President's Message

Last year, Odlum Brown celebrated 100 years as a firm – a very exciting milestone!

This led me to reflect on what makes Odlum Brown different, and what it is about our offering that has earned us the privilege to serve our clients for over a century. 

Since our founding in 1923 by two Canadian military officers – General Victor Wentworth Odlum and Colonel Albert Malcolm “Buster” Brown – this firm has forged ahead through the Great Depression, World War II, the Great Financial Crisis and, most recently, a global pandemic. Throughout all this and more, we have adapted, evolved and established our firm as a stable and trustworthy financial partner. 

I believe the foundation of this enduring success is shared values and a common purpose.
 
Our founders had a vision to follow the Golden Rule. To do the right thing. To act in the client’s best interests. This was remarkably forward-looking, and for those of us who have stewarded this firm through a century of change, it has remained our True North. 

At the heart of this is Odlum Brown’s independence, the critical differentiator that enables us to do what we do best: put our clients first.

Because we are independent, our clients know that every recommendation is objective and portfolios are tailored to suit their individual goals and circumstances. Because we are independent, our team members share in the success they help create, as we remain 100% employee-owned to this day. 

This creates powerful alignment throughout Odlum Brown to help our clients achieve their financial goals. 

It is why generations of investors have entrusted us with their financial futures.

And we aren’t stopping now! Our focus is firmly on the future and how we will build on this extraordinary foundation. How we will grow and provide a large-scale offering to clients while maintaining a small-firm feel. How we will broaden and deepen our community impact across geographies and generations. How we will preserve our status as one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies and affirm our place among Canada’s top independent firms. 

At over 100 years young, our story still has many exciting chapters to be written, and I truly could not be prouder to lead this one-of-a-kind firm. 

Debra A. Doucette, O.B.C.
President and Chief Executive Officer