Michael Southern, CFA®

During the 2008 financial crisis, Michael learned that a close family member had panicked and sold her entire portfolio near the market bottom. As a young investor himself, Michael worked with her to find professional advice that better matched her investor temperament. The guidance 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 went 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 by well-known Canadian growth manager, Peter Hodson.

Michael found his home with Newport in January 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.”

He is a member of Newport’s Investment Committee, where he leads the analysis and research that supports the firm’s selection of specialized external managers. His combination of hands-on advisory experience and deep research expertise provides a strong foundation for helping clients navigate complexity with clarity and purpose.

Michael is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA®) 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 adventurous spirit has taken him to the tops of mountains in China and across glaciers in Iceland. He can also be found at home patiently supporting his Toronto Blue Jays.