CIFPs | Building a strong profession today, for tomorrow

Lyle Oberg, Minister of Finance Rick Mercer Cheryl Bauer Hyde, Incoming Chair of FPSC Gary Koss, Director Western Canada, TD Asset Management Inc. William (Bill) Hill, Vice-President, Advisor Channel Sales Cary List, CA, CFP, President & CEO - Financial Planning Standards Council Kim Moody, CA, TEP Dawn Hawley, CFP, REP, TEP, CDFA Kirk Brugger, B.A., CFP, Financial Advisor with K&R Investment Management Timothy E. Burt, President, CEO and Chief Investment Officer Benjamin Tal, Senior Economist, CIBC World Markets Doug Towill, Senior Vice-President, Strategic Business Development, CI Investments John De Goey, MPA, CIM, FCSI, TEP, CFP David Salloum, MBA, CFP, CIM, FSCI, TEP Floyd Gradley, B.Comm., LL.B., AVP Tax & Estate Planning Tim Cestnick, FCA, CPA, CFP, TEP David Baker, RHU SunLife Financial Diana Shepherd, Hon. BA, CDF Barry LaValley Dereka Thibault, CA, CFP, TEP, AVP Tax & Estate Planning Manulife Financial Cynthia J. Kett, CA, CGA, RFP, CFP Patrick Longhurst, CFP, FCIA Tim Taylor, CIM Director of National Accounts Franklin Templeton Investments Noel Maye, CEO, Financial Planning Standards Board Karen Henderson, Hon. BA, EPC, SM Founder/CEO, Educator, Speaker, Consultant Long Term Care Planning Network Don Nilson, BCom, MSc(Bus Admin), CMA, FCMA Grahame Lyons, Managing Director, Claymore Investments Linda Murray, LL.B., CFE Ken Parker, CA, B.Sc. Tony Mahabir, MBA, CIM, CFP Roxanne Eszes, PEng., CFP Ron Bourgeois, CEO, Mooncor Energy Inc. Shawn Brayman, B.Sc, President, PlanPlus inc. Guy Dauncey, Founder and President of the BC Sustainable Energy Association

Lyle Oberg, Minister of Finance
Lyle Oberg was sworn in as Minister of Finance on December 15, 2006. He was first elected to the Legislative Assembly in 1993 at age 33 and is currently serving his fourth term as the MLA for Strathmore-Brooks. Dr. Oberg is a member of the Treasury Board and the Cabinet Policy Committee on Government Services. Appointed to cabinet in 1997, Dr. Oberg first served as Minister of Family and Social Services. He launched a western Canadian initiative championing the identification and prevention of fetal alcohol syndrome. From May 1999 to November 2004 Dr. Oberg served as the Minister of Learning as well as the minister responsible for immigration. He was involved in the creation of Alberta’s Commission on Learning and implemented many of its recommendations, including the reduction of class sizes. He initiated a daily physical activity program to improve the health of students and also began the second-language initiative in Alberta schools to give students an edge in the world marketplace. Following his re-election in November 2004 Dr. Oberg was appointed Minister of Infrastructure and Transportation. He held this position until March 2006 and helped establish Alberta’s first public/private partnership (P3) to assist with the construction of the Anthony Henday freeway in Edmonton. Dr. Oberg was born and raised in the rural community of Forestburg. After graduating from the University of Alberta’s Faculty of Medicine in 1983, he practised as a family physician in Brooks, where he also served as a school trustee. Dr. Oberg is married to Evelyn and has four children: Katy, Jillian, Elizabeth and Scott. He enjoys a range of sports, including, sailing, golfing and hunting.

Rick Mercer


Cheryl Bauer Hyde, Incoming Chair of FPSC
Cheryl Bauer Hyde, CFP, has an extensive background in the field of financial planning, having worked in the financial industry for her entire career. She assists individuals and families to reach their financial and life dreams through her own financial planning business, Bauer Hyde Financial Services, and through her affiliation with Tyler and Associates Financial Services. Cheryl served on the local, provincial and national boards of the Canadian Association of Financial Planners as a director and ultimately becoming chair at each level. She served as Past Chair of Advocis (The Financial Advisors Association of Canada) national board, and has represented that organization on the Financial Planners Standards Council Board since 2004. She is the FPSC's incoming chair and will officially assume the role of chair on June 14th. In 2005, the Saskatchewan Business Magazine listed Cheryl as one of the 10 Women of Influence in the province, and she received both the Saskatchewan Centennial Leadership Award and the Saskatchewan Centennial Medal.


