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 Trust Officer

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.

Rita Cattani, Senior Trust Officer

Rita has worked in the trust industry for a number of decades. Her prior position was Director of Trust Services with BMO Private Banking, in Kelowna. Rita has extensive experience in administrating all types of trusts and estates, as well as acting as power of attorney for the financial affairs of clients. She enjoys helping clients protect and transfer their wealth while maintaining their dignity and independence. Rita is a Specialist Trust Industry, Certified Financial Planner, was a member of a number of Estate Planning Councils in Western Canada.

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.

Samira Jafari, Trust Officer

Samantha Holderness, Trust Officer

Samantha joined Truvera in 2021. Prior to this she held a full-time position as a paralegal for a law firm in England. Following a move to Canada, she became a Trust Administrator overseeing Wills, Estates, and Trusts.

Faranak Leilaby, Comptroller

Faranak Leilaby, BBA, CPA, CGA, has over 25 years of accounting experience in private and public practice and has worked in many sectors including tourism, auto, media, construction, music production, and film and television. Faranak is a member of the Chartered Professional Accountants of British Columbia and is an active member of the North Shore community since moving there in 1992.

Amber Knight, Office Administrator

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.

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.