FCSI, CIM®
Senior Investment Advisor, Associate Portfolio Manager
A Manitoba native, Ron launched his meaningful career with a move to Alberta for his Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) posting, where he proudly served Canadians and their communities for over five years.
With a major life change on the horizon, Ron and his family relocated to the beautiful Okanagan Valley in British Columbia, where he successfully transitioned from the public service sector to financial services. He completed the Canadian Securities Course (CSC) with honours and joined a prominent independent financial services company. A few short years later the firm was acquired by a major bank. Ron was appointed to branch manager and later, vice president, where he advised high-net-worth individuals, families, and organizations.
Ron’s designations also include Chartered Investment Manager (CIM®) and Fellow of CSI (FCSI®), awarded by the board of governors of the Canadian Securities Institute.
Ron believes in the importance of business integrity and that long-term business relationships are to be built on trust and authenticity. With a talented team of professionals by his side, Harper Private Wealth provides comprehensive financial and estate planning with clients’ needs and objectives top of mind. The group aims to deliver exceptional client service with a personalized touch.
Outside the office, Ron enjoys spending time with his wife, three daughters, three grandsons, and two granddaughters. He stays active by golfing, snowboarding, flying, and appreciating all the Okanagan lifestyle offerings.
CIM®
Senior Associate Investment Advisor
Kali kick-started her career in financial services at the young age of 17 with an independent financial services company. With over two decades of extensive industry experience, she joined Ron at one of Canada’s Big Six bank-owned wealth management firms and had the opportunity to be mentored by him. This further ignited her passion for wealth and retirement planning.
Incredibly dedicated to financial services, Kali holds the Chartered Investment Manager (CIM®) designation, Advanced Certificate in 3H Financial Planning™ with distinction and certificates in Advanced Investment Advice, Advanced Financial Services and Retirement Strategy (CRS). Other courses Kali has completed include Canadian Securities Course (CSC), Conduct and Practices Handbook Course (CPH), Investment Advisors Training Program (IATP), Wealth Management Essentials (WME), Advanced Investment Strategies (AIS), Portfolio Management Techniques (PMT), Financial Planning Supplement (FPSU), and Advanced Retirement Management Strategies (ARMS). Kali is also in the process of obtaining the Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) designation.
At Harper Private Wealth, Kali works closely with Ron and their clients on all financial, wealth, and estate planning needs while managing daily operations. She takes pride in creating a full wealth planning experience for clients, taking the time to understand their personal values, goals, and specific needs to develop a retirement plan. Kali thoroughly constructs, analyzes, and monitors portfolios. Once a plan is in place, she continues working alongside clients to help them achieve their long-term financial goals to enjoy a successful retirement and leave a lasting legacy.
Growing up in Vernon instilled a deep love for the sun, sand, and surf. Kali and her husband, Jeff, enjoy international travel, stand-up paddle boarding, volleyball, golfing, and hiking the local mountains with their Goldendoodle, Murphy.
Associate Investment Advisor
After 15 years in the luxury hospitality industry in Whistler, David transitioned to wealth management, putting his long-time passion for investing to work. He successfully completed the Canadian Securities Course (CSC) with honours, Conduct and Practices Handbook Course (CPH), Wealth Management Essentials (WME), Financial Planning Supplement (FPSU), and Investment Advisors Training Program (IATP).
Primarily focusing on retirement and estate planning for clients, David analyzes and monitors portfolios and manages daily account administration. He plays a key role in the portfolio review process and works closely with the team to meet clients’ needs and objectives.
David is happy to once again be living back in his hometown of Vernon with his beautiful wife, Laura, and their two sons, Evan and Brodie. With a love of the outdoors, the family’s favourite activities include snowboarding, mountain biking, and golfing.
CEA
Senior Associate
Sharmon joined Harper Private Wealth in April 2024 with a wealth of financial knowledge and experience having learned the business from the ground up since 1991. She takes her work very personally – it’s always more than just a job to her! Over the years, Sharmon has been dedicated to furthering her knowledge by completing a multitude of industry specific courses, including the Canadian Securities Course (CSC®) and Professional Financial Planning course (PFP). Her passion for settling estates and helping clients and their families navigate all the details with kindness and empathy led her to obtaining the Certified Executor Advisor (CEA) certification through the Canadian Institute of Certified Executor Advisors (CICEA) in 2021.
Leading our administrative team, Sharmon works alongside Theresa to ensure that our valued clients receive the first-class service we always strive to provide. Sharmon assists our clients and team with all their administrative needs from account openings, money movements, tax season assistance and everything in between. Due to her extensive background, she has become a valuable resource for our clients.
