OUR TEAM
CHAD DONNELLY
CO-FOUNDER,
PEAK BENEFIT SOLUTIONS &
COO, PPF GROUP OF COMPANIES
Chad Donnelly is co-founder of Peak Benefit Solutions, a leading benefits company in central Ontario dedicated to providing business with extensive benefit plan options.
With over two decades of experience in the group benefit and retirement industry, Chad is consistently recognized for his unparalleled customer service and individual hands on approach with his clients. He built his business believing all company owners can benefit from his guidance and customized designs for group benefit solutions. Under his leadership, Peak Benefit Solutions has grown to be one of the most respected benefit firms in central Ontario, recognized for both their customer service and solid expertise in benefit plan options.
Chad lives in the Kawartha Lakes region with his wife and their two daughters. He is an avid volunteer with community organizations and coaches hockey and rugby.
TERRY WINDREM
CO-FOUNDER
Terry Windrem brings more than 40 years experience in financial, succession and estate strategies to his partnership with Park Place Financial. After successfully building several companies, including Terry G. Windrem Insurance Agencies, the two companies merged in spring 2018 where Terry now joins Park Place Financial as President and CEO.
Terry works with clients to establish long-term relationships and built his successful business on the highest levels of trust, service, integrity and operational excellence. He is consistently recognized in the community and by his clients for helping business owners develop tax-deferred insurance strategies, investments, succession and estate plans. The Protectors Group and Peak Benefit Solutions have grown to be known leaders in Central Ontario.
Terry is continuously celebrated by both industry and the community and has received the National Quality Award from the Canadian Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors for over 35 years. He is an invited member ofThe Conference for Advanced Life Underwriting (CALU). As an active member of the greater Peterborough community, Terry is a founding member of Kawartha Family Business Group, a local organization dedicated to ensuring continuity of family businesses in the region. He is a current Lakefield College School Trustee and a former charter member of Kawartha Rotary. Terry served on the Peterborough Regional Health Care Foundation Board of Directors for nine years and in 2017 was bestowed the title of Governor Emeritus. He previously served as a Corporate Chair for Juvenile Diabetes and served on the Board of Directors for the United Way Peterborough and Trent Valley Literacy.
Terry is married to Janice and has two children.
CHRIS ZELASKO
PRESIDENT
Chris Zelasko, CEBS (Certified Employee Benefits Specialist), CHS (Certified Health Specialist) brings close to 20 years experience with him in the benefits and insurance industry to the Peak Benefit team. He provides an individualized focus to each client he meets with and ensures all plans are designed to provide competitive options that achieve the company’s goals. His approach is to ensure his clients develop and understand their benefit plan objectives and provides them with sound advice in determining options that best meet their needs. Chris’s advice is based on thorough knowledge of the insurance and benefits industry where he is a recognized leader for his solid guidance and superior customer service.
Chris lives in the Clarington with his wife and 2 boys. He is a member of the Bowmanville Rotary Club, Clarington Board of Trade, the Durham Chapter of Advocis and the Darlington Soccer Club.
LAURA KENNEDY
VICE PRESIDENT
MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS
Laura holds the role of Vice President, Marketing and Communications for the team.
With a background in public relations, Laura Kennedy’s career spans decades working in leadership roles in communication, partnership and event management in Canada and Europe. Laura has a track record of turning dreams into reality that enhances and exceeds outcomes while building long-term, loyal partnerships. She has a passion for team building and mentorship, leading with integrity and seeking measurable results.
In her agency life in Toronto and Ireland, Laura worked for global brands including Vodafone, Johnnie Walker, Corona, Levi’s, Guess, Bridgestone, Pfizer Ireland, Subway UK, Coca-Cola and artists like Bruce Springsteen. On the corporate side Laura has been responsible for developing marketing and communications strategies to build Canada’s largest country music festival, Boots and Hearts. In her recent role as Executive Director of GPHSF, Your Family Health Team Foundation, Laura grew revenue for the organization by 548% in her first 2.5 years in leadership.
