FEATURED WINNER
Harvest ETFs
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Kerri Reed,
Premiere Mortgage Centre
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EXCELLENCE AWARDEE: The Park Avenue Securities Award for CEO of the Year
www.destinyfamilyoffice.com
https://www.linkedin.com/company/destiny-family-office/
Tom@DestinyFamilyOffice.com
844.352.8827
Winter Park, Florida
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@nour_private_wealth
@harvestetfs
By fostering collaboration among our specialists, we simplify complex financial matters and empower clients to make confident, informed decisions. Our approach strengthens trust and builds lasting relationships.
This past year, we have met complex challenges with agility and innovation, achieving strong results for individuals, families, and businesses. From succession planning and tax optimization to asset protection, we’ve demonstrated dedication and expertise.
Our focus on continuous improvement ensures we remain current with trends and regulations. We also foster a collaborative, inclusive team culture that drives exceptional service.
We are proud to be considered for this award, reflecting our passion for delivering impactful solutions that help clients thrive.
The Lakes College Culinary Club (TLCCC) started with a team of 12 students and has now expanded to over 30 members, showcasing its continued success through participation in college events and even catering for local community organisations. This program not only imparts valuable culinary skills but also teaches the significance of community service, fosters practical abilities and cultivates a professional work ethic.
Spanning ages 11 to 18, the Culinary Club challenges students to create elaborate six-course degustation dinners and manage large-scale catering for college gatherings. Chloe, a Year 7 student, praises the program for imparting essential life skills in an enjoyable way among friends. Likewise, Emily values the connections she forms despite the program’s demanding pace.
Under the guidance of Chef Joel, TLCCC contributes to the college’s ethos and the students’ personal growth. The program’s commitment to local ingredients and culinary adventures is evident as it expands to include barista training and Responsible Service of Alcohol certification. The program seamlessly merges science, art and food technology, promoting discipline and shared responsibility. TLCCC embodies a commitment to service, community engagement and student leadership, cementing its unique character and contribution to The Lakes College.
The Lakes College Culinary Club (TLCCC) started with a team of 12 students and has now expanded to over 30 members, showcasing its continued success through participation in college events and even catering for local community organisations. This program not only imparts valuable culinary skills but also teaches the significance of community service, fosters practical abilities and cultivates a professional work ethic.
Spanning ages 11 to 18, the Culinary Club challenges students to create elaborate six-course degustation dinners and manage large-scale catering for college gatherings. Chloe, a Year 7 student, praises the program for imparting essential life skills in an enjoyable way among friends. Likewise, Emily values the connections she forms despite the program’s demanding pace.
Under the guidance of Chef Joel, TLCCC contributes to the college’s ethos and the students’ personal growth. The program’s commitment to local ingredients and culinary adventures is evident as it expands to include barista training and Responsible Service of Alcohol certification. The program seamlessly merges science, art and food technology, promoting discipline and shared responsibility. TLCCC embodies a commitment to service, community engagement and student leadership, cementing its unique character and contribution to The Lakes College.
https:/www.youtube.com/c/HarvestETFs
@blackfishfinance
Michael Kovacs
Founder, President & CEO
Michael Kovacs founded Harvest Portfolios Group in 2009 and is an over-35-year veteran of the investment management business. Since 1991 he has held senior management positions with four large asset management companies. Michael began his career as an Investment Advisor and for seven years managed money for individual investors. He is a strong believer in providing individuals with Investment products that have long-term fundamental mandates and portfolio transparency. Michael is also the Chairman of the Board for Harvest.
Michael Kovacs
Founder, President & CEO
Rohit Mehta is President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Global X Investments Canada Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Mirae Asset Global Investments Group, where he leads the overarching strategy and affairs of the firm. As one of Canada’s most trusted investment providers, Global X is committed to empowering Canadians to achieve their investment goals with the innovative ETF solutions needed for modern portfolios.
President & CEO
Rohit Mehta
Thomas Ruggie: Expanding access to alternatives for the modern investor
Destiny Family Office founder broadens private market opportunities and passion asset planning for UHNW clients and the trusted advisors who serve them
Tom Ruggie, ChFC®, CFP® has become a powerful advocate for investors with significant resources but limited access to alternative, direct, and co-investments, and a trusted voice for financial advisors and other professionals navigating the complexities of non-public markets. In an industry where institutional-caliber alternatives and private-market deals have long remained behind closed doors, Tom, named InvestmentNews’ Advisor of the Year – Alternative Investments, is helping eligible investors break through the barriers, helping democratize access utilizing Destiny Family Office’s registered funds.