Gary Koss, Director Western Canada, TD Asset Management Inc.
Gary Koss, Director Western Canada, TD Asset Management, holds a Bachelor of Commerce Degree with a major in Finance from the University of Lethbridge, and his CIM designation. He began his career in 1995 as a wholesaler servicing the TD branch network. In 1999, Gary began working with external financial planners and brokers in Western Canada. Gary's responsibilities as the local wholesaler for Northern Alberta and Southern Saskatchewan involved working with many financial professionals providing sales service and support to help them build their businesses. Gary is the Director of Sales for Western Canada, and works with the TD wholesaling teams from Manitoba to British Columbia. He resides in Edmonton with his wife and daughter and enjoys fly fishing and hiking.

William (Bill) Hill, Vice-President, Advisor Channel Sales
William Hill leads a team of regional managers who service the country coast to coast. He has been in the industry for 30 years. Bill completed the CFP designation in 1992. He is a father of three (all boys).

Cary List, CA, CFP, President & CEO - Financial Planning Standards Council
President and CEO of Financial Planners Standards Council, the organization conferring CFP® certification in Canada. Mr. Cary List, CFP, CA, brings to the helm of Canada’s leading authority and standard-setter for financial planning in Canada almost two decades of relevan experience and proven dedication to the advancement of the profession. Prior to his appointment to President and CEO in April 2007, Cary was FPSC’s Executive Vice-President - Standards and COO with responsibilities for the ongoing development and integrity of all aspects of the CFP certification process. In 2007, Cary was elected to a three-year term on the board of the National Association for Competency Assurance (NOCA), an organization dedicated to setting quality standards for credentialing organizations and in 2006. He also has represented Canada on the financial planning Technical Committee to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) on matters concerning the development of international ISO guidelines for financial planning. Before joining FPSC in June 2002, he was Director of the Centre for Financial Services Education at George Brown College in Toronto. In addition to his professional credentials, Mr. List holds an honours mathematics degree from the University of Waterloo.

Kim Moody, CA, TEP
Kim G C Moody, CA, TEP is a Chartered Accountant, Registered Trust and Estate Practitioner and a tax specialist practicing in Calgary under the partnership of RSM Richter LLP. His main area of expertise is tax and estate planning for the owner-manager of private corporations, executives, professional athletes and other high net worth individuals. Kim obtained his Bachelor of Management degree from The University of Lethbridge and his CA designation from The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Alberta. Kim is a member of the Canadian Tax Foundation and The Canadian Petroleum Tax Society and he sits on the Board of the Calgary Chapter of The Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners ("STEP"). In addition, Kim is Treasurer and Deputy Chair for STEP in Canada and Past Chair of the Technical Committee for STEP Canada. Kim has a keen interest in planned charitable giving. He is a past Chair for the Southern Alberta Round Table for the Canadian Association of Gift Planners. Kim is also a Governor of the Board of Governors of the Canadian Tax Foundation. Kim is the author of numerous articles, papers and courses on tax and estate planning and he has lectured extensively for a number of organizations on estate planning and planned giving. He is a past instructor for the Certified Financial Planners designation and the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Alberta’s Professional Development Program. He has also lectured extensively for a number of organizations including universities, various colleges, STEP and the Canadian Tax foundation.

Dawn Hawley, CFP, REP, TEP, CDFA
Dawn is a Wealth & Estate Specialist with the Alberta Treasury Branch Investor Services Division. In her role, Dawn provides training and technical support to the Insurance and Investment teams throughout Alberta. Dawn has over 25 years of experience in insurance, legal and financial fields. Her expertise encompasses Wills and Estate Planning, Trusts, Tax Planning, Risk Management and Insurance solutions. Dawn is and has been involved with the ongoing preparation and delivery of education to licensed advisors in all areas of financial planning. She is an instructor for courses under both the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) and Professional Financial Planner (PFP) programs. Most recently Dawn developed and instructed a new 3-day CFP Prep Course. In recent years Dawn has been a guest lecturer for many financial institutions, government departments, related associations and corporations on topics related to Estate and Financial Planning. Dawn remains a longtime member of the Estate Planning Council of Edmonton and a volunteer on the Steering Committee for Will Power – Wills Week sponsored by the Edmonton Community Foundation. Dawn has also received her designation as a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA). This new financial planning designation identifies those trained to assist divorcing individuals with the long-term financial consequences of divorce.

