Our Team

enhanced wealth management

Personal Message

Managing one's financial affairs is complex and time-consuming, and too important to leave to chance.

I believe this provides us with a unique opportunity to serve as each client's Personal Financial Manager. In fulfilling this role, I and my team assume responsibility for coordinating and managing our clients' evolving financial and personal needs, from insurance and retirement planning to tax and business matters.

I am an independent advisor that takes the time to completely understand each client in terms of his or her objectives and circumstances, then draws upon the collective talents of our team of associated professionals to deliver high quality advice and integrated life management solutions. This team includes chartered financial analysts, lawyers, accountants, insurance experts, financial planners and business managers. I strive to build lasting relationships with my clients in terms of their total life management needs. For us, life management is about continually doing things to simplify and enhance their lives. The result? Clients are better able to balance their personal, career, retirement and lifestyle objectives.

Investment, Wealth and Life Management Solutions

Managing your money and planning your financial security are no easy tasks. Time constraints, ever changing tax laws, a confusing assortment of investment options - all present roadblocks for most people in addressing their financial affairs in any effective and coherent way.

We're here to help. Through our work together, you get a diverse range of wealth, investment and life management offerings, combined with professional expertise, independent advise and individual service. We'll simplify your life by guiding you through complex decisions and taking the lead in managing your evolving financial and personal needs.

We also recognize that not everyone faces the same financial issues. As such, our goal is to focus on what is important to you, in your particular case. The ultimate implementation of any proposed and relevant solutions would then follow an agreed upon timetable.

In our view, you are far more likely to achieve your financial objectives with the help of sound professional advice, discipline and the benefit of a clear and understandable financial plan.

Russ Elford, CFP®, RRC

Senior Wealth Advisor

With more than 30 years in the financial services industry, Russell’s clients appreciate his expertise, integrity, leadership abilities, commitment to excellence and dedication to making a difference ...

Karlyn Elford

Investment Associate

Joining the Elford Team in September 2020, Karlyn brings a fresh, new perspective. With a background in collegiate sport, a degree in Kinesiology and four years of student services support work at the...

Stefano Francescut

Senior Wealth Advisor

Stefano Francescut is a highly regarded CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER professional with Investment Planning Counsel in Sherwood Park. Stefano utilizes his Personal Wealth Management Strategy to develop ...

Barbara Francescut

Client Services, Administration Specialist

Barbara is responsible for helping all clients with their administrative questions and requirements and has been an integral part or our professional team since 1999. She works hard to ensure that eve...

Halle Wychopen

Client Service Specialist

Halle joined the Russ Elford Team in July 2021. As Russ’s executive assistant and client service specialist, Halle is responsible for coordinating, booking and preparing client meetings, as well as en...

Rana Chauhan

Chief Investment Strategist, Counsel Portfolio Services

Rahim Dhalla, CIM

Director, Portfolio Management, Counsel Portfolio Services

CIM

Chris J. Korte

Certified Financial Planner

Supporting the communities within which we work

At IPC, we built IPC Cares to bring together the various efforts we make towards enhancing the communities within which we operate. By adopting causes that are close to our hearts, we keep ourselves committed and accountable.

Last year alone, as a company, we supported the aid efforts on the Fort McMurray fires, palliative care through The Healing Cycle Foundation and women and children through The Salvation Army.

Perhaps the most significant effort we undertake, and one that we believe is representative of the kind of work that inspires and keeps us committed to our Corporate Social Responsibility(CSR) efforts, is the community development project in Honduras with The Carpenteros & Friends. Last year’s project involved a group of IPC staff and Advisors volunteering their time and energy on the ground. Very little is as inspiring and rewarding as living the lives of the people you’re helping, and every one of the people who took the journey came back a changed person, even more determined to stay committed to making a difference in the world!

We also made countless small but significant contributions of our time and resources within our communities through many grassroots charities we believe in, and the ripple effects of their efforts are always rewarding.