Amanda Zhao
CFA, CEA, CHS, CFP, CLU, and FEA.
CEO & Co-founder of M & Z Wealth
Board Member @ GAMA Global
Membership Committee Member &
Life Insurance Committee Member @ CALU
Board Member @ Advocis Vancouver Chapter
Amanda Zhao is the CEO and co-founder of M & Z Wealth, which she established alongside her husband, Steven Mi. She was previously a university English lecturer at Xi’an Jiaotong University and an English teacher at New Oriental. Guided by the principles of “Instruct, Educate, Resolve,” Amanda combines her educational background with her current profession and community activities to help clients achieve financial goals and life balance.
As a wealth management expert with a diverse background, Amanda focuses on providing personalized financial planning services to high-net-worth families, business owners, and individuals. M & Z Wealth offers comprehensive services that focus on wealth creation, wealth preservation, and wealth transfer, ensuring family wealth is successfully passed down through generations.
Since entering the financial industry in 2006, Amanda has gained extensive experience in business succession planning and legacy planning for high-net-worth families. She holds multiple prestigious qualifications, including Family Enterprise Advisor (FEA), Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU), Certified Financial Planner (CFP), Certified Health Insurance Specialist (CHS), and Certified Executor Advisor (CEA), which allow her to tailor solutions for the successful transfer of family wealth.
Amanda is actively involved in several professional organizations. She serves as a board member @ both GAMA Global and the Advocis Vancouver Chapter, where she contributes to shaping the future of the financial advisory profession. Additionally, Amanda is a membership committee member and life insurance committee member @ CALU, where she helps advance public policy and provides leadership to support financial advisors in enhancing the financial well-being of Canadians and family businesses.
Amanda’s passion for community building is evident in the creation of M & Z Community, which she co-founded with her husband. M & Z Community is an interactive platform based on the philosophy of “Beyond professionalism, all is fun,” blending professional financial services with engaging community activities. The community offers a variety of events, including badminton, tennis, pickleball, karaoke, and the cultivation of an M & Z golf team. It also features Guandan Mahjong, an English club, and a youth financial literacy boot camp, offering educational and
recreational opportunities for all ages. Amanda also launched the Children Development Plan, supporting families in planning for their children’s growth, from financial literacy education to long-term educational investment strategies.
As a working mother, Amanda’s 10-year-old daughter is talented in various arts. Amanda encourages her daughter to experience the beauty in life, nurturing her interests and talents across different areas. Amanda herself enjoys a wide range of hobbies, including photography, travel, sports, singing, card games, and socializing. She used to have a loyal dog before moving to Canada and now has a gentle cat. Her love for animals has always been part of her life, and she treasures every moment spent with her pets, from the companionship of her dog to the peaceful presence of her cat. Amanda values finding balance between her career and personal growth, enjoying a rich life experience that she shares with her family.
Licenses / Designations
IFIC License
The Investment Funds in Canada (IFIC) license is a critical credential for financial professionals dealing with mutual funds in Canada. It ensures that Amanda has a thorough understanding of mutual funds and the investment industry.
LLQP License
The Life License Qualification Program (LLQP) is a mandatory course for individuals wishing to sell life insurance products and accident and sickness insurance in Canada. It serves as the foundation for Amanda’s expertise in the life insurance sector.
CFA - Chartered Financial Analyst
This globally recognized certification demonstrates Amanda’s strong understanding of advanced investment analysis and real-world portfolio management skills.
CEA - Certified Executor Advisor
As a CEA, Amanda has comprehensive knowledge to advise executors on legal, tax, funeral, and other issues that arise upon death. This equips her to provide guidance in the critical period of estate execution.
CHS - Certified Health Insurance Specialist
This designation signifies Amanda’s expertise in living benefits, including income replacement and risk management solutions for individuals, business owners, and professionals.
CFP - Certified Financial Planner
As a CFP, Amanda can provide comprehensive financial planning services and advice, encompassing a wide array of areas such as investment, retirement, and estate planning.
