Two decades inside wealth management. Now working only for you.
Spring Vale Wealth Advocates was founded by Elizabeth J. Hermant to give individuals, families and business owners an independent, experienced advocate when it matters most.
She knows how advisory practices work, because she helped build and run them.
For more than 20 years Elizabeth worked inside Canadian wealth management, at bank-owned firms and at an independent boutique, alongside the advisors and teams who look after high-net-worth families.
She ran the operations of a top-tier advisory team, designed client service models from onboarding to ongoing care, built a private wealth business from the ground up, and spent eight years assessing and recruiting investment advisory practices across Canada. She has sat in the meetings, seen how fees and service promises are structured, and learned what separates a great advisor relationship from an ordinary one.
Spring Vale brings that experience to your side of the conversation. We don’t manage money, sell products or accept referral fees. Our only interest is making sure the professionals you rely on are genuinely serving you, and helping you find better ones if they are not.
- 20+years in Canadian wealth management
- 8years assessing advisory practices nationally
- 0products sold, commissions or referral fees taken
How that experience supports you.
Every part of the Spring Vale service draws on something Elizabeth has done professionally.
Evaluating advisors and their businesses
BMO Nesbitt Burns, 2011 to 2019
First as a Senior Recruitment Partner and then as National Director of Investment Advisor Business Acquisition, Elizabeth helped lead the national platform for assessing and onboarding advisory practices.
What it means for youExperienced due diligence on your current advisor, including credentials, registration, CIRO AdvisorReport checks and service model.
Running a high-performing advisory team
RBC Dominion Securities, 2022 to 2026
As Team Lead and head of operations for a Chairman’s Council-level team, she oversaw operations, compliance, client service and business planning.
What it means for youAn insider’s understanding of how fees, portfolio strategies and financial plans are built, explained in plain language.
Designing the client experience
RBC Dominion Securities and Black Diamond Asset Management
She designed high-net-worth client service models end to end, from onboarding through ongoing engagement, with a focus on multi-generational families, and built a private wealth value proposition from inception.
What it means for youWe know what a strong service model looks like, so we can confirm your advisors follow through on what they promised.
Building trusted professional networks
Across her career
She has built and managed networks of accountants, lawyers and specialist service providers, and curated vetted third-party relationships for high-net-worth families.
What it means for youIntroductions to vetted professionals when a change is needed, and help getting your team working as one.
Guiding families through change
Family dynamics training, multi-generational clients
Through ultra-high-net-worth family dynamics training and years of supporting multi-generational families, she has seen how retirement, inheritance and business transitions reshape financial needs.
What it means for youCalm, steady support through life transitions, with someone beside you managing the to-dos.
Teaching and building confidence
Investment Club for Women, founder, 2021 to present
She founded a private investment club that gives women a safe, collaborative space to grow their confidence in investing, wealth management and financial planning.
What it means for youThe questions to ask and the confidence to ask them.
Bank-owned, boutique and independent.
Elizabeth has seen wealth management from the bank-owned platforms, the independent boutiques and the advisor’s own desk. That range is what lets us judge an advisory relationship fairly, whatever kind of firm you work with.
- Canadian Securities Course (CSC) and Conduct and Practices Handbook (CPH)Canadian Securities Institute
- Senior Leadership Development ProgramBMO Institute for Learning
- BA, International Development Studies, business minorUniversity of King’s College, Halifax
- 2026 to nowFounder and Wealth AdvocateSpring Vale Wealth Advocates
Independent, client-side advocacy for individuals, families and business owners.
- 2022 to 2026Team LeadRBC Dominion Securities, The Chieduch Group
Head of operations, client experience and business development for a Chairman’s Council-level advisory team.
- 2021 to nowFounderInvestment Club for Women
Education and networking for women building confidence with their wealth.
- 2020 to 2022Partner, Head of International Private WealthBlack Diamond Asset Management
Built and led the private wealth business at an independent boutique firm.
- 2011 to 2020National Director, IA Business AcquisitionBMO Private Wealth, BMO Nesbitt Burns
Led national assessment, recruitment and onboarding of advisory practices; later Private Wealth Consultant in Private Banking.
- 2002 to 2005Wealth Management AssociateScotiaMcLeod
Where her career in wealth management began, supporting advisors and their clients day to day.
Advocacy beyond the office.
- BMO Wealth Diversity and Inclusion CouncilCo-Chair, Learn From Difference Committee
- BMO for WomenBMO Nesbitt Burns Business Lead and Advocate
- BMO WISEMentor, Women in a Supported Environment
- BJ Hughes Foundation for Entrepreneurial WomenBoard Member and Project Lead
- Fashion Heals, in support of SickKidsSponsorship Committee
- CommunityWCC Board Member, North Rosedale Residents Association Board Member, Mayfair Committee Member and Whitney PS parent council