Our Team

Gene Kim

CFP, CIM, FCSI

President, Financial Security Advisor - Summit Private Wealth Inc.
Branch Owner, Portfolio Manager, Private Wealth Manager - Summit Private Wealth / Mandeville Private Client Inc.

As the founder of Summit Private Wealth, a firm dedicated to serving high net worth clients, Gene has made his vision of creating a premier independent financial practice a reality. Prior to re-joining with the principals of Mandeville Private Client Inc., he has been established in the financial services industry since 2000 working for both big banks and lifecos in the public sector as well as private companies. He is committed to honouring the principles of wealth creation and preservation for his clients.

Gene is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) as recognized by the Financial Planning Standards Council (FPSC), earned the Portfolio Manager (PM) title by way of holding the Chartered Investment Manager (CIM) designation, and has been admitted as a member of the Fellow of the Canadian Securities Institute (FCSI), which is the highest honour and most senior credential within the Canadian financial services industry. It is reserved solely for an elite group of experienced financial services professionals and distinguished leaders that meet the highest standards for advanced education, ethical conduct, industry experience and peer endorsement.

With his previous dealerships, Gene has been honoured as a visionary leader and for his ability to recruit, train and nurture talent with associate advisors. He has been ranked amongst Canada’s Top 50 financial advisors by the industry. And his abilities to produce and grow assets were the focus of a feature story in industry magazines such as the Wealth Professional. Gene was nominated by the Investment Industry Association of Canada (IIAC) for the Top Under 40 Award which recognizes and celebrates the new generation of highly motivated and talented young professionals whose drive, dedication, qualities and accomplishments have brought distinction to the investment/financial industry. He is also an invited member to the Forbes Finance Council as a subject matter expert.

Throughout the years, Gene has been active in giving back to the community as a member of professional associations and charitable organizations such as the FPSC, Sainte-Justine Hospital Foundation and as a founding member of the Mentors Club Montreal. He is also a proud supporter of the ALS Society, Royal Victoria Hospital Foundation, Jewish General Hospital Foundation, Montreal Children’s Hospital Foundation, Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation, Auberge Shalom, among others.

Gene cherishes his time with family and enjoys playing hockey, skiing, golf, playing chess with his daughter and son, travelling, and getting together with his close circle of friends. He also enjoys reading whenever he can find time and considers himself a lifelong student.

Q&A (Getting to know me)

1. Where are you from? Montreal born, Korean raised
2. What languages do you speak? English, French, Korean, Italian (enough to travel)
3. Last supper? No. 9 Tonkinoise soup at Pho Lien and chef Antonio Park’s Omakase
4. Favourite music? British invasion
5. Bucket list? Seychelles, Bora Bora, South Africa

Val Sorin Novac

CIM, FCSI, MBA, B.Eng

Branch Manager - Mandeville Private Client Inc.

A successful Investment Advisor since 2001, Val is the Branch Manager of our office. His steadfast and systematic approach provides not only a steady hand to compliance, but also ensures that culturally we maintain the integrity of our firm as we grow with like-minded individuals. He believes that aligning clients with the ideals of institutional and pension funds helps to democratize the process of wealth creation.

Val is a Chartered Investment Manager (CIM) and is a Fellow of the Canadian Securities Institute (FCSI), which is the highest honor and most senior credential within the Canadian financial services industry. It is reserved solely for an elite group of experienced financial services professionals and distinguished leaders that meet the highest standards for advanced education, ethical conduct, industry experience and peer endorsement. He holds an engineering degree in Geophysics and an Executive MBA from the University of Washington.

When Val is not working, he enjoys personal time with his two children and wife, who works as a health care professional.

Q&A (Getting to know me)

1. Favourite books? Humboldt’s Gift (by Saul Bellow) and The Glass Bead Game (by Herman Hesse)
2. Favourite sport? Basketball
3. Favourite movie? Casablanca
4. Favourite food? Anything spicy
5. Favourite hobby? Playing chess

Jiwon Lee

B.Eng, B.Sc

VP Operations - Summit Private Wealth Inc.
Branch Administrator - Gestion Privée Summit / Mandeville Private Client Inc.

Jiwon has degrees in Civil Engineering and Computer Sciences from McGill University, and has worked in the telecom industry for over 10 years. As a result, she wears many hats and maintains the smooth operations of our office particularly in the areas of IT and HR. She administers the branch with care and ensures operational efficiencies in all departments.

Jiwon enjoys getting together with family and friends for intimate homemade dinners and wine. She enjoys travelling to explore different cultures and their architecture.

Q&A (Getting to know me)

1. Where are you from? South Korean born, Vancouver raised
2. Hobbies? Cooking, reading and running
3. Favourite wine? Pinot Noir from Burgundy
4. Favourite foods? Fresh oysters and Korean hand cut noodles
5. Favourite place to travel? Anywhere with old architecture and good food

Johanne Raymond

Executive Assistant - Summit Private Wealth / Mandeville Private Client Inc.

Johanne has over 30 years of experience in the financial services industry ranging from training advisors to administrative process as well as client management and helping them with their retirement solutions. She is highly committed to customer service and ensuring client satisfaction by working tirelessly to get proven results.

In her spare time, Johanne most values spending time with her family and loved ones. She is also very involved in community activities. In her quiet time, she likes to read a good book.

Q&A (Getting to know me)

1. Treasured memories? Watching The Expos at the Big O (bring them back!)
2. Favourite meal? Anything from the sea
3. Favourite movie? Dirty Dancing
4. Passionate about? Music (especially salsa)
5. Retirement dream? Travelling or a Villa in Dominican