François Lessard, BBA, FCSI^®, CIM^®

Portfolio Manager, Wealth Manager

T 418-335-3139

Languages: French, English

Biography

Bachelor's degree in finance from HEC Montréal
Fellow of CSI (FCSI®) in 1995
Investment advisor since 1992
Chartered Investment Manager (CIM®) since 2015
Client relations and wealth management specialist

François is a devoted leader who strongly believes in teamwork. He's responsible for customer relationship management for the team and oversees the Investment Committee.

CLP Group

Excellence Accreditation

Excellence accreditation attests that the wealth manager's practice meets the highest standards of quality in order to offer you an unparalleled experience in meeting your financial needs. This distinction is awarded exclusively to Desjardins Securities wealth managers who participate in a continuous development and improvement program.

Mission

To offer a full range of wealth management services

Our goal is to provide you with simple and effective investment solutions. We believe in a disciplined work ethic and outstanding client service, and wealth management is the core of what we do.

We care about providing expert advisory services and building strong client relationships.

We promise you a single point of contact with access to our full range of wealth management expertise. You’re in good hands with our team of experts, who always have your best interests at heart.

Investment Philosophy

Our guiding principles:

Our investment philosophy is simple, effective and focused on your needs.
We design our portfolios around risk-free investments as opposed to benchmark returns.
We believe the best way to optimize a portfolio’s risk/return profile is through strategic asset allocation, not stock picking, not stock selection.

What sets us apart

Our goal is to protect and grow your money by limiting the risks associated with market fluctuations. That’s why we favour an asset allocation approach over stock picking.

We aim to outperform the risk-free rate and earn you a risk-adjusted return based on your investor profile (5-year GIC + %).*

*An investment objective is not a guarantee of performance.

Values

We share your values

Judgment
We take a careful and disciplined approach to diversifying your assets.

Honesty and integrity
Two core values that are as important in life as they are in investing. We also believe that when it comes to communication, transparency is key.

Simplicity
We believe you should understand what you’re investing in.

Care
To help you achieve your goals, we need to understand your needs. So talk to us. We’re listening.

Service Offer

When it comes to your money, we leave nothing to chance

Scheduled meetings for consistent follow-up

Regular wealth management meetings on:

Portfolio management and market monitoring
Retirement planning
Tax planning
Estate planning, insurance and annuities*
Business services
Complementary financial services solutions

* Some services may be provided by Desjardins Securities Financial Services Inc., Desjardins Financial Security, a caisse or an external professional working with your investment advisor.

Multiple ways to stay in touch:

Meetings
Emails and calls
Seminars on finance and economics
Letters

Biographies of my colleagues

Stéphane Poulin, BBA, CIM^®

Portfolio Manager, Wealth Manager

T 418-335-3544

Languages: French
- Bachelor’s degree in business administration from Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières
- Completed the Canadian Securities Course and the Professional Financial Planning Course from the Canadian Securities Institute
- Chartered Investment Manager (CIM^®)
- Investment advisor since 1997
- Experience at 3 major securities brokerage firms
- Honorary co-chair of Cégep de Thetford’s 2012–2015 fundraising campaign
Stéphane is very involved in the community and never turns down an opportunity to share his expertise on investing or the economy. His main responsibilities on the team are client relations and serving on the investment committee.
Full details
Olivier Perreault, BBA

Wealth Manager

T 418-335-2808

Languages: French, English

Linkedin
- Bachelor's degree in business administration from École des sciences de la gestion at Université du Québec à Montréal
- Canadian Securities Course
- Professional Financial Planning Course (PFPC)
- More than 25 years' experience in finance
- Worked at a large financial institution before joining Desjardins Securities
- Client relations and wealth management specialist
Olivier's main responsibilities include day-to-day management and customer relationship management for the team.
Full details
Sylvie Lévesque,