Growing up in Mcbride, BC before moving to Vernon at the age of 18 and meeting her husband, Steve, Sharmon gained a love for outdoor adventure which she shares with Steve and their two beautiful grown daughters, Emma and Mckinnley. When not in the office, Sharmon spends time with Steve and her family backpacking, camping, hiking, biking, golfing, snowshoeing and taking in all the amazing things the Okanagan has to offer. She has a huge appreciation and love for where we live.
Associate
Theresa joined Harper Private Wealth in June 2022 with an extensive background in customer service, management, and administration. She is a dedicated individual who looks forward to enhancing your experience as a client by providing friendly, efficient service. Theresa’s managerial and customer service background and her many duties as an Associate keep our office running smoothly and ensures that our clients have peace of mind when they have general administrative needs.
Originally from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Theresa moved west to British Columbia with her two children, Kacie and Kris in 1986 and eventually settled in Vernon in 1992. Drawn to the Okanagan by the beauty of its four seasons, Theresa spends her spare time enjoying all that the Valley has to offer. She is an avid animal lover who enjoys ceramic painting, gardening and participating in our community’s many local events.
LL.B., LL.M. TAX, TEP
Vice-President, Advanced Wealth Planning Strategy & Services
Judith joined Wellington-Altus in May 2022 and is based in Kelowna, BC. She works with advisory teams and clients across Canada to bring innovative tax strategies to their wealth plans. Judith believes a client’s objectives must drive any tax plan and loves helping clients find personalized solutions to their planning needs.
Prior to joining Wellington-Altus, Judith spent over 10 years at top-tier law and accounting firms advising clients on complex tax issues. Passionate about tax and making tax planning relevant and accessible to all, she regularly prepares presentations on various tax issues and has contributed to numerous publications on selected tax topics. She has been a speaker at various Canadian Tax Foundation conferences and a facilitator and lecturer for CPA Canada’s “In-Depth Tax Program”.
Judith graduated from the Université de Montréal with a Bachelor of Laws in civil law and a Master of Laws in taxation (jointly with HEC Montréal). Judith is a lawyer with the Barreau du Québec and a Canadian Legal Advisor with the Law Society of British Columbia.
Outside of work, she is an avid runner and cyclist, and loves to explore local trails. She can often be found enjoying the outdoor mountain playgrounds that surround her home.
CPA, CA, TEP, CFP®
Associate Vice-President, Advanced Wealth Planning
Michael joined Wellington-Altus in May 2022 and is based in Kelowna, where he works primarily with advisory teams and their clients in interior British Columbia.
Prior to joining Wellington-Altus, Michael dedicated over a decade to gaining experience and knowledge in a public practice accounting setting, primarily specializing in Canadian domestic taxation. Within this role, Michael provided domestic tax expertise to owner-managed businesses with a focus on corporate reorganizations, succession planning, and estate planning. These experiences resulted in Michael becoming a technical leader within the firm, educating both tax and non-tax professionals on timely topics to ensure they had the knowledge required to help their clients navigate the current tax and business environment.
As a CPA, CA, Michael has a strong background in Canadian income tax matters. Combined with his Trust and Estate Practitioner (TEP) and Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) designations, Michael excels at addressing various wealth planning needs.
Outside of work, Michael is also a facilitator for the CPA Canada “In-Depth Tax Program” and serves as the Member Services Officer for the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) Canada Okanagan Chapter.
B.Ed, CFP®, CHS®
Associate Vice-President, Wellington-Altus Insurance
Connie joined Wellington-Altus in 2019 as the inaugural Manager of Insurance and is based in Winnipeg, MB. She began her journey in the wealth services industry at one of Canada’s pre-eminent insurance companies and has obtained both life and investment licensing designations. She values employing a holistic approach to best serve the interests and needs of clients and has spent many years fostering strong relationships and helping clients build and manage their wealth. Connie is passionate about educating both advisors and their clients on how to effectively preserve and pass on wealth.
Connie graduated from the University of Winnipeg with a Bachelor of Education and holds her CFP® and CHS designations. She is licensed across the country to provide life, accidental and critical illness solutions through Wellington-Altus Insurance Inc.
Outside of work, she loves to cook, enjoys travelling and is fanatic about baseball. Between May and September, she can be found at Shaw Park with her husband Clint and daughter Madison cheering on her hometown Winnipeg Goldeyes.
