While other 17-year-olds were fiddling with their iPods and flipping burgers for pocket money, Daniel Bussiere was at his parents’ kitchen table, picking stocks. Turned out he had a knack for investing and making money.

Not long after high school, Daniel was fortunate to start his career in finance at a large Canadian firm where he honed his skills and knowledge, and began to envision another kind of practice. One where he could forget about quotas and company products, and focus completely on his clients’ needs—take the time to get to know them, and have the creativity and independence to build wealth management plans outside the box. Four years later, Daniel struck out on his own and founded the practice that would eventually become Benewealth.

Today, a carefully selected group of clients appreciate his results, to be sure, but also his approach: He makes decisions with conviction and passion, and he explains them with clarity. Clients trust him.

Being the eldest of nine gave Daniel stacks of traits that would come in handy as an entrepreneur and employer. When he’s not spending time with clients or visiting family, you’re apt to find Daniel on a soccer or baseball field, or snowboarding on the champagne powder of the Okanagan.

To a 15-year-old who had grown up on a grain farm in southeast Saskatchewan, the idea of spending his days in the fast-paced world of business finding ways to make people money sounded pretty intriguing. Within minutes of meeting his dad’s advisor, Dustin had found his calling.

After attending the University of Saskatchewan and earning a Bachelor of Commerce degree, Dustin went on to work at one’s of Canada’s largest wealth management firms in Saskatoon.

Early on, Dustin learned above all how important it was to sit back and really listen to clients. The paperwork could wait. What he loved best—and still does—is growing relationships with client families. His clients never question that he truly cares about them. And, in turn, he feels honoured to take the weight of financial planning stress off his clients’ shoulders.

Just a few years after getting married at an Okanagan winery, Dustin and his wife decided to make Kelowna their home. Outside the office, he is often out of breath, either from chasing after his two young daughters or from cheering on his teams—the Roughriders and the Blue Jays.

After earning his designation as a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) in 2016, Stefano Pannu began supporting high net worth clients at an esteemed wealth management firm in Vancouver. Stefano quickly developed a passion for holistic financial planning in helping clients reach their ultimate financial goals, and went on to earn his Chartered Investment Manager (CIM) designation as well as certificates in Advanced Investment Advice and Financial Services Advice.

Stefano’s clients appreciate his approachable nature and the breadth of his expertise across all six areas of financial planning: investment planning, retirement planning, tax planning, estate planning, cash management and risk management. With each client’s unique big picture in mind, Stefano creates detailed financial plans that give clients clarity and confidence.

Stefano and his wife Danielle moved to Kelowna in 2019 to be closer to a host of cousins, aunts, uncles and grandparents for their two daughters. They love their little corner of Glenmore, and all the family time near the lakes and trails of the Okanagan. Stefano—a former midfielder on the Simon Fraser University varsity soccer team—holds Kelowna Rockets seasons tickets, and he’s a pretty big fan of just about every other sport, including English soccer (Liverpool!) and football (Go Steelers!). Every August he participates in the 200-kilometre Ride to Conquer Cancer, cycling all the way from Vancouver to Hope in support of the BC Cancer Foundation.

Today, as partner at BeneWealth, Stefano’s teamwork skills are back in play as he and the others jump in to achieve a common goal: helping clients enjoy financial wellbeing.

There isn’t much Debra Eamon doesn’t love about her work as a group benefits advisor at Benewealth. She spends her days meeting all manner of entrepreneurs, from restaurant owners to web designers. And they’re always just as glad to have met her: she strives to find clients more robust benefits packages and better rates.

Debra moved into the group benefits field at after spending 25 years in retail management. Having worked for two large group benefits firms, Debra appreciates the freedom and independence she has at Benewealth to come up with creative solutions and, ultimately, the best plans. Debra understands how much employers and staff value benefits, so clients appreciate how she acts quickly and with expertise to tackle challenges.

When she isn’t problem-solving and delivering good news to clients, Debra can be found at home renovating or gardening in her rubber boots.

Named after the seaside resort near where her great-grandparents are from, Brighton Douglas’ entry into the financial world also comes with a little family history.

While studying kinesiology at the University of Manitoba, Brighton started working at an investment firm where her mom also worked in their hometown of Winnipeg. Brighton enjoyed the role, and, after finishing her degree, she moved to Kelowna to pursue her love of outdoor adventure. The Okanagan climate also had a little something to do with it.

As Benewealth’s new Executive Assistant, Brighton is happy to be back at an investment office and looks forward to getting to know our valued clients and supporting the Benewealth team.

When not managing the day-to-day operations of our Kelowna wealth management office, Brighton loves to spend her weekends snowboarding at Big White in winter, and hiking, camping, and enjoying other outdoor activities in summer.