we’re big thinkers in a small and very close-knit company. We believe in creating real connections, with each other and our clients, because we know that clear understanding leads to the best decisions, and nowhere is it more important to make good decisions than when it comes to the overall health and financial future of your employees. Our personal approach with clients is proven to create benefit and retirement programs that truly fit and create invaluable peace of mind.
Aligning your benefit programs with your company’s philosophy, culture and economic reality can be a challenge. To ensure that your plan is sustainable and comprehensive, you need caring, knowledgeable experts to give you solid advice.
We work alongside our clients as their partner, making fine-tuned adjustments as their needs change to provide truly customized plans and maximum value.
We make it our mission to partner with our clients, connecting with each personally and developing trust over time. We want all our clients to feel completely confident in their benefits coverage, so our policy is total transparency in everything we do. We provide detailed reports on a regular basis that show in black and white the financial health of your plan and what the upcoming renewal could look like. We are available to clients at any time, not just when policies are due for renewal. Customer service is more than a catch phrase to us – it’s a commitment.
Hillcrest is 100% Alberta owned and completely independent, which allows for greater flexibility and nimbleness in the way we serve our clients. Simply put, we can charge less and provide more service because we do not have to provide a financial return to outside owners.
CEBS, Principal Consultant
Dave began his career as an underwriter with Great-West Life in Winnipeg. Since then, he has spent almost three decades honing his expertise in group benefits and retirement consulting. In 2015, Dave started Hillcrest with the goal of offering the benefit and retirement market an independent, Canadian option that provides exceptional care to their clients in a fully transparent manner.
Dave is the Chairman of WaterSchool Canada, a non-profit organization that develops clean water technologies in developing countries. He is also an Executive Board Member for Briercrest College.
Dave lives in Strathmore with Lynda and their Wheaton Terrier/Poodle Cross “Blu” and has two grown children. He loves to cook, work on his family’s restored 1969 GMC truck, ride horses, watch baseball and read.
Dave began his career as an underwriter with Great-West Life in Winnipeg. Since then, he has spent almost three decades honing his expertise in group benefits and retirement consulting. In 2015, Dave started Hillcrest with the goal of offering the benefit and retirement market an independent, Canadian option that provides exceptional care to their clients in a fully transparent manner.
Dave is the Chairman of WaterSchool Canada, a non-profit organization that develops clean water technologies in developing countries. He is also an Executive Board Member for Briercrest College.
Dave lives in Strathmore with Lynda and their Wheaton Terrier/Poodle Cross “Blu” and has two grown children. He loves to cook, work on his family’s restored 1969 GMC truck, ride horses, watch baseball and read.
BA, MA, Consultant, Benefits & Pensions
Jillian began working in the benefits industry in 2012 after completing her BA and MA in English Literature. It may seem like a leap to go from studying English Literature to working as an analyst in group benefits, but she’s learned if you can analyze post-modern poetry, you can analyze anything. After working with the numbers, she moved into customer service and found that she really appreciated building relationships with clients. Jillian relishes gaining a wholistic understanding of the specific needs of each group and ensuring that the benefits and retirement plans are meeting the strategic goals of each organization.
Jillian has three young, rambunctious boys who keep her busy! If you’re looking for her outside of work hours, check the hockey arena or baseball diamonds first.
Jillian began working in the benefits industry in 2012 after completing her BA and MA in English Literature. It may seem like a leap to go from studying English Literature to working as an analyst in group benefits, but she’s learned if you can analyze post-modern poetry, you can analyze anything. After working with the numbers, she moved into customer service and found that she really appreciated building relationships with clients. Jillian relishes gaining a wholistic understanding of the specific needs of each group and ensuring that the benefits and retirement plans are meeting the strategic goals of each organization.
Jillian has three young, rambunctious boys who keep her busy! If you’re looking for her outside of work hours, check the hockey arena or baseball diamonds first.
B.Comm. GBA, Consultant, Benefits & Pensions
Kimberley was born and raised in Nova Scotia, and her superpower is finding fellow Maritimers in any crowd. She started her career with Maritime Life in 2001 and came to Alberta in 2003. She has held various positions in the group benefits industry both on the insurer and advisor side. She joined Hillcrest in 2018 working as a consultant with a primary focus of client care, but doesn’t mind getting into the weeds on a good analysis when she gets a chance. She is organized and detail oriented and her favorite part of the job is interacting with the clients.
When Kimberley is not working on your plan, she enjoys spending time with her two daughters, working out at the gym, and golfing.
Kimberley was born and raised in Nova Scotia, and her superpower is finding fellow Maritimers in any crowd. She started her career with Maritime Life in 2001 and came to Alberta in 2003. She has held various positions in the group benefits industry both on the insurer and advisor side. She joined Hillcrest in 2018 working as a consultant with a primary focus of client care, but doesn’t mind getting into the weeds on a good analysis when she gets a chance. She is organized and detail oriented and her favorite part of the job is interacting with the clients.
When Kimberley is not working on your plan, she enjoys spending time with her two daughters, working out at the gym, and golfing.
Analyst, Benefits & Pensions
David is a graduate of Mount Royal University and joined Hillcrest in 2021. He has passed Level 3 of the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) program and enjoys applying the knowledge gained into the analytics behind client retirement and benefit plans.
When he’s not crunching numbers and working in spreadsheets, David enjoys weightlifting, cycling, and reading a good book. He is also a longtime fan of the Los Angeles Dodgers and never says no to catching a live ball game.
David is a graduate of Mount Royal University and joined Hillcrest in 2021. He has passed Level 3 of the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) program and enjoys applying the knowledge gained into the analytics behind client retirement and benefit plans.
