Our Team

Jerry Halma, Chief Executive Officer

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.

Don Woods, Senior Principal Administrator

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.

Raymond Gilmurray, Senior Trust Officer, Kelowna office

Raymond is well-known and respected in the British Columbia trust community, bringing with him decades of experience from the Public Guardian and Trustee of British Columbia and various major financial institutions. In addition to his financial background, Raymond has a proven track record as a leading investigator dedicated to safeguarding clients’ financial, legal, and personal interests.

With his Certified Financial Planner designation, Raymond has years of experience of providing comprehensive financial advice to his clients and possesses expertise in areas such as estate and trust administration, wealth management, retirement and estate planning, and individual pension plans. Prior to his tenure with the PGT, Raymond was both Trust Officer and Account Manager with a major national trust company managing a high volume of major trusts and financial portfolios.

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 has business and law degree and practiced law as a solicitor for 12 years before becoming a financial planner, earning her Certified Financial Planner designation in 2005. Nancy founded NYF Wealth Management and close to 20 years she is specializing in financial and intergenerational wealth management. Nancy also holds a designation as a Family Enterprise Advisor through the Family Enterprise Canada & UBC’s Sauder Business School and is a member of the Canadian Advanced Life Underwriters (CALU).

Currently Nancy serves as the Secretary of the Executive Committee of the Estate Planning Council of Vancouver. Nancy’s community work includes more than 25 years in volunteer and committee positions with various organizations including the Vancouver Pacific Lions, BCCH Foundation Chinese Canadian Planned Gifts Committee, Pacific Canada Heritage Centre – Museum of Migration and her church. She has appeared on Chinese radio and TV for various charities regarding estate planning and charitable gift planning in Cantonese and Mandarin.

For the financial services industry, Nancy participates in the Government Relations Committee of CALU, a group advocating for Canadian businesses and individuals to the Ministry of Finance for improved tax treatments.

Julia Weintraub, Head of Client Relations

Julia has over 20 years’ experiences in financial services and developed exceptional relationships with clients, financial institutions, business partners and non-profit organizations. She assumed leadership role in the Canadian Association of Gift Planners and received awards in both the financial advisory and charitable sector.

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.

Mae Anne Dimaano, Project Administrator

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.