Michael Southern CFA®
Portfolio Manager
During the 2008 financial crisis, Michael learnt that a close family member had panicked and sold her entire portfolio close to the market bottom. As a young investor himself, Michael worked with her to help find professional advice that catered to her investor temperament. The advice she received had a powerful impact on her financial well-being and this experience was all Michael needed to set out on a career in wealth management.
Michael would go on to work with hundreds of BMO Nesbitt Burns Advisors in a consulting and training capacity, and was ultimately recruited to 5i Research, an equity research firm, as an Analyst where he was mentored under well-known Canadian growth manager, Peter Hodson.
Michael finally found his home with Newport in January of 2018. “I consider myself fortunate as clients share with me their stories of how they built their wealth and their aspirations for the future. My job is to then put in place the structures to get them from one plateau to the next with confidence so they can focus on their preferred day-to-day activities.”
A firm believer in continuing professional education, Michael is currently working towards the Certified International Wealth Manager designation. He is already a Chartered Financial Analyst and holds an Honours degree from the Goodman School of Business.
With a love for the outdoors, Michael always looks forward to his next multi-day hike. This spirit has brought him to the top of mountains in China and through glaciers in Iceland. He can also be found at home patiently supporting his Toronto Blue Jays.