CLU - Chartered Life Underwriter
The CLU is an internationally respected designation of insurance and financial consulting professionals. As a CLU, Amanda has in-depth knowledge in the field of life insurance and estate planning.
FEA – Family Enterprise Advisor
This designation is a testament to Amanda’s ability to guide multi-generational families through the complexities of managing their enterprise, preserving their wealth, and ensuring a successful transition to future generations.
Membership/Committee Responsibilities
Member of CALU
As a member of the Conference for Advanced Life Underwriting (CALU), Amanda is part of an organization that champions the interests of advanced life underwriting professionals and their clients. Her membership allows her to stay up-to-date with industry trends and changes in policies and legislation.
Member of Advocis
Advocis, The Financial Advisors Association of Canada, provides a platform for financial advisors to collaborate and advocate for the financial well-being of Canadians. Amanda’s membership here highlights her dedication to the professional and ethical standards of the financial advisory industry.
Member of the Estate Planning Council of Canada
This council brings together professionals involved in estate planning. Amanda’s membership allows her to remain at the forefront of the industry, giving her clients the best advice in wealth transition and preservation.
Board Member of CEAN Vancouver Chapter
Amanda holds a pivotal role in the Certified Executor Advisor Network (CEAN)’s Vancouver Chapter. This position enables her to arrange networking events for estate professionals, enhancing industry collaboration and knowledge sharing.
CFA Social Media Committee
As part of the CFA Social Media Committee, Amanda manages the CFASociety Twitter account, disseminating key announcements and research from the CFA Institute. This role demonstrates her commitment to promoting valuable financial information and trends.
FP Standards Council
Amanda contributes to the future of financial planning in her role with the Financial Planning Standards Council. Here, she develops Certified Financial Planner examination questions and marks exams, ensuring the next generation of financial planners meets high standards.
Member of GAMA Global
As a member of the General Agents and Managers Association (GAMA), Amanda connects with other industry leaders to share best practices and strategies, continually elevating her leadership skills.
Professional Experiences
Business Consultant
As a Business Consultant, Amanda advised on effective sales strategies, facilitated business development, and nurtured relationships with clients. She was an integral team member, boosting the company’s revenue through her tailored financial solutions and strategic insight.
Consultant/Advisor Talent
Amanda was responsible for identifying, recruiting, and nurturing advisor talent. Her keen eye for potential and her commitment to professional growth have helped to drive the company’s success.
Financial Planner
Amanda worked closely with clients to develop comprehensive financial plans that suited their needs. Her deep understanding of wealth management and strategic planning has helped her clients achieve their financial goals.
Director of Advisor Experience
In this role, Amanda developed and executed strategies to improve advisor experiences. She played a pivotal role in increasing advisor satisfaction and retention.
Training Manager
Amanda’s role involved the delivery of comprehensive training programs, covering areas from product knowledge to business planning and technology use. Her innovative training strategies helped boost team productivity and sales performance.
Key Areas of Expertise
Leadership Development and Mentorship
Amanda excels in identifying talent and fostering growth within teams and among fellow brokers. Her guidance has shaped the careers of many, and her emphasis on professional development has helped nurture a new generation of financial experts.
High-Net-Worth Family Wealth Management
With a deep understanding of the complex financial landscape, Amanda offers comprehensive wealth management services to high-net-worth families. She effectively develops and implements strategies that address their unique financial goals and needs, preserving and growing their wealth for future generations.
Corporate Financial Consultancy
Amanda provides astute financial guidance to corporations, assisting them in managing their financial resources more efficiently. Her proficiency includes capital structuring, investment strategies, risk management, and financial planning.
Child Financial Security Programs
Amanda also specializes in creating financial security programs for children. These programs aim to secure a child’s financial future, ensuring they are well-prepared for life’s eventualities such as education, health, and other critical needs.