Clinton Orr is a Senior Wealth Advisor and Senior Portfolio Manager with Canaccord Genuity Group. He and his wife Jodi live in Beausejour, Manitoba where he is a member of the Chamber of Commerce and writes a column for his community newspaper. He also makes regular appearances on Global News Winnipeg.
Q: Can you tell us about how you came to pursue a career as a financial advisor?
CLINTON ORR: Absolutely. I was just always interested in numbers. My Dad was an accountant, and I was asking for calculators for Christmas gifts as a kid. When it came time to choose a career path, I gravitated toward commerce and business. I had a job with a local securities firm in university which set me in this specific direction. I received a degree in commerce from the Asper School of Business at the University of Manitoba, and I’ve never stopped learning and trying to improve my approach to serving clients and managing their wealth.
Q: How do you differentiate your approach to financial planning?
CLINTON ORR: I’ve honed an approach over the years that I call “Financial Architecture”, which looks at constructing a client’s financial plan like you’d construct a house – you start with a vision, you draw up a blueprint and you work with professionals to make that vision come to life. This has been a useful framing for the work we do with clients, ensuring that every aspect of their financial goals is addressed, from estate and tax planning to investment strategies. We build a solid foundation together, and we work hard to maintain it.
Q: After twenty years in the business, what still gets you excited about your career?
CLINTON ORR: For me, my career as a wealth manager combines my love for numbers with the satisfaction I feel for helping people. It’s an ideal blend, and I never tire of trying to solve complex financial puzzles in order to make a real and lasting difference in people’s lives. I work with people from all sectors of the economy and in all stages of their lives, which makes the work different every day and brings fresh new challenges. Everyone has different needs and goals, and I enjoy helping my clients navigate through building a solid investment plan all the way through to their retirement.
Q: How important is client education to your financial planning process?
CLINTON ORR: Client education is a fundamental part of my approach. I believe that empowering clients with knowledge about all aspects of their financial plans is crucial for their peace of mind and the success of the strategy. By understanding the “why” behind each decision, clients are more engaged and confident in the planning process. By taking this collaborative approach, I’m helping them demystify the financial world, making it more accessible and less intimidating for them. The ultimate goal is their comfort and satisfaction with making these huge life decisions, and the more informed they are about the process, the better.
Q: Beyond your professional achievements, how do you find balance and give back to the community?
CLINTON ORR: I take a lot of pride in being an active part of my community here in Manitoba. My wife and I are passionate about animal welfare, and we’ve been able to start the Pet Life Animal Fund, providing rescue centers with the budgets they need to treat more animals. Another hobby that’s been very important to my overall well-being is practicing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, which helps with my mental balance and allows me to achieve better focus in my work and my career. For me and my family, it’s always satisfying to find ways to contribute positively to the community, whether it’s through financial planning or through just being engaged citizens.
