We are a firm that prides itself on making everyone associated with us feel like they are treated as part of the Goldhar family.
Goldhar & Associates Ltd. is a firm that assists individuals and corporations to reset their financial affairs to help them Shed The Debt! We treat both debtors and creditors throughout the process with respect and understanding of their situation, by informing them of their rights under the various laws pertaining to their situation.
After analyst roles with Toronto insolvency firms Soberman and Meyers Norris Penny, Richard joined BDO Canada (Mississauga offices) to complete his professional accreditation. He began his professional practice as a licensed trustee in bankruptcy in June 2013 with BDO, and then founded Goldhar & Associates Ltd. in November 2013. Richard’s experience in CA-dominated insolvency firms has inspired him to stay true to his values and create a professional practice centered around the financial and personal needs of his clients.
Richard lives in Toronto with his wife, Jennifer Shupak, a personal injury lawyer at Capp Shupak, and their three young sons. As a family, Richard and Jennifer are committed to philanthropy and the tradition of giving back to the community, and they are ongoing supporters of many charitable endeavors.
Len is a financial professional with over 20 years of experience assisting individuals and businesses overcome their financial problems. He qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 2002 and as a Licensed Insolvency Trustee in 2008, with KPMG, a national accounting and insolvency firm. Len spent 10 years practicing with BDO, overseeing their Cape Breton, New Brunswick, and PEI insolvency practice. In 2021, he joined Goldhar & Associates Ltd. as Managing Partner in Atlantic Canada.
Len is known for his attention to detail and friendly demeanour, and takes great care in helping people navigate their financial issues. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his wife and daughter, volunteering with organizations such as MADD Cape Breton and St. Anne’s Parish, and participating in outdoor activities such as skiing and boating.
I graduated from the International Development program at the University of Guelph and obtained some experience working in the mountains of the Dominican Republic. With the goal of returning to Not for Profit work, I decided to broaden my skillset by studying accounting. While working toward my CPA, CMA designation I started working in the field of insolvency. I began my career and trained in both personal and corporate insolvency proceedings, but after obtaining my Trustee license in 1995 I changed my focus to helping individuals overcome their personal debt problems. I worked with both national and regional firms before I opened my own practice.
Andrew Smith is a Licensed Insolvency Trustee and Chartered Professional Accountant with 14 years of experience in the insolvency and restructuring field. He spent the first six years of his career working on corporate insolvencies and restructuring small companies before transitioning to consumer practice in 2015, where he began providing insolvency advice to individuals in financial distress. Andrew graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration, concentrating in Accounting, from Vancouver Island University and obtained his Chartered Accounting designation in 2009. His financial accounting expertise includes reviewing not-for-profit financial statements, analyzing corporate transactions, and resolving matrimonial disputes through detailed financial reviews. He is also an active volunteer with the Chartered Professional Accountants of British Columbia, providing financial literacy sessions to the community, and serves as a Board Member of the British Columbia Association of Insolvency and Restructuring Professionals.
Seasoned Finance Professional, experienced across Corporate Banking, Credit Appraisal, Cash Flow Management and Corporate Insolvency and Restructuring,
Worked across Hotel & Hospitality, Textiles, Construction & Engineering, Roads and Infrastructure Projects.
Eight Years of Corporate Banking experience with a major Indian Bank including two years of dedicated stressed asset resolution services. This was followed by two years of Financial Restructuring and Insolvency Resolution experience with Duff & Phelps, a major Financial Consulting firm.
Passionate to help clients by understanding their needs and creating a tailor-made solution to help overcome financial difficulties.
Marlene Oilgisser is a senior business executive with extensive experience in both operational and strategic functions. Her career includes practicing as a Chartered Accountant for 10 years and serving as Vice President of Finance for 12 years in a family business, where she played a pivotal role in guiding the company through an M.B.O. and an I.P.O. Marlene has also managed a cosmetic distributor on behalf of an absentee owner, assisted a cosmetic manufacturer through financial challenges leading to bankruptcy, and led a major cosmetic manufacturing operation for over 17 years, primarily as President, where she drove exceptional growth. Additionally, she has provided consulting services to business owners, offering tailored guidance to meet their specific needs. Marlene’s diverse experiences have equipped her with a wide range of management skills, enabling her to adapt quickly to hands-on situations, navigate complex challenges, and provide the necessary guidance for success.
Pattie Lovett-Reid is a highly respected Canadian financial expert known for her deep expertise in personal finance. She began her career as a bank teller and steadily advanced within the investment world, ultimately becoming Senior Vice-President at TD Waterhouse Canada Inc. In 2012, she transitioned to a prominent media role as the Chief Financial Commentator at CTV News, where she gained widespread recognition for translating complex financial concepts into practical, accessible advice. Currently, she serves as the Chief Financial Commentator at HomeEquity Bank and recently joined Goldhar & Associates Ltd. as Special Advisor. A Certified Financial Planner and co-author of several national bestsellers, Pattie has earned prestigious awards for her contributions to financial planning in Canada, including the Donald J. Johnston Award and the Financial Planning Canada Fellow of Distinction.