Kirk Brugger, B.A., CFP, Financial Advisor with K&R Investment Management
Kirk Brugger, B.A., C.F.P. has been an advisor in the financial planning industry for over 15 years. Kirk is married to his wife Robyn for the past 14 years, and they have two children, a daughter, Kayleigh (13 years old), and a son Cameron (12 years old). His business is situated in Brandon, Manitoba. He has experience on many boards including: Brandon University Senate Brandon University Board of Governors Calvary Temple Board of Directors Christian Heritage School Board of Directors-Treasurer Knowles-Douglas Commission-Chairman Brandon University Alumni Association-President Manitoba Special Olympics-Brandon Chapter Commonwealth Air Training Museum Board of Directors Keystone Board of Manitoba-appointed by the Minister of Agriculture of Manitoba Kirk was appointed to FundEX’s Advisory Board Kirk also was appointed to the T.W.C. Advisory Board and served on it for its entire existence. He worked with advisors concerns and issues, meeting with the management of TWC Financial, and reporting back to the advisors at all conferences. Kirk has recently been appointed to the FundEX National Advisory Council. Kirk also has taken the Canadian Securities Course and the IFIC Branch Manager’s Course. His family’s company, Brugger Wealth Management, has been serving clients for over 40 years. Kirk is licensed in mutual funds in B.C., Alberta, Saskatchewan, and his home province of Manitoba. Kirk also works with his study group of colleagues that meets regularly to discuss industry related issues. Members of this study group are from B.C., Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. Kirk is passionate about the industry and working with his clients. Kirk runs a larger MFDA practice and employs three full-time staff (secretary/administrator, an administrator, and associate advisor).

Timothy E. Burt, President, CEO and Chief Investment Officer
Tim has over 30 years experience in the investment industry. In 1974 he joined the investment department of a large Illinois bank. From 1976 to 1980, he worked as a security analyst for brokerage firms in St. Louis, Missouri and Minneapolis, Minnesota. In 1980, Tim moved to Winnipeg where he joined Richardson Greenshields as their senior U.S. equities analyst. He left Richardson Greenshields in 1986 to manage the U.S. stock portfolio for London Life Insurance Co. in London, Ontario. Tim returned to Winnipeg in 1992 to start Cardinal Capital Management, Inc. Tim possesses Bachelors and Masters degrees in Finance from the University of Illinois and also holds the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation. He is a past president of the Winnipeg Society of Financial Analysts and of the Investment Counsel Association of Canada (ICAC).

Benjamin Tal, Senior Economist, CIBC World Markets
Benjamin Tal is a Senior Economist at CIBC World Markets. In this capacity Benjamin is responsible for analyzing economic developments and their implications for North American fixed income, equity, foreign exchange and commodities markets. He also acts in an advisory capacity to Bank Officers on issues related to household and business credit and risk, and has lectured in the economics and business programs of various Canadian universities. Benjamin is also a regular commentator on financial and economic trends in the Canadian and American media with regular appearances on CNBC, Bloomberg TV and Radio. Benjamin also speaks frequently to business groups, in Canada and the US, with a view to translating economic forecast and analysis into information that can be used for their planning process. Benjamin holds a Master's degree in Economics in Economics from York University.

Doug Towill, Senior Vice-President, Strategic Business Development, CI Investments
Doug Towill is Senior Vice President, Strategic Business Development at CI Investments. In this role he is responsible for the development and delivery of business solutions to complement the broad array of financial solutions available from CI. The business solutions are designed to help advisors align their businesses and offerings to current investor needs and are tailored to specific market and industry trends (such as Retirement Planning) as well as the strategic goals of the advisors that CI works with. Doug has been in the investment management industry for 10 years and spent the 10 years before that as a professional consultant with a major international firm. He has addressed countless audiences across Canada on various topics in the investment industry examining the challenges and opportunities investors face and how advisors, as trusted professionals, can best help them meet the challenges and take advantage of the opportunities.

John De Goey, MPA, CIM, FCSI, TEP, CFP
John J. De Goey, MPA, CIM, FCSI, TEP, CFP is a Senior Financial Advisor with Burgeonvest Securities Ltd., a member of CIPF. John enjoys a national reputation as an authority on professional, unbundled financial advice in Canada. A frequent commentator on financial matters, he has written for a number of media sources including Advisor’s Edge, Canadian MoneySaver, the Globe and Mail and the National Post. He has made numerous appearances on a variety of personal finance television programs, including CBC’s Marketplace, ROBTv, and Canada AM. John has won the National Multi-Media Award conferred by the Canadian Association of Financial Planners and he has spoken at numerous conferences throughout Canada as well as in Ireland, the United States, and the Caribbean. A former employee at Consumer and Corporate Affairs Canada and a passionate voice for consumer interests, John believes in aligning the interests of financial advisors with the interests of their clients, not their employers or product suppliers. This includes fee transparency, consistent professional training, a focus on independent research, and unbiased financial advice. He also believes that qualified financial advisors are a valuable resource and that people should willingly pay for good advice. John decided to become a STANDUP Advisor in 1999 after growing tired of waiting for the industry to transform itself voluntarily. Today, he rather enjoys pointing out the many inconsistencies within the industry but has never yet rolled his eyes at an interviewer when asked about investment pornography. John is also the President of STANDUP Advisors Ltd., a company committed to bringing all industry stakeholders together to transform the financial services industry into a profession. He lives in Toronto with his wife, Marina, and daughter, Sophie. Although he is an avid hockey fan, it has been many years since he has accepted tickets from product suppliers as a means of “enhancing the relationship.” He invites everyone to get involved in the business of transforming the financial services industry into a bona fide profession.

