Our focus is helping families and their advisors navigate complexity with clarity by addressing liquidity needs, managing tax exposure, and supporting the long-termtransfer of wealth.
By integrating deep insurance expertise with advanced tax and estate planning insight,we deliver strategies that are thoughtful, disciplined, and tailored to the realities of generational wealth.
We are a specialized insurance advisory firm focused on complex estate and tax planning. We work with families, business owners, and their professional advisors to navigate estate complexity with clarity and a long-term perspective.
With decades of technical expertise behind every strategy, clients can move forward with confidence, knowing their broader wealth plans are carefully considered and built to last.
Our executive team brings together diverse professional backgrounds and shared technical depth. Each member contributes specialized insight, allowing us to approach complex planning challenges from multiple angles while maintaining a unified, disciplined approach.
Lydia has built her career at the intersection of accounting and advanced insurance planning. She began her professional journey at KPMG’s Hamilton office and went on to hold senior roles in the industry, including Tax Specialist with an automotive manufacturer and Tax Director for one of Canada’s largest owner-operators of retirement and long-term care homes.
Upon returning to KPMG, Lydia worked closely with clients on complex international tax matters, with a focus on inbound and outbound investment planning. Most recently, she spent time with Canada’s largest life insurance brokerage, where she developed a deep understanding of how insurance can be used strategically within estate planning and wealth optimization.
Lydia’s work today focuses on advanced insurance planning, combining deep tax expertise, practical industry insight, and insurance experience to deliver thoughtful, high-value solutions for business owners and families.
Outside of her professional work, Lydia volunteers with the Kitchener Soccer Club.
Rob draws on more than 25 years of experience in estate and tax planning, transaction structuring, and mergers and acquisitions. His work focuses on developing thoughtful, innovative wealth optimization strategies for successful entrepreneurs and families across Canada.
Before co-founding Edgewood Financial, Rob was a Principal with Canada’s largest life insurance brokerage and previously served as a Senior Tax Partner at KPMG. He has also held senior financial leadership roles within both public and private companies.
Rob has taught taxation and business for CPA Ontario and CPA Canada, as well as at the University of Waterloo and Wilfrid Laurier University. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Kitchener Soccer Club.
Cheryl is a senior financial professional with more than 30 years of experience across both public and private organizations. Her background spans financial leadership, advisory work, and complex operational environments.
For more than 15 years, Cheryl has served as a fractional Chief Financial Officer, supporting organizations with financial strategy, oversight, and long-term planning. She has also contributed to the profession through education, serving on the Program Advisory Board for Conestoga College’s accounting program and teaching audit at the post-secondary level.
Cheryl’s work is grounded in technical rigor and real-world experience, enabling her to support thoughtful, well-considered planning for clients with complex financial needs. Outside of her professional work, she has volunteered as Treasurer for K-W Water Polo and enjoys travelling and creative pursuits, including her involvement in Random Acts of Crochet Kindness.
Financial Modeling & Actuarial Analytics Consultant
Michael brings a unique blend of technical expertise and financial insight to his work in developing innovative pricing models and risk analytics solutions. With a BSc in Engineering Physics from the University of Alberta and an MSc with Merit in Mathematical Finance from York University (UK), he combines a deep understanding of computational math with real-world experience in financial modeling as it pertains to life insurance products.
Michael always had a keen interest in mathematics, with multiple first place finishes in North American math competitions and several podium finishes throughout his career. Starting his career as an engineer in 2012, Michael built a strong foundation in problem-solving and project management. In 2017, he transitioned to the insurance industry, where he specialized in actuarial solutions for nearly a decade. During this time, he developed and standardized financial models for a wide variety of insurance products, while also streamlining processes to meet organizational needs.
Outside of his professional work, Michael has a personal interest in risk analytics within the realm of turn-based strategy games, where he explores decision-making under uncertainty and applies his analytical skills in a competitive setting.
Clients and advisors partner with us because of our ability to manage complexity with consistency and care. We bring structure to sophisticated estate planning challenges and remain actively involved as circumstances evolve.
Our commitment is simple: disciplined thinking, clear communication, and solutions designed to serve not just today’s needs, but tomorrow’s priorities.
