Helpline Advisors

Sarah has spent the past six years working in financial empowerment, taxes, and financial reporting. She is thrilled to bring that experience to Plan Institute. With a background in Environmental Studies focusing on sustainable buildings and a current journey toward my CPA designation, she has developed a real passion for sustainability, numbers, and helping people. She loves making sense of things like data, taxes, the Disability Tax Credit (DTC), and turning complicated financial language into simple, helpful advice. Her goal is to make finance easy to understand and empower others to achieve financial stability.

B.J. has been involved with assisting people all across Canada to navigate the process of applying for the Disability Tax Credit (DTC) since January 2017. She has a passion for the DTC and Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) and for assisting others. She was awarded a national advocacy award from Diabetes Canada and appeared in their magazine in 2018 after she assisted in having adults with insulin dependent diabetes allowed to claim the DTC after they were briefly denied the DTC during that time. She currently administers a Facebook group focusing on the DTC and RDSP and enjoys spending her time moderating this group and answering people’s questions. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her two golden retrievers and her two cats, and doing various craft projects.

Audrey is the sibling and advocate for a man on the autism spectrum, which has taught her a lot about the importance of future planning and disability rights. She holds a degree in Health and Community Services from UVic, and still lives on Vancouver Island. She is very excited to use her experience and knowledge to support families at all stages of the future planning journey.

Eli brings a strong passion for disability justice and accessibility, informed by their lived experience as a neurodivergent and disabled person. They have worked in client and community support roles with ACORN Ottawa and the Squamish Nation, focusing on advocacy, empowerment and system navigation. Their experience also includes research and education related to disability through their work with the University of British Columbia’s Equity and Inclusion Office and the Housing Research Collaborative. They hold a master’s degree with a focus on disability justice and health equity. Eli is excited to bring their experience and dedication to their work at Plan Institute.

Laurie is a lifetime member of PLAN, as well as being a dedicated parent and volunteer who has worked with a variety of non-profit, non-government organizations for over 30 years. She has founded and/or served on the boards of corporate, non-profit and charitable non-government organizations in a variety of capacities, including Planned Lifetime Advocacy Networks (PLAN) where her daughter has been a lifetime member for many years. Laurie is bilingual (English and French) and also speaks some Spanish. She has a broad range of interests including creating hand-bound leather journals and art cards, as well as studying brain development, cognition enhancement and patented photo biomodulation technologies. Laurie has co-led the Plan Institute Wills, Trusts, and Estates Workshop for over 14 years.

Alison works as a Helpline Advisor and Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) 2 Workshop Facilitator for Plan Institute. She has had her Financial Planning Designation since 2004 and brings experience from both the banking and brokerage areas of the Financial Industry. Alison has always been a strong believer in building financial security through planning, and the peace of mind this can bring. She is excited by how Plan Institute applies these principles in all of their offerings. Alison also gives back by being involved with Vancouver Adaptive Ski Sports and BC Guide Dogs.

Laura is an experienced coach and former financial professional, with a strong commitment to supporting individuals with disabilities. Born with severe arthritis, Laura achieved her Bachelor of commerce degree from the University of British Columbia. After becoming totally blind in her mid-twenties, she continued her pursuit of education by earning a graduate certificate in Executive Coaching from Royal Roads University and is a Certified Executive Coach and an Associate Certified Coach.

Laura has dedicated much of her career to advocating for people with disabilities, with a special focus on the Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP). As a passionate advocate, she has supported Plan Institute by leading over 150 national teleconferences and Webinars for the RDSP. Additionally, she serves as an advisor on the Disability Planning Helpline and has contributed to numerous advisory committees in the community.

Her past leadership roles include serving as Co-Chair of the Persons with Disabilities Advisory Committee for the City of Vancouver and as Chair of the TransLink HandyDART Users Advisory Committee.

Laura is also proud to advise Destination BC’s Accessibility and Inclusion Committee, which was established to enhance accessibility in the tourism industry.

In her personal time, Laura enjoys audiobooks, cooking, and travel, with a special love for exploring the world on cruises.

Krys is a late-identified neurodivergent person and disability advocate based in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. His employment experiences and educational pursuits tend to build on his lived experience with disability, chronic illness, and queerness. They have a Disability Tax Credit (DTC) and Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) and love to help others access these important resources for financial security. Krys enjoys reading, learning, and crushing crunchy leaves.

Keith is a former financial advisory professional who focused his practice on providing educational opportunities around the Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) and financial planning for people with disabilities, and their families. His motivation and passion for this field stem from family circumstances, and he is an enthusiastic advocate for life-long financial (and all other forms of) education.

Ian is a proud neurodivergent individual who lives with Cerebral palsy, learning disabilities, and mental health challenges. He is a new Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP), Disability Tax Credit (DTC) and upcoming Canada Disability Benefit (CDB) helpline advisor at Plan Institute. He has his own RDSP, and is passionate about helping other people with disabilities and their families avoid poverty, achieve greater financial security, and enjoy the “good life.”

Before joining Plan Institute, Ian previously worked at the Working Centre (a non-profit social support organization) where he helped neurodivergent individuals living with addiction and mental health issues work towards their goals and better lives.  He has also worked for RBC Royal Bank of Canada for 13 years as a client advisor, where he informed many of his customers about the DTC and RDSP.  Outside of work, Ian is a movie buff, enjoys politics and travel, and likes to advocate for a more equitable, understanding, and inclusive world. Ian lives in Kitchener, Ontario with his partner, and believes that there is no such thing as a stupid question.  Please feel free to reach out to him!

Sonam works in communications and partnership building within the newcomer-serving sector in Toronto. She is focused on making research and information more accessible through knowledge sharing and collaboration. With a background in education and community service, Sonam is passionate about creating inclusive spaces where individuals can access the resources and support they need. Her work is grounded in a personal commitment to equity, clarity, and meaningful connection.