It's in everybody's best interest to plan and save for the future. Sometimes, it's just a bit more challenging.

That was the case for many of my peers in the years I worked in the arts – actors, musicians and writers whose income was sporadic or minimal and who couldn't commit to routine saving. That coupled with my interest in financial topics (I studied economics at the University of Toronto) motivated me to become a financial advisor. I developed a panache for helping people without regular salaries.

Today, I still work with clients from 20 years ago – many now in retirement – as well as younger clients new to investing and every life stage in between. I work with urban professionals and employees of nonprofits alike. And I help those who choose socially responsible or ethical investing.

While each client's goals and needs may be vastly different, my careful approach to open communication is the same. Having a good understanding of what I recommend, how it works and what it costs makes us a better team and gives clients control over their choices and confidence in their future. The relationships we build help us stay on track as we work together over the years.

During my 20-plus years with Edward Jones, I've worked directly with clients and behind the scenes providing guidance to other financial advisors. As a media ambassador for the Financial Planners Standards Council and for Edward Jones, I've appeared in print and on local and national television channels such as CP24, BNN and CBC to educate investors on various investment and planning topics.

My passion is scuba diving, one shared with my partner of 30 years. It's taken us to Fiji, Hawaii, Borneo, Greece, the Caribbean and frequently to our place in Mexico. It's involved us in volunteer work for cleaning coral and gathering oceanic samples for marine scientists. And it's been a constant reminder of the importance of caring for our environment, including through socially responsible investing.