West Oak Family Office

Financial
Focus

Our personal expertise and insight into the financial landscape and how it might affect our West Oak families.

West Oak Family Office Style

Dedicated to the West

We are Andrew McQuiston and Kelly Demo, the founders of West Oak Family Office.

Together, we bring a differentiated approach that is more dedicated and integrated than what you would find with a traditional wealth management firm or team. This has all been done in an effort to grow and protect the capital of the families we serve, and to ensure successful outcomes across generations.
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Why the Yield Curve Matters?

When making investment decisions at West Oak Family Office, we look to the signals from markets and the economy in order to avoid the noise that so many investors tend to get caught up in.
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Tax Considerations for Vacation Properties

Owning second or third properties for personal use creates many fond memories and are great lifestyle assets whether it is with family and friends at the lake, skiing and hiking in the mountains, or playing golf through the winter in warmer climates down south.
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West Oak’s Calgary: The Best Burger

If you have been following our ‘Best of Calgary, According to West Oak’ then you know how passionate we all are about food. We have a lot of great cooks and bakers on our team and so we thought that, in the spirit of lockdowns during this 3rd wave, that we would write a ‘home-made by West Oak’ article that focuses on the best burger!
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Investment and Portfolio Management for High-Net-Worth Families

When it comes to investing, wealthy families typically have more options than mass affluent investors, which changes the way they can invest. Whereas mass affluent investors generally target retirement as their primary objective, wealthy families have the means to think in terms of how their wealth can, and may, impact their family and community for generation(s).
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West Oak’s Calgary: The Best Coffee and Pastries

There is no shortage of coffee shops and patisseries in Calgary — you could probably get in an Uber blindfolded, ask the driver to stop anywhere, get out and only be a stone’s-throw away from one, or three, or more depending on the neighbourhood.
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West Oak Investment Philosophy Process

At West Oak Family Office, one of our guiding principles is to make our families lives easier, and we achieve that by protecting and growing the wealth of the families we serve. Some of that protecting and growing relates to ways we can create efficiencies from a tax perspective to keep more capital within the family or the family foundation.
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West Oak’s Calgary: The Best East Indian Food

It has often been said that Calgary is the biggest small town in the world. Or was it the smallest big city in the world? The simple truth is that in this city of 1.33 million we are all only separated by one degree, or so it seems. Everyone knows everyone and we all love to share our favourite parts about living in this beautiful city.
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Philanthropy Becomes an Opportunity

Nothing brings a family closer together than a shared purpose over shared values. Foundations provide opportunities for teaching children and young adults about giving back while allowing philanthropy to become a family affair.
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Higher Taxes Are Around The Corner

High-net worth families should be aware: Ottawa will be looking your way. This shouldn’t be seen as Doom and Gloom – but we’d be remiss not to acknowledge the numbers you’re seeing in the news.
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Barker Gemma

Gemma Barker

B.Sc.

Associate & Office Administrator

Born and raised in the rolling green hills of Northern England, I moved to Calgary in 2014. My original plan was to stay and explore for a brief period, however, I quickly fell in love with what Canada and Calgary had to offer, and I now feel fortunate to call it home.

I have over 15 years’ experience in client-focused roles across financial sectors and geographies including the UK, Channel Islands, and Canada. I was formerly a Portfolio Administrator with QV Investors and a Trust Relationship Manager with Credit Suisse in the UK.

The first in my family to attend and graduate from university, I have a strong work ethic, making me an initiative-taking and organized professional. I get satisfaction from providing distinguished assistance and service to others. My natural people skills help me form deep connections with others, enthusiastically supporting them to achieve and exceed their goals and ambitions.

I am a proud wife and mother to my two young children, along with a Bernedoodle dog, Rosie. I love exploring new places and the great outdoors, especially if food and hiking is involved. Additionally, I enjoy watercolor painting and exercising, ensuring I can stay healthy and active with my family.

Zhou Sally

Sally Zhou

MSc, CFA

Portfolio Trader & Analyst

As a Portfolio Trader & Analyst, my role in the team is to execute fixed income and equity trades, and monitor capital movements and transactions for our client portfolios. In addition, I collaborate with the investment management committee to determine optimal tactical asset allocation and develop equity/fixed income models. I am passionate about the financial market and technical analysis. My previous experience in Fintech and research led to an interest in programming, which I look forward to applying to the investment analysis at the West Oak team.

