We’re excited to announce that Seligman Insurance is now a part of the Bridgewell Financial team. Read our latest post for the full details.

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About

A financial services firm built for you

Bridgewell was founded on a simple idea: that by bringing together a strong team of specialists from across various disciplines, we could help organizations and their leaders exceed their financial goals and stay a step ahead at all times.

Solutions that work

We’ve built an advisory team that puts your needs first, combining responsiveness and dependability with comprehensive experience and a focus on purpose-driven planning. Our goal is to fill the gaps in your financial foundation, while offering customized solutions that make sense for your business and personal financial circumstances.

The support you need

We understand that you lead a busy life and face a host of challenges each and every day. Our job is to reduce the complexity and make your decisions as simple and streamlined as possible. We do it by leveraging accurate research, analysis and modelling. By presenting new ideas and advice and using technology to aid with your decision making, we manage the details so you can focus on building your business and enjoying the lifestyle pursuits that matter most.

Leadership

Mike Tranter

B. Eng; QAFP™

Partner

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Chad Tranter

BACS, CFP®, CLU

Partner

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Michael Wortsman

BFA

Partner

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Graeme Martin

CFP®

Partner

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Our Team

Jeff Bernstein

Senior Advisor

(416) 479-4401

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Amr Galal

Consultant, Benefits and Savings Programs

(647) 272-9323

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Teresa Garcia

Teresa Garcia

Group Service Coordinator

(416) 545-5343

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Emily Ioffe

Executive Assistant

 (416) 479-4401

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Justin Kishurilall

Group Account Manager

(647) 933-0317

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Leo Penney

Advanced Underwriting Consultant

leo@leopenney.com

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Fran Perkins

Director of Individual Client Service

(416) 479-4401

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Yohan Roche

Yohan Roche

Client Service Coordinator

(416) 254-2545

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Peter Seligman

Senior Advisor

(416) 565-1100

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Matt Shechtman

Associate Advisor

(647) 558-0347

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Cheryl Solomon

Senior Advisor

cheryls@bridgewellfinancial.com

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Sharika Thalapally

Sharika Thalapally

Group Service Coordinator

(647) 932-0304

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Jessica Thompson

Client Service Leader

(416) 545-5346

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Judy Tranter

Senior Advisor

judyt@bridgewellfinancial.com

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STRATEGIC PARTNERS: EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

Keller Insurance
Group

Daniel Keller

Independent Insurance & Financial Concepts

Irwin Wortsman
Paul Mandel

Doing right and giving back

We built Bridgewell to be a different kind of financial services firm, one guided by a shared set of values and beliefs. Our focus on teamwork, simplicity, responsibility and integrity forms the foundation of our company culture.
Exceeding expectations may be our goal as a firm, but helping others is at the heart of what we do.

It’s what drives us to continue improving and providing better service; to keep you informed about the latest trends, legislative developments and important economic drivers. Because to us, there’s nothing more satisfying than helping you move a step closer to achieving your personal or professional goals.

Giving back

We’re passionate about supporting transformative community and charitable causes. Giving back is a key pillar of our business. By focusing on sustainability, philanthropy and ethical business practices, we believe that Bridgewell can improve lives and make a difference in the world around us.
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Let’s discuss your financial planning needs

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Financial Planning

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Group Benefits

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Corporate Insurance

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Personal Insurance

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Bridgewell Financial is a proud member of financial industry associations including CALU, Advocis and CGIB

Operating as Bridgewell Financial, a Franklin Tranter & Associates Inc. and Click Benefits Inc. Company

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Jeff Bernstein

Jeff’s background is unique in the financial services space. After obtaining his Master of Arts degree in International Affairs, Jeff pursued diverse global opportunities. His experience includes collaborating on international human rights cases for a high-profile Canadian senator, guiding a team of engineers to build and ship software, and keeping the streets of East Africa and Southeast Asia safe from fake medications (for real). Jeff’s passions and professional experience have always been focused on finding new ways to help people solve problems that matter.

Jeff joined the Seligman Insurance team in 2014 as an associate advisor, assuming managing responsibilities and ownership in 2018. As a third generation (by marriage) insurance-focused estate planner, Jeff views himself as an educator and guide to his clients and their professional advisors around insurance-based financial planning strategies. Using an approach that blends high emotional intelligence with deep analytical proficiency, Jeff believes strongly in the catalytic role advisors play in the planning process and cares deeply for the well-being of his clients.

Jeff’s career moved in an exciting new direction in early 2025, when Seligman Insurance joined forces with Bridgewell Financial. The strategic decision to join a fast-growing firm offered Jeff an opportunity to enhance the service experience he delivers to longstanding clients: building on a 60 year-plus legacy of financial industry excellence, while leveraging Bridgewell’s unique advantages around technology, wellness, and financial services innovation. Bridgewell clients now have access to Jeff’s specialized expertise in insurance, estate and philanthropic planning and advisory services for multigenerational families.

Away from the office, Jeff and his wife Dani live in midtown Toronto with their four young children and two rescue dogs. Happiest outdoors and active, Jeff is a trail runner and occasional triathlete. Outside of his professional practice, Jeff volunteers with, and fundraises for, organizations that promote social well-being and inclusion of people with differences, in both grassroots and board leadership roles.

Amr Galal

For more than a decade, Amr has built a reputation as a leader in the employee health and well-being sector.

