Who We Are

Purpose is something bigger.
It is the picture you have
of yourself-the kind of person
you want to be.
- KENNETH BLANCHARD

We are a team of experts and professionals dedicated to helping you and your family use your wealth to fulfill the purposes you value most. For more than 75 years, we have guided our clients, their families, and their advisors through some of life’s most sensitive and important decisions.

Al G. Brown

Founder

At the age of 23, Al G. Brown entered the life insurance business and built a firm based on values, integrity, service and vision. It was a formula for success. In less than 20 years he reached the highest echelons of the industry as a member of the Million Dollar Round Table. Al G. created a culture that respected each employee and associates, allowing them to reach their fullest potential. He was a strong advocate for his clients’ financial health and well-being, and that of their families. Like his employees, clients of the firm stayed for lifetimes, bringing in their children and grandchildren as they grew up. His benevolence extended to the community, to which he devoted countless hours. He also facilitated others’ communal support by developing many charitable life insurance policies. Over seven decades, Al G. Brown & Associates grew from a small one-man operation to become one of the best-staffed and most respected firms in Canada.

Al G. Brown - 1920-2017

David Wm. Brown

Former Partner

David Wm. Brown joined the family firm in 1983 and within a year both he and Golda qualified for the Million Dollar Round Table. His success in the industry mounted, leading him to higher levels of achievement. With an almost insatiable desire for knowledge, David compiled many additional designations. His accomplishments were widely recognized and he was invited to speak at numerous conferences and write for industry publications. Despite his incredible success, David maintained the unique ability to focus on the needs of clients - one at a time, giving each of them his undivided attention and zealously pursuing the means by which he could help them fulfill their purpose. His dedication to clients combined with his unparalleled expertise, led him to devise sound and creative strategies for clients, particularly as it relates to estate planning and charitable giving. David became a recognized and a sought-after expert. Like his father, he treated every person - employees, clients and friends – with the greatest of respect and devoted much of his time and attention to meeting the needs of the community.

David Wm. Brown - 1955-2021

Al G. Brown & Associates has grown from a simple one-man operation in 1943 to become one of Canada’s most successful and highly-regarded financial planning and life insurance brokerage firms. It is a testament to the success that comes from cherishing every relationship, while humbly and persistently pursuing knowledge. Our reputation and our achievements are largely attributable to two giants of the insurance industry and the community, who, unfortunately, are no longer with us – Al G. Brown z”l and David Wm. Brown z”l. Today, we stand on their shoulders, committed to carrying on their legacy and taking our firm to even greater heights.

Elli Schochet

Managing Partner

Over 25 years in the Insurance and Financial Planning industry
Recognized expert in developing customized tax efficient strategies
Became a partner in Al G. Brown & Associates in 2016, after joining the firm in 2012
Ranked in the highest echelons of advisors worldwide since 2000
Member of Advocis, The Financial Advisors Association of Canada as well as CALU, the Conference for Advanced Life Underwriting
Provides leadership and financial support to may communal organizations
Married to Tova and they have four children
Fact: In October 2021, Elli climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro

Elli
Schochet

Managing Partner

Golda Brown

Senior client relations manager

Over 40 years in the Insurance and Financial Planning industry
Ranked in the highest echelons of advisors worldwide since 1982
Became a partner in Al G. Brown & Associates in 1985
Helped many women achieve financial goals and fulfill charitable giving purposes
Long record of involvement in communal organizations
Past president of PEPDA (Parents Experiencing Perinatal Death Association)
Executive board of Canadian Association of Family Enterprise (CAFE)
Married to Harry and they have 2 children and xx grandchildren
Fun Fact: Golda's favourite way to relax is by doing yoga and pilates

Golda
Brown

Senior Client
Relations Manager

Sarah Brown

MANAGER CLIENT ENGAGEMENT

Responsible for all aspects of the client experience as well as marketing & communications
Joined Al G. Brown & Associates in 2011
Worked in many client relations capacities since joining the firm
Married to Steven and they have three children
Fun fact: Has travelled to both Russia and Japan

