We’re on a mission to create a prosperous future for all.

Richard Heft

Chief Executive Officer

As CEO, Richard leads the company’s strategy, culture, vision, revenue and operations—and has built the agency into a global, award-winning leader in financial services marketing.

Richard spent over a decade developing his vision for a best-in-class marketing and communications agency dedicated to the financial services industry—an idea that led to the creation of Ext. Marketing. He then gathered together an industry-leading team to bring that vision to life. Richard also co-wrote The Ascendant Advisor, which offers effective strategies to help financial advisors rise above their competitors and client expectations in a post-pandemic world.

Prior to co-founding Ext. Marketing, Richard ran a communications firm focused exclusively on the financial sector and held senior marketing and communications roles at leading institutions including TD Asset Management, Franklin Templeton Investments and John Hancock.

Outside of work, Richard has been a long-time supporter of Ernestine’s Women’s Shelter, contributing both as a donor and volunteer for nearly 15 years, as well as United for Literacy.

Ira Berg

Managing Director, Business Consultancy & Advisory Services (U.S.)

As Managing Director of Ext. Marketing, Ira leads the firm’s New York office and oversees U.S. business development and marketing initiatives.

With more than two decades of experience in the financial services industry, Ira has held senior executive roles, including Chief Operating Officer (COO), Chief Compliance Officer (CCO) and General Counsel (GC) at a global hedge fund. His deep operational, legal and regulatory expertise provides clients with a meaningful strategic edge.

Complementing his in-house experience, Ira has also spent nearly 20 years in the marketing and creative agency space. He has partnered with many of the world’s top private equity firms, hedge funds, venture capital firms, RIAs and wealth managers—advising them on brand positioning, marketing strategy and campaign execution.

A trained lawyer, Ira brings a rare combination of legal acumen, financial insight and creative vision to every client engagement, with a particular strength in both traditional and alternative investment markets.

Outside of work, Ira enjoys spending time with his wife and children. He is an avid sports fan and endurance athlete, having completed numerous half-Ironman triathlons. When not training, he also has a long-standing passion for landscape architecture.

Guy Ben-Aroya

Senior Director, Digital Marketing

As Senior Director of Digital Marketing, Guy leads digital strategy and execution across web, social, email, video, analytics and digital advertising.

Guy has over two decades of experience working in the digital space with a strong focus on the financial sector. His previous experience includes senior roles at CIBC Asset Management and VenGrowth, where he helped deliver award-winning integrated campaigns.

Outside of work, Guy enjoys spending time with his family and two dogs.

Katie Bray

Account Manager

As an Account Manager, Katie guides projects from kickoff to completion, collaborating with teams and clients to deliver high-quality work.

Katie began her journey at Ext. Marketing as an intern, briefly left to gain additional agency experience, and returned to the Ext. Marketing team she calls “unmatched.”

Outside of work, Katie enjoys walks with her two dogs, spending time with family and treating herself to a (slightly overpriced) hot yoga or Pilates class.

Andrew Broadhead, CIM

Director, Investment Communications & Research

As Director of Investment Communications & Research, Andrew drives content strategy and execution across multiple channels, ensuring clarity, engagement and measurable impact for financial institutions. His current focus includes integrating AI into marketing workflows and guiding teams through change management. He’s especially interested in how firms adapt to new technologies while maintaining strategic clarity and brand consistency.

Andrew is a strategic leader in financial services marketing and co-author of The Ascendant Advisor, a practical marketing guide for financial professionals that has been used across the advisor community and beyond. The book’s success led to the development of a companion course for the Canadian Securities Institute, extending its influence across the industry.

Andrew’s previous experience spans diverse in-house roles, from back-office operations to creative work at one of the world’s largest investment managers, Invesco Ltd.

Outside of work, Andrew sharpens his focus by cycling his single-speed bike through Toronto’s busy streets.

Chad Burnie

Art Director

As an Art Director, Chad brings over 15 years of experience across 360 campaigns, digital, print, social media, direct mail, video and CRM.

Chad is an award-winning senior creative director who uses customer insights to create engaging work for financial sector clients like CIBC, Interac, RBC and Manulife. With a commitment to storytelling and design, Chad’s work has received recognition from numerous domestic and international award shows.

Outside of the office, Chad enjoys spending time with his wife and son, golfing, coaching T-Ball and the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Lauren Cain

Graphic Designer

As a Graphic Designer, Lauren brings over five years of experience in branding, digital and print design. She manages projects from conception to production, creating high-quality visual solutions that adhere to brand standards. With a keen eye for composition, color and typography, Lauren brings concepts to life that are both visually appealing and functional.

