Profile
“I will continue to empower and encourage my staff to perform at their best as I have done for the last decade. I will continue to advocate for my clients, embracing new technology and being open to business and industry changes”
Ken Dixon,
Dixon Insurance Services
Following in her father’s footsteps, Sara La Gamba is making her mark in the Canadian wealth management industry by continually finding ways to enhance the client experience efficiently and securely.
“Keeping up with the rapid pace of technological change has been a constant adventure. Last year, I migrated planning software, dedicating significant time to learning the new system. With all the new tools and tech available to advisory practices, networking with other advisors has been crucial in helping me see opportunities for incorporating additional solutions and the value of these integrations in my practice.”
Upon graduating from the University of Western Ontario, she started at Freedom 55 Financial as a financial security advisor in 2009, working alongside her father.
“I was excited to join this career after watching my father become an advisor in his 50s,” says La Gamba. “I had worked for him part-time before university calling clients to set-up appointments.”
“The moment I started, he had stressed the value of education and working toward designations. I was determined to build expertise early in the business. Working toward key industry designations, such as the CLU and CFP, was a goal I had from the outset of my career.”
She became president of King Financial and Benefits in 2012 and joined SPM Financial in London, ON, in 2018 as an associate.
In a business that often focuses on quantitative data, and sales versus solutions, La Gamba strives to find the ‘why’ when working with clients, translating their overarching goals.
“I find that when understanding the rationale behind goals, actions, and decisions clients make, there is a deeper level of engagement in the relationship,” she reveals. “Success comes when clients know their objectives are understood, and solutions are implemented to help them achieve them, with a comprehensive roadmap along the way.”
When presenting solutions, she takes care to match each client’s unique style and preferences.
“For clients who thrive on detail, I provide thorough, data-driven insights; for those who prefer simplicity, I focus on high-level takeaways. By aligning with how each client learns best, I ensure they leave with clarity, free from confusion, and empowered to take action with confidence.”
Although obtaining her designations, growing AUM, and building her practice have all been major achievements, starting a family with her husband Nathan, and adjusting to the competing priorities life brings has been her biggest achievement.
“This career is different from many others. There was no maternity leave, and oftentimes, women must put their career on hold for their family to thrive. I delayed starting a family, fearing that it would drastically impact my business and my ability to grow. Overcoming that fear and successfully balancing family and business growth has been a big win for me.”
La Gamba is deeply passionate about upholding standards in the industry, early in her career, became involved with Advocis through her local chapter, which connected her with a community of like-minded advisors. She joined the Toronto board, eventually serving as chapter chair.
Her commitment to industry education led her to volunteer with the Institute for Advanced Financial Education, starting on various committees before joining the board and now chairing the board of trustees.
La Gamba’s vision for the future is rooted in a combination of organic growth and growing strategic partnerships that align with her values.
“Reflecting on the past 15 years, it’s clear that time moves quickly, and I’m focused on creating a sustainable path forward. A key objective is planning for succession – both for myself and to support the next generation of advisors in our industry,” she says. “My aim is to evolve my practice to not only meet today’s demands but also anticipate and adapt to the evolving landscape, ensuring that clients have seamless support for many years to come.”
530 Oxford Street West, Suite 19, London, ON N6H 1T6
416 619 0476
sara.lagamba@spmfinancial.ca
linkedin.com/in/slagamba
saralagamba.ca
Sara La Gamba CFP, CLU, CHS, TEP
Senior Advisor at SPM Financial
King Financial and Benefits Inc.
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“To be able to give back to the community is rewarding and fulfilling. I am honoured to be in a position where I can raise funds for those less fortunate and in need”
Ken Dixon,
Dixon Insurance Services
2009–2011
2012–2014
2015–2016
2018
2024–present
2009: Began working as a financial advisor with Freedom 55 Financial
2011: Obtained the CHS designation
2009–
2011
2012: Took over operations of King Financial and Benefits Inc.
2014: Obtained the CFP and the CLU designations
2012–
2014
2015: Became the youngest president of the Toronto Advocis Chapter
2016: Obtained the TEP designation
2015–
2016
Joined the team at SPM Financial and SPM Benefits
2018
Appointed chair of the Institute for Advanced Financial Education and board member of Advocis
2024–
present
Assistant Vice President and Senior Broker at MJ Hall & Company since 2018
Present
Milestones
Aug 2022
Milestones
Sept 2021
Feb 2022
Apr 2022
Jul 2022
Aug
2022
Suncorp Bank introduces Solar Home Bonus offer for customers who are choosing renewable energy for their homes
Sept 2021
Month-on-month market share growth commences
Feb 2022
Suncorp Bank wins the Canstar award for most outstanding value in investment loans
Apr 2022
Suncorp Bank wins Money Magazine’s Bank of the Year and Business Bank of the Year awards for the fifth year in a row
Jul 2022
Suncorp Bank’s turnaround times are the lowest they have ever been. The lender becomes Australia’s first certified carbon neutral bank for both its operation and transaction services
Aug 2022
Milestones
*Primerica representatives are not financial or estate planners or tax advisors. For related advice, individuals should consult an appropriately licensed professional.
What are his plans for the future?
On a business level, “more of the same. I will continue to empower and encourage my staff to perform at their best as I have done for the last decade. I will continue to advocate for my clients, embracing new technology and being open to business and industry changes.”
On a personal level, Dixon invests significant time, effort and funds, along with his GT3, to support many charities through his passion for motorsport. From participating in and sponsoring the Thunderbolt Run (which provides tens of thousands of dollars in support for Beyond Blue and Prostate Cancer), to organising and running the Track Knights for Amira charity night where 28 Exotic Supercars raised funds through passenger laps in wet conditions, Dixon states “this is our time to give back to the community and those in need. My friendships and association with those seeking to do the same, allows us to contribute to those less fortunate and raise funds and awareness”.
He adds: “To be able to give back to the community is rewarding and fulfilling. I am honoured to be in a position where I can raise funds for those less fortunate and in need.”