A few career highlights include:
• Development and leadership team on 2015 inaugural WayHome Music and Arts Festival making it one of the worlds largest first year music festivals with 35,000 in attendance and global media coverage.
• Working with Aiken Promotions to launch and establish Live at the Marquee as a stronghold in Europe for headlining artists like Elton John, The Who, Bob Dylan, Kanye West and many more.
• Curating a Republic of Ireland launch for the German-based Mustang Jeans Fall/Winter 2006 collection at an 18th century prison, not only was the event at max capacity, it resulted in multiple fashion features, increase in retail distribution channels and product placement with key influencers.
Laura is a member of the CPRS (Canadian Public Relations Society), is an advocate for excellence in communications and has been a guest speaker and panelist at numerous industry events, sharing best-practises and metrics for success. She and her team have been honoured with awards including 5 consecutive CCMAs (Canadian Country Music Awards), CMW (Canadian Music Week) Award, CPRS (Canadian Public Relations Society) Awards, and she was nominated for Cork business woman of the year in 2006.
Laura is a Queen’s University graduate and recently completed her Yoga Teacher Training. She is a longstanding volunteer with the Peterborough Theatre Guild and a board member of the Peterborough Petes Education Fund. She lives in Peterborough with her two teenage boys and their dog Gracie.
PAUL BEAUVAIS, GBA,CMA
REGIONAL VICE PRESIDENT
CLIENT & TEAM EXPERIENCE
Paul brings over 30 years of experience in the group benefits and group retirement industry with him to his role at Peak Benefit Solutions. He specializes in providing superior knowledge on group benefit and retirement plans that meet the unique needs of entrepreneurs and small business owners. Drawing upon his extensive experience in the industry and his strong customer service background, Paul’s expertise is frequently relied upon by business leaders across the Durham region and Central Ontario.
Paul lives in Durham with his wife and daughter where he is an active community member with several organizations including the Courtice food bank and the Lions Club.
LOLA EDWARD-AJAYI
DIRECTOR OF TECHNOLOGY
Currently leading tech initiatives as Director of Technology, Lola has extensive experience working with people and enjoys the challenge of a fast-paced work environment, multi-tasking and problem solving. She recently presented at the Peak Strategies for Success Conference on Top Tips for Tech to share some best practises with guests.
Lola has a passion for healthy and active living, loves to cook and enjoys the company of her rescue tabby, Seth.
CONTACT ME
(705) 748-5182
lola@parkplacefinancial.ca
JOHN TRIPP
EMPLOYEE BENEFITS CONSULTANT
KINGSTON & EASTERN ONTARIO
Originally from Kingston, Ontario, John is well known amongst his colleagues and clients not only for his tenacious personality, but his expertise in helping independent businesses maximize their employee benefit strategy and retirement planning. A dynamic individual with deep roots in the construction industry, he is an active member of the Kingston Construction Association, Durham Construction Association and Northumberland Builders and Construction Association. As a licensed member of CADA, (Canadian Automobile Dealers Association), John has quickly become a trusted partner to many dealerships across Eastern Ontario.
In working with his clients, John provides a thorough examination of current plans, ensuring they are up to date while mitigating risk for employers. Also well versed on unique business structures, such as family medicine practise and hospitality, John prides himself on delivering a customized employee benefit plan that meets their individual and company needs, while providing a team of resources and support to improve employee communication and relationships. Working with many clients on retirement plans, John can provide knowledge and clarity on enhancing the employee experience while working with long term goals from an employer perspective.
As a former Olympian and professional hockey player for close to two decades, John understands the dedication, discipline and hard work required for success. He played in the NHL, six world championships and the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games. From 2007 – 2016 John also founded Tripp Charity for Kids with Cancer, to date raising over $300,000 for the cause. His commitment to community had him recognized for community service and humanitarian awards including the OHL 1997 Humanitarian Award.
John lives in Kingston with his twin children and can be found in his spare time running hockey programs for children.
