A Personal Message from Vanessa Benedict

This year, I'm celebrating a notable milestone - 25 fulfilling years in the financial industry. It's hard to believe that I began this journey at Open Access back in 1997, advanced at Manulife wrangling 401Ks, spent 17 enriching years at ScotiaMcleod, and now, I’m part of the wonderful SilverBirch team at National Bank Financial. Your trust and support during these transitions, especially when I moved to Durham Region, has meant everything to me.

While I treasure my professional accomplishments, the joy and pride of my life have been my family. You may remember when I was newly married, working downtown Toronto at Scotia, and how I decided to move back to Oshawa to be closer to my parents. In this cozy community, my daughter Gabriella was born. The many heartwarming cards from clients celebrating her birth are stashed away and cherished to this day. Gabriella has grown into an intelligent, compassionate young woman, and I’m proud to say that she’s preparing for university after a fun-filled Grade 12 prom.

My energetic son, Marcus, is now a towering 13-year-old. He is 3 inches taller than me in size 10 shoes and excels in high-level sports. This summer, he'll be participating in the prestigious New Era Cap Tournament in Pittsburgh from June 20 to June 24. It’s one of baseball’s largest tournaments, and I can hardly wait to cheer him on!

My parents, who've always been a pillar of support, are happily retired and enjoy gardening and travel. One of the most valuable aspects of living close to my parents other than easy access to my mom’s cooking, is the relationship my children share with them. It is of utmost importance to me that Gabriella and Marcus grow up with a deep understanding, love, and respect for their elders. Their grandparents' wisdom, experiences, and endless love enrich their lives in ways beyond measure, and by extension, they continue to enrich my life as well. In appreciation to my parents and in honor of my father who was a doctor for over 50 years, I'm currently serving on the board of the Lakeridge Health Foundation.

To celebrate Gabriella's graduation, our family will explore the culture and beauty of London and Paris from July 5 to July 23. I believe there’s a croissant taste test on the agenda! To say that I’m looking forward to this bittersweet yet precious family time before my not-so-little girl goes off to university is an understatement, to be sure.

While I am away, my dedicated team – Jordan, Tim, and Natalie – will be at your service for any assistance you may require.

Thanks to your support, I've been nominated as Durham Region's best Investment advisor for the 9th year in a row. A potential 10th win, fingers crossed! Voting begins July 13th, 2023.   

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for being a part of my personal and professional journey. Your trust, support, and friendship have been invaluable to me. There will be more exciting announcements coming up as we develop innovative ways to serve you and your family. (Hint: Helping grow your wealth through different stages of life.) 

Until my next update, please take care, enjoy the sunshine, and remember - we're always here for you.

With Kind regards, Vanessa