Our Team

Meet the Team
Usman Afzal, CFA
Portfolio Manager & Wealth Advisor
Alitis Investment Counsel
Usman is a Portfolio Manager and Wealth Advisor at Alitis Investment Counsel. He thrives on building one-on-one relationships with business owners, families, and institutional clients. He is known for taking time with clients to uncover what’s important and translating that knowledge into meaningful and actionable strategies. Because he is an engaged listener committed to high level clarity, clients value Usman’s personal rapport combined with his keen grasp of technical data and dedication to a market-driven approach. This consummate, practical professional revisits investment goals as required: based on real world changes and the evolving life events of his clients and their families. Having previously worked in investment banking, corporate finance, and wealth management, Usman is highly numerate and adaptive. He has an extensive background in finance, lending, investments, and capital markets, including quantitative research and analysis. Fluent in four languages, Usman has a Bachelor of Commerce in Finance and Applied Mathematics from the University of Calgary where he was recognized on the Dean’s List.
Philip Doublet, P.Eng.
Business Succession Advisor
Doublet Management Consulting
Phil Doublet is a seasoned business advisor, and founder of DMC Management Consulting, who has amassed over 25 years of experience across multiple industries as an entrepreneur, director, C-suite executive, and expert business advisor. He helps entrepreneurs grow revenues, increase profits, and prepare for the inevitable transition out of their company, whether by choice or circumstance. Phil's support with succession planning is centered around empowering owners to achieve the freedom to pursue their passions, on their own terms, for the rest of their lives. He also brings a deep understanding of the business risks associated with unexpected circumstances, such as death, disability, divorce, or illness, which can result in a forced sale or business closure. By leveraging two industry-leading succession planning tools, which have facilitated over 80,000 successful transactions, Phil works closely with business owners across North America to increase value. This ensures a smooth and lucrative transition whenever they choose to exit, protecting the company's legacy and benefiting all stakeholders, including the owner's family, employees, customers, suppliers, and the community at large.
Ernest Bednarz, CBV
Principal
Malahat Valuation Group
Ernest is a Chartered Business Valuator with a Bachelor of Commerce in Entrepreneurial Management from Royal Roads University. Fluent in two languages, he brings over two decades of first-hand business ownership and operational experience, providing strategic insights into business valuation and growth. Passionate about entrepreneurship, Ernest has played a key role in numerous early-stage ventures and now focuses on working with established business owners, aspiring entrepreneurs, and professional advisors. His deep understanding of business operations, challenges, and growth opportunities allows him to deliver well-supported valuations while helping companies enhance their value over time. Ernest specializes in valuing businesses across various industries for tax planning, transactions, and legal matters. His valuation reports are recognized by the Canada Revenue Agency, Provincial or Federal courts, and major financial institutions. As a sought-after guest on television, radio, and online media, he welcomes speaking engagements and enjoys connecting with business owners to help them understand and maximize the value of their enterprises.
Jessica Craig, MBA
M&A Advisor
Exit Welle
Jessica Craig is the Founder of Exit Welle. She helps entrepreneurs develop strategic exit plans that align with their long-term goals and guides her clients through complex transactions. She holds an MBA from the University of Victoria as well as her Certified Exit Planning Advisor and Certified Business Intermediary designations. An advocate for women in entrepreneurship, she serves as a Board Member of the Women in Leadership Foundation and is currently the President of IBBA Canada, where she helps advance the M&A and Business Brokerage profession nationwide.
Sankar Nair, JD
Business Lawyer
Velletta Pedersen Christie
Sankar is a business lawyer with a strong entrepreneurial background, having developed e-commerce businesses since the age of 16. Before law school, he founded a start-up that continues to operate successfully today as a vendor of more than 20,000 niche products. With 14 years of experience in business structuring, manufacturing, supply chain management, asset purchasing, marketing, licensing, and distribution, he applies his first-hand knowledge to legal practice, helping clients navigate complex business transactions. Sankar’s expertise includes business acquisitions and sales from $30,000 to over $20 million. He drafts strategic distribution agreements, advises start-ups on corporate structuring, and assists clients with intellectual property and licensing matters. He also handles commercial leases and corporate risk management. Sankar earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Victoria and completed his Articles with Velletta Pedersen Christie.