David Salloum, MBA, CFP, CIM, FSCI, TEP
After completing his MBA in 1992 David joined his father at what was then Richardson Greenshields. He recently earned the designation of Portfolio Manager which is awarded by the IDA to Investment Advisor’s who meet stringent and ongoing qualifications and standards. Investment decisions are made on behalf of the client by the Investment Advisor within specific guidelines that are set out in an Investment Policy Statement. Since 1996 he has served on the Board of Directors for the Northern Lights Scout Foundation. In 1999 he joined the Board of Directors for the Telus World of Science (a.k.a. the “Odyssium”) serving on various committees. David is also the morning and noon financial commentator on CBC radio. He is a member of the FCSI (Fellow of Canadian Security Institute), which is the most senior designation attainable in the financial services industry, and a member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners. He taught the Canadian Securities Course for 5 years and was an instructor at Grant MacEwen Community College for 2 years in the Certified Financial Planner program. In 1998 he was selected as the Investment Dealers Association Distinction Award winner for Alberta, in 1999 he was chosen as Advisor’s Edge Magazine “Advisor of the Year – Prairies” and in 2002 he received the national AIM Funds Award for Excellence in Professional Financial Planning for Contributions to the Community.

Floyd Gradley, B.Comm., LL.B., AVP Tax & Estate Planning
Floyd is a trust and estate lawyer. He was called to the Bar of British Columbia in 1984, having obtained both a Bachelor of Commerce degree and a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of British Columbia. He continues his education through regular attendance at meetings of estate planning professional associations and at continuing legal education courses. Floyd was in private practice for nineteen years, and after 1992 specialized in estate law (both planning and administration) and adult guardianship law. He has extensive experience in the preparation of estate planning documents such as wills, insurance declarations, trusts, enduring powers of attorney and representation agreements, as well as significant experience in corporate reorganizations and estate freezes. Floyd joined Mackenzie Financial in July 2006, having previously worked for three years at RBC Dominion Securities where he provided in-depth estate planning reviews for the high net worth clients of investment advisors. He now provides estate planning and associated tax information to the financial advisors and investors who use Mackenzie Financial products, through presentations, advisor support, and preparation of tax and estate planning informational materials. Floyd is a member of the Vancouver Wills & Trusts section and the Taxation section of the British Columbia branch of the Canadian Bar Association. He has led workshops for lawyers in various areas of estate planning and administration, including document drafting, and has given presentations and seminars on estate planning to financial advisors and their investors, and to various community and charitable groups.

Tim Cestnick, FCA, CPA, CFP, TEP
Tim Cestnick enjoys a reputation as one of Canada's most recognized tax experts. Prior to co-founding WaterStreet Family Wealth Counsel, he was a senior executive with one of Canada's largest privately owned investment counsel firms. Prior to that, he was founder and President of a tax consulting and education firm which he sold in 2000; Tax Partner at accounting firm Bateman MacKay; and Tax Specialist at international accounting firm Deloitte. Tim is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants, a tax columnist for the Globe & Mail, has written several Canadian best-sellers, and appears regularly on national television and radio.

David Baker, RHU Sun Life Fianacial
David Baker, Sun Life Financial Director, Individual Health Product Development David leads health product development for Sun Life Canada's individual business unit. David has a diverse background spanning 20 years in the industry which includes time as an advisor, investment analyst, and sales and marketing director. The majority of his career has been devoted to product development in both life and health. He currently participates on LIMRA's Canadian Living Benefits Study Group and is a member of the executive team of the Canadian Living Benefits Seminar. In addition to his RHU, he is a graduate of both the University of Waterloo and Wilfrid Laurier University. David is married with two children and when not playing hockey himself enjoys coaching his son's team.

