Get to know us
Kelsey (she/her)
Kelsey works with folks who want simplicity, clarity, and integrity in navigating the financial landscape. As a Queen's University alumnus with a bachelor's degree in Psychology, and part of the queer community, Kelsey is committed to leading an inclusive organization where people feel welcome and safe accessing financial services. Kelsey cares deeply about diversity and inclusion, anti-racism, intersectional feminism, accessibility, and social responsibility within capitalism.
Kelsey began her financial career in 2008 and joined Smart Investments in 2015, bringing the business into its second generation through succession planning with her father, John Smart.
Kelsey lives in North Vancouver with her 2 dogs, Arrow and Gabi. Her recent hobbies include paddleboarding and beginning to learn ASL. Kelsey has been known to occasionally rent an RV and hit the road with her furbabies. When you visit the office, you might just be enthusiastically greeted by Arrow (Gabi is more of an introvert).
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.”
— Margaret Mead
JUSTYNE (she/THEY)
Justyne has always cared deeply about community care; she jumped at the opportunity to incorporate this into her career here in finance. As the newest member to the operations team, she aims to find creative ways to increase access to financial services, particularly for people who have otherwise been unable to access these resources due to systemic barriers.
She advocates for more safety in spaces often dominated by white cis-heteropatriachy, and joins Smart Investments in challenging current industry standards. She believes in a holistic approach to mental health, and hopes clients will feel empowered and secure when it comes to their financial health.
She recently moved back to Vancouver from Salt Spring Island with her golden retriever, Kaslo, and tries to spend as much time as possible in nature - along the Sea-to-Sky corridor and on Vancouver Island. Outside of work, she will be pursuing a postpartum doula certification in 2024.
“In our rapidly changing society we can count on only two things that will never change… the will to change and the fear of change. It is the will to change that motivates us to seek help. It is the fear of change that motivates us to resist the very help we seek.”
— Harriet Lerner
The Office Dogs
Arrow, Snack Supervisor
Arrow is committed to never letting anyone eat alone, and always offering to share whatever snacks are going around.
The friendliest, most outgoing doggo, Arrow is happy to greet clients who want some puppy time.
Arrow came to the team as a PADS puppy-in-training in 2015, but was released when he decided he didn’t want to be a service dog. He became a pet doggo and intended to help his Mumma, Kelsey, foster other dogs. Well, Arrow and Kelsey fell in love with their first foster pup and the family grew to include Gabi! 💖 🐾.
Arrow wants to note: “It’s (always) snack time!”
Gabi, Introvert Ambassador
Gabi came to the team as a “foster fail”, which means that Arrow and Kelsey intended to foster her, but ended up falling in love and welcoming Gabi to her furever family.
Gabi was inspired to join Smart Investments because she knows not everyone is as extroverted as Arrow. Gabi provides safety and security to the team, mainly by lying at her Mumma’s feet and carefully watching who comes and goes. She will say hello from afar, as she is a bit on the shy side! 🐶🐾
Gabi wants to say: “I empathize with the introverts, you’re safe with this team!”