Manulife Wealth appoints new chief operating officer

Manulife Wealth has named Lior Valitsky as its new Chief Operating Officer, effective August 4, 2026, as part of a broader leadership restructuring. The move aims to enhance the firm’s operational capabilities and focus on advisor service amid strong financial performance.

Valitsky will report to Brett Marchand, President and CEO of Manulife Wealth, and will be responsible for driving operational excellence and supporting the execution of the firm’s strategic priorities.

The appointment is part of a wider restructuring of Manulife Wealth’s senior leadership team. Farhan Hamidani will now focus on helping advisors grow their businesses, while Julie Seberras will concentrate on advancing Manulife Wealth’s planning capabilities, including integrating longevity planning into the advisor and client experience.

Justin Stiebel takes on the newly defined role of Head of Advisor Engagement & Growth, leading initiatives in advisor attraction, onboarding, and succession planning.

The leadership announcements come alongside the release of Manulife’s second-quarter 2026 earnings, which showed Manulife Wealth & Asset Management delivering its strongest gross flows quarter on record. The division reported core earnings of $505 million (CAD) and a core EBITDA margin of 31.2%.

Core earnings grew 9% year over year, with gross flows of $58.7 billion and net flows of $0.4 billion. Paul Lorentz, President and CEO of Manulife Wealth and Asset Management, said the strong results reflect the strength of the firm’s diversified Wealth and Asset Management franchise.

Manulife WAM also flagged several strategic advances during the quarter, including expanding its alternatives and private credit offerings, growing its CLO capabilities, and launching new ETFs and funds in North America.

The firm is pairing financial performance with strategic investments in AI, product innovation, and global distribution, while expanding its investment capabilities through recent acquisitions.

Manulife WAM also continued deploying AI tools to improve operational efficiency and support faster software development for advisors and clients.

As the firm continues to grow and evolve, investing in strong leadership remains a priority, according to Brett Marchand. Valitsky‘s experience and perspective will be invaluable in enhancing the experience delivered to advisors and clients.

Manulife Wealth is positioning itself for continued growth and success. With a focus on operational excellence and strategic investments, they are well-placed to meet the challenges of the wealth management industry.

The firm’s commitment to the advisor channel is also evident in the restructuring of its senior leadership team. By focusing on advisor growth and succession planning, Manulife Wealth is demonstrating its dedication to supporting its advisors and clients.

Manulife WAM’s record Q2 results reflect the strength of the firm’s diversified Wealth and Asset Management franchise. With strong financial performance and strategic investments, the firm is poised for continued success in the wealth management industry.