Diana Shepherd, Hon. BA, CDF
Diana Shepherd, CDFA, is an award-winning editor, published author, and a nationally-recognized expert on divorce, remarriage, and stepfamily issues. She has been interviewed by The LA Times, The New York Times, The Chicago Tribune, The Globe & Mail, The Toronto Star, The National Post, Financial Post Review, The London Guardian, Harper’s Magazine, Forbes Magazine, and Maclean’s Magazine, to name a few, and has been a guest on dozens of national television shows, including “NBC Nightly News” “CBC Newsworld” “Canada a.m.” “Money Matters” and “Report on Business”. Ms. Shepherd is the former Editorial Director and co-founder of Divorce Magazine, the co-author of "The IDFA Divorce Survival Guide", and she has written and edited hundreds of articles about divorce-related issues since 1995 – including an online advice column entitled “Ask Diana”. She holds a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA) designation and an Honors English Specialist degree from the University of Toronto.

Barry LaValley
Barry LaValley is a twenty-five year veteran of the Canadian Financial Services Industry. In that time he has been a speaker, writer, investment advisor, senior mutual funds executive and educator. Barry is a founding member of the Canadian Initiative for Elder Planning Studies and currently is a faculty member for The Canadian Academy of Senior Advisors (CSA). Barry consults with a number of major investment firms in both Canada and the United States on implementation of the Wealth Advisory Approach to Financial Planning. He was a contributing author in 2002 to the book “Your Clients for Life” with Mitch Anthony and wrote "Put the Life into Your Practice" in 2005. In addition, Barry is on the advisory board for The Canadian Securities Institute and has written extensively for their Wealth Management designation program. Barry is President of the Retirement Lifestyle Center , a research and education company focusing on the issues associated with today's retirement. He is also a partner in the LifeFirst Approach, a communications and marketing company providing tools for North American financial advisors on the life planning approach to financial planning.

Dereka Thibault, CA, CFP, TEP, AVP Tax & Estate Planning, Manulife Financial
Dereka spent many years as a tax partner with a national accounting firm. Her experience includes owner-manager taxation, estate and succession planning, including corporate reorganizations; family trusts; estates and trusts. A graduate of the University of Alberta, she received her CA designation in 1977. Dereka joined Manulife Financial in 1998 as a regional member of the Tax and Estate Planning group. She develops and implements advanced tax and estate planning strategies and provides consulting support to advisors. Dereka specializes in generating innovative and tax-effective life insurance solutions. Dereka is a council member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Alberta and chairs the Gift Planning Committee for the Calgary Health Trust.

Cynthia J. Kett, CA, CGA, RFP, CFP
Cynthia Kett is a Principal of Stewart & Kett Financial Advisors Inc., an “advice-only” financial planning, accounting and tax services firm in downtown Toronto. Cynthia is a Chartered Accountant (CA), Certified General Accountant (CGA) and a Certified Financial Planner (CFP). She holds a Bachelor of Commerce (B Comm), Accounting and Management Information Systems, from the University of British Columbia. She completed the Canadian Securities Course with honours. Cynthia has been practicing accounting and tax since 1984, with a focus on financial planning since 1990. She advises business owners, professionals, executives, families and retirees in planning for cash management, taxation, investments, retirement, insurance and estates. She and her firm also provide tax return preparation and accounting services for individuals, corporations and trusts. Cynthia is a former instructor for Personal Financial Management, an MBA course at the Schulich School of Business at York University. She also taught a Financial Management Certificate program for a division of the Ontario government from 2003 - 2006. She presents tax and financial planning seminars for various business groups. Cynthia was the host and primary advisor for Money Makeover, a program produced by Global Communications Limited for the Global and Prime television networks. She also serves on the editorial board for Advisors Edge, a Rogers Communications Inc. magazine, whose primary audience is the financial advisory community. She is frequently interviewed for financial articles and television programs.

Patrick Longhurst, CFP, FCIA
Following a thirty year period as a consulting actuary in Toronto, Patrick Longhurst obtained his Certified Financial Planner (CFP ) designation in August 2003. He has spent the last two years establishing his own company, Patrick Longhurst Advisory Services Inc. (PLASI), and developing approaches to provide retirement education and financial planning to individuals and groups. During his consulting career Patrick specialized in the design, funding and communication of major private and public sector pension plans. He was also active in the design and implementation of many defined contribution plans. Most recently, Patrick was a senior consultant at Watson Wyatt. Patrick is a frequent speaker on retirement topics, and has served as Chair of the Association of Canadian Pension Management, and a member of the editorial advisory board of The Benefits and Pensions Monitor. He was joint author, with Rose Marie Earle, of Looking After the Future. The Complete Guide to Pension Planning in Canada, subsequently reissued as Your Pension. Patrick is currently writing a regular column on "The New Retirement" for the Canadian Moneysaver Magazine. In recent months he has worked with many public and private sector plan members to help them make their own financial planning decisions. He is a firm believer that lifestyle issues are as important as financial considerations when planning your future.