Wealth Manager

T 819-357-5236 ext. 5031242

Languages: French, English
- College diploma in office management
- Completed the Canadian Securities Course
- Over 20 years of securities experience; investment advisor since 2001
Sylvie knows the best way to serve her clients is to work as a team. She’s always ready to take on new challenges and always stays one step ahead. Her main responsibilities on the team are client relations and business development.
Full details
Steve Carignan, BBA, F. Pl

Wealth Manager

T 819-357-5236 ext. 5031204

Languages: French
- Bachelor of Business Administration from Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières (UQTR)
- Holder of a financial planner credential
- Canadian Securities Course
- Acquired over 10 years of experience in the financial sector
- Expertise with a clientele of entrepreneurs and professionals
- Client Relations and Wealth Management Specialist
Steve is known for his exemplary professionalism and dedication to his clients. He is recognized by his peers and business partners as a positive team player and leader. His main responsibilities on the team are client relations management and business development.
Full details
Michael Daigle, BBA

Wealth Manager

T 418-335-2300 ext. 5042313

Languages: French, English
- Bachelor's degree in Business Administration
- Canadian Securities Course
- Acquired over 10 years of experience in the financial sector
- Dedicated to working with clients
- Wealth management Strategy Specialist
- Passionate about stock markets
Their role is to maintain strong business relationships with our various partners in order to provide them with an outstanding experience and service, much like our team. He also sits on the Business Development and Portfolio Management Committee.
Full details
Odette Dubois,

Wealth Management Assistant

T 418-335-3960 ext. 5043960

Languages: French, English
- More than 15 years' experience in finance
- More than 10 years' experience in the legal field
- Diploma of College Studies in secretarial studies
Roberto Ménard, BBA, F. Pl

Financial Planner

T 418-335-2300

Languages: French, English

Linkedin
- Bachelor's degree in business administration, specialization in finance, from Université Laval
- Financial planner
- Financial security advisor
- More than 25 years' experience in finance
- Integrated financial planning specialist
- Vast knowledge of the challenges faced by professionals, business leaders and high net worth clients
- Regularly collaborates with professionals who work with clients, such as accountants, tax experts and notaries
Julie Breton,

Wealth Management Associate

T 418-335-2300 ext. 5042304

Languages: French, English
- Diploma of College Studies in office administration
- Canadian Securities Course
- More than 25 years' experience with Desjardins Group
- Puts client satisfaction first
Julie Langlois,

Wealth Management Assistant

T 819-357-5236 ext. 5031218

Languages: French, English
- General Diploma of College Studies from Cégep de Victoriaville
- 12 years' experience in finance, with 3 years' experience in human resources
- She's devoted and passionate about her work and always offers outstanding service
Amélie Dubé, BBA

Wealth Management Associate

T 819-357-5236 ext. 5031219

Languages: French, English
- Bachelor of Business Administration from Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières (UQTR)
- Canadian Securities Course
- Over 5 years of experience in the financial sector
Charles Lessard, BBA

Associate Wealth Management Advisor

T 418-335-2300 ext. 5042327

Languages: French, English

Linkedin
- Bachelor's degree in business administration from HEC Montréal
- Interest in financial markets and the business world
- Dedicated and attentive to customer needs
Marie-Andrée Roberge,

Wealth Management Associate

Languages: French
- With Desjardins since 1997
- Holds a Diploma of College Studies in finance from Cégep de Sherbrooke
- Experience as an accounting clerk, in member services and administrative services and as a personal finance advisor
- Customer service is her top priority
Sara Turmel,

Wealth Management Associate

Languages: French
- Currently pursuing a Bachelor of Business Administration with a specialization in finance from Université Laval
- Known for her rigorous academics, intellectual curiosity and community involvement, including volunteer work at the Hôtel-Dieu d’Arthabaska hospital’s À Notre Santé foundation
- Passionate about finance and looking forward to actively contributing to the team’s mission and ensuring client satisfaction