top of page

SARAH MURPHY (CIM), Senior Wealth Advisor, The Murphy Investment Group, CIBC Wood Gundy in Oakville, Ontario



SARAH MURPHY



“I create an environment where clients feel at ease and well cared for”



Sarah Murphy (CIM), Senior Wealth Advisor for Murphy Investment Group at CIBC Wood Gundy, has built a career focused on helping clients navigate their financial journeys with empathy and expertise. With an engineering background, she pairs sharp analytical skills with a natural talent for connecting and building strong client relationships.


In 2001, shortly after graduating from University with a degree in Engineering, Sarah found herself at a crossroads. “After working in the engineering field, I quickly realized it was not the path for me,” she reflects. Having grown up surrounded by the world of finance—her parents both successful Advisors—Sarah had always been drawn to the dynamics of wealth management.


“About three months after I began, the big tech correction happened, which taught me some great lessons very early on in my career.” For Sarah, that period was a powerful introduction to the unpredictable nature of the financial world. It was a lesson in resilience, staying grounded amid uncertainty, and the importance of building trust with clients feeling the impact of market shifts.



Empathy Meets Expertise



Starting out in her early 20s, Sarah was fortunate to be mentored by her parents and experienced colleagues, shaping her thoughtful and holistic approach to advising. Now, with nearly 25 years in the industry, she offers a sense of continuity that her clients have come to trust, especially during life’s pivotal moments.


“It's uncommon for someone with my level of experience to be gearing up for another couple of decades instead of winding down,” she says. “This longevity offers a unique peace of mind to clients. Just like with a trusted family doctor, you don’t want to build a deep relationship only to have it change as you get older and face more significant life transitions, often when you need stability the most.”


With the recent addition of Nicolette Thomas, Administrative Assistant, to her team, Sarah is excited about expanding their service offerings and evolving their practice to meet the changing needs of clients. “For me, success relies on working directly with clients and ensuring they engage with our entire team, rather than simply passing them off to associates or limiting their experience to one person.” Acknowledging the significant shifts that have occurred in the industry since the early days of her career, she adds, “We’re always working to stay on top of these changes and continue providing outstanding service.”


Nicolette joins the conversation, mentioning, “Because Sarah started her career so young, she’s developed knowledge across every area of the business including trading, administration, and more.” With such depth and versatility, Sarah stands out in a competitive industry, providing clients with exceptional guidance grounded in both numbers and empathy.



“It’s a relationship business, and I am a relationship person”



In a financial industry often fixated on growth metrics and expanding client bases, Sarah has deliberately charted a different course—one that prioritizes personal connections.


“Many people are great with relationships but not technical, or they’re highly technical but may not focus as much on relationship-building. I often say this business is actually more about psychology than finance; money is emotional, and goals, dreams, and aspirations are deeply rooted in emotions.”


As a woman in the industry, Sarah places a premium on emotional intelligence, recognizing it as a powerful tool in her practice. She adds, “I strive to create an environment where clients feel completely at ease and well taken care of. My goal as an Advisor is for clients to feel so comfortable and confident that they don’t even have to think about their finances—it’s all seamlessly managed for them.”


While the love for stocks and finance is important in this field, Sarah emphasizes the true impact of helping clients achieve financial security. “The goal is to help ensure they have the resources to support their needs and focus on what truly matters—family, passions, and personal fulfillment—while also aiming to deliver strong market performance as part of their overall financial strategy.”



Adapting Services to Meet Changing Client Needs



Sarah’s clientele is as diverse as it is loyal. Rather than focusing on one niche, she has built a client base that spans families, entrepreneurs, high-net-worth individuals, and even institutions. Each group comes to her for her unique ability to listen, understand, and guide them through complex financial situations.


“I've been fortunate to work with phenomenal people over the years. What’s so interesting to me now is seeing how we start with clients and guide them through various stages, whether it’s wealth creation, retirement, their entire life cycle, or even end-of-life planning. It’s rewarding to be there for the highs and lows and support them through it all.”


For families, Sarah has become a trusted guide, helping them navigate not just today’s financial decisions but the future of their family legacies. “Clients want to ensure they have enough to live well and support future generations, and in many cases, actively giving or wisely planning how to allocate wealth in their lifetime can be just as important. Purpose-driven financial planning is a key part of the conversation now, ensuring that assets don’t simply sit indefinitely in accounts.”


With entrepreneurs, Sarah’s role transforms. “Entrepreneurs value how I tailor my services to fit the unique pace and challenges of their journey, giving them peace of mind as they grow in their business.” She adds, “I also work with institutions, which have their own distinct approach.” Here, her role shifts from advisor to collaborator, engaging with boards or groups where consensus is key. It’s a dynamic that requires patience, diplomacy, and a knack for balancing competing interests—a challenge that Sarah meets with confidence and skill.



Rooted in Family, Driven by Purpose



Outside of work, Sarah's life is a whirlwind of activity, fueled by her two daughters’ passions and pursuits. Their busy schedules, packed with sports and various extracurriculars, keep her on her toes, ensuring that family time is always a top priority. Whether it’s cheering from the sidelines at hockey games or navigating the logistics of busy teens, Sarah thrives on the vibrant energy of family commitments.


“Now, as my children are teenagers and becoming more independent, I’m able to prioritize giving back in a mentorship capacity. Recently, I attended an event called ‘Uninterrupted,’ which was dedicated to mentoring women, and it reinforced my commitment to this path. My goal now is to actively seek more opportunities to mentor women, both within and outside of our industry.”


Alongside mentorship, Sarah has dedicated over 20 years to supporting innovative programs that drive change. She shares, “One of the highlights of my 25-year career has been my involvement with the Hamilton Community Foundation, although I have since finished my term from the board. While I’m planning my next steps, I know I’ll continue to be active in giving back to the community.”


Looking forward, Sarah is filled with excitement about expanding her team and moving to a new Oakville office location. “This new location puts us in a more central spot in Ontario, allowing us to better serve clients from Toronto to Hamilton and even the Niagara area.” Nicolette adds, “Centralizing our business lets us show our appreciation in new ways—through more client events and deeper community involvement to give back to those who support us. At the end of the day, there wouldn’t be a Murphy Investment Group without our clients.”



Taylor Stranaghan is a skilled business content writer and editor who brings forth a wealth of knowledge and expertise. With years of experience crafting compelling narratives, she excels at producing high-quality, engaging content that informs, educates, and inspires readers.



Sarah Murphy (CIM)

Senior Wealth Advisor

The Murphy Investment Group | CIBC Wood Gundy


277 Lakeshore Road East

Oakville, Ontario

L6J 6J3

905.337.5429




CIBC Private Wealth consists of services provided by CIBC and certain of its subsidiaries, including CIBC Wood Gundy, a division of CIBC World Markets Inc. The CIBC logo and “CIBC Private Wealth” are trademarks of CIBC, used under license. “Wood Gundy” is a registered trademark of CIBC World Markets Inc.

bottom of page