Profile
Jacob Lamanna has become one of Canada’s leading wholesalers, building a career on a blend of intentional planning, gut instinct, and a relentless drive to add value for advisors. From the outset, Jacob focused on surrounding himself with high performers. A formative summer sales internship in the US gave him early confidence in his ability to present, sell and connect, laying the foundation for what would become a career at the intersection of sales, finance, and wealth management.
Today, as regional sales director with Desjardins, Jacob treats his downtown Toronto territory like an entrepreneurial venture.
“I grew it almost entirely from scratch. Doing so required creativity, persistence, and patience – finding ways to capture attention, provide genuine value, and develop relationships through thoughtful engagement, support, and unique social and business events,” he says.
The results have been striking:
grew sales by 350 percent in his first year
doubled growth in his second
achieved the top sales territory on Desjardins’ OAW team by his third year
Yet, Jacob stresses that numbers tell only part of the story. What he values most are the relationships and trust underlying that growth. He says, “The trust my advisor partners place in me and the support they continue to show is something I don’t take lightly.”
Professionally, Jacob is defined by grit, empathy, and communication. Raised by hard-working parents from immigrant families, he has long embraced an underdog mentality and a deep-seated resilience. He places a premium on emotional intelligence and prides himself on building rapport across diverse personalities and backgrounds. Clear, accessible communication sits at the core of his value proposition: he focuses on simplifying complex financial solutions so advisors can confidently translate them to their own clients, often using stories, relatable analogies, and practical examples.
With more than a decade in the industry – including frontline experience on a reputable IIROC advisory team – Jacob has built extensive product knowledge through continuous education, real-world casework and hands-on portfolio construction. That credibility helps him shift conversations from product pushing to genuine consulting. His sales philosophy draws heavily on behavioural psychology and the principles of The Challenger Sale: authentic, tailored and grounded in a disciplined, proactive process.
In a crowded market, Jacob differentiates himself.
“I focus on thoughtful outreach, strong first impressions, and meaningful ‘pull events’ designed to add value rather than simply pitch.”
Advisors have direct access to him and his team. He works closely with the team to ensure a consistent client experience, and his inside sales partner, Emily, is an integral part of the process.
And Jacob adds, “Above all, we advocate fiercely for our partners, ensuring speed, quality, and proactive problem-solving, even when that means making a case for our advisor’s situation when circumstances demand it.”
Beyond his core role, he contributes to the broader wealth ecosystem as a Responsible Investment Specialist, a regular attendee at the RIA conference and an advocate for responsible investing, helping advisors navigate misconceptions and guard against greenwashing.
Jacob believes he is defined by authenticity, quality and quantity – and this combination has cemented his status as a leading wholesaler.
25 York St., Toronto, ON
647 239 9237
jacob.lamanna@desjardins.com
linkedin.com/in/jacob-lamanna
desjardins.com
Jacob Lamanna
Regional Sales Director
Desjardins Investments
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Bio
Milestones
2012
2021
2022
2023
2025
Top Performer at Dynamic
2012
Top Performer at Dynamic
2021
5-Star Wholesaler by Wealth Professional
2022
Top 50 Wholesaler by Wealth Professional
2023
Top Year-on-Year Net Sales Award
2025
Milestones
As a founding member of WOW! (Women. Opportunity. Winning.), an employee resource group created for all women of Ryan Specialty, Phillips Topping has long championed for women in the industry.
“It’s very important to set an example and to not only inspire but mentor other females,” she adds.
In addition to her sharp marketing eye, the key to Phillips Topping’s success lies in her high-energy approach and positive attitude.
“As the leader of a team, it’s important to motivate and encourage your team members. People work very hard and do their best and it’s important to recognize these efforts. For my career overall, my attitude has been one of curiosity. The more you can learn, the better you’ll understand the business, and then the deeper your knowledge will become, making you a better team member.”
Chief underwriting officer of executive risk at Chubb
President of financial insurance solutions at Kemper
Chief underwriting officer at Axis Capital
CEO of global Insurance at Endurance
CEO of global Insurance at Sompo International
Empathy underpins that discipline. Prickett has struggled in the industry. She has felt what it is like when promised support does not materialize. Having worked across almost every function in the company, she understands operational detail and the pressure agents face. That shared experience shapes her leadership.
Structural barriers also shaped her path. As a woman and a mother, she encountered the assumption that serious business building required keeping priorities “out of order for a time.” She also experienced the double standard that frames firm women as difficult while praising similar behaviour in men.
“If you have a choice between being liked and doing the right thing, doing the right thing is always better, even if it’s the unpopular thing,” Prickett says.
She wants to dismantle the expectation that women must choose between career and family, or between strength and kindness. In her view, leadership demands both conviction and care.
Being named an Elite Woman carries weight. Prickett did not have female role models in the industry when she started. She hopes visibility changes that. “I hope I can be an example. Not of perfection, but of persistence. Of building from your values and staying true to who you are.”
The legacy Prickett is still defining centres on proof – proof that a large, profitable company can grow without sacrificing integrity; proof that agents can build real assets while keeping their priorities intact; and proof that leadership does not require abandoning who you are to succeed.
“If you have a choice between being liked and doing the right thing, doing the right thing is always better, even if it’s the unpopular thing”
Lee-Ann Prickett,
Experior Financial Group
“What I’ve learned is that when you build from your values, when you put people first, when you do the right thing even when it’s hard, that becomes your plan”
Lee-Ann Prickett,
Experior Financial Group