At the helm of Destiny Family Office, Tom has forged strategic relationships that open access to rarefied opportunities: limited-access hedge funds, top-tier private equity offerings, and, most accretively, curated direct investments in companies at the forefront of global innovation, such as Reddit (pre-IPO), Anthropic, and Anduril.
But Tom’s push for democratization goes beyond deal access. He has also gained national prominence among top-tier, UHNW collectors, and the wealth advisors, CPAs, attorneys, and industry experts who serve them, for advancing collectibles as an alternative asset class. Leveraging his own experience as a world-class collector of autographed baseball cards and other sports memorabilia, he’s helped clients turn passion into portfolio strategy, often revealing overlooked risks and untapped value in the process.
Redefining access to alternatives
From hedge funds to high-tech unicorns, Destiny Family Office clients are getting into deals through the firm’s proprietary funds that often bypass traditional distribution. That kind of access is enabled by strategic relationships with Point72 Ventures, Blackstone, Hedosophia, and a custodial relationship with Goldman Sachs, offering exposure to private investments typically reserved for institutional capital.
Since its founding, Destiny Wealth Partners, the independent RIA for Destiny Family Office, several wealth management firms, and the organization’s proprietary investment offerings including Destiny Alternative Fund I and II, Destiny Target Outcome Fund (developed with CBOE Vest), and Destiny Co-Investment Fund, has maintained a client retention rate of 99 percent.
Tom’s long-standing planning approach uses a proprietary pool strategy that divides client assets by time horizon and liquidity needs. The first pool covers near-term spending, the second holds traditional assets, and the third is reserved for long-term investments that include alternatives.
This structure helps clients navigate changing markets while pursuing growth. Within the third pool, Tom focuses on diversification by asset type, sector, source, and vintage.
Growth fueled by content and personalization
Since Destiny’s inception, the firm’s qualified purchaser database has grown from 32 to more than 220. That growth has been driven by strategic outreach, thoughtful content, and a distinctive focus on wealth beyond traditional assets.
Tom’s own passion for collecting has led to the creation of his Collectibles Scorecard, a tool that helps clients evaluate how prepared they are when it comes to managing, protecting, and planning around their collections. The Scorecard assesses key areas such as insurance, valuation, documentation, and estate transfer.
Although sports and pop culture memorabilia have existed for decades, recent market activity suggests a major shift, and Tom embraces the opportunity to bring structure, strategy, and legacy planning into a rapidly maturing space.
He also hosts the Significance of Wealth podcast, publishes direct-investment and collectibles-focused newsletters, and regularly speaks at conferences ranging from family office summits to the National Sports Collectibles Convention. These platforms allow him to connect with like-minded investors and offer planning guidance that speaks to both private market access and the emotional and financial value of passion assets.
An Integrated, Collaborative Approach Among Trusted Advisors
Tom’s work demonstrates how alternative access, structured planning, and an appreciation for passion assets can be integrated into modern wealth management and family office capabilities.
His approach underscores how collaboration among trusted advisors can help reshape what it takes to serve UHNW families today and underscores his belief in the capacity for leaders to share their best ideas with each other to make everyone in the industry better, now…and for the future.
Investment advisory services offered through Destiny Wealth Partners, LLC, an SEC Registered Investment Advisor. Destiny Wealth Partners also conducts business under the name Destiny Family Office. The expressed views, thoughts, and opinions belong solely to the author of this email, or authorized contributor(s), and are not an opinion issued by Destiny Wealth Partners or its affiliates. Different types of investments involve varying degrees of risk and eligibility, and there can be no assurance that the future performance of any specific investment, investment strategy, or product will be profitable, equal any corresponding indicated historical performance level(s), be suitable for your portfolio or individual situation, or prove successful.