As Bridgewell’s Benefits and Savings Program consultant, Amr delivers solutions with a focus on the many ways that data and technology are being used to deliver tailored programs for employees and their families. A graduate of Brock University, Amr spent the bulk of his career helping to grow the executive healthcare provider Medcan, most recently leading its sales and partnerships team. “I believe that providing the necessary benefit supports and promoting employee wellness will be critical to organizations’ future success as they work to attract and retain top talent,” he explains. “Many will need to change their approach, and I’m excited that Bridgewell can help deliver the right solutions to help them achieve their strategic goals.”

Away from the office, Amr enjoys sports including golf, hockey and volleyball. He’s also passionate about travel and is always looking forward to his next adventure abroad.

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Teresa Garcia

Teresa has been an integral member of the team since 2005 and has more than 30 years of insurance industry experience.

As Bridgewell’s Group Service Coordinator, Teresa’s focus on supporting our clients with insurance solutions tailored to their unique personal or business needs has been essential to our firm’s ongoing success. By building and maintaining collaborative relationships with our clients, associates and industry partners, Teresa has helped define and distinguish our service experience. “By taking the complexity out of financial services and being part of a team of trusted advisors, we can help enhance our clients’ financial well-being and provide the tools they need to build a lasting legacy,” she explains.

Away from work, Teresa enjoys challenging herself with DIY home renovation projects. When she’s not making improvements to her house, Teresa loves walking with her dog, playing tennis and listening to music.

Emily Ioffe

Stay tuned for Emily's bio, coming soon!

Justin Kishurilall

Stay tuned for Justin's bio, coming soon!

Leo Penney

Leo brings more than 40 years of underwriting experience to Bridgewell Financial as one of our key strategic partners.

His experience includes working for a major reinsurance company, where he was responsible for underwriting operations in Canada, the United States and the Caribbean.
Following that tenure, Leo's career involved working directly with producers, their clients and advisors to resolve complex underwriting challenges, not only from a medical and financial underwriting perspective, but also with respect to avocation, foreign travel and other risk factors.

Leo is a frequent speaker at industry events. Through his most recent work, Leo has provided access to the U.S. and Bermuda markets on cases that are very highly rated or uninsurable in Canada, especially with respect to the older age market, foreign travel, and other scenarios surplus to the Canadian market.

Fran Perkins

As a licensed advisor, Fran has worked in the insurance industry for over 20 years and offers expertise in executive marketing, client relations, as well as sales and underwriting support. She has been a core contributor to the Seligman team for more than 15 years, playing a key role in the company’s growth and success. Her hands-on approach to customer service and extensive industry knowledge are pivotal to providing clients with the best possible insurance solutions. Fran enjoys an active lifestyle and loves to travel.

Yohan Roche

Stay tuned for Yohan's bio, coming soon!

Peter Seligman

Peter Seligman has been an Estate and Insurance Advisor since 1982. Armed with extensive knowledge, Peter guides a niche clientele of entrepreneurs, business owners and executives towards preserving their wealth and minimizing the potential effects of life changes by planning for the future. Peter works closely with his clients, forming strong relationships while providing comprehensive, customized personal risk management products and services. Peter always listens closely to what his clients’ wants and needs are and develops unique solutions for them.

A consummate team player, Peter is open to working closely with your preferred professionals, such as lawyers and accountants. And if you don’t already have a lawyer or accountant, Peter will endeavor to recommend you to a best fit professional from his large network of experienced colleagues. The high level of customer service Peter provides has enabled him to achieve numerous professional accomplishments and qualifications.

Matt Shechtman

Stay tuned for Matt's bio, coming soon!   

Cheryl Solomon

As an independent insurance advisor, Cheryl has dedicated her career to helping clients achieve financial wellness.

That means delivering a comprehensive range of insurance solutions, with a focus on developing strategies that enable her clients to continue living independently as they age. Specialized features of her practice include living benefits, elder and estate planning. “I’ve always said that I help people protect their wealth when life happens,” she explains. “Our service experience at Bridgewell is designed to help bridge the gaps in our clients’ financial plans, all so they can live life on their terms.” Cheryl is a Certified Health Insurance Specialist (CHS) and Elder Planning Counsellor (EPC).

When she’s not helping Bridgewell clients achieve peace of mind with their financial plans, Cheryl enjoys family time, cottage life and an active outdoor lifestyle.

Sharika Thalapally

Stay tuned for Sharika's bio, coming soon!   

Jessica Thompson

With a commitment to enhancing our client experience whenever possible, Jessica brings more than 13 years of customer service, human resources management and administration experience to the Bridgewell team.

Having built a reputation for her keen attention to detail and a focus on responsiveness, Jessica is passionate about helping our clients understand and capitalize on their personal or professional financial opportunities—all while caring for them as if they were family. “I love the fact that everyone at Bridgewell shares the same approach to integrated financial wellness,” she says. “By looking at all aspects of our clients’ personal and professional financial situation, we can deliver the right solutions for their needs.”

Jessica enjoys travelling, especially to Ireland where she has family. In the summer months she spends as much time as possible relaxing at Ontario’s top beaches.

Judy Tranter

Judy brings decades of professional financial advisory experience to her role as a Bridgewell associate advisor, with a specialized focus on estate planning.

Judy holds a designation as a Certified Health Insurance Specialist, is a past member of the Society of Trust and Estate Planners and is a former Million Dollar Round Table producer. A long-time supporter of community causes across the Greater Toronto Area, Judy is the past president of the Toronto branch of the Canadian Diabetes Association, a former chair of the Hospice Association of Ontario, a member of the Junior League and various other community boards.

When she’s not helping Bridgewell clients achieve their financial goals, Judy loves spending time with her family, playing sports and enjoying an active outdoor lifestyle.