Tim Taylor, CIM Director of National Accounts Franklin Templeton Investments
Tim Taylor is the Director of National Accounts for Franklin Templeton Investments, responsible for broadening relationships with National Firms from both a sales management and advisor perspective. Mr. Taylor works closely with sales management teams providing them with business and investment solutions that fit there clients needs. He was also instrumental in creating Franklin Templeton Investments Invest Today With Tomorrow In Mind program. Mr. Taylor joined Franklin Templeton Investments in September of 2000 and has over 13 years of experience in the Financial Services Industry. He has worked as both an advisor with a National Firm and as a Regional Sales Manager for Franklin Templeton Investments before entering his current role. Mr. Taylor attended the University of Regina and holds his Canadian Investment Manager designation (CIM).

Noel Maye, CEO, Financial Planning Standards Board
Noel Maye is Chief Executive Officer of Financial Planning Standards Board Ltd., a nonprofit association that benefits the global community by establishing, upholding and promoting worldwide professional standards in financial planning. FPSB’s commitment to excellence is represented by the marks of professional distinction – CFP, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER and CFP® Previously, Noel was Senior Vice President with Denver-based Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards. During his nine-year tenure with CFP Board, Noel oversaw the International, Legal, Consumer & Public Affairs, and Communications Departments, and served as corporate spokesperson. Prior to joining CFP Board, Noel was an Associate with Ogilvy, Adams & Rhinehart, a New York-based public relations firm, where he specialized in working with financial services clients including Chemical Bank, Financial Guarantee Insurance Company and CFP Board. Noel received the Certified Association Executive credential in 2003, is qualified as a lead auditor for certification bodies through the American National Standards Institute, and is a member of ISO’s International Accreditation Forum Working Group for Personnel Certification Accreditation. Born and raised in Ireland, Noel holds an undergraduate degree in electronic engineering from Trinity College Dublin and a Master's in Business Administration from the University of Colorado at Boulder.

Karen Henderson, Hon. BA, EPC, SM Founder/CEO, Educator, Speaker, Consultant Long Term Care Planning Network
Karen Henderson, a long term caregiver for her father for 14 years, is the Founder/CEO of the Long Term Care Planning Network (ltcplanningnetwork.com), Canada’s only national resource centre for aging and long term care. She is a well-known speaker, educator, writer, media commentator and publisher who has been featured frequently on television and radio and in Canada’s leading newspapers, magazines and geriatric journals. Karen has spoken across Canada and in the US to a wide variety of organizations from hospitals to law firms. She has worked with a variety of Canada’s leading corporations including financial and insurance companies to help educate employees, advisors and clients about the implications of long term care on all aspects of life planning.


Don Nilson, BCom, MSc(Bus Admin), CMA, FCMA
After completing a B. Comm. with an accounting major at UBC in 1976, Don Nilson articled with a large international accounting firm before starting Nilson & Company in 1979. During his articling period, he gained experience auditing large, sophisticated accounting systems as well as smaller private businesses. Don returned to university in 1980 to complete a Master's degree. His 100 page thesis, entitled "Income Taxation of the Small Business Sector in Canada" provided a valuable insight to taxation in Canada and other countries. Don attained his professional accounting qualification in 1981 and his financial planning designation in 1998. He is registered as a Portfolio Manager with the BC Securities Commission. Since 1980, Don has lectured in accounting and tax topics for the University of BC, the Society of Management Accountants of BC, the BC Real Estate Association and the Certified General Accountants Association of BC. He presently is the Team Leader for the delivery of the Taxation 1 course on the Internet across Canada and internationally for the Certified General Accountants. He has been involved in developing national exams and curricula for the professional accounting bodies. Don delivers seminars on practice management and taxation issues within the profession and across Canada. He received the 2005 President's Award for Education from CGA-BC for his career contributions to education in the accounting profession. Don recently served on the National Board of the Financial Planners' Standards Council. He also has served as treasurer of various charitable organizations. He has also served on the Provincial Board of his accounting body and chaired a provincial committee which oversees the adherence to professional standards in public accounting. In 2005, he was named a Fellow of the Certified Management Accountants of Canada for his career contributions to the accounting profession. Don has participated in the Press lock-ups of the federal and provincial budgets and appeared in numerous articles in the business press over the years. He edits two quarterly publications on taxation, financial planning and investment management, as well as the educational websites www.nilsonco.com and www.investoru.ca.


