The Westward Team

Cheryl is responsible for the Strategy Building and Strategy Implementation process to achieve the best insurance-based tax and estate planning solutions on specific client files. On her team, “Team Whistler”, she leads her group of estate tax planning professionals through this detailed process.

Cheryl received an Honours Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Windsor. She articled with PricewaterhouseCoopers and in 2005 obtained her CA designation. Working with BDO Dunwoody as a Tax Specialist for 2 years led her back to PwC as a Tax Manager specializing in Canadian Corporate Tax. Cheryl proceeded to complete the CICA In-Depth Tax course, levels I & II and also became an In-Depth Tax Instructor.

Outside of work, Cheryl enjoys skiing, playing hockey and relaxing with friends.

Justin is part of “Team Whistler” and assists in the Strategy Building and Strategy Implementation process for the best insurance solution on specific client files.

Justin received a Bachelor of Commerce from Memorial University of Newfoundland. He articled with Myers Norris Penny in Edmonton and recently passed the UFE in 2010. Justin qualified for his CA designation early 2011.

Justin played volleyball throughout university. He continues this sport and has taken up beach volleyball in Vancouver.

Harjot provides all clients with excellent customer service by ensuring policies are current and up to date and all requests and changes are completed in a timely manner. 

Harjot was born and raised in Toronto, Ontario and has a Bachelor’s degree in Administrative Studies specializing in Business Management from York University. After gaining experience in the retail industry and moving to Vancouver in 2007 Harjot joined the Westward team. Harjot started at Westward as the go-to person for transforming ideas into strategic projects, overseeing expansion/renovation projects and improving office functions. In her current role she manages policy service administration.

Harjot and her husband enjoy family walks and trips to the park with their one year old daughter.

Wayne specializes in personal and corporate tax and estate planning and has an expert understanding of the Income Tax Act as it applies to the use of life insurance in estate planning.

Wayne’s professional memberships include the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants, the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners, the Financial Planners Standards Council, the Canadian Tax Foundation, and the Conference for Advanced Life Underwriting (CALU). Wayne was appointed to the CALU Tax Policy Group committee dealing with the leading taxation issues affecting life insurance planning in Canada and supporting CALU’s consultations with the Canada Revenue Agency and the Department of Finance.

Wayne has over 20 years experience in the financial services sector. Wayne is originally from Montreal, and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce from Concordia University. He started his career as a Chartered Accountant for public accounting firms in Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal. Wayne balances mental fitness and agility with the physical activity of running half marathons and downhill skiing. Wayne is married with a daughter.

Michael is known as the leader-end generator within Westward’s Tax Group. He specializes in annual reviews and loan renewals, and he is skilled at generating and maintaining tax strategies for our clients. Michael also builds templates and designs implementation summaries.

Michael spent four years as tax specialist at H&R Block and 8 years as a loan officer at the China Construction Bank. Michael has a Bachelor’s degree from the Zhongnan University of Economics and Law, where he specialized in International Investment Management. Michael also has a Diploma in Advanced Accounting and Information Technology from Vancouver Community College, and he is working towards his Certified General Accountant designation. Michael is originally from Wuhan, capital of China’s Hubei province. His hobbies include tennis and watching romantic movies. Michael is also an excellent cook and he is famous for his Kimchi.

Fayaz is part of Team Blackcomb and assists in the Strategy Builder and Strategic Implementation processes by determining the best insurance solution on specific client files.

Fayaz received a Bachelor of Business Administration Degree from the University of Toronto in 2008 and passed his Certified Public Accountant (“CPA”) Exams in 2010. Fayaz received his CPA license in January 2012.

Fayaz was born and raised in Toronto. In his spare time he enjoys going to the gym and is very rarely seen without his iPod due to his passion for music

Tina is part of Team Blackcomb and assists in the Strategy Building and Strategy Implementation process.

Tina worked as a Tax Operations Analyst at Goldman Sachs in Hong Kong. She is currently working towards her CFA designation and has passed the level I and II exams.  She graduated from the University of British Columbia with Bachelor of Commerce, specializing in Finance and International Business, and received her Masters of Economics from the University of Hong Kong.

Tina was raised in both Hong Kong and North America, and also spent half a year in the UK during her exchange at the University of Warwick. She loves travelling and especially hopes to visit Europe and South America.

Paul leads “Team Blackcomb”, a multi-disciplinary team of professionals.  He is responsible for creating tax and estate planning solutions for clients.

Paul received his CA Designation in 2004 and has completed his CICA In-Depth tax courses along with the CICA Corporate Reorganizations tax course. He has worked as a Tax Manager at Deloitte and most recently was at Mackay as a Tax Manager.

Paul enjoys both playing and watching sports in his spare time. He also enjoys travelling and has been through North America, Europe, South East Asia and the Middle East. This year Paul will be participating in Dress for Success, an organization designed to promote the economic independence of disadvantaged women.

Mariza is responsible for the administrative support of the Sales Team including meeting preparation, strategic projects, and both internal and external correspondence.

Mariza completed her Bachelor of Science in Business Management from California State University, Northridge last year. Previously she was an Administrative Assistant for Preferred Lending Source and recently worked for ABC News as a Sales Research Intern.

After living in California for 10 years, Mariza returned to her hometown of Vancouver. While in California Mariza found the time to give back by volunteering with the Granada Hills Girls Club and assisting voters in L.A. County Elections. During her spare time Mariza loves to hike, sing and play tourist in Vancouver.

Tim is part of “Team Whistler” and assists in the process of Strategy Building and Strategy Implementation for the best tax and estate planning solution on specific client files.

Tim moved to Vancouver from Hong Kong in 2005.  He obtained a Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting from UBC.  Tim worked for CIBC as a Customer Service Representative and also worked for Showtime Tickets as an Accounting Assistant.

Tim enjoys playing badminton and loves to watch soccer and hockey.  He can be found singing karaoke or trying out new restaurants within BC on the weekends.