Mary Medeiros
COO & Director
Paul MacDonald
CIO
Caroline Grimont
SVP Marketing
Mary Medeiros is a founding member of Harvest Portfolios Group, having played an integral role in setting up the firm’s operations in 2009. Initially, as Vice President of Operations, Mary oversaw the successful growth of the firm’s operations, systems, administration, and key service provider relationships since inception. She has over 30 years of industry experience and managed national administration and sales systems for a Canadian mutual fund company and branch operations for an investment dealer. She was licensed as an advisor in 1997, working directly with retail investors until joining a Canadian investment fund manager in 2000. Mary serves on the board of directors.
Mary Medeiros
COO & Director
Paul MacDonald serves as the Chief Investment Officer and Portfolio Manager for Harvest. Paul joined Harvest in January 2013 and has over 20 years of experience in the investment business, with over 15 years as portfolio manager. Paul oversees the investment team, co-covers select healthcare and real estate companies globally, and is the lead portfolio manager on the Harvest Healthcare Leaders Income ETF, one of Canada’s largest Healthcare ETFs. He is a frequent media guest commentator on BNN, Globe & Mail, Morningstar, and other leading industry media. Previously Paul held positions as Vice President and Portfolio Manager at a Canadian asset manager where he was responsible for the investment portfolios, including a Lipper Award-winning fund.
Paul MacDonald
CIO
@transalta
@blackfishfinance
@blackfishfinance
facebook.com/reza.ghazi
@mldwealthmanagementgroup5617
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-hunt/
https://www.dennishuntandassociates.ca/
JothaanHunt@gpwm.ca
2045732978
18th Street, Unit A, Suite 857, Brandon, MB R7A 5B8
Robert Frances founded PEAK Financial Group in 1992 and has grown it into a leading Canadian firm in independent wealth management, insurance, and financial advice. PEAK supports 1,500 professionals and 150,000 clients, with over $16 billion in assets, operating with no proprietary products or sales quotas. Robert serves on the CIRO board and has held leadership roles at IFIC and Concordia University. He was Global Chair of YPO (2011–2012) and now chairs the board of LANDR, a digital music company. He was named Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year in Quebec’s Business Services category.
Founder, Chairman and CEO, PEAK Financial Group
Robert Frances
Robert Frances founded PEAK Financial Group in 1992 and has grown it into a leading Canadian firm in independent wealth management, insurance, and financial advice. PEAK supports 1,500 professionals and 150,000 clients, with over $16 billion in assets, operating with no proprietary products or sales quotas. Robert serves on the CIRO board and has held leadership roles at IFIC and Concordia University. He was Global Chair of YPO (2011–2012) and now chairs the board of LANDR, a digital music company. He was named Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year in Quebec’s Business Services category.
Founder, Chairman and CEO, PEAK Financial Group
Robert Frances
Caroline Grimont is the SVP of Marketing at Harvest ETFs. She is passionate about helping beginner investors gain confidence and understand the basics of effective investing and setting financial goals. With over 20 years of experience in national-level marketing, a bachelor of finance, and an MBA, she has acquired a unique blend of personal and professional insights to help others learn more about navigating the world of investing. Named one of Canada’s Best Executives by The Globe and Mail’s Report on Business, Caroline understands that many new investors are eager to grow their financial literacy but often find traditional financial education intimidating. Her goal is to provide investors with clear, fun, practical tips to help them build their knowledge and make informed decisions.
Caroline Grimont
SVP Marketing
Fletcher Hemmons is a Senior Portfolio Manager with the LePoidevin Group, delivering tailored investment strategies and comprehensive wealth planning to a broad client base. He constructs and manages portfolios using the team’s disciplined, research-driven approach.
A member of the LePoidevin Group for over 15 years and David’s second portfolio management partner, Fletcher supports clients across Canada and internationally, with offices in Vancouver and Toronto. He holds a degree in finance and economics from St. Francis Xavier University and the chartered investment manager (CIM®) designation, is licensed for options, and holds a US securities license.
Senior Investment Advisor & Senior Portfolio Manager
Fletcher Hemmons
WINNER: Advisor of the Year – Alternative Investments
Thomas Ruggie, ChFC®, CFP®
Destiny Family Office
Maili Wong, CFA, CFP®, FEA
The Wong Group at Wellington-Altus Private Wealth
The Wong Group at Wellington-Altus Private Wealth
Maili Wong, CFA, CFP®, FEA