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Tom Deans

Intergenerational Wealth Expert

Over the next 20 years, Canadians will inherit $1 trillion. Award-winning speaker and Globe and Mail bestselling author Dr. Tom Deans explains how this unprecedented wealth transfer will transform lives, culture, and Canada itself. Thought provoking and contrarian, Deans inspires his audiences to cast an eye forward to their future as both beneficiaries and benefactors and makes a powerful case for audiences — regardless of their wealth — to live extraordinary and purposeful lives in the service of others.

Deans is currently the President of Détente Financial Press, which specializes in offering advanced executive training for financial institutions, charities, as well as legal and accounting firms. Previously, he worked in banking, was the CEO of a multinational for almost a decade, the president of a railway, and chaired a federal government committee on tax credits.

His book Every Family’s Business is an international bestseller that has sold more than a million copies in 100 countries to date and has been called one of the top ten books business owners should read by The New York Times. His latest book, Willing Wisdom, represents a return to his doctoral research conducted in the US, Canada, and the UK.

Deans has been featured in numerous magazines and journals including Profit, Money Sense, Investment Executive, and The New York Times. He is also a frequent guest on CBC, MoneyLine, and BNN on succession planning, intergenerational wealth transfers, and philanthropic giving.

Speaking topics

Presentations listed below include in-person and virtual keynotes, as well as workshops, fireside chats, and other presentation formats.

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Client reviews

  • Instead of the usual theme about how to hand off the family business to the next generation, Tom’s book and speech offers a refreshing perspective encouraging family business owners to review all of their succession planning options, to challenge themselves by asking tough questions, and to focus on preserving their family wealth.

  • Tom’s presentation is enlightening, engaging and entertaining….exactly what we expected following the book. He was prepared and open to discussing his perspective and experience as they relate to the complex topic of family business.

  • Deans convinces his audience that businesses are temporary economic organizations always moving towards obsolescence – that the key to preserving generational wealth means abandoning the longevity of a business as a fundamental goal. With his entertaining style, he leaves you questioning everything you thought you knew about succession planning.

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