Professional Advisors Award of Excellence
The Professional Advisors Award of Excellence from the Jewish Foundation of Greater Toronto, recognizes the outstanding contribution made to the Foundation by professionals in our community. It recognizes the long-term impact of the contributions made by lawyers, accountants, and estate planners to the charitable organizations that reap the benefit of their efforts.
MARNI PERNICA | 2025 recipient
Marni Pernica is a partner at the law firm of Aird & Berlis. As co-practice group leader of the firm’s tax group and estates and trusts group, and a member of the estates and succession planning group, Marni focuses on estate, income tax, and succession planning, including cross-border planning, planning to reduce estate administration tax, the preparation of wills, powers of attorney and trusts, and assisting with estate administration. She also advises clients on how to reduce personal and corporate tax, including the effective use of a family trust.
Marni offers thoughtful and effective planning for clients ranging from young families just starting out, to multi-generational families looking for effective ways to transition assets to the next generation. Marni has significant experience with cross-border planning for clients who have U.S. or other foreign connections. She frequently writes and speaks on topics involving tax, estate planning, and business succession planning.
JONATHAN KOPMAN | 2024 recipient
Jonathan Kopman is a senior wealth advisor at CIBC Wood Gundy. For more than 27 years he has worked closely with clients to ensure that not only do they meet their financial obligations, but where they are in a position, to build a full life unique to their individual imaginations. In order to accomplish this, Jonathan customizes wealth strategies, investment advice, and tax-planning solutions to help clients reach their financial goals and preserve their legacies. With a collaborative and disciplined approach, Jonathan partners with individuals, families, professionals, executives, business owners, and charitable foundations in the community.
Philanthropy and giving back to the community have always been part of Jonathan’s life. He served on the board and is the past chair of JVS Toronto. Currently, he is a member of the Jewish Foundation’s Professional Advisory Committee (PAC). As well, he takes a more hands-on approach to volunteering through biweekly visits to Baycrest’s Apotex Centre doing pet therapy with his two affectionate Australian Labradoodles.
SAUL PLENER | 2023 recipient
Throughout his 30-year career, Saul Plener served as PwC’s national managing partner, strategy and operations; national tax managing partner; and national private company services managing partner. He was actively involved with the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants (CICA) and the Uniform Evaluation program for more than 20 years, and served as a CICA Board of Evaluators Member and Board Chairman. Before joining PwC, Saul practiced in CRA’s large case audit division, where he reviewed domestic and international transactions.
Giving back to the community has always been important to Saul. He is a current member of UJA Federation of Greater Toronto’s Budget and Finance Committee, and chairs both Adath Israel Synagogue’s high holiday committee and the Jewish Foundation of Greater Toronto’s Professional Advisory Committee.