BIOGRAPHY

PERSONAL

I am a West Coast girl pretty much all my life and an “Islander” for 13 years now. I love living on Vancouver Island - I am proud to call Nanaimo my home. My new location in beautiful downtown Nanaimo is fantastic! It is great to be in the middle of all the new changes and growth - the new convention centre is only half a block away. Very exciting times for our city right now.

I am married to Wayne and I have 2 boys, and he has 2 daughters. They are all grown up and on their own. For those of you not there yet – empty nesting is under-rated! Travel and golfing are a big part of my life! As baby boomers - we are counting down to retirement!

I am very excited to be a grandma now from my son Brad and his wife Liz. Owen Alexander Vaughan is my little angel - here is with his dad - too cute!

I have been in the Financial Services for 10 years.

I have first hand experience living with a sudden death, both emotionally and financially. My ex-husband, father of my boys, passed away at an early age of 43 due to Cancer. Neither of us had any type of insurance. Financial planning to me at that time, single with 2 young sons was paying the bills and buying groceries. If I can make a difference to just one person it is worth it. It is why I use the starfish in my logo - please read the Starfish Poem. I find that some people think that insurance and investing is complicated - so they avoid it all together. It is one of the reasons why I started the Diva Club for women.

In addition to the Diva Club I am also working with Tracy Piercy of MoneyMinding Inc. - This amazing program takes the psychology of success and applies it to financial planning in a simple, powerful system. It’s not just positive thinking. It’s not just “how to make a lot of money fast” or “how to buy real estate” or “how to start a business” or “how to” anything. Because “If how to’s were enough, we’d all be thin, rich and happy.” This is all that AND the foundation of solid, universal financial planning. Please check out the seminar page for more information.

BUSINESS

I specialize in helping my clients take control of their financial future. I really want to hear my client’s story. I can guarantee you that you do not get out of bed every morning saying, “Yippee, I get to go to work and pay bills!” Together, we will build a plan that is built on your priorities, dreams and passions. “What do you like to spend your time & money on?”.  Getting to the 'why' is the power of planning.

I will help you identify and articulate your financial concerns, goals and objectives. Based on this, we will develop a plan or “Road Map” to help you achieve your personal financial objectives.

I am very pleased to announce that I have my RHU designation.
* An RHU® (Registered Health Underwriter) is a professional financial advisor specializing in living benefits, including income replacement and risk management solutions for individuals, business owners and professionals.
* The RHU® is the only designation in Canada denoting specialized knowledge in all areas of living benefits and is the premier credential in the health insurance industry.
With this designation, I have enhanced my education and specialized knowledge to provide strategic living benefits advice. This includes disability insurance, critical illness insurance, long term care insurance, individual and group health and dental plans. The RHU is the only living benefits designation in Canada.

I am an independent advisor and I run my own company – which means that I do not represent any single investment firm or life insurer. I have the freedom to survey the marketplace and determine those products that best serve the unique needs of all my clients.

I have been a member of Advocis – which is the professional association of Insurance and Financial Planners – since 1997 – was an executive director from 1997 – 2001 and I was President from 1999-2000.

I am past President of the Nanaimo Women’s Business Network – and I support the goal of the NWBN which is to help women in business with support and encouragement to be the best they can be and give them resources to build and grow their businesses. Meetings are every 4th Monday of every month. Check out the website at www.nwbn.ca for more information.

2006 ATHENA AWARDS

I am really proud to have received the Outstanding Community Leader of the Year award at the Vancouver Island Business Athena Awards on April 7.  Click here to read more ...

I am really dedicated to helping people – with a definite focus on women – to help them discover and untap their unlimited possibilities. I started the Diva Club for women to educate women about financial planning and to take the fear or embarrassment out of maybe not knowing or having it all together so far. Each of us is unique, and I work on that principle to build individualized plans that work for you. 

MISSION STATEMENT

To connect to people and help empower them to be confident in themselves and believe in their potential for unlimited possibilities. And most of all have fun!

VISION STATEMENT