After obtaining my Master of Science in Finance at Concordia University, I began my professional career as an analyst at a large investment bank in Montreal. Afterward, I worked on the asset management team at one of Canada’s largest financial institutions, where I gained experience in compliance risk management, cash management, and trading operations. Concurrently, I have earned my Chartered Financial Analyst ® designation and recently completed a professional certificate in Data Science and Machine Learning at McGill University.

I grew up in a small town in the south of China and have played piano since I was four years old. I performed as a collaborative pianist in the choir at school. Years of practicing music taught me persistence and discipline, which helped me understand that details are the key to success. In my spare time, my husband and I love to travel and spend time in the Rockies, skiing and hiking. We enjoy exploring new restaurants and beautiful trails in the city. I also love cooking, especially very spicy Chinese cuisine!

Bell Tanjou

Tanjou Bell

Senior Associate

I am fortunate to have spent over 15 years working within the wealth management industry. Over that time I have become passionate about getting to know our families and providing the unique and personalized service that they deserve. As an associate at West Oak Family Office, I am here to support you and your family in any way I can. Whether that be to provide clarity on your financial future, help you navigate a complex situation or simply a friendly contact for all things administrative. If I am unable to help, I will certainly find the expert who can.

I live in Bragg Creek with my husband and two young children. We made the small town move in hopes to foster a love for all things adventure in our kids and spend all of our free time exploring the outdoors. In the rare moments I can sneak away you can find me mountain biking, trail running or cross country skiing on the trails in West Bragg Creek or at our home away from home, in Fernie.

Jocelyn-Smith

Jocelyn Smith

B.A

Senior Associate

I am a born and raised Calgarian, with a degree in Communications and a minor in Economics from the U of C. My main responsibilities at West Oak are to support our team and our clients on the administrative front, but also to build relationships with the families we serve so we can be proactive for them and make their lives easier.

Sports are important to me, and after competing nationally for 7 years in synchronized swimming, I now share my passion through coaching a competitive 10 & under team. I also really enjoy travelling, and was fortunate to spend a winter abroad in India and South-East Asia after University. When I am home in Canada, I enjoy spending time in the mountains snowboarding and golfing!
Courtney-Pavicic

Courtney Pavicic

BCOMM.

Associate

I am fortunate to have a background in Finance and years of experience working at a large Canadian bank in the investment management industry. My role at West Oak Family Office is to manage the operational logistics of a busy team, while also handling client inquiries and supporting the implementation of unique strategies and solutions we provide to our families.

Born and raised in Calgary, I was a competitive ski racer and played multiple sports growing up, which fostered the competitive and enthusiastic energy I have to this day.  I’ve continued my passion for exercise and wellness with a disciplined workout and mindfulness routine through a wholistic approach to health, while also raising three amazing kids. My family and I enjoy spending our weekends on the ski hills or skating rinks in the winter, and my husband and I love to find new restaurants and listen to live music with friends.

Garvit Chaudhary

M.Fin

Portfolio Trader and Analyst

My role in the team as a Trader & Portfolio Analyst is to assist the investment committee with research and development of equity/fixed income models. I also help with quarterly rebalancing trades for the quantitative models as well as daily client trades based on capital inflows/outflows. Additionally, I assist with data analysis, research and creating client presentations. I am a keen follower of financial markets and have developed a passion for investing. I enjoy studying and analysing businesses, understanding micro & macro economic factors affecting them and making informed investing decisions based on them. I recently graduated with a Master of Finance following an undergrad degree in Industrial Engineering. Prior to joining West Oak, I worked at a large investment management firm in Atlantic Canada, helping with equity trading and trading operations. I also have experience as a Refined Metals Trader on the copper desk for one of the largest commodities traders in the world, as well as internship experience at a small private equity shop in Calgary. I am enrolled in the CFA program, and I am currently preparing for my Level I.

Born and raised in India, I have played soccer ever since I was 10 years old and went on to represent my school and university at the highest level. I am passionate about sports, and believe they have helped me develop qualities like confidence, perseverance, and courage. I continue to rely on those qualities today as I look forward to learning, developing, and growing as a professional.

