphasize this point, because it shows the great responsibility we have towards our clients.”

It is also challenging for Nathaly to continually enhance her practice, take the time to explain her role, and clarify how she can contribute to improve her clients’ lives.

“In the end, I can only convince my clients that their financial success is derived from the ‘DOING’, not the ‘KNOWING’. To make that point, I often explain the purpose of financial planning by stating the ‘WHY’ and the ‘HOW’. The ‘WHY’ is to learn to use money intentionally with meaning, purpose, and direction to create the fulfilling life that one deserves. The ‘HOW’ is creating the habits and strategies to achieve financial independence.”

Since the beginning of her professional life, Nathaly has specialized in working with women. She has given lectures and financial seminars to hundreds of women over the years; particularly describing the relationship between money and the various life transitions they go through. Nathaly has found that there is a great difference between intellectual and insightful understanding. Insightful understanding, in any situation, brings clarity; it is a natural function of the mind and has the power to make the changes that matter in people’s lives.

9 Women of DistinctionCon

tact:

Dr. Nathaly Gagnon, Ph.D., Fin.Pl.(514) 935-3520 https://ca.linkedin.com/in/drnathalygagnonnathaly.gagnon@investorsgroup.com

“For your readers, I would like to share the following synthesis I created while guiding women. On the left, are the consequences of not having a plan or strategy while going through any of these transitions; on the right, it’s the opposite.”

Her experience has taught her that making smart financial choices impacts the quality of life at all levels.

“I am absolutely convinced that financial health has a direct effect on a person’s mental, physical, and spiritual health; as well as relationships with family, friends, colleagues, etc. Perhaps the most obvious connection is the way sound financial health reduces stress and brightens a person’s mental outlook. What about the relationship between financial and physical health? Because stress is related to illness, lowering financial stress can impact physical health. The relationship between financial and relationship health is obvious. Money problems can shatter a marriage; even among the wealthy. Financial health can have a positive impact on relationship with family, friends, and business associates. As for spiritual health, although it doesn’t have to be this way, many people pursue the fulfillment of more spiritual values once they’ve attained financial success.”

One of the best pieces of advice that Nathaly can give is to live in the moment and not worry about dying rich.

“Unfortunately, I’ve seen too many clients dying rich without having enjoyed their prosperity. They were worried for years that they might not have enough money, despite my efforts to provide accurate indication to the contrary. As someone once told me, the fear of losing money is much greater than greed. Hence, my part in people’s lives is to underline that money is significant only to the extent that it allows you to enjoy what’s important to you. You’ll certainly agree that there is more than logic and discipline when it comes to our finances. I know from my daily practice that there are many emotional undercurrents and very few financial planners choose to look at the ‘interior finance’. You know the part about the hopes, dreams, fears, and taboos that are silent partners in our financial lives. In brief, I invite my clients, particularly the women, to do some mental push-ups!”

Long before becoming a financial planner, Nathaly worked as a community organizer in the health and social services network

in three different community centers; helping women who had been victims of violence.

“By organizing women’s groups, we would create women’s centers, women’s shelters, daycare services, and self-defense courses. Curiously, the one thing I could never do back then was create workshops where women could learn to budget with a few pennies. I told my superiors that it was pure hypocrisy to pretend that a person could survive with so limited resources when they couldn’t even stick to a proper budget!

Even then, I was convinced that financial independence was a key component to a woman’s freedom and peace of mind. I just did not know that I would later make it my life mission!”

While she was a university professor, Nathaly kept a keen interest in women’s studies and often taught courses at the Simone de Beauvoir Institute at Concordia University and gave numerous conferences around the world on various topics of research that she was involved with.

“I must admit that the subjects were considered rather controversial; from the inequalities in the treatment of sex workers (income, social benefits, protection, etc.) to the relation between sports culture and violence against women. My first book is entitled Un Vol Organisé (Organized Robbery) and describes the discrimination women face at work and the various consequences of being paid less with subsequent lower pension and benefits available once they’ve retired. Another book I co-authored is entitled Histoires D’Amour (Love Stories). At the women`s center where I volunteered at the time, we asked women to write a love story describing how they were able to turn their life around after a tragic event. And my third book is used mostly by university students to explore the difference between men and women’s leisure time. It shows how men have the capacity to enjoy blocks of leisure time, while women will often consider that watching TV while ironing is leisure. The one place a woman can be left in peace, I was told, is when she is taking a bath. Her husband or kids will leave her alone momentarily.”

She also published several scientific articles before joining Investors Group, but is now concentrating on a book entitled Women`s Wealth and Wisdom: The Joys and Sorrows of Money.

“I intend to launch it on March 8, 2016: Women’s Day. I believe the title is self-explanatory.”

Aside from reading and writing, Nathaly enjoys playing golf and skiing. And for the past few years, she has spent more time than ever at her gym doing antigravity yoga, TRX training, and aerial fitness.

“It’s very challenging, but rewarding at the same time. My husband and I have a routine on the weekend. We go to the gym on Saturday and Sunday and after doing our exercises, we have breakfast at our special restaurant. It’s free time that we cherish and it allows us to share ideas, talk about our kids, make plans for vacations, and discuss our business.”

Nathaly’s ultimate legacy would be for her business to be recognized for its integrity, to have had a life of congruence at all levels (personal and professional), and for people to remember her as a person who always cared. She strongly believes that few things energize the human spirit more than the desire to make a difference in the lives of others.