Grahame Lyons, Managing Director, Glaymore Investments
Grahame Lyons, "Claymore Investments, Inc. announces that Grahame Lyons has joined Claymore as managing director. Lyons has been instrumental in educating the Canadian market about exchange traded funds (ETFs) and their benefits. He most recently was principal of Barclays Global Investors Canada responsible for iShares ETF business development in Western Canada for the investment counsel, discount and advisory channels. Lyons has been in the Canadian financial services industry for over 19 years through various senior positions at some of Canada's largest asset managers. He received a Bachelor of Arts (Administrative and Commercial Studies) degree from the University of Western Ontario in 1985 and is an Associate Member of the Canadian Society of Technical Analysts (CSTA) and Investment Management Consultants Association (IMCA). He is a trusted market resource and has regularly appeared on various cable television programs, radio stations and quoted in regional newspapers across the country."

Linda Murray, LL.B., CFE
Linda J. Murray has been involved in the securities industry for more than 20 years and has had broad experience in regulatory, legal and brokerage firm matters. She recently established her own consulting practice, providing services to a range of clients in civil and regulatory matters, focusing on forensic fraud examination, regulatory/compliance matters, and litigation support. From 2002 to 2004, Linda served as the Senior Vice President Compliance and in house counsel for a medium-sized independent securities dealer, for both the Canadian parent and the affiliated US dealer. Prior to joining the industry, Linda was a Manager of Investigations with the BC Securities Commission, Enforcement Division, where she spent more than 10 years investigating securities breaches and market fraud issues. Linda was seconded to the Securities Fraud Office Pilot Project for three years and, as a Special Constable, was involved in the criminal investigation of securities fraud offences. Before joining the Commission, Linda was a lawyer in private practice with a focus on corporate and securities matters. Linda has held a Certified Fraud Examiner designation for more than 10 years and is the Past-President of the Vancouver Chapter, Association of Certified Fraud Examiners. The ACFE is a worldwide organization whose mandate is to reduce the incidence of fraud and white collar crime and to assist its members in detection and deterrence of fraud. Linda is committed to continuing education initiatives and has served on degree validation committees for forensic and fraud related courses and degrees at the Justice Institute (most recently the Securities Compliance and Supervision Training Program) and BCIT. She has been a speaker at many securities industry training sessions and individual firm continuing education training sessions. Linda has served on several securities industry committees.

Ken parker, CA, B.Sc.
Ken Parker is Executive Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer of Professional Investment Services (Canada) Inc., an expanding mutual fund dealer currently registered in five provinces. Before joining PIS Ken was a consultant to the Canadian Securities Administrators’ Registration Reform Project for a year and previously worked for the Alberta Securities Commission from 1988 to 2005. During his 11 years as Director, Capital Markets at the ASC he was responsible for registration of dealers, advisors and salespeople under the Alberta Securities Act, and he established the ASC’s compliance review program for registrants. Ken was chair of the Canadian Securities Administrators Information Technology Committee when that committee initiated the National Registration Database project, and was a member of the NRD Steering Committee throughout the development and implementation of the NRD. He was a member of the CSA committee that developed the National Registration System and was chair of the CSA Registrant Regulation Committee when the CSA implemented the NRS. Ken was also head of the corporate finance department at the ASC, which reviews prospectuses for the sales of securities by mutual funds and public companies. He established the ASC’s continuous disclosure review program to review the filings of public companies for compliance with securities laws and accounting and oil and gas disclosure standards. In 1999, he established the CSA Continuous Disclosure Review Committee to harmonize the review process across Canada to ensure equivalent treatment of all Canadian public companies. He represented the ASC throughout the development and implementation of both the SEDAR and SEDI filing systems. Ken received his Chartered Accountant designation in 1987 and holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Alberta. He is currently a member of the Education Committee of the Alliance for Excellence in Information Technology of the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants.

Tony Mahabir, MBA, CIM, CFP
Tony brings a rich body of knowledge and practical solutions to his financial planning clients that can be attributed to his diverse experiences. He has held several positions in the past two decades with various organizations such as: president, chief compliance officer, vice-president of marketing, branch manager, financial planner, risk management advisor for insurance, investment and portfolio management. He also served as a recruiting and business development manager, trainer, coach, and lecturer for administrative staff, independent consultants, and managers. He has a deep understanding of both domestic and global business issues and sees the importance and inter-connectedness of sound leadership, strategy and execution in today’s business enterprises. Tony has his MBA in Executive Management (Royal Roads University), CIM (Canadian Securities Institute), CFP (Financial Planning Standards Council of Canada) and Electronics Engineering Technologist (DeVry Institute of Technology). Currently, he is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Canfin Financial Group of Companies and Principal for Canfin Management Inc., a firm specializing in management consulting and financial planning.