Before joining Ext. Marketing, Lauren worked on diverse design projects across various industries.

Outside of work, Lauren loves to travel and spend time in nature.

Martin Dessureaux

Consulting Creative Director

As a Consulting Creative Director, Martin brings creative and design leadership to Ext. Marketing clients. Bilingual in French and English, he has over 20 years of experience building brands locally and globally across digital, video, social, print, TV and experiential platforms.

Previously, Martin was Creative Director at Y&R/GTB Canada, mentoring a team of 12 creatives and leading award-winning campaigns for Ford Canada. He has also worked with TD Bank. His work has earned recognition from FCS Portfolio Awards, Applied Arts, NAA, Cassies, Summit Awards and Promo! Awards.

Outside of work, Martin enjoys firing up the BBQ, experimenting in the kitchen and catching a good game.

George Di Falco

Senior Writer

As a Senior Writer, George transforms complex financial concepts into sharp, compelling copy—supporting Ext. Marketing clients through website launches, pitchbooks, brochures, white papers and other marketing campaigns.

George began his career as a journalist for trade publications and financial magazines before moving into financial services marketing. He has held roles with major firms, including CIBC and BMO Nesbitt Burns.

Beyond work and keeping up with his kids, George enjoys mountain biking or shooting hoops with friends—and is still perfecting his deep three-point shot.

Vanessa Fockler

Project Manager

As a Project Manager, Vanessa manages a portfolio of clients, coordinating with internal and external stakeholders to ensure timely, on-budget project delivery. She also supports the company’s internal systems and delivery processes.

Before this role, Vanessa was Ext. Marketing’s Office Manager for five years. Her previous experience includes customer service and back-office roles at Scotiabank, as well as administrative, donor relations and marketing roles at Tyndale University. Vanessa holds a BA in International Development, with a minor in Business Administration from Tyndale University (Toronto, Canada).

Outside of work, Vanessa enjoys music, travel, quality time with family and serving on the worship team at her church.

Naomi Hamersley

Senior Director, Communications

As Senior Director of Communications, Naomi provides strategic marketing and communications counsel, delivering creative solutions and effective project execution to help financial services firms connect with their clients and stakeholders.

Naomi has held senior marketing and communications roles at Sun Life, covering product marketing, thought leadership, digital marketing, external and internal communications, and sales enablement across several business lines. Naomi holds a BAA in Journalism from Ryerson University (Toronto, Canada).

Outside of work, Naomi enjoys globetrotting, eating great food and spending time with her family and two cats.

Jason Klincans

Creative Director

As Creative Director, Jason leads a team of skilled designers and develops impactful marketing and brand identity campaigns across print, digital, signage, web and social media.

With over 20 years of experience working across various industries, Jason has led major design projects for OMERS, Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan and CAAT Pension Plan. Jason is a skilled communicator who collaborates closely with clients and creative teams to ensure projects exceed expectations.

Outside of work, Jason enjoys spending time with family, exploring new places through travel and nurturing his passion for design.

Emma Leishman

Writer

As a Writer, Emma delivers compelling, conversion-driven content for clients across Canada and the U.S., from ad copy and brochures to social media and emails. She brings a keen interest in digital content and investment products, staying current with industry trends to craft effective messaging.

Emma began her career at a digital agency specializing in out-of-home (OOH) advertising and later worked in social media management. She holds an Honours BA in English Literature from Queen’s University (Kingston, Ontario) and a postgraduate certificate in Digital Media Marketing from George Brown College (Toronto, Canada).

When she’s not working, Emma enjoys tennis, skiing and reading.

Kaleigh Lueske

Account Associate

As an Account Associate, Kaleigh supports client relationships and helps execute marketing campaigns. She coordinates campaign deliverables, manages timelines and maintains clear communication between internal teams and clients. Her background in graphic design and project management allows her to bridge creative vision and marketing goals effectively.

Before joining Ext. Marketing, Kaleigh developed her skills through hands-on experience in design and project coordination across various industries.

Outside of work, Kaleigh enjoys traveling, spending time with family and walking her Basset Hound, Chunk.

Mona Mohammad

Vice President, Delivery & Client Success

As Vice President of Delivery & Client Success, Mona leads a team of Account and Project Managers to help clients achieve their marketing goals. Mona also works closely with clients to develop strategic marketing initiatives, manage projects and ensure a seamless, high-quality experience from start to finish.

