The Team

Who we are

Stephen Whipp CFP, Senior Financial Advisor

Steve is an activist. He believes passionately that individuals working together for the common good can change the world, and make it better for everyone.

Before coming to financial planning in 1997, Steve dedicated over 20 years to environmental, justice, community and aboriginal issues in various parts of Canada. He’s worked for aboriginal organizations in northern B.C. and the N.W.T.; covered environmental and aboriginal issues as a journalist and columnist; managed public legal education programs; and advocated on northern and environmental issues on Parliament Hill. Steve was the first executive director of a northern BC-based environmental research organization involved in forestry, oil exploration, and transportation issues, and was one of the first western journalists allowed into China in the 1970’s.

His training as a journalist and his broad experience has taught him a lot about how the world works, and how it needs to change. Steve now brings this powerful experience, his strong sense of personal integrity and social responsibility, and his progressive values, to the practice of financial planning.

At Manulife Securities Incorporated, Steve is the leader of his own team that specializes in ethical investing and values-based financial planning.

Steve lives on Victoria’s West Shore with his wife, Kate, and has three sons. He is involved with a variety of non-profit organizations and is the outgoing President of the Westshore Chamber of Commerce. The former co-chair of Victoria’s Values-based Business Network enjoys supporting and promoting green businesses, corporate responsibility, and community-mindedness. He currently is on the advisory committee to the Eric C. Douglass Centre for Entrepreneurial Studies at Royal Roads University.

Steve is also a board member of the Social Investment Organization, a national agency dedicated to the advancement of socially responsible investment in Canada. Passionate about playing golf, learning, and fair trade coffee, Steve loves meeting new people who share his values. Email Stephen >

Annette Quan, FMA, FCSI Financial Advisor, Life Representative

Annette is a life-long Victoria native, and has been working in the financial services industry for over 24 years. She marries her professional experience with her passion for making our communities better by focussing on socially responsible investing. She helps investors build a financial plan that does not compromise what is important to them. Her passion for making communities better extends beyond her practice. Since 1994 Annette has been a member of the Victoria Chinatown Lioness club, an all-female organization that contributes both time and money to community events and services particularly those serving women and children. Their objective is to work harmoniously towards the goal of serving those in need, while continuing to foster the good spirit of racial harmony, cultural diversity and community relationship. Email Annette >

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Tara Zajac, Marketing Assistant

Tara comes from a diverse educational and professional background. She completed a Bachelor of Science from the University of Victoria, majoring in Biology with a minor in Environmental Studies. She has worked in the areas of community relations for private businesses with a focus on corporate culture, grassroots marketing, and volunteering.

Tara has worked in the West Shore for five years including working in fundraising at the Royal Roads University Foundation. She’s the co-founder of “Neighbours for Change”- an annual block party in Fernwood that raises money for local green initiatives. She currently enjoys playing sports and volunteering with conservation groups, community organizations and the local food industry. Email Tara >