Our Team

Darvin Zurfluh

CFP, FMA, RFC, FCSI

CEO and Chairman

Darvin is Founder and Chairman of Pinnacle Wealth Brokers, as well as the Director for Pinnacle Wealth Planning, a life insurance agency. He’s a founding sponsor of the National Exempt Market Association and Founder/Director in the Pinnacle 20/20 Foundation that has a focus of alleviating poverty in rural Honduras. 

Darvin has developed a background in investments and real estate over the last 20 years, earning numerous designations including: Fellow of the Canadian Securities Institute (FCSI - the highest honor in the financial services industry), and Financial Management Advisor (FMA) through the Canadian Securities Institute. He also holds the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designation through the Financial Planners Standards Council, and Registered Financial Consultant (RFC) through the IARFC, International Association of Registered Financial Consultants. 

Darvin has earned much of his wealth through his personal real estate refurbishments, rental properties and passive real estate investments. In 1997 he started in the banking industry, dealing with investments, loans and mutual funds. In the year 2000 he obtained his life and disability licenses to offer full service financial planning, where he later became the Top Canadian Senior Financial Producer for a large insurance firm. While he gained much experience in mortgages and mutual funds he found his true passion is searching for alternative investments. 

Darvin was a pioneer in the industry; bringing the first sizeable exempt market distribution channel in Western Canada known as Alberta Land & Investment Brokers, which was recognized as the fastest growing company in Alberta by Venture Magazine’s Fast Growth 50 (under 20 mil category) and 9th fastest Emerging Growth Company in Canada by Profit Magazine. With intentions to grow outside of Alberta, Pinnacle was formed and has more Dealing Representatives than any Exempt Market Dealer in the country. 

Darvin is a fourth generation Albertan and resides in Calgary with his wife and four children. He enjoys travelling, scuba diving and waterskiing (#2017929B)

Martin Theodore

Managing Director

A strategist and leader offering comprehensive experience and interests, Martin is an engaging and appreciated facilitator and moderator. 

A strong advocate for socially responsible investment management, he is known for always asking: “Who benefits?”, “What is influencing us?”, and “Have we defined the value?” #ethical.

• Joined Pinnacle Wealth Brokers in May 2021 to boost all aspects of the firm (EMD PM, IFF, MFD). His “people, process, and productivity” style has improved accountability and introduced agile management methods. 
• Previously Lead Executive for a USA-based start-up, Save Our Planet Technologies (SOPT). SOPT focuses on a global approach in cleaner alternatives for: agriculture; mining; oil; water technologies; and more. 
• Brings more than 20 years’ experience in financial services including experience at both BMO & CIBC. His banking career led to a successful appointment as a Discretionary Portfolio Manager, with a 100+ million-dollar North American portfolio using an ESG focus. A good investment must be a good business.
• Registered Portfolio Manager (AR), a Project Management Profession (PMP) and a Chartered Investment Manager (CIM). 

Making a difference

• Believes business and art are the foundation of community: Earned a B. Comm in Management from Concordia University (Montreal. QC) in addition to studies in history, economics, and supporting himself partially as a musician.
• Considers a good story both an effective communication method and a major food group, explaining his voracious consumption of literature.
• Sees food as both art and the basis for all joyful social interactions - an experience best shared.
• Continuously seeking to be part of something that will create a better world for his children and our collective future.

Deborah Workman 

Chief Compliance Officer, Head of Administration

Deborah has been the Compliance Manager for Pinnacle since October 2015, and was promoted to Chief Compliance Officer since November 2019. Prior to Pinnacle, Deborah was the Head of Operations and Compliance Officer for Wealthco Asset Management Inc. She had previously worked in the Compliance departments for Leede Financial Markets Inc., and BMO Nesbitt Burns. Deborah brings a great wealth of knowledge and experience to Pinnacle, having spent 39 years in the finance industry, of which 20 years in the Compliance department.

Dan Brodeur

Senior Vice President Business Development

Dan joined Pinnacle in August 2019 as Director of Operations. Dan brings over a decade of experience in the Private Capital Markets as a Private Wealth Advisor and in Executive Operational roles. Most recently, Dan was Vice President, Operations at an Alberta-based Exempt Market Dealer. Dan was responsible for overseeing the company’s operations and act as the primary conduit between the issuers and Private Wealth Advisors. Prior to his most recent role, Dan gained experience in private capital market with Walton International, one of the largest land developers in North America. Dan holds a Marketing Diploma from the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology and a Bachelor of Management from the University of Lethbridge.

Richard Ayotte

VP, finance

James Hirsch, CPA, CA, CBV

Head of corporate finance

James is an experienced private investment professional having spent over 15 years advising and investing in private Canadian businesses. He has led over $500 million in transactions for both private and public companies across a broad span of industries including distribution, industrials, manufacturing, franchises, professional services, energy and construction. Prior to joining Pinnacle Wealth Brokers, he co-founded a private equity fund with a goal of establishing long-term returns for investors through investment in the SME market. Prior thereto, he was the Vice President of Investments and led all acquisitions in Western Canada for a national SME buyout fund. Prior thereto, James led the corporate development and strategic planning initiatives for a large public construction company including major acquisitions and financings in the industrial, commercial, and institutional construction sectors.  