Mona began her career at TD Auto Finance and later spent eight years at Invesco in both Sales and Marketing roles. Before joining Ext. Marketing, Mona was an Account Executive at a full-service advertising agency, gaining valuable experience across various industries and client needs.

Outside of work, Mona enjoys spending time with her family, discovering new restaurants and reading up on emerging fashion trends. She’s an avid traveller who is always planning her next big adventure.

Jeannette O’Reilly

Associate Project Manager

As an Associate Project Manager, Jeannette plays a key role in enhancing the investment communications process and ensuring high-quality project delivery for clients.

Jeanette brings over 20 years of experience in the Canadian financial services industry, having held Account Manager roles at CIBC Mellon, Citi Financial/Citigroup, AIC Limited and DEC. She holds a Corporate Communications Diploma from Seneca College (Toronto, Canada) and two certifications from the IFSE Institute. She is currently pursuing a project management designation.

Outside of work, Jeannette enjoys traveling and spending time with family and friends.

John Seeley

Analyst, Investment Communications & Research

As Analyst of Investment Communications & Research, John helps financial firms manage the complexities of investment commentaries. He also serves as a knowledge hub, tracking economic and industry news, writing daily, weekly and monthly macroeconomic newsletters and monitoring the global regulatory landscape.

John’s previous experience includes roles at John Hancock, Manulife Financial, Scotiabank and CIBC.

Outside of work, John enjoys following his favorite sports teams and spending time with his family.

Eric Tetsos, PMP

Project Manager

As a Project Manager, Eric helps lead the Investment Communications Project Management team and oversees a portfolio of clients. He spends his days hosting meetings, building relationships and keeping the team informed and aligned.

With over five years of agency experience, Eric thrives in fast-paced environments. He holds a BA from Wilfrid Laurier University (Waterloo, Ontario), a Project Management certificate from the University of Toronto and a PMP certification from the Project Management Institute.

Outside of work, Eric enjoys traveling, spending time with friends and family and watching hockey—especially the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Melanie Walker

Desktop Publisher & Graphic Designer

As a Desktop Publisher & Graphic Designer, Melanie brings 20 years of experience designing polished presentations and brochures that elevate client brands. She also ensures materials meet accessibility standards, creating inclusive content that is accessible by all audiences.

Melanie has a background in print and digital advertising, motion graphics and recently completed a UX Design program at George Brown College (Toronto, Canada). Before joining Ext. Marketing, she worked with TD’s Agency 361, creating ads and banners for branches, billboards and Toronto’s Union Station.

Beyond work—or time spent with her dogs—Melanie enjoys spending time with family, reading with her book club and relaxing with knitting and crocheting projects.

Sandy Wong

Vice President, Communications & Strategy

As Vice President of Communications & Strategy, Sandy is a seasoned marketer and content strategist with nearly 18 years of experience in the financial services industry.

Sandy has led successful campaigns and developed award-winning content for firms such as Philips, Hager & North, Franklin Templeton Investments and RBC. Sandy has worked with start-ups to Fortune 500s across the entire asset management ecosystem, ranging from traditional to alternative investments. She’s also led high-performing creative teams, turning strong ideas into measurable results.

Outside of work, Sandy is a frequent traveler who can often be found in airports with her two children in tow.

Lilian Yuen

Graphic Designer

As a Graphic Designer, Lilian specializes in developing omni-channel communication strategies and creating visually compelling, on-brand assets for a wide range of clients.

With over 15 years of experience, she has worked with leading Canadian brands such as Canada Post and Indigo, delivering creative solutions across digital and print platforms. Her eye for design and commitment to brand consistency make her a trusted creative partner.

Outside of work, Lilian enjoys time with loved ones, exploring new cities, playing volleyball and finding experiences that fuel her creativity.

Alexandra Zhen

Account Associate

As an Account Associate, Alexandra manages and supports projects from start to finish, ensuring seamless delivery of complex collateral campaigns. She works closely with clients to align on marketing objectives and oversees internal planning, setup and execution.

Previously, Alexandra was a program manager at a biotech start-up, held roles at Amazon Prime Student and ScotiaMcLeod and served as Director of PR/Marketing for her sorority. Alexandra earned an Honors Bachelor of Science with Distinction from the University of Toronto (Toronto, Canada).

Beyond work, Alexandra is a passionate foodie who loves exploring new restaurants and experimenting in the kitchen. She’s equally enthusiastic about fashion, beauty and lifestyle and enjoys winding down with a spin class after a busy day.