Roxanne Eszes, PEng., CFP
Roxanne Eszes of Cleartech Documentation and Training ( Guelph, ON) is a technical writer and trainer, specializing in the financial services field. She obtained her CFP designation in 1998 and became a CIFPs member when the organization was first launched in 2003. Roxanne has been writing course materials for aspiring CFP candidates since 1996, and has written extensively for CIFP’s CFP program of study, including materials on income tax planning, retirement planning, investment planning, risk management and estate planning. Apart from her work with CIFP and CIFPs, she has helped develop and deliver study aids and exam preparation courses for CFP candidates across the country, and authored users’ guides for professional financial planning software. Roxanne has contributed to numerous continuing education courses for CFP licensees, including many of those distributed by CIFPs. She is the author of the Financial Planning Practitioner’s Guide, as well as the 2007 edition of Current Trends and Issues in Financial Planning, the continuing education course that is provided at this year’s conference.

Ronald Bourgeois, CEO, Mooncor Energy Inc.
Ron Bourgeois is currently the president and Chief Executive officer of Mooncor Energy Inc., a private company currently in the process of “going public” on the TSX Venture Exchange. Mr. Bourgeois is a graduate of the University of Manitoba with a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) in 1973 and qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1976 with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Manitoba. His career in the oil and gas industry commenced with Suncor Inc. in 1979 and has also included positions as VP Finance with Starvest Capital Inc., a principal of Lakewood Capital Group and the CFO and Secretary of PetroQuest Energy Inc., a New York Stock Exchange listed, Gulf Coast gas producer. He was also instrumental in the founder of US Geothermal Inc., which is currently developing a 60 MW geothermal electrical generation facility in south-central Idaho. Over the last four years, Mr. Bourgeois’ focus has been on non-conventional sources of natural gas. He has been involved in a coalbed methane project in the North Bohemia basin of the Czech Republic as well the Barnett shales in the Fort Worth Basin, North Texas, and the Penn shales of the Palo Duro Basin of West Texas.

Shawn Brayman, B.Sc, President PlanPlus Inc.
Shawn Brayman is the founder and president of PlanPlus Inc., a private Canadian company that has specialized in providing investment planning and financial planning solutions to financial advisors for the past 15 years. Shawn has a B.Sc. in Applied and Computational Mathematics and a Master’s Degree from York University focusing on Predictive Expert Systems, a form of software technology commonly referred to as “artificial intelligence.” Shawn started working in the IT field over 20 years ago and in the 1980s became involved in the knowledge engineering and development of an early financial planning expert system for a Canadian insurance company. In 1990 Shawn started PlanPlus Inc. and has been working in the financial planning field ever since delivering software, training and business consulting services. Although not a practicing financial planner, he has completed all of the Certified Financial Planning courses and has been working with financial planners around the globe, gaining a unique perspective on common challenges experienced by individual practitioners and large financial institutions that implement advice driven sales channels. Having worked with firms in North and South America, the Caribbean, Asia and Europe both experienced planning organizations and firms in the initial stages of introducing financial planning has provided Shawn with a thorough understanding of the do’s and dont’s of this industry. Shawn is a frequent speaker at industry events on topics of technology, financial planning and practice management and has presented to audiences both large and small in Canada, USA, Japan, Singapore and Malaysia. Shawn brings a unique combination of technical, business and financial planning knowledge to any audience.

Guy Dauncey, Founder and President of the BC Sustainable Energy Association
Guy Dauncey has lent his expertise to include large corporations like HFC Banks and BC Building Corp., charities like the United Way, urban sustainability groups like the Sheltair Scientific Team, and associations like The Salt Spring Island Conservancy and The City of Victoria's Environment Development Committee. Guy is founder and President of the BC Sustainable Energy Association, whose 550 members work to develop sustainable solutions for BC's vast energy needs. He also works as a consultant specializing in green building, ecovillages, sustainable energy, and sustainable community development. His most recent book, Stormy Weather: 101 Solutions to Global Climate Change, won a Nautilus Award at the New York Book Expo. Reviewers have called it "a rare combination of science and activism", and "The most important ecological book of our generation". He has also written A Sustainable Energy Plan for the US and After the Crash: The Emergence of the Rainbow Economy, which won an Observer Green Book of the Year Award in the UK. True to using diverse media to get out his message, Guy has also worked as a consultant with the Discovery Channel in the US, and for David Suzuki's The Nature of Things special "Turning Down The Heat," which won an Earth Vision award in Santa Cruz in 1999. He has travelled extensively through Europe, China, West Africa, and India, and has given popular and practical talks all across North America, where his emotionally charged presentations help spread the a positive, charged message about the possibilities of a sustainable future, one mind at a time.