Sarah
Brown

Manager
Client Engagement

Bruce Caplan

SENIOR ADVISOR

Over 40 years in the Insurance and Financial Planning Industry
Has earned CFP, CLU and CHFC designations
Ranked in the highest echelons of advisors worldwide since 2005
Fun fact: Bruce’s six grandchildren have him wrapped around their little fingers

Bruce
Caplan

SENIOR ADVISOR

GEORGE WEINBERGER

TAX & FINANCE ADVISOR

Chartered Accountant since 1972 and a Fellow Chartered Accountant since 2000
Working with Al G. Brown & Associates since 2006
Analyzes tax implications and makes recommendations regarding retirement, insurance and financial plans
Speaker and lecturer at various professional conferences
Extensively involved in many communal organizations
Fun Fact: Has a reputation for knowing and remembering every joke

George
Weinberger

Tax & Finance
Advisor

Cathy Marcoccia

MANAGER CLIENT SERVICES

At Al G. Brown & Associates since 1984
Licensed Life Insurance Agent since 2002
Mentored by Al G. Brown and David Wm. Brown
Works closely with Elli Schochet and the senior risk management team to create individually developed insurance portfolios and solutions
Oversees team assignments and works with others to ensure the client's goals are met
Fun Fact: Loves spending summer months outdoors at the cottage

Cathy
Marcoccia

Manager
Client Services

Andrea Ballet

SENIOR EMPLOYEE BENEFITS CONSULTANT

Over 30 years working with employee health benefits programs
Manages the Employee Health Benefits department at Al G. Brown & Associates
Oversees 150 health benefits clients
Recognized expert at building benefits plans that meet needs and budgets
Fun Fact: She has a great throwing arm in baseball

Andrea
Ballett

Senior Employee
Benefits Consultant

Shoshanah Moos

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS CONSULTANT

Has over 20 years of experience in Employee Group Health Benefits
Currently holds LLQP, GBA (Group Benefits Associate) and C.P.C.A (Certified Professional Consultant on Aging) designations
Holds a B.Sc.N.(Bachelor of Science in Nursing) having previously practiced as a Community Health Nurse; E.T. (Enterostomal Therapist) and a Disability Case Manager
Fun Fact: Shoshanah likes to “cyber-snoop” her film director son and world-travelling daughter

Shoshanah
Moos

Employee Benefits
Consultant

Daniel Gordon

Role

Over 10 years in the Life Insurance and Financial Services industry
Holds his Chartered Investment Manager (CIM) designation and is a level 2 CFA candidate
Experienced in advising high net worth individuals and corporate clients on investment strategies and financial solutions
Avid golfer and runner
Fun fact: Loves classical music and attending TSO concerts

Daniel
Gordon

Director of Investments & Wealth Management

Robert Campbell

INVESTMENT AND PRODUCT ANALYST

Almost 20 years in the Financial Services industry
Licensed Life Insurance Agent
Analyzes, reviews and makes recommendations for client investment portfolios
Creates retirement projections and develops retirement strategies for clients.
Motorcycle and poker enthusiast
Fun Fact: Lifelong Canadiens fan and loves going back home to Montreal

Robert
Campbell

Investment and Product
Analyst

Tony Eades

Chief Strategy Officer

T O N Y E A D E S is an experienced brand strategist, keynote speaker, sales enablement specialist, contributing writer, and customer experience expert. He currently serves as Chief Strategy Officer and CEO of Salted Stone APAC, and is a featured expert on one of Australia’s leading business TV shows -- with 3M + weekly viewers. Tony works with growing companies to develop market leadership authority and deliver measurable ROI across the buyer’s journey. He is passionate about digital marketing and thrives on growing brands, from start-ups to corporate enterprises.