When he’s not crunching numbers and working in spreadsheets, David enjoys weightlifting, cycling, and reading a good book. He is also a longtime fan of the Los Angeles Dodgers and never says no to catching a live ball game.
RPA, CONSULTANT, GROUP RETIREMENT
Karee began her career in human resources working with large companies in BC’s lower mainland, gaining valuable insight into group benefit and retirement plans along the way. Obtaining her degree in Human Resources through BCIT, then her Registered Pension designation, refining her knowledge in all things related to finance and group retirement structures and plan governance along the way. She has had the pleasure of working as an advisor as well as a relationship manager at various firms including Manulife for over 7 years and has been in the industry for 18 years.
When Karee isn’t reading about the latest on the markets, you will find her with her husband and two beautiful daughters learning Spanish, golfing, or biking around Calgary.
Karee began her career in human resources working with large companies in BC’s lower mainland, gaining valuable insight into group benefit and retirement plans along the way. Obtaining her degree in Human Resources through BCIT, then her Registered Pension designation, refining her knowledge in all things related to finance and group retirement structures and plan governance along the way. She has had the pleasure of working as an advisor as well as a relationship manager at various firms including Manulife for over 7 years and has been in the industry for 18 years.
When Karee isn’t reading about the latest on the markets, you will find her with her husband and two beautiful daughters learning Spanish, golfing, or biking around Calgary.
Consultant, Benefit Services
Kelly is a seasoned professional with over 20 years of experience in the dynamic realm of group benefits. Her journey includes a number of years within the corporate HR department of a large publicly traded Canadian company, where she honed her expertise in navigating the intricacies of employee benefits. Kelly also has 5 years experience as a Client Service Representative with an insurance carrier. This experience not only deepened her understanding of group benefits but also equipped her with a proactive approach to addressing the day-to-day challenges in the ever-evolving Group Benefits landscape.
Whether she’s scouring for vintage treasures or conquering mountain trails, she approaches life with the same enthusiasm and determination that defines her professional success. Additionally, her heartwarming commitment to fostering dogs reflects her compassionate nature and dedication to making a positive impact beyond the boardroom.
Kelly is a seasoned professional with over 20 years of experience in the dynamic realm of group benefits. Her journey includes a number of years within the corporate HR department of a large publicly traded Canadian company, where she honed her expertise in navigating the intricacies of employee benefits. Kelly also has 5 years experience as a Client Service Representative with an insurance carrier. This experience not only deepened her understanding of group benefits but also equipped her with a proactive approach to addressing the day-to-day challenges in the ever-evolving Group Benefits landscape.
Whether she’s scouring for vintage treasures or conquering mountain trails, she approaches life with the same enthusiasm and determination that defines her professional success. Additionally, her heartwarming commitment to fostering dogs reflects her compassionate nature and dedication to making a positive impact beyond the boardroom.
HUMAN RESOURCES CONSULTANT
Barbara has over 30 years of experience in the field of human resources, specializing in recruitment, performance management, and employee relations. Barbara’s background includes working in a variety of public sector organizations, with most of her career spent in municipal government. She is passionate about helping employers find and retain the best talent for their organizations, as well a creating a positive and productive work environment for their employees. Currently, Barbara provides her expertise to organizations in developing competitive compensation for their workforce as well as assisting with setting remuneration for their elected officials. Barbara is a Certified Human Resources Professional of Alberta and a member of Canadian Pension & Benefits Institute.
In Barbara’s spare time, she enjoys touring in her 1969 mustang convertible, traveling and spending time with friends and family.
Barbara has over 30 years of experience in the field of human resources, specializing in recruitment, performance management, and employee relations. Barbara’s background includes working in a variety of public sector organizations, with most of her career spent in municipal government. She is passionate about helping employers find and retain the best talent for their organizations, as well a creating a positive and productive work environment for their employees. Currently, Barbara provides her expertise to organizations in developing competitive compensation for their workforce as well as assisting with setting remuneration for their elected officials. Barbara is a Certified Human Resources Professional of Alberta and a member of Canadian Pension & Benefits Institute.
In Barbara’s spare time, she enjoys touring in her 1969 mustang convertible, traveling and spending time with friends and family.
OFFICE MANAGER
Lynda brings her exceptional organizational skills, attention to detail, and nurturing nature to every task she undertakes. With her diverse background and training, Lynda excels in managing multiple responsibilities, ensuring smooth operations, and fostering a positive and productive environment.
As the Office Manager at Hillcrest, Lynda plays a vital role in keeping the business running like a well-oiled machine. Her meticulous approach and keen eye for detail are highly valued as she reviews Compensation Statements and takes the final look at anything Hillcrest publishes. With her experience as an Early Childhood Educator, Lynda brings a unique set of skills to her position. Managing the herd of cats that can sometimes be the staff at Hillcrest is made effortless by her background and training.
Lynda lives in Strathmore and employs pretty much the same skills in managing her home and the herd of cats that can sometimes be the Ericson family.
Lynda brings her exceptional organizational skills, attention to detail, and nurturing nature to every task she undertakes. With her diverse background and training, Lynda excels in managing multiple responsibilities, ensuring smooth operations, and fostering a positive and productive environment.
As the Office Manager at Hillcrest, Lynda plays a vital role in keeping the business running like a well-oiled machine. Her meticulous approach and keen eye for detail are highly valued as she reviews Compensation Statements and takes the final look at anything Hillcrest publishes. With her experience as an Early Childhood Educator, Lynda brings a unique set of skills to her position. Managing the herd of cats that can sometimes be the staff at Hillcrest is made effortless by her background and training.
Lynda lives in Strathmore and employs pretty much the same skills in managing her home and the herd of cats that can sometimes be the Ericson family.