Winner: The Desjardins Award for Rising Star Advisor of the Year

Jonathan Hunt, CIM®, CIWM, CEPA®

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‘Most of their wealth is trapped’: how Jonathan Hunt helps business owners exit with purpose, not regret Desjardins Rising Star honouree leads a new chapter in succession planning across Western Canada Most business owners don’t realize that up to 80 percent of their wealth is tied up in a single, illiquid asset: their company. That statistic isn’t just financial trivia to Jonathan Hunt – it’s the starting point for some of the most important conversations of his career. “My job is to help them unlock that value and exit with purpose, not regret,” says Jonathan, lead advisor and succession planning specialist at Hunt & Associates IG Private Wealth Management. Traditional wealth planning can often overlook the complexity of business transitions; recognizing the critical importance of accessing those funds seamlessly and with intention, that was a trap Jonathan was determined not to fall into. His practice has emerged as a vital resource for entrepreneurs across Manitoba and Western Canada. His clients are builders – owners, professionals, and family business leaders between the ages of 35 and 60 – many of whom have poured decades into their companies without a clear path out. Jonathan’s mission is to forge one for them. With a process that blends advanced planning with real-life empathy, Jonathan helps clients prepare not just their finances but their families and futures for life after business. Backed by over $150 million in assets under management and three advanced designations, he applies the value acceleration methodology to ensure exits are intentional, tax-efficient, and personally meaningful. Operating across Brandon, Winnipeg, and rural Western Canada, his reach is growing alongside his reputation for bridging business value with life purpose. His guidance has helped owners transition to family, sell to third parties, or design step-back roles that preserve influence while unlocking liquidity. Jonathan works alongside his father, Dennis Hunt, a respected advisor who has served the region for decades. Leaning on his father’s legacy while tackling issues of the day, they bring a unique and well-rounded approach to what they do. Together they’ve built a multigenerational practice that combines deep community ties with progressive financial thinking. “Winning this award is a reflection of the clients who’ve trusted me with their life’s work – and the incredible mentorship I’ve had from my father and our team at Hunt & Associates,” says Jonathan, reflecting on his national recognition as Desjardins Rising Star Advisor of the Year by Wealth Professional Canada. The accolade is a signal to Jonathan that his mission to change the conversation around succession is resonating. Outside of his advisory work, he supports local events, sponsors business-owner roundtables, and works to build a stronger exit-planning ecosystem across the Prairies.

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