Our Team

A self-professed tax nerd, Joelle brings a sharp analytical lens and decades of experience to her work as a wealth advisor and portfolio manager. She helps families, professionals, and business owners build lasting wealth by translating complex financial decisions into clear, strategic actions. Known for her approachable and thoughtful style, Joelle makes even the most intricate wealth strategies feel simple and actionable.

Joelle holds a Bachelor of Economics (Honours) from McGill University and an MBA from the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management. She spent 18 years as a tax partner at a Big Four accounting firm before transitioning to wealth management. In 2017, she joined Paula O’Brien’s team at Richardson Wealth, and in 2021, she took over the practice. She holds the Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CA) designation, as well as the Chartered Investment Manager (CIM®) credential.

Joelle is also active in her community. She helped launch Dress for Success Ottawa in 2010 and currently serves on the Ottawa Board of Trade (OBOT).

Outside of the office, Joelle enjoys spending time with her husband, Kevin, and their three children, Derek, Sascha, and Heidi, most often at a hockey rink, soccer field, or gym. She also loves cycling, cooking, wine, and unwinding with a good European crime series on Netflix.

As a founding partner of the Ottawa office of Richardson Wealth, I spent my career as a Portfolio Manager, Wealth Advisor, and Investment Advisor with Richardson Wealth, focusing on tax efficient retirement income & wealth transfer for high-net-worth families. My financial planning and investment management expertise is reflective of 30+ years of work in the financial services industry. Our client families have shared the vision of their lives with me, and our team is committed to the successful achievement of those dreams. As I move towards retirement myself, I support Joelle in the day-to-day activities related to managing our client’s wealth while leveraging everything I’ve learned during my career.

A graduate from Carleton University with a Bachelor of Commerce, Honors degree, I hold the Chartered Accountant (CPA,CA), and Elder Planning Counselor (EPC) designations and previously held the Certified Investment Management (CIM®) designation prior to moving into the role of Associate Investment Advisor.

In my free time, I enjoy being with my family (especially my first grandchild). My creative endeavors include knitting, crochet, cross-stitch and needlepoint. Days on the river riding my sea-doo or exploring new restaurants is also fun. Travel is a lifelong learning experience and I plan to do much more going forward. 

As an associate, Karen brings a careful eye for detail and 30 years of experience to the industry. She’s responsible for the administrative aspects that keep the Hall Wealth Counsel team running smoothly and ensures an excellent client experience.

Karen followed in her father's footsteps, entering the industry right out of the gates. She has worked in many roles in the industry, including being a branch administrator, giving her a broad perspective. It makes her the ultimate associate as she has a high level of understanding of what's important. She joined Paula as an associate in 2005.

When Karen isn’t working with clients and supporting the team, she enjoys spending time quilting or in her garden. She loves travel and has a soft spot for Boston Terriers — although these days she has two potcake rescue dogs, Apple and Piper, who fill her heart. Ideally, she’d have a leash in one hand, and a boarding pass in the other. 

With a spirited work ethic and innovative drive, Shawna is always on the lookout for ways to improve the Hall Wealth Counsel team’s processes and client experience. As an associate, she helps manage daily operations, supporting both the team and client requests. Shawna has a background in project management, marketing and business development. She is pursuing a path toward becoming an Associate Investment Advisor to further serve our clients.

Shawna graduated from the Telfer School of Management at the University of Ottawa, with a Bachelor of Commerce, International Management. After graduation, she worked in marketing and advertising and business development before transitioning to the role of Project Coordinator at the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. She joined the Hall O’Brien Wealth Counsel team at Richardson Wealth in 2018.

Shawna is passionate about horses and likes to spend her time with her family and her animals. She’s often at the barn or on the back of a horse.