UnCharitable feat. Tom Deans and Panel Discussion
Join the Campbell River Community Foundation for a thought-provoking evening aimed at transforming conversations around charitable giving, legacy, and estate planning. This is a must-attend event for everyone in the community!
Beginning with a screening of the acclaimed documentary, UnCharitable, traditional constraints that hinder non-profit organizations from achieving their missions are challenged. The Campbell River Community Foundation Vital Signs 2024 survey asked organizations what they need most, and the film offers a powerful validation for much of what was heard.
Following the documentary will be a conversation guided by keynote speaker, Dr. Tom Deans, a global thought leader on generational wealth transfer and author of the best-selling family business book, Every Family’s Business. Dr. Deans will explore the legal and financial aspects of estate planning, business succession, wealth management and strategic philanthropy in a practical discussion featuring local experts and panelists Lyle Carlstrom of CR Lawyers, Alyssa Thomas of MNP and Shawn Fetter of DeLuca Veale Investment Counsel.
The Foundation aims to demystify the planning process for all community members, regardless of the size of their estate. Debunking the common misconceptions around estate planning, the event intends to show that every estate is worth planning for. This evening is about empowering everyone with the knowledge to make thoughtful decisions for their family and community, ensuring their legacy is secure and impactful.
An exclusive pre-show reception will begin at 5:00 pm, offering ticket holders the chance to mingle with the speakers and representatives from 6 local charities with endowment funds at the Foundation including Greenways Land Trust, Campbell River Hospital Foundation, Campbell River Hospice Society, Campbell River Food Bank, Tidemark Theatre, and Campbell River Museum.
BIOGRAPHIES:
Lyle Carlstrom is a barrister, solicitor, notary, and businessman with a social conscience. Among his many accomplishments, he helped create The Estate & Financial Planning Institute, has been involved with the Fairview, Sexsmith, Grande Prairie and Comox Valley Chambers of Commerce. Additionally, he was a founding member of the 1995 Canada Winter Games Host Society, the Community Foundation of Greater Grande Prairie, Grande Prairie Regional College Alumni Foundation, and The Arctic Winter Games Society. He was one of the first lawyers in Canada to be a part of the Advocis, the professional body for financial planners and insurance agents. Lyle served as a Director of the Project Watershed and was a member of the Fundraising Committee for the Kus-Kus-Sum restoration project. He won the Courtenay Rotary Club’s Top Hand and Sponsorship awards in 2019 and is a director with Comox Business in Action. Lyle was admitted to the Alberta Bar in 1987 and the Law Society of British Columbia in 2016. In March of 2017 he helped form a multi-disciplinary partnership. In 2018, that partnership acquired Holland and Company. That firm merged with CR Lawyers in 2022 and now has three offices. Lyle’s practice focuses on solicitor’s work in the areas of real estate, corporate-commercial law, estate planning and estate administration. The firm also deals with a broad range of Notary and legal matters. He believes that legal professionals need to be involved in their community and is pleased all firm members share that value. Lyle is the proud father of Emily, Joshua and Zachary, and partner of Pam Williams.
Alyssa Thomas is an Associate in MNP’s Family Office practice, working closely with business owners to build and transition their companies. She specializes in succession planning strategies for privately held businesses, including the use of trust structures to facilitate smooth generational wealth transfer. With a background in accounting and advisory services, Alyssa helps clients develop long-term plans that address both growth and eventual ownership succession, while coordinating key tax and estate considerations to ensure a seamless transition.
Shawn Fetter brings over 20 years of experience in the financial services industry to DeLuca Veale. As a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®), Chartered Investment Manager (CIM®), Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU®), and Trust & Estate Practitioner (TEP), Shawn offers a rare combination of advanced portfolio management and estate and insurance expertise. His comprehensive skill set enables him to design tailored strategies that safeguard wealth, mitigate risk, and ensure long-term family security. Alongside the DeLuca Veale team, Shawn creates innovative strategies to reduce taxes, increase wealth, and plan for the efficient transfer of wealth from one generation to another guided by a comprehensive financial strategy.
Prior to joining DeLuca Veale, Shawn earned a reputation for proactive, values-based advice focused on multi-generational wealth transfer. He’s frequently invited to share insights on topics such as estate and insurance planning, underscoring his standing among peers and clients alike.
Shawn resides in the Comox Valley with his family. Outside the office, he enjoys pursuing community initiatives that advance financial education, legacy planning, and youth sports Tom Deans
Dr. Tom Deans is the author of three books on the subject of family wealth transfers. His first book, *Every Family’s Business: 12 Common Sense Questions to Protect Your Wealth*, remains the best-selling family business book of all-time — selected by *The New York Times* as one of the Top Ten Books Business Owners Should Read. The book has sold more than one-million copies in more than 100 countries.
His second book, *Willing Wisdom: Seven Questions Successful Families Ask*, reached #2 on the *Globe and Mail’s* best-sellers List. The book has received critical acclaim for its controversial explanation of why 15 million Canadians do not have a legal will. *Willing Wisdom* continues to stir debate on the merits of disclosing a will with intended beneficiaries. *Willing Wisdom* reached #2 on *The Globe and Mail* Best-seller list and has sold more than 1 million copies world-wide.
In May 2024, Dr. Deans released *The Happy Inheritor: How Successful Families Prepare Heirs and Transfer Wealth*, the third and final book in his Family Wealth Trilogy. The book examines how many successful families transfer wealth with the help of their advisor through the use of facilitated family meetings to bring predictability and transparency to their estate plans. For families who struggle with this process, the book offers insights into why. This ground-breaking book reinforces the importance of family philanthropy in preparing the next generation for the $300 million that is inherited every day by Canadians.
Deans is a graduate Mount Allison University, McMaster University and earned a Ph.D. from the University of Warwick in England. His books and speeches aren’t just about money and clever tax plans. They’re about giving people the confidence and inspiration to begin important conversations among family and their advisors.
WHAT CAN I EXPECT?
- 5:00 pm – Doors open, opportunity to connect with the organizing partner, presenting partners, and charity partners in the lobby
- 6:00 pm – Film Screening
- 7:30 pm – Intermission
- 7:45 pm – Keynote Address
- 8:30 pm – Presenting Partner Panel Discussion
- 9:15 pm – Closing Comments
WHO IS THIS EVENT FOR?
- Anyone who will inherit assets or leave assets to someone else
- Anyone with or without children or other heirs
- Anyone with a Will or who is planning to create a Will
- Anyone interested in making a charitable bequest
- Anyone who is a board member, staff, volunteer, or supporter of a charitable organization
- Business owners and employees
- Anyone interested in learning about strategic ways to support their community
- Anyone interested in learning about tax efficiencies
WHAT DOES MY TICKET INCLUDE?
- Film screening, keynote address, and panel discussion
- 200 copies of Tom Deans’ books are available, complimentary, on a first-come, first-served basis
- Opportunity to connect with Tom Deans, Lyle Carlstrom, Alyssa Thomas, Shawn Fetter, and 7 charities serving Campbell River in areas of various community needs, environmental restoration, food security, end-of-life care and services for family members of late loved ones, arts & culture, and health care.
- 300 copies of the new Legacy Planner are available, complimentary, on a first-come, first-served basis