CAMERON WADE
EMPLOYEE BENEFITS CONSULTANT
PETERBOROUGH & CENTRAL-EAST ONTARIO
Cameron joins the Peak team with a strong passion for helping business owners find solutions to create a healthy and happy work environment. Drawing from his entrepreneurial and family business background, Cameron provides his clients with customized solutions to deliver group benefit plans in a tax efficient manner. His clients admire his dedication to giving a personalized experience while continually ensuring their plan meets their ongoing needs.
Cameron is a recognized community leader in his hometown near Campbellford, where he was born and raised. He is an active member of the minor hockey association and proudly services clients throughout Central and Eastern Ontario.
CONTACT ME
(705) 868-8160
MATT HOWELL, CHS
EMPLOYEE BENEFITS CONSULTANT QUINTE ONTARIO
Matt is a Group, Life and Disability Consultant and holds the Certified Health Insurance Specialist (CHS) designation and looks to help small business owners protect themselves, their families and their employees' families from lifestyle-threatening risks.
Before merging with Peak Benefits Solutions, Matt founded Howell Financial Corp in 2018, after having more than 20 years of experience as a small business owner. Prior to being in financial services, Matt spent 12 years growing 3 successful, local restaurant franchises.
Matt is no stranger to financial services, having spent 10 years as an advisor with Freedom 55 and Riley Financial Group where he cared for a client base of over 500 homes and 80 businesses.
A big believer in generosity, Matt supports the Trillium Gift of Life Network.
As a proud father Matt sits on the board of the Children's Safety Village.
As an engaged Financial Advisor, Matt is a director in the local chapter of Advocis, an association promoting advisor professionalism since 1906.
As a concerned small business owner Matt is an active member in 5 local Chambers of Commerce in and around the greater Quinte area.
Originally from the Bancroft area, Matt moved to Belleville in 1990 to attend Loyalist College and never left. Matt is the proud father of Donovan, future lawyer/NFL superstar, and Emily, future veterinarian/Mayor of Belleville.
Matt collects guitars and likes to fish the Bay of Quinte.
RALPH MOJSIUK
REGIONAL VICE PRESIDENT
GROUP BENEFITS
EASTERN ONTARIO
Ralph co-founded the Manley Financial Group Inc. in 1992. Prior to this, he held increasingly responsible positions in group underwriting and was a senior account representative with a major group insurer.
Ralph’s extensive experience and expertise has been instrumental in developing the Manley Financial Group’s initiatives in the areas of cost containment, innovative market approaches and customer service. He has participated on numerous Advisor Councils, where he has been provided with industry and trend intelligence, participation through leadership sessions and provided opportunities to share ideas and feedback with senior executive teams from Employee Benefit providers.
Ralph also provides close support in collective agreement negotiations/arbitrations for many clients, and is well versed in all sizes of organizations, in both the private and public sectors.
CHRISTINA FUNK
SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE
GROUP BENEFITS
KINGSTON, ONTARIO
Christina Funk has long standing relationships with our team at Peak having worked at Benefits By Design (BBD) for the last 2 decades. She has held multiple roles with the firm over the course of her career.
She is a seasoned expert in client management, sales, and service.
Christina came to Kingston to attend St-Lawrence College and she liked it so much, she has been a resident ever since!
CONTACT ME
JOHN MACOUN
EMPLOYEE BENEFITS CONSULTANT
GREATER TORONTO AREA
John Macoun brings more than a decade of exceptional client services to the position of Employee Benefits Consultant. He will be providing Peak Benefit clients with audits of their current employee benefit plans, including recommendations on plan optimizations to meet the evolving needs of staff and the employer, tax saving strategies and education on value added services.
During the course of the 10+ years he spent at Yellow Pages Canada, John consistently exceeded sales targets by managing strategic digital marketing campaigns that delivered above projected ROI for his clients. Servicing small to medium sized businesses across Canada, John created multi-pronged marketing strategies to help companies grow revenues and increase their digital presence.
Having studied Communications at Wilfrid Laurier, and post graduate studies in Marketing at Humber College, John is keenly aware of the importance of creating unique strategies to address client needs. John believes that the foundation of delivering excellence to clients lies in one’s ability to listen. By discerning information to help identify objectives one can then create a comprehensive approach to meet each individual clients needs.
