Our Team

Don Woods, Chief Operating Officer

Throughout the impeccable thirty-five-year career at major financial institutions, Don acted as the corporate Trustee for family, charitable, and Indigenous Trusts. He also held the position of Regional Manager for Indigenous Trust Services at CTC. As an experienced Trust Administrator, Don appreciates the importance of communication and has the knowledge to provide an audit-ready Trust for the purposes of attaining a positive audit rating. His extensive experience in relationship management ensures clear communication and excellent client experience. He has also provided financial literacy training to First Nations communities, presented at First Nations community meetings and General Assemblies, and been invited to make presentations to Chiefs and Councils.

Jerry Halma, Director of Trust Services

Jerry is one of the most experienced Trusts and Estates professionals in Western Canada. He previously worked as a Senior Trust Officer and Director, Trust Services at 2 major trust companies in Canada and was a Regional Manager for one of them. As such, he is highly respected for his integrity and professionalism. All who know Jerry are impressed by his personable, can-do approach and his passion to help clients. Jerry’s areas of expertise include the administration of complex estates and trust structures and taxation. He is a past Board member of the Vancouver Contemporary Art Gallery, Canadian Association of Gift Planners (CAGP), past member of STEP and was certified as a CFP. He is an Honourary Member of the Vancouver Estate Planning Council.

Cathy Adam, Senior Vice President, Estate and Trust Solutions

Cathy has extensive experience with three major Trust companies and one non-financial trust company. She previously worked as a Senior Trust Officer but has held the position of Trust Liaison Officer and Manager, Income Tax. Cathy’s areas of expertise include the administration of complex estates and trust structures and taxation.  She enjoys helping clients protect and transfer their wealth while maintaining their dignity and independence.  She is currently a lifetime member of the Vancouver Estate Planning Council and holds a Member Trust Institution and Personal Financial Plan designations.

Julia Weintraub, Director of Client Relations

With over 20 years of experience in financial services, Julia has cultivated strong relationships with clients, financial institutions, business partners, and non-profit organizations. She has been recognized for her leadership roles in the Canadian Association of Gift Planners and has received awards in both financial advisory and charitable sectors. Her accomplishments have earned her membership in the Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT), the leading association of financial professionals. Julia also has extensive experience overseeing a vertical within a digital technology company and leading a team in business development across various markets.

Samantha Holderness, Trust Officer

Samira Jafari, Trust Officer

Aurora Catibog, Senior Advisor, Finance and Operations

Aurora Catibog is a Chartered Professional Accountant who brings a wealth of experience in finance, audits, risk mitigation and management consulting. She has 23 years career expertise in financial reporting and regulatory compliance, cashflow management, and operating budgets. Aurora specializes in project management, change management, process improvement, and team building and her diverse background spans executive and senior management level roles showcasing her adaptability and financial acumen across various industries.

Nancy Fong, Strategic Advisor

Nancy brings over 30 years of experience in business and law, having worked as a solicitor for 12 years prior to transitioning into a Certified Financial Planner in 2005. Since then, she also founded NYF Wealth Management, where she specializes in financial and intergenerational wealth management. Nancy also has over 25 years of various volunteer and community experience. Currently, she is the Secretary of the Executive Committee of the Estate Planning Council of Vancouver. She also holds designation of a Family Enterprise Advisor and is a member of the Canadian Advanced Life Underwriters (CALU).

Jeremy Higham, Special Advisor for Truvera’s Indigenous Trust Advisory Group

With 25 years in evolving Indigenous relations and reconciliation, Jeremy specializes in negotiation, consultation, relationship development, and strategic reasoning within various industry sectors. Most recently, he has been the Strategic Advisor, External Relations for Sekw’el’was Nation providing advice to the Chief and Council on corporate negotiations, procurement, and property transfers; the Project Manager for Antares Project Services overseeing the refurbishment of Seton Canal and other capital projects for a Nation-owned business.

Amber Knight, Office Manager

Amber is passionate about cultivating authentic connections, and helping individuals and teams reach their full potential. Armed with a Communications degree from Thompson Rivers University, over 6 years of administrative experience, and 3 years of experience as an independent life coach, she brings unique perspective and energy to the Truvera Trust team. In addition to her professional pursuits, Amber is a proud owner of a life coaching business, enjoys walking trails In Pacific Spirit Park, snowboarding at Whistler, curled up at home with a novel, or dancing with Passion and Performance studio.

Judy Munn, Administrative Assistant, Kelowna office

Judy is an experienced Executive Assistant with a background in supporting C-suite executives, proficient in MS Office, conference planning, and various administrative tasks. Recent work includes roles at the Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association, Fields Institute for Research in Mathematical Sciences, and Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario, where her responsibilities included all administrative support including confidential data handling.

Shermin Mae Pascual, Bookkeeper and Administrative Assistant

With a degree in Business Management and over 6 years of experience in finance, Shermin has held positions such as Financial Reporting Manager and Audit Associate. She possesses strong analytical skills and is proficient in accounting software such as SAP, NetSuite, and QuickBooks. Graduating from Vancouver Community College, the Philippine School of Business Administration, and the University of Santo Tomas, Shermin is skilled in developing business strategies and ensuring accurate transaction recording, which contributes significantly to the financial success of the company.

Mae Anne Dimaano, Projects Coordinator

Mae Anne has over 6 years of experience in office management, project administration, and corporate compliance. She holds a Graduate LLB (Honours) degree from the University of Exeter and a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature and Economics from the University of British Columbia. Outside of her career, Mae Anne is an avid writer, artist, and traveler.

Maria Audrey Sanchez, Senior Accountant

Maria is highly skilled in financial analysis, budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting. She has over 16 years Canadian and international experience and a deep understanding of financial operations, strategic decision-making, and management. Maria has a proven track record of successfully managing financial processes, implementing cost-saving initiatives, and driving business growth.