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Benjamin Tan, CFA 

Associate, Corporate Finance

Benjamin joined Pinnacle’s Corporate Finance Division in October 2019 and is responsible for due diligence, issuer updates and assisting on corporate finance mandates. Prior to joining Pinnacle, Benjamin gained experience in the finance industry as a financial advisor with a number of financial institutions. Benjamin was responsible for wealth planning for individual clients and small business owners. Most recently, Benjamin was a Business Analyst and Forex Trader for a boutique foreign exchange company. Benjamin was responsible for improving the operations of the firm and implementing risk controls for forex trading. 

Benjamin holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Calgary. Since graduation, Benjamin has completed the Chartered Financial Analyst program in 2019 and was awarded the CFA Charter in November 2020.

Suhag Patel

Research Analyst, Corporate Finance

Jean-François Laurin 

VP, Business Development – Eastern Canada 

Jean-François is a veteran in the banking industry with more than 25 years of experience, including several as a senior executive. He holds an MBA from the University of Edinburgh which he completed in 2007. His academic background and extensive banking experience give him a lot of depth in studying the needs of his clients. He's very tech savvy and participated in a tech start-up in 2018. 

Jean-François is involved in his community and has completed many volunteer home renovation projects for people in need and non-profit organizations. In his spare time, he’s passionate about Spartan type obstacle racing and outdoor running. 

Barry Powley, CFA

portfolio manager

Barry leads Pinnacle Asset Management within the Pinnacle Wealth family.  He has over 20 years of Finance experience in investment research, business valuations, mergers & acquisitions, and commodity trading and has accumulated industry experience in technology, oil and gas, and financial consulting. Barry’s business and finance education includes a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Alberta, a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from McGill University, and completion of the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and Chartered Market Technician (CMT) programs. Barry is a current CFA and CMT charter holder, as well as, a board member of the Canadian Society of Technical Analysts (CSTA), and chairman of the CSTA Calgary Chapter.

Michael Edwards

BBA, CA, CFP, CLU, TEP

Board Member

Michael is a registered dealing representative and top performer with Pinnacle and sits on the board of directors. Michael attended Acadia University, graduated in 1977 and moved to PEI where he articled and obtained his CA in 1979 with the highest provincial standings on Uniform Final Exams (UFE). He moved to Toronto in 1981 to pursue tax specialization with Ernst and Young. In 1985 he moved back to NS as CA Tax Manager of Michelin Tires Canada. In 1989, Michael re-entered the public accounting profession, became life licensed in 2001 and commenced work in the Exempt Market field in 2010. He sold his public accounting practice at the end of 2011. Michael has taught for CICA, in house accounting firm courses, York University, and Seneca College. 

Lindsay Walsh 

Manager - Internal Audit, EA to CCO, Head of Administration

Lindsay previously had 12 years' experience in financial retail banking and investments with TD Canada Trust in various roles, including Manager of Customer Service as well as Compliance Officer for their investment services division, TD Investment Services. 

She has been working with Pinnacle since May of 2017. She started in an Operational role as Issuer Product Coordinator and had many tasks that included facilitating product launches, back end vendor maintenance, conference and event coordination as well as other vital roles in the day to day operations of Pinnacle.

Lindsay has moved into a new role as Compliance Officer – Internal Auditor in March 2020.  Her new focus will be working closely with Pinnacle’s Chief Compliance Officer (CCO) to ensure that all audit related processes are maintained and completed. This includes (but is not limited to) oversight for audit and regulatory requirements, DR desk reviews, Social Media and communication monitoring, trade spot analysis and data integrity. 

Janine Gillespie

Compliance Manager

Luciana de Melo-Ayotte

Compliance Officer

Lauri Mathieu

Compliance Officer

Cori Fitzsimonds

Marketing manager

Vlada Vashchenko

MARKETING COORDINATOR

Michelle Atkinson 

Operations Coordinator

Michelle has been working with Pinnacle since 2011. She is currently responsible for Dealing Representative training and support, document verification, and creating autofill subscription documents.

Michelle’s professional background stems from the financial markets as a Commodity and Financial Futures/Options broker. Her experience includes over 13 years of brokering, customer service, sales, training, and management.  

Michelle was born in Canada but spent most of her life in England. She returned to Canada 14 years ago and now lives in Calgary with her two adult children. Outside of work you will find her travelling whenever possible, hiking or in the yoga studio.

Anastasiia Makhanova

DATA Coordinator

Chloe Wei

Accountant

Adnane Benchekroune

Internal Accountant

Kim Zurfluh 

Special projects coordinator

Zach Zurfluh 

Office ADMINISTRATOR