Broker Check

Our specialists

Damian McGrath

Associate Vice President, Estate and Trust Solutions

  • A practical approach to helping clients with their estate, trust, philanthropic and legacy planning needs.
  • Over 20 years of industry experience in the following provinces: AB, SK, and BC.
  • Bachelor of Law from the University of London, member of the Law Society of Saskatchewan and the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP).

David Nellist

Senior Financial Advisor - Qualicum Beach of Raymond James Ltd.

David is the Senior Financial Advisor, and Branch Manager at Raymond James Qualicum Beach Branch. He is securities and insurance licensed and holds his Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) designation.

In 2001, David and his family relocated from Oakville Ontario to Qualicum Beach B.C. to start up an independent investment practice. With David’s advanced professional financial training and his dedication to his clients’ objectives, David created and established a successful and trusted wealth management practice.

At Raymond James, his clients look to David for guidance in choosing quality financial products that provide growth and a rising income.

His spouse Shirley Nellist is the Branch Administrator, and together they oversee their branch with an overall team of 7 members.

David and Shirley live and work in Qualicum Beach and are supporters of many community organizations and charities including the S.O.S, and Vancouver Island Compassion Dogs.

Emily McKelvey

Administrative Assistant - Qualicum Beach of Raymond James Ltd.

Emily is our Administrative Assistant working alongside Shirley Nellist.

As an integral member of our Raymond James Qualicum Beach team, Emily plays a supporting role in our client services, and supports our team of financial advisors.

Emily's work in customer service in Qualicum Beach has allowed her to connect and grow many fulfilling relationships with clients.

She is an administrative assistant with over 10 years of experience working professionally with the public.

Emily's talent is in providing excellent customer and client service, and in building connections within the community.

Growing up in the Oceanside area has been a wonderful experience for her, and she is fortunate to raise her son Gage here as well.

When she is not working, she likes to spend time with her son, in the garden or cooking for her family and friends.

Jacqueline Knoblauch

Insurance Planning Specialist

  • Specialized in financial, estate and insurance planning primarily for incorporated business owners.
  • 14 + years of industry experience, including 8 years with Raymond James.
  • A certified financial planner (CFP) and chartered life underwriter (CLU).

Jonathan Kaban

Office Administrator

jonathan.kaban@raymondjames.ca

Jonathan has been part of Isle Wealth behind the scenes for several years, supporting the team with bookkeeping and operations. He is now expanding his role to include client administrative duties in our Victoria office as he works toward obtaining his Registered Representative license.

As the spouse of Isle Wealth co-founder Joanne Kaban, Jonathan is proud to be officially joining the family business and supporting clients in their financial journey.

Outside of work, Jonathan enjoys spending time with his son, Matthew, and their two "inbetweenies" dachshunds, Austin and Taz. In his spare time, you'll often find him hiking, playing guitar, or working on woodworking projects.

Saba Paktarigh

Marketing Specialist and Administrative Assistant

saba.paktarigh@raymondjames.ca

Saba supports the Isle Wealth team across both client experience and digital communications.

She brings a background in marketing, design, and content strategy, along with a Master of Global Business from the University of Victoria. She has a strong interest in making complex topics more accessible through clear and thoughtful communication.

At Isle Wealth, she focuses on translating financial concepts into approachable content while supporting the day-to-day flow of operations behind the scenes. She enjoys the balance of creativity and structure in her work and values being part of a team that prioritizes clarity, consistency, and client care.

Outside of work, she enjoys staying active, playing basketball, and spending time with her cat.

Samantha Russell

Associate Vice President, Solus Trust Company

  • Focuses on helping individuals and families navigate the complexities of estate planning, trust structuring, and estate administration.
  • Consults with clients on the preparation of comprehensive estate plans, including executor solutions, trustee support, and powers of attorney for property.
  • Approach is grounded in both technical expertise and a deep understanding of the personal dynamics that often accompany estate planning decisions.
  • Has completed a Juris Doctor (law) degree and holds the Trust and Estate Practitioner (TEP) designation.

Shirley Nellist

Branch Administrator - Qualicum Beach of Raymond James Ltd.

As Branch Administrator, Shirley looks after overall coordination of client management in our office. Shirley is here to make sure you are looked after in the most professional way possible.

She has a unique client focused attention to detail which ensures your questions and any required follow up is delivered in a timely and thorough manner.

One of the reasons our practice is unique traces directly to how Shirley manages client relations. Shirley is known for providing consistency, thoroughness, expertise, understanding, guidance and compassion to our clients, allowing them to feel valued.

As the spouse of David Nellist, Shirley is also an owner of our practice and takes pride in building our reputation as the "independent firm of choice" in the Oceanside community.

Tanya Forde

Administrative Assistant - Qualicum Beach of Raymond James Ltd.

tanya.forde@raymondjames.ca

As Administrative Assistant Tanya is the first point of contact for clients when they call or visit our office.

Tanya's journey in financial services began in 2011, where she quickly discovered a passion for helping clients reach their goals. Starting out in the credit union system, she built a strong foundation rooted in community values and personalized client care.

In 2017, Tanya transitioned into wealth management, where she combined her administrative expertise with advisory experience to deliver thoughtful, tailored support. Along the way, she earned several key industry credentials, including the Canadian Securities Course (CSC), Canadian Practices Handbook (CPH), Wealth Management Essentials (WME), and Financial Planning Supplement (FPSU), solidifying her expertise as a Registered Representative.

For Tanya, finance is about more than numbers — it's about connection and impact. She takes pride in supporting individuals and families through life's transitions, ensuring they feel confident and cared for in every step of their financial journey.

Beyond her professional life, Tanya has called Vancouver Island home for more than 30 years. She loves spending time outdoors with her husband Glenn and their two children, Callum and Grace — whether it's swimming, hiking, or exploring the Island together.