Our team

As an investment advisor and portfolio manager, Mary Ellen’s decisiveness, sharp instincts, and integrity have guided her 24 years in the industry. Her contagious smile and sense of humour make clients feel at ease in her presence. From the first meeting, it’s obvious how much she loves helping others. It’s also there in the way she works alongside her team, empowering everyone to play their unique role while staying true to the team’s shared values.

After earning a Bachelor of Commerce degree at Saint Mary's University, Mary Ellen joined the financial industry. She wanted to work with people and help them through the most vulnerable and beautiful milestones of their lives. She acquired her Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) and Chartered Investment Manager (CIM®) designations and began building her team at a major financial institution.

To recharge, Mary Ellen devotes her summers to swimming, golfing, long-distance running, and tennis. Winters are spent on the ski slopes at Wentworth. She always makes time for family and friends.

Julie has an innate talent for seeing the big picture. That talent helps her guide the team toward goals, delegating and leaving room for collaboration. She works directly with a select group of clients, simplifying the complex into pragmatic wealth strategies surrounding estates, retirement and tax planning. To Julie, understanding clients – what makes them unique, what drives them – is meaningful, it’s what makes everything else work.

After graduating from Nova Scotia Community College’s Investment Management program, Julie continued her education through the Canadian Securities Course, obtaining the Financial Management Advisor designation as well as becoming a Life Insurance Advisor. After three years at a major financial institution, she joined Mary Ellen Byrne Wealth Management in 2009.

Julie enjoys spending time with her family, running to and from sports commitments, and finding moments to hike along the coast, search for waterfalls, and go antiquing.

Paula’s creativity, enthusiasm and sense of collaboration make her a natural team organizer. In addition to meeting with clients directly, supporting retirement and estate planning strategies, she leads the team through each tax season. Paula also heads up our marketing, client events and community outreach. 

Paula graduated from Saint Mary's University with a Bachelor of Commerce degree in accounting, joining the financial services industry in 2008 and the Mary Ellen Byrne Wealth Management team in 2021. She has her Chartered Investment Manager designation and is a licensed Life Insurance Advisor. 

A proud Islander from Cape Breton, Paula supports several non-profits including, We Are Young, granting unfulfilled wishes to seniors, 100 Women Who Care Halifax, and Big Brothers Big Sisters. She is the current president of the Halifax Estate Planning Council and is always keen to help organizations. Paula is happiest when she’s spending time with family and friends, taking in live music, hiking, and camping in their teardrop trailer alongside her partner Dave. 

Jennifer brings natural enthusiasm and positivity alongside diligent organizational skills to the team, preparing and processing all documentation required to streamline the client experience. She’s a main touchpoint for clients and keeps everyone on track, liaising between departments and assisting with trading, filing, and money movement. Jennifer has been with the team since 2015.

Jennifer graduated from Saint Mary's University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1996 and completed the Canadian Securities Course in 2016. To her, the financial services industry offered a chance to work with clients and a team, playing a role in helping people navigate the complex nature of wealth.

After work, you’re likely to find Jennifer at a Pilates class or at home watching the Blue Jays or Formula 1 with her husband. On weekends, she is at the ballfield watching her son play, or in the garden with her daughter.

Lisa is known for her easy smile and patient nature. Working with the team, she brings an eye for detail and over 35 years of experience in financial services. A lot of her work happens behind the scenes in the form of portfolio rebalancing and tax package preparation, allowing the team to focus directly on clients.

Throughout her career in financial services, Lisa has worked in many roles, from the institutional side of investments with private placements, corporate loans and supporting equity trading, to more client-facing elements of wealth management. Lisa has her Fellow of Canadian Securities Institute designation. She joined the Mary Ellen Byrne Wealth Management team in 2017.

Hailing from Ontario, Lisa and her husband were drawn east in 2000. Family is exceptionally important to her. She enjoys living a health-conscious lifestyle through cycling, cooking, hiking, practicing yoga, and reading. 

Noha’s meticulously analytical nature and discipline make her a key asset to the team. With seven years of experience in the financial services industry both on the retail and investment side, Noha handles cash flow, trading, and transaction reviews, streamlining the client experience and ensuring the team is compliant and on track. She’s relationship-driven and values the opportunity to create positive experiences for both clients and the team. 

Born in Cairo, Egypt, Noha moved to Canada in 2013. Noha completed a Bachelor of Commerce with a major in Finance from Dalhousie University while working on the retail side of finance. After graduation, she pursued further education through the Canadian Securities Course and Conduct and Practices Handbook Course. She joined the Mary Ellen Byrne Wealth Management team in 2022.

Beyond work, Noha enjoys travelling, having set a goal to visit somewhere new every year. She also likes cooking, watching movies, and attending game nights with friends.