I live with my family (including a cat-Jiggy) in the suburbs of Calgary. I enjoy biking or taking a stroll on the ridge or along the river while enjoying the view of the Canadian Rockies and listening to my favourite podcasts or music.
Eeva Harrop

Eeva Harrop

CPA, CA, TEP

Senior Tax Advisor

I am a Chartered Accountant with over two decades of tax experience including expatriate taxation, executive compensation, estates and trusts, and working with private corporations and their shareholders. Needless to say, I bring a depth of experience to help our families navigate the tax landscape and to structure their affairs to protect and preserve capital. I enjoy getting to know our families, find practical solutions that resonate with them and ultimately provide the outcomes they would like to achieve. I am excited to be a part of West Oak family office where we help integrate all the moving pieces of our clients’ lives, and to make their lives easier.

Both of my parents are from Finland (and I do speak Finnish!) but I was born and raised in Calgary. I am married and have three kids fairly close to being launched! We love spending time outdoors including skiing, hiking, camping and daily walks with our dog.
Justin-Charbonneau

Justin G. Charbonneau

CFA, FCSI, RIAC

Senior Portfolio Manager & Wealth Advisor

My role on the team is twofold: building and deepening new and existing relationships with high-net-worth families and helping manage West Oak’s investment management platform. What I enjoy most about working with the West Oak team is applying my 15 years of experience as both an institutional and retail portfolio manager to meet the specific objectives of each family that we serve. Investment management and capital markets are my passion. After earning my Chartered Financial Analyst ® designation, I became Lead Portfolio Manager for two mandates within a Calgary-based institutional asset management firm, and most recently was the Chief Investment Strategist for a large wealth management team at one of Canada’s largest financial institutions.

Being from northern Alberta, I grew up with small-town values including integrity, hard work and a growth mindset. My parents instilled these values and believed that education was the best path to future prosperity and a fulfilling life of growth and opportunities. Along with these values, having played high-level sports all my life, including through university, I’ve been primed to become a life-long learner and always look for ways to improve personally and professionally.

I am married to an entrepreneur, and we have two young, vibrant children and a small dog called Piper. I am an avid reader, love to try new foods and wines, travel, and spend time with our families who are in BC, Alberta, and Arizona. I also enjoy giving back to the community through several not-for-profit engagements. These commitments have included formerly acting Treasurer for Jewish Family Services Calgary (JFSC) and fundraising for various impactful organizations such as St. Mary’s University, the Down Syndrome Research Foundation, the YWCA, and the Alberta Children’s Hospital. Since 2012, I have been an active founding member of the CFA Society Calgary Investment Committee where I help with investment management oversight of the society’s capital reserves so our industry continues to set the bar higher in meeting investors’ needs.
Kelly Demo

Kelly Demo

CPA, CA, CFP®

Senior Wealth Advisor & Portfolio Manager

I take responsibility for the Family Office side of our practice, and help guide how we integrate tax and investment management, while also finding ways to make our clients lives easier.
 
I am passionate about helping the families that West Oak serves, by recommending ways to transition wealth to children and communities, and educating subsequent generations to become good stewards of capital. The single biggest cheque most people write every year is for tax, so as successful as we are at growing capital for the families we serve, we are also mindful of how integrated tax is within their lives and our need to be proactive for them.
 
I was born and raised in Swift Current, and moved to Calgary in 1997 to article with EY and earn my Chartered Accounting designation. My dad was a private business owner and my mom a nurse, so I was fortunate to hear about risk, government spending and hard work from a really young age. This propelled me to want to learn more about tax, and what our governments do with this scarce resource – specifically if it is possible to keep more in your pocket to spend how you want, versus how someone else chooses.
 
I’m married to another Chartered Accountant, and we have three kids and a golden retriever. We have lived in hockey rinks and ball diamonds these last 15 years, and are now just coming into more downhill skiing, golf and new restaurants where we can find the time to be together!
Andrew McQuiston

Andrew McQuiston

BA Economics, CIM

Senior Wealth Advisor & Portfolio Manager

I take responsibility for the operations of our family office, as well as the lead for portfolio allocation decisions, and oversight and direction of our quantitative investment management platform. The largest and most enjoyable part of my role is really getting to know our families, and helping create a platform that accomplishes whatever unique outcomes each family is trying to achieve. I am proud of the family office our team has built for the benefit of the families that we serve, and I am incredibly grateful for the amazing group of individuals I have the benefit of working with day-in and day-out.

I am a native Calgarian, and still live in the same neighbourhood I grew up in. I am married with a son and a daughter, both in their latter teenage years. I have too many things I enjoy doing and not enough time to do them, including skiing, golf, fitness, cooking, fishing, reading, and being outdoors. Neat fact, I am a third generation Calgarian, my grandfather was born in Calgary after his parents immigrated from Scotland after the first world war