Our Team

Mission Statement

“By listening to our clients and understanding their unique financial needs, we develop and implement personal financial plans that enable the achievement of their goals through the growth and preservation of their wealth.”

Grand Financial Planning was founded in June 2005 by Joy O’Donnell with a vision to develop a firm of client-focused advisors who provide comprehensive financial planning services to all levels of clientele.

Joy O'Donnell

Joy O’Donnell, BA, CFP

Joy O’Donnell is dedicated to helping people create and preserve wealth. The key to her success is the personalized approach she takes to assisting clients with a full range of services including comprehensive financial planning, retirement planning, investment management, planned giving, estate and multi-generational planning. Her clients include professionals, high-net-worth individuals, small business owners and retirees.
Joy is well qualified to advise her clients and has been helping them make the right decisions about their future since 1995. A graduate of the University of Guelph with a double major in Management and Economics, Joy also received her CFP designation in 2002. As a result of the outstanding advice and service she provides, Joy has built a loyal following of satisfied clients.

read more


Her practice continues to flourish thanks to clients recommending her to friends, family members and business associates. In her time away from work, Joy serves her community through the Rotary Club of Brantford. She is also a Past President of the Cambridge North Rotary Club and has received multiple awards, including twice being named a Paul Harris Fellowship recipient, Rotarian of the Year, and the Outstanding Service and Dedication Award. Joy is on the Board of the Grand River Conservation Foundation where she can focus her passion for environmental issues in the preservation of the mighty Grand River.  That same passion has led her to take on the leadership role of Chair of the Mohawk Lake Working Group, an organization focused on revitalizing one of Brantford’s most untapped ecological assets.  Joy has also held executive positions on the local Board of Advocis and is an active member of both the Brant-Brantford and the Cambridge Chambers of Commerce.

Joy and Joe, whom she married in 1994, have two sons, Quinn and Connor, both currently attending university. The family resides in Brantford and enjoys sailing, swimming and mountain biking and all have a passion for both local and national current affairs.

When you make financial decisions, you want expert guidance. Whether you need a comprehensive financial plan or guidance in one key area – such as retirement, estate planning, or investing – Joy can help.

Eric Attlebery

Eric Attlebery, HBA, MBA

Eric joined Grand Financial Planning in July 2006 as the Business Manager. He brought with him extensive financial planning industry experience, including at the corporate level at the head office of a large Canadian wealth management company.
Eric is a former member of the FundEX Administrators’ Committee. Comprised of selected members from across Canada, this advisory board represented the views and interests of FundEX offices with a mandate to make recommendations aimed at improving the overall efficiency of the operational policies and procedures of the company at a local and national level. He also sits on the Board of Directors of Advocis Brant Norfolk, a membership association of financial advisors and planners that advocates for professionalism and consumer protection.

read more

Continual self-improvement and education have always been important to Eric. He graduated with an Honours degree in Business from the Ivey Business School, University of Western Ontario. In 2002 Eric ventured to Australia where he continued his studies and graduated in 2003 with a MBA from the prestigious Melbourne Business School, University of Melbourne.
Eric grew up in Paris and is happy to be living in Brantford as he continues his career in financial services. In his spare time, he enjoys traveling, reading, and sports.


Jamie Daglish

Hagersville phone # 905-768-4557

Jamie’s focus is to build strong client relationships in Haldimand-Norfolk and surrounding areas. Being self-employed has allowed him to understand some of the trials and rewards of being a business owner. This is why he works closely with business owners and farmers to provide valuable advice for succession planning and tax efficient investing.
He also works with pre-retirees, retirees and widows to help them with retirement and estate issues. Jamie is always happy to work with young families and professionals who have busy lives and need someone to be flexible with meeting locations and willing to service clients outside regular office hours.

read more

Jamie came into the business in 2008 and he is qualified to offer both life insurance and mutual fund products/services. He believes that ongoing investment of time and learning is a necessity in his practice. He is a former President of the Brant-Norfolk Advocis Chapter and continues to serve on its board.
His belief in family and community are often demonstrated through his commitment to stepping up and coaching his children in sports. All of this would not be possible without the support of his wife Jackie, whom he has been married to since 2003. Jamie and his family reside in Hagersville.

Richard Smelser

Rick joined the Grand Financial Planning Team in July 2008 after a lengthy search for a like-minded client-focused firm. He has advised individuals and families since 1980. Clients continue to value his wealth of knowledge gained through his extensive experience and appreciate his down-to-earth approach and personal service.

read more

A life-long area resident of Brantford, Rick has been married to Candy since 1985. He has three grown children and one granddaughter.
He has a well-established association with the Brantford Jaycees and is a member of the Board for Jaycee Homes Corporation. Rick received a Business Administration diploma from Mohawk College.