About us
Trillium District
Phone: (905) 337 - 0039
Email: b115@sunlife.com
Address: 5420 North Service Road, Suite 401, Burlington, ON, L7L 6C7 Canada
Jimmy Nijjar
With over 15 years of industry experience, I am a dedicated leader committed to driving excellence through people development and strategic vision. Since joining Sun Life in 2011, I have built a proven track record of partnering with high-performing advisors and teams to unlock their full potential.
A core priority throughout my career has been recruiting, onboarding, and training high-performing advisors—work that remains central to my mission today. I am passionate about identifying emerging talent, equipping them with essential skills and knowledge, and nurturing their development into leaders who deliver exceptional results. By fostering a holistic financial planning mindset across organizations, I empower advisors to approach client needs strategically and comprehensively.
I am driven by the opportunity to inspire and motivate teams to elevate their capabilities, challenge themselves, and reach new heights of performance. By cultivating a culture of proactive thought leadership, I create environments where advisors feel confident, supported, and equipped to excel.
Throughout my career, I have consistently prioritized delivering excellent client experiences by ensuring our teams have the tools and mentorship they need to serve effectively.
Whether building high-performing teams, mentoring individual leaders, or coaching advisors to their next level, I remain focused on creating cultures where growth, accountability, and collaboration thrive.
Rick Prior
Rick is a Business Development Consultant for the Trillium District at Sun Life, bringing over 30 years of industry expertise to his role. Since joining Mutual Life (now Sun Life) in 1992, Rick has developed a comprehensive background spanning advisory services, field leadership, and business development.
Rick holds several prestigious financial services designations, including the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designation, which he earned in 2010 with Presidents List honours, as well as the Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) and Chartered Special Needs Consultant (CHS) designations. During his two decades as an advisor, he built a strong foundation in client relationships and financial planning expertise.
In his current role, Rick leverages his extensive management experience to drive business growth and support advisor success across the district. He is committed to fostering collaborative partnerships and advancing the organization's strategic initiatives through mentorship and operational excellence.
Job Title: Business Development Consultant
Email: rick.prior@sunlife.com
Address: 80 King Street, Suite 501, St. Catharines, Ontario, L2R 7G1
Shawna Clarkson
I joined Sun Life as an advisor in 2014. Beginning of my career in financial services at Sun Life Canada’s Top performing financial Centre, I worked and got elevated to the highest benchmarks in the industry. Studies in both Business and Biology from Wilfrid Laurier University speaks to the well-rounded nature of my career success. As an award-winning financial advisor, and now since 2020, one of the youngest business development managers in the Sun Life's retail channel.
I help lead Ontario’s Sun Life Trillium District’s as a Business Development Consultant. As a Business Development Consultant for advisor practices, I specialize in incorporated practice structuring, acquisition strategy and execution, advanced business analytics, business optimization and support strategic growth initiatives. My focus is helping advisors build sustainable, high-performing practices aligned with their business objectives.
Dynamic coaching strategies, the passion I have for motivating others, and my commitment to building a winning culture are just a few examples of strengths regularly recognized by my peers. As a proudly designated financial planner and a member of Women’s leadership collective, I believe the foundation for positive change comes from acting with integrity, honesty, and passion. My many connections and advisor experience have lead me to my true passion, motivating and inspiring others to become the most successful version of themselves
Job Title: Business Development Consultant
Email: Shawna.Clarkson@sunlife.com
Becky Chiu
After graduating from the University of Toronto, I built a successful 17-year career with RBC, progressing from Account Manager to Branch Manager. This experience provided me with a strong foundation in financial services, client relationship management, and team leadership.
I joined Sun Life in 2019, beginning my journey at the Mississauga office as an advisor for 10 months. This role allowed me to develop a deep understanding of client needs and Sun Life's comprehensive product offerings. In 2020, I transitioned into the Business Development Partner (BDP) role with the Peel District, where I discovered my passion for developing talent and supporting advisors in their professional growth.
In 2022, I moved to the Trillium District to broaden my expertise in recruiting and wealth management. Since joining Trillium, I have made significant contributions to our team's success by focusing on three key areas: - Recruiting: Identifying and attracting top talent to strengthen our advisor network - Coaching and Development: Supporting emerging advisors through targeted mentorship and training programs - Wealth and Planning: Contributing to our district's strong focus on comprehensive wealth management and financial planning strategies
My approach combines my extensive banking background with a genuine commitment to helping advisors achieve their full potential and deliver exceptional client service.
Outside of work, I enjoy exploring culinary adventures in the kitchen and spending quality time with my beloved dog, Sugar.
Job Title: Business Development Partner, B.A.
Phone: 647-299-4075
Email: becky.chiu@sunlife.com
Address: 5420 North Service Road, Suite 401, Burlington, Ontario, L7L 6C7
Travis Thompson
Travis Thompson joined Sun Life in 2024, where he quickly saw how strong coaching and intentional development influence advisor performance. He achieved Quick Start and Continued Success while building steady, sustainable momentum. The experience shaped a belief that continues to guide his leadership today: effort matters, but guidance accelerates outcomes.
Developed within a culture grounded in clarity, accountability, and shared success, Travis gained firsthand experience navigating the early learning curve of the advisor role. From building confidence in client conversations to long days at trade shows handing out thousands of pieces of candy, he learned the value of leading by example. These experiences confirmed his passion for mentorship and developing others through practical, hands-on guidance.
As a Business Development Partner, Travis is focused on working alongside advisors as a team, supporting them through an ever changing industry with a grounded, practical perspective shaped by lived advisor experience. He is supported by his wife Rachel, their two year old daughter, and four month old son, who are a constant reminder of the importance of balance and perspective. Outside of work, he enjoys keeping active as a family, traveling, enjoying good meals, and relaxing with a movie or a game. Maintaining these personal foundations remains central to how he approaches both life and work.
Job Title: Business Development Partner
Email: travis.thompson@sunlife.com
Address: 80 King Street, Suite 501, St. Catharines, Ontario, L2R 7G1
Adam Lachance
Adam Lachance, CFP®, CIM®, CLU®, is a Business Development Partner with Sun Life, where he partners with advisors to help them grow their practices and deliver comprehensive financial advice to clients. He provides coaching and support in investment solutions, portfolio construction, KYP best practices, insurance strategies, practice management, and business development, helping advisors build stronger, client-focused practices.
Since joining Sun Life in 2017, Adam has held a variety of roles, including Advisor, Sales Manager, and Business Development Partner. His diverse experience, combined with his CFP®, CIM®, CLU® designations, enables him to provide practical guidance that integrates investment management, financial planning, and risk management to help advisors deliver expectational client outcomes.
Adam is passionate about developing high-performing advisors and advancing professional excellence thorough comprehensive financial planning, disciplined investment management, and a client-first approach.
Job Title: Business Development Partner
Email: adam.lachance@sunlife.com
Address: 120 King Street W., Suite 1100, Hamilton, Ontario, L8P 4V2