Q&A with Sam Wegher, Associate Wealth Advisor,
Associate Advising Representative
How has your role evolved over time?
When I first joined CC&L Private Capital, my role was primarily focused on support functions such as trading, reporting, and administrative responsibilities. This gave me a strong foundation and important hands-on experience working with client portfolios while developing a deeper understanding of the markets and the industry. Today I work with a broad range of clients, from charitable organizations, public foundations, and First Nations communities to high-net-worth individuals and intergenerational family wealth. My role involves helping with portfolio construction and monitoring, providing commentary on a variety of investment topics, and directly managing relationships.
What attracted you to CC&L Private Capital initially?
The main factor that drew me to CC&L Private Capital—and to CC&L Financial Group more broadly—is its employee ownership structure. This was important to me for two reasons. Firstly, I’ve always had an entrepreneurial mindset, so the opportunity to become an owner, contribute to the growth of the firm, and participate in the firm’s long-term success appealed to me. Secondly, this ownership structure enables us to attract investment talent globally. As someone responsible for executing investment solutions for my clients, it is imperative to me that our various investment teams continue to attract strong talent. Attracting and retaining high-quality people is a key driver of long-term investment success, and gives me confidence that the portfolios I help build for clients will continue to see them achieve their goals.
What did you gain from your internship?
Although I studied finance in university, there’s still so much that can only be learned through real-world experience. Through the internship program, you gain an understanding of how the industry operates—from the terminology and day-to-day processes to the mechanics behind every trade and portfolio decision. Today, I work directly with clients to suggest portfolio solutions, but the time I spent as an intern in a support role laid the foundation for everything I do. It gave me the knowledge, perspective, and practical experience that has shaped my career.
How did the firm support your transition to a full-time role?
As I mentioned previously, the firm’s success is built on its ability to attract talented people. Just as important, though, is the commitment to cultivating the talent within the organization. From the beginning, mentorship was built into my role, giving me the opportunity to learn from experienced professionals, build my confidence, and continue growing within the organization. I have spent the last few years working with the mentorship of Mike Downs, a senior partner. At CC&L Private Capital, people want to see you in a role you are passionate about and set you up to do the best work you can. The firm was also highly supportive throughout the completion of the CFA program. After obtaining tenor, they provided study days ahead of each exam and helped to offset the financial cost of the examinations.
Regardless of what role you’re pursuing, having a mentor is incredibly valuable to shorten the learning curve. A good mentor can share insights and experiences that would otherwise take years to develop on your own. That kind of real-time learning from experienced professionals is invaluable.
What makes PCM a great place to start your career?
CC&L Private Capital is a great place to start a career because it combines investment management expertise with a highly collaborative, mentorship-driven culture. From the outset, you gain exposure to sophisticated portfolio management and meaningful client interactions, while being supported by experienced professionals who are genuinely invested in your development.
At the same time, it is a high-performance and competitive environment. As a firm built by entrepreneurs, there is a shared drive to succeed, continuously improve, and deliver the best possible outcomes for our clients. The result is a workplace that challenges you to grow quickly and take on increasing responsibility, while providing the structure, guidance, and support needed to succeed.