Meet our team

As a Senior Wealth Advisor with National Bank Financial, Dean leads the Despas Advisory Group and oversees the development and management of client investment portfolios while working with the team to deliver valuable advice regarding retirement income and legacy planning. 

Dean strives to provide his clients with clarity, guidance and knowledge in all aspects of their wealth. He believes that the key to achieve long term goals is sound investment strategies supported by advice for clients to protect their wealth, business, and family.

Through Dean’s leadership, the Despas Advisory Group provides thoughtful advice, insight and a focus to achieve core goals and satisfy the unique needs of each our clients. Prior to becoming a Wealth Advisor, Dean was an Investment Banker and advised publicly traded Canadian companies on mergers and acquisitions, business valuation as well as equity and debt financings. The expertise he gained in fundamental analysis became the foundation of the knowledge that he uses for the benefit of clients of the Despas Advisory Group.

Dean Despas is a 3rd generation Albertan, is married,and is the proud father of two active boys. His family enjoys spending time together skiing, golfing and mountain biking in beautiful Alberta.     

With over 20 years of experience in the investment industry, Charlene provides full administrative support, trading and marketing. She is also active in research, idea generation, financial planning and proactive client contact. What she loves most about her position is connecting with clients and providing solutions.

In her free time Charlene enjoys gardening, hiking and experimenting with new recipes in her kitchen. She is married with two daughters and one son, ages 15, 19 and 22.