Karen Thompson, B.Sc., CIM, CPCA®, FCSI®, FEA
Director, Portfolio Manager, Investment Advisor
Telephone: (604) 844-5397 | [email protected]
Karen is a Director and Portfolio Manager at Odlum Brown with over 30 years of experience in the investment industry.
As a Portfolio Manager, Karen provides discretionary portfolio management to high-net-worth clients, corporations, non-profit organizations and trusts. Karen focuses on creating long-term relationships with her clients by understanding their priorities. She uses a disciplined investment approach that includes effective guidance on intergenerational wealth transfer strategies.
Her experience enables her to guide clients through transitions in life, such as retirement, selling a business, wealth transfers and making tax-effective donations to charities.
Each person, family and non-profit organization has a unique need. With her team of professionals, Karen ensures that a strategic plan is created, implemented and monitored.
Karen has a strong conviction for giving back to the community. She has been involved with youth sports through coaching, managing and participating on various boards.
She is currently Director and Chair of the Governance and Human Resources Committee at the Alzheimer Society of B.C. and sits on a working committee at the Vancouver Lawn Tennis & Badminton Club.
When away from work, Karen enjoys cycling, tennis, hiking and spending time with family and friends.
Education and Certification
- CPCA® – Certified Professional Consultant on Aging (2019)
- FEA – Family Enterprise Advisor (2013)
- FCSI® – Fellow of Canadian Securities Institute (1999)
- B.Sc. – Bachelor of Science from the University of Toronto (1992)
- CIM – Canadian Investment Manager (1999)
- COC – Canadian Options Course (1990)
Martin McNish, BBA, CIM®, CFA
Portfolio Manager, Investment Advisor
Telephone: 604-844-5475 | [email protected]
Martin has been serving clients at Odlum Brown since 2008. Martin values the honest and transparent relationships he has built with his clients. With his disciplined approach, Martin is dedicated to helping clients meet their financial objectives by understanding each client’s needs.
Martin takes the necessary time with each client to understand what is important to them and what their objectives are so that he can create a plan to get them there. He recognizes that everyone’s financial situation is unique and, as such, takes a personalized approach to every client meeting. Martin makes the effort to understand each client’s investment objectives, risk tolerance and financial circumstances to provide tailored advice and investment solutions that are best suited to their needs. He believes in an integrated approach to investment management that takes into account all aspects of a client’s financial life, including investments, taxes, estate planning and risk management.
Martin is committed to giving back to his community. He has been a dedicated volunteer for the Lumara Grief and Bereavement Society for the past 15 years and has served on several non-profit boards. His passion for community service led him to create Give a Damn, a charitable giving organization that motivates, educates and empowers individuals to get involved in their community. Martin also lends his time to emcee various charity events throughout the year. When he’s not working or volunteering, Martin is an avid marathon runner. He has completed 16 marathons, including the Boston Marathon.
Martin is a CFA charterholder, was an IIAC Top Under 40 Award nominee in 2017 and was a recipient of Capilano University’s Award of Excellence in 2020.
Education and Certification
- CFA Charterholder (2013)
- CIM – Chartered Investment Manager (2010)
- Derivatives Fundamentals Course (2010)
- PMT – Portfolio Management Techniques (2010)
- OLC – Derivatives Fundamentals and Options Licensing Course (2009)
- CPH – Conduct and Practices Handbook (2008)
- WME – Wealth Management Supplement (2009)
- BBA – Bachelor of Business Administration, Capilano School of Business (2008)
- CSC – Canadian Securities Course (2008)
Jennifer Le, BBA, CIM®
Investment Associate
Phone: (604) 844-5421 | [email protected]
Jennifer comes with a background in banking services, from which she gained a curiosity about the markets and wanted to learn more. She joined Odlum Brown in 2016 and has a passion for helping others become financially literate.
Jennifer assists the team with various aspects of their client-focused practice, including facilitating financial projections,* developing exceptional rapport with clients and guiding clients through their investment strategy.
Jennifer is continuing her education and is en route to attaining the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® designation. She truly believes in the value of further education and is excited about how she can apply and share what she learns to the benefit of our clients.
Jennifer volunteers with United Way BC, mentors BCIT students and participates in multiple committees within Odlum Brown. She has a strong sense of community involvement as it aligns with her passion for helping others. During her free time, she enjoys long walks by the water and different high-intensity fitness classes. She lives in Vancouver with her four-legged son, Miso.
Education and Certification
- CIM® – Chartered Investment Manager (2023)
- PMT – Portfolio Management Techniques (2023)
- Associate Certificate of Financial Planning, British Columbia Institute of Technology (2023)
- AIS – Advanced Investment Strategies (2020)
- WME – Wealth Management Essentials (2019)
- BBA – Bachelor of Business Administration, British Columbia Institute of Technology (2016)
- Diploma of Business Management, British Columbia Institute of Technology (2015)
Lucas Sweda, BBA
Investment Assistant
Phone: (604) 899-8741| [email protected]
After receiving his bachelor’s degree from Capilano University, Lucas worked for a software company in Vancouver before finding his passion for finance and investing, which led him to join Odlum Brown in 2019.
While part of the firm’s client services function, Lucas moved from a securities administrator position to the U.S settlements side of the firm. He provided assistance not only to the securities and settlements teams but also to the firm’s mutual funds department. Now on the retail side of the business, he assists Karen and Martin with various aspects of their business while learning more about financial markets and building relationships with clients.
In his time away from the office, Lucas enjoys cycling around Burnaby Mountain and playing on a men’s soccer team on the North Shore. He has been fortunate to travel to nearly 20 countries and loves exploring new places. Lucas participates in Odlum Brown’s annual Movember campaign, teaming up with his colleagues to help raise awareness for men’s health issues.
Education and Certification
- CSC – Canadian Securities Course (2022)
- CPH – Conduct and Practices Handbook (2022)
- BBA – Bachelor of Business Administration, Capilano University (2017), with a focus on International Business