“Hearing is listening to what is said. Listening is hearing what isn’t said.”
– Simon Sinek
John and his wife live in the Trinity Bellwoods neighbourhood in Toronto with their two young children.
NOAH BUCHOLTZ
GROUP RETIREMENT SPECIALIST
Noah Bucholtz holds the position of Group Retirement Specialist at our Peterborough Peak office supporting new and existing clients in their retirement needs. Noah has recent experience as a Client, Banking, and Financial Advisor with a top three Canadian bank.
Born and raised in Peterborough, he received his Bachelor of Commerce at Ontario Tech University. Noah has a passion for working with clients to meet their retirement goals and is excited to provide this expertise to the Peak team. In his spare time, Noah takes advantage of the outdoor lifestyle Peterborough provides, supports the Peterborough Pete's coaching staff and spends time with family.
CONTACT ME
BEN NAUS
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CONSULTANT
Originally from southwestern Ontario, Ben graduated from Western in 2003 with a degree in Political Science. Ben has an extensive background in business development and customer relations having worked with SMBs across all of Ontario for over 15 years, developing a firm understanding of both the common and unique challenges that business owners face. As a type 1 diabetic, Ben has a keen appreciation for the importance of employee group benefits. Ben lives in Peterborough with his wife Jennifer, and two sons, Andrew and Louie. In his free time, Ben can be found playing basketball with his boys or paddling with his wife.
CONTACT ME
(705) 977-8040
OUR CLIENT EXPERIENCE TEAM
ERIKA JOSEPHSON
DIRECTOR CLIENT EXPERIENCE & OPERATIONS
Erika has been a part of the Peak team since 2010 and is an invaluable member of our team providing on-going support to our clients in their implementation and communication of their benefits plan. With over 10 years experience in customer service, Erika is consistently recognized by clients for her knowledge, quick response and genuine care about ensuring their company’s needs are continuously being met. She frequently meets with clients to ensure their plans design are providing the best possible solutions for their company while ensuring employees are aware of the value of their benefits plan.
Erika lives with her husband and young daughter in Beaverton, where she is an active member of the Lions Club.
ALEX CASTILLO-SNOOK
CLIENT EXPERIENCE LEADER
Alex joins the Peak team with a strong background in customer service and human resources. With almost two decades of experience, Alex focusses on working directly with our clients to ensure the highest level of customer satisfaction with communication of their group benefit plans. He frequently meets with clients to host employee meetings while ensuring their plan continues to achieve the ongoing needs of their company.
Alex works from our head office in Peterborough, the town he and his wife raise their two young boys. He is a certified ski instructor and an avid skier and camper.
MELISSA MOHER
CLIENT EXPERIENCE SPECIALIST
Melissa began her career in the financial and insurance industry in 2007 with one of the industry’s largest insurance carriers where she worked as a Marketing Associate, helping clients and a team of financial security advisors achieve financial success. In 2012 Melissa expanded her skillset and transitioned to working with an employee benefits consulting firm in Ottawa where she worked as a Benefits Analyst, focusing on clients’ day-to-day service needs, plan marketing and renewals.
Having worked in the customer service industry since 2002, Melissa is relationship focused and strives to build long-lasting relationships with clients. Her positive attitude, discretion, and attention to detail will compliment Peak’s strong commitment to client service.
Melissa lives with her husband in Ennismore and is a proud mom of son William and twins Brie and Ellie
LINDSAY FERGUSON
SENIOR CLIENT EXPERIENCE SPECIALIST
Lindsay joined Manley Financial in 2003 as a client service representative to support client needs and continues in that specialty role for Peak Benefit Solutions in Kingston. For the last 20 years she has built and maintained excellent relationships with clients, 90% of whom she has worked with since 2003.
As the first point of contact for plan administrators. She provides employee support, new staff on-boarding for benefits, meet and greets for new customers, liases with union reps and supports the benefit renewal process. Having worked on the claim processing end of business prior to joining the team, she has extensive knowledge of the inner workings of the claim process, a benefit to all the customers she supports.
