SWEENEY BRIDE

Clarity | Confidence | Comfort

TAKE THE FINANCIAL HEALTH QUESTIONNAIRE

“A voracious passion for helping families navigate the complex world of financial planning”

Each of us at Sweeney Bride found our way to professional financial advice through a different path, but there is one thing we have in common – a voracious passion for helping families navigate the complex world of financial planning. We each have different values, skills and experiences that, when combined, deliver a service whose whole is greater than the sum of its parts.

Janet-Bride-Sweeney-Bride

TESTIMONIALS

TESTIMONIALS

FAQ About
Finance & Investment

A financial advisor is many things: a teacher, a coach, a planner, an accountability partner and a technical expert. Sometimes, we are your financial therapist and sounding board. Other times, we are there to verify you’re on the right track. Your advisor should be there every step of the way to help you understand your goals, devise a plan to exceed them, and recalibrate when things change.

Taxes touch every part of your finances - from cash flow and debt management to retirement and estate planning. Having an advisor that understands the intricacies and relationships between all parts of your financial life means you pay less taxes over your lifetime. That means more money in your pocket to help you reach your goals.

Retirement planning is part of a bigger picture that includes cash flow management, tax planning, savings strategies, portfolio management and more. Having a cohesive plan that integrates all parts of your finances means retiring on time and on your terms.

Canada’s wealth management industry is vast, and can be confusing for consumers. Advisor titles are loosely regulated, and in some provinces not at all. This means what your advisor calls themselves tells you nothing about the services they provide, their level of expertise, or how they are compensated. Not every advisor is equal - some focus only on selling investment products, others only on life insurance. Many advisors focus on portfolio management, without due care paid to comprehensive financial planning. When engaging with an advisor or firm, make sure you ask them about their education and experience, how they are compensated, and what level of service and planning you can expect for your fees. Then hold them accountable.

In Canada, there is no estate tax or inheritance tax. But that doesn’t mean there won’t be a tax bill when you pass away. Through sound planning, we will help you anticipate, reduce, and even eliminate final taxes so you can leave more of what you have built to your loved ones.

SHARON FIELDS

Administrative Assistant

Sharon worked for Sweeney Bride from 2014 to 2016 and recently rejoined the team as an Administrative Assistant in 2021. She has years of administrative experience in a variety of industries including working in legal and accounting firms. She enjoys being detailed, organized and efficient. When not hard at work, she enjoys exploring the great outdoors with her dogs, playing co-operative strategy board games and relaxing while sipping a nice Craft beer.

Carrie Freitag

CARRIE FREITAG

Administrative Assistant

Carrie is the newest member of our team and is our Administrative Assistant. She has previous industry and administrative experience and her fascination with the finance industry is rapidly growing. Carrie moved to BC in 1994 from Ontario and never looked back. While not working she loves hanging out with her two kids, awesome cat Leo, and enjoys a competitive game of 21, and her gardens.

Kelly Thompson

KELLY THOMAS

 Associate

Kelly is one of the newest members of our team and is an Associate working with Mark McGrath. She has over 10 years experience in the finance industry and is working towards becoming a Wealth Advisor herself. While not working, Kelly enjoys spending time with her husband and two young kids, reading the next fantasy novel from her never-ending list, and playing video and board games with friends.

Katie Norton

KATIE NORTON

Associate

Katie is a Business Administration graduate who joined the Sweeney Bride team in 2016. She takes care of on-boarding as well as managing account administration for our existing clients. She works hard to ensure the clients feel supported throughout the on-boarding process and is always available to answer questions.

A BC resident since 1997, Katie and her husband moved to Squamish to raise their two girls. They enjoy all of the outdoor activities and natural beauty that Squamish has to offer.

Hannah McVean

HANNAH MCVEAN

CFP®, CIM® | Investment Advisor

Hannah is a financial planner and investment advisor with Sweeney Bride Strategic Wealth Advisory.

Hannah’s personable approach to client meetings unmasks financial goals and anxieties clients didn’t know they had or felt.  Her specialty is then taking the stress out of complicated financial planning issues. She has an infectious passion for personal finance (even about insurance, believe it or not!) and providing solutions that leave clients feeling more at peace about their finances.

Hannah holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® designation and has been working with Sweeney Bride since 2017.

