Expert in Family Enterprise systems, Governance, Estates and life insurance planning.

Family Business Planning Services

Succession Planning

Family business succession is perhaps one of the most neglected and difficult areas of wealth transfer. It is important to implement an orderly and tax-efficient plan to achieve the objectives of you, the family business owner. Your professional advisors work as a team in developing strategies that work together to achieve your objectives.

Wealth Transfer

It is important to implement an orderly and tax-efficient plan to achieve the objectives for disbursement of assets. Your objective may be to transfer your assets during your lifetime or after your death. A plan to ensure your continued freedom and security during your lifetime is a first step in considering how you choose to disburse the wealth you have accumulated. Tax planning is an essential component of the process. Your professional advisors work as a team in developing strategies that work together to achieve your objectives.

Risk Assessment

An examination of RISKS and opportunities is important to the continued growth of your assets. A "big picture" review helps match your objectives with probable outcomes.

Wealth Preservation

As you continue to increase your wealth you may want to explore some strategies that minimize the risk of the wealth you have created. Tax planning is an essential component of the process. Your professional advisors work as a team to develop strategies that work together to achieve your objectives.

Susan St Amand
TEP, FEA, ICD.D

Susan St. Amand is the Founder and President of The Sirius Group Inc., oa Sirius Financial Services in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.  She has a passion for entrepreneurial families and specializes in continuity planning. Her knowledge and experience in business, governance, strategy, philanthropy and risk management, accompanied by strong technical skills make her uniquely skilled.  Susan is a seasoned board director and chair with deep expertise in governance, bringing strategic insight and proven leadership to complex organizational environments. She has served on private for-profit (FP) and not-for-profit (NFP) boards, consistently upholding the legal and governance obligations owed to both organizations and their stakeholders. Susan is also the President & CEO of the James A Burton and Family Foundation. These achievements have led Susan to be named one of the top 50 women in Canada’s life insurance industry, the top 50 Leading Women in Wealth 2023 and the recipient of the 2015 J.G. Taylor Award by The Institute for Advanced Financial Education. 

Susan is Entrepreneur in Residence at the University of Ottawa Family Enterprise Legacy Institute (FELI), Director-in-Residence delivering education and director effectiveness for the Chairing Boards Module at the Institute of Corporate Directors, Past Chair of Family Enterprise Canada (FEC), The Ottawa Community Foundation, Past co-chair of the Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD) Ottawa Chapter, Past Chair of the Board of the Ottawa International Airport Authority, Past Director and Chair of the Board for a family owned business, past chair of the Royal Ottawa Foundation for Mental Health, a Past Chair of CALU and has served on over 20 local, professional and national boards.  Susan is also one of twenty founders of the Women for Mental Health campaign associated with the Royal Ottawa Centre for Mental Health. Susan is a member of the International Women’s Forum, past co-chair of the Ottawa Chapter and past co-chair of the Ottawa Chapter for the Institute of Corporate Directors.

Susan continues to engage in professional education programs, keeps current with legislation, and is involved in professional associations interacting with allied professionals. Susan presents at various professional and industry events, has written articles for publication, and is frequently interviewed by the media.

Susan advises families focusing on their values and desired outcomes and takes a collaborative approach to all her work; she

Reviews your current structure and plans seeking coordination between the family, business and ownership systems.
Develops process and structure to avoid unintended consequences in the intersection between, family, business and ownership of family assets.
Collaborates with your professionals (legal, accounting etc.) to confirm alignment
Facilitates discussion amongst all stakeholders

Susan started her independent continuity planning firm over 30 years ago.

Our Planning Services

Key Person Risk Management

Key people interact with various entities who have relationships with the company. They create confidence by virtue of their image and their involvement with the company. This confidence is reflected in the company's market value and in the relationships created with customers, creditors, suppliers, investors and the management team.

Employee Benefits

To attract a high-calibre team, a start-up needs to provide competitive compensation packages. Such packages often include a comprehensive employee group benefits plan.

Shareholders' Risk Management

Providing liquidity and control at the death, disability and/or dissolution of a shareholder can guarantee the successful continuation of the business. A forced sale of shares can hinder the performance of a company, reduce the operational cash flow and reduce the value of all outstanding shares.

Estate Planning

Consideration must be given to a shareholder's personal estate and tax planning and the impact on both the company and the shareholder's personal net worth. The interaction of the shareholder's corporate investments have an impact on his or her personal objectives. Both corporate and individual objectives should be considered to ensure the objectives are not opposed.