Originally from Cambridge, Ontario Lindsay relocated to Kingston in 2003 and now lives in Roblin, Ontario, enjoying country living by the Salmon River with her family. Lindsay has been a long time driver volunteer for Love your Neighbour Free Food Share, a part of the Lion Hearts partnership, in which same day restaurant food is redirected to those affected by food insecurity.
OLIVIA HENDERSON
CLIENT EXPERIENCE SPECIALIST
Olivia joins the Peak Benefit Solutions team as a Client Service Specialist, working to support clients across the province. Olivia is passionate about building positive relationships as she believes solid relationships are the foundation for success in both professional and personal development.
With a background in health care, Olivia has provided support work for those with developmental needs most of her life. She has held front line nursing positions in the delivery of health care in long term care facilities, the hospital setting of in-patient mental health, and in an addiction treatment centre.
Olivia has supported families for more than decade as a certified maternal support practitioner (doula), specializing in birth support, empowering, nurturing, educating and supporting them in their child-bearing journey. She continues to advocate for strong, healthy, equitable communities.
Olivia and her husband recently purchased a farm in Douro where they are raising their young family.
MELISSA BRAIDO
CLIENT EXPERIENCE SPECIALIST
Melissa Braido is part of the Park Place Financial team based out of the Belleville office. As a Client Service Specialist, Melissa works in the group and individual space, working closely with Matthew Howell.
Melissa is a seasoned professional in the Financial Services, having held a past role as a marketing associate for multiple advisors in the Durham region. She holds her LLQP and mutual fund licensing.
In her role at Park Place Financial Melissa is a key point of contact for insurance and investment clients in ensuring information is up to date, providing reports, support for claims and a day-to-day contact for any client queries.
She is a graduate of Laurentian University from the Physical Education program with an honors in Health Promotion and attended Lakehead University to obtain her education degree.
During her free time, Melissa enjoys camping and being active with her family.
CONTACT ME
PARIS LEE
CLIENT CONCIERGE
With customer service roles at Audi and Porsche, Paris has held front line positions managing client expectations, problem solving and supporting event logistics. She is passionate about delivering excellence in personalized client experiences.
At reception, at our Highway 7 office, Paris will be the first point of contact for clients and guests when they arrive. As client concierge she will also support key client engagement and event activities with the marketing team.
Paris is originally from Burlington, Ontario and has recently relocated to Peterborough.
COLBY SILVA
CLIENT EXPERIENCE SPECIALIST
Born and raised in Kingston, Colby is a recent graduate of Wilfrid Laurier University, with a BA in Business Administration and a focus on marketing.
He has extensive experience in dealing with people, through both his work and volunteer experiences, and we are pleased to have him join us in the role of Client Experience Specialist based out of our Kingston location.
An avid sports fan, Colby can be found outside of the office on the soccer field or at any other sports related activity. He also loves to cook.
OUR STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP
Peak Benefit Solutions is a proud partner of Park Place Financial, one of central Ontario’s top wealth and estate planning firms. Our clients can access Park Place Financials’ family enterprise services including wealth, risk, succession and business planning. Park Place and Peak Benefit Solutions share a vision for the future that providing family enterprise services to business owners in Central Ontario will better serve the needs of our clients and their families.
OUR SUPPLIERS
& PARTNERS
INSURERS
CADA (Canadian Automobile Dealers Association)
CFIB / Nexim
Desjardins
Empire Life
Encon
Equitable Life
Canada Life
RETIREMENT PLAN PROVIDERS
Canada Life
Manulife
Industrial Alliance
Sunlife
SPECIALITY INSURERS
& SERVICES
Alliance Pharmacy
Compcall (Short Term Disability Claims Management)
Cloud Advisors
Cooperators (Pooled Insurance)
Cost Plus Corporation (Cost Plus)
Employers First (Safety Training and Evaluation)
Get Away Insured (Travel Coverage)
Maximum Benefit (ASO Specialist)
NFP (U.S. Group Benefits)
Prism International (Executive and Corporate Coach)
SSQ (Pooled Insurer)
XN Financial (Coverage for Ex-patriots)
EVERY STEP OF THE WAY
WE ARE WITH YOU