When not at the office, you can mostly find her outside – mountain biking, white water kayaking or skiing. When resting, she will be at home engrossed in a great sci-fi or fantasy novel (or, from time to time, re-playing the Elder Scrolls video games).

Liz Woodsworth

LIZ WOODSWORTH

Office Manager

Liz joined the Sweeney Bride team in 2015 as office manager. She is the gatekeeper in the office and is the face that greets you as you come through the door. If she can’t help you, she will ensure you speak with someone who can. Liz is a long-time Squamish local; when not in the office she spends her days soaking up all that this town has to offer while chasing her two active boys. Liz brings her valuable organizational skills and enthusiastic attitude to the team.

Mark-McGrath

MARK MCGRATH

CFP®, CIM®, CLU® | Wealth Advisor

With over 10 years’ experience in the industry, Mark holds the Chartered Investment Manager (CIM®), CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®, and Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU®) designations, and is also insurance licensed.

“Control your money or your money will control you”. The words of Mark’s late father instilled a passion for financial planning and personal finance in him at a young age. Mark has since nurtured this obsession into a commitment to educate and assist others in reaching and exceeding their financial dreams through purposeful, evidence-based, and comprehensive financial planning. Having spent the majority of his career focused on high-income professionals, Mark’s expertise lies in investment, tax, retirement, and estate planning for small business owners and their families.

Mark grew up in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia and has recently found home in Squamish with his wife, Denise, and young son Noah. When he is not immersed in reading and listening to personal finance content, he can be found snowboarding, playing strategy games with his wife, or teaching his son to play guitar.

Janet Bride

JANET BRIDE

CFP®, CIM® | Senior Wealth Advisor

Janet Bride is a Senior Wealth Advisor at Wellington-Altus Private Wealth and co-founder of the Sweeney Bride Strategic Wealth Advisory team.

With over 15 years’ experience in the Industry Janet holds the Chartered Investment Manager (CIM®), CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®, and Elder Planning Counselor (EPC) designations and is also Insurance licensed.

Janet grew up in Ontario and moved out to beautiful British Columbia in 1995 with her husband, Paul, who is an adventure travel photographer. Her passion is to travel the world. Always interested in exploring different cultures and landscapes, she is grateful to have traveled to over 50 countries across 6 continents. She also enjoys continuous learning, spontaneous adventures with family and friends, and an active lifestyle in the Sea to Sky. Janet is proud to be a Big Brothers Big Sisters Alumni member since 2004.

She is highly motivated by helping people reach their financial dreams by creating comprehensive financial plans for individuals & families. While using a holistic approach to wealth management, she specializes in tax strategies and her goal is to encourage savings and help build our client’s wealth for a healthy and prosperous future.

David-Sweeney

DAVID SWEENEY

CFP®, CIM® | Senior Wealth Advisor

Dave Sweeney is a Senior Wealth Advisor at Wellington-Altus Private Wealth and co-founder of the Sweeney Bride Strategic Wealth Advisory team.

With over 26 years’ experience in the Industry Dave holds the Chartered Investment Manager (CIM®), CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®, and Elder Planning Counselor (EPC) designations and is also Insurance licensed.

Dave has lived in Squamish for most of his life. Married to his wife Donna, since 1987, they proudly have 3 lovely daughters, Amy, Danielle and Jamie. With his time in Squamish, it has allowed him an opportunity to become involved in many valuable groups.

Dave is a retired Captain of Squamish Fire Rescue after 35 years of service. Another passion was sports and he has been a coach for Squamish Youth Soccer Association where he dedicated 10 years to coaching girls Rep teams. Additionally, he is a former member and Treasurer of the Sea to Sky Community Services Board. Dave is a frequent contributor to Mountain FM’s Mountain Monitor, providing general advice and financial commentary.

Dave continues his volunteer work as Treasurer for both the Squamish Hospital Foundation and the Squamish Downtown Business Improvement Association. He is also a sitting Board member of the Squamish Community Foundation.

Professionally, Dave started his Financial Planning practice in 1994. After living through both his parents’ demise and witnessing what a lack of understanding they had, he realized what sound planning techniques could do to ensure that an untimely death did not destroy one’s lifetime work. For over 20 years, he has made it his passion to assist others in not facing the same plight.