I was born and raised in the Netherlands to entrepreneurial parents who, longing for a more rustic life, decided to relocate the family to a small town in BC’s Cariboo when I was ten years old. Despite experiencing a culture shock, I found living on a lake, where my parents owned a small fly-fishing resort, a dream come true. I contributed to the business by guiding tourists, teaching them how to fish, and assisting my parents in managing the property. This experience instilled in me the values of hard work and self-reliance, and I have many cherished memories of exploring the wilderness with my dog, engaging in fishing and hunting, and co-existing with the diverse wildlife in the area.

Upon completing high school, I pursued a business degree at the University of Victoria. By chance, I secured a summer job at a brokerage house, initially working in the mail room before transitioning to supporting investment advisors with documentation and client onboarding. Although the work was not glamorous, I enjoyed gaining insights into the markets and interacting with the diverse and colourful personalities in the office. This experience sparked my interest in investing and led me to pursue the CFA Charter and a career in the investment industry. In addition to my finance and business education, I am very passionate about computer science, and I am currently working toward a Master of Science degree in Computer Science from Georgia Tech (Go Jackets!).

Throughout my career, I have held various roles in investment advisory, from company analysis to trading, portfolio management, and software development. I have worked with firms ranging from small investment dealers to some of Canada’s most prominent asset managers. This diverse background and unique skill set allow me to bring a multifaceted perspective to any challenge I encounter.