Meet the team.
Together we offer over 65 years of combined finance experience in capital markets, corporate finance, private equity and accounting.
Grant founded Diamond Willow Advisory (DWA) in 2019 with the goal of positively disrupting the debt brokerage industry and supporting entrepreneurs in their quest for debt capital. His passion for connecting and collaborating with entrepreneurs, business owners, and capital providers is clear and you’ll often find him as a moderator or panelist at many events around town. What sets Grant apart is his unwavering commitment to his clients, creative problem solving skills, relentless drive (AKA workaholic), and quest to ensure both lenders and borrowers get a good deal. Many who know Grant attribute his tireless passion to get deals done a direct result of his 16 years spent as a Research Analyst in the Equity Capital Markets business, others believe he simply has a lack of hobbies.
Prior Firms: TD Securities, GMP Securities, Dundee Capital Markets, Raymond James
Haley Talbot, CFA
Partner
403.969.0954 | haley@diamondwillowadvisory.com
Haley joined DWA in 2023 as a result of a merger with H&S Advisory Ltd., the firm she previously co-founded, with a common goal to elevate the Canadian debt financing advisory space and bring a new standard of quality and professionalism to companies in need of debt financing. Haley began her career in corporate finance / investment banking in 2012, having worked on a variety of transactions including debt and equity capital raises, M&A advisory, and restructuring mandates. Haley brings a depth of technical expertise to both standard and non-standard transactions in need of creative solutions. Haley has been a CFA Charterholder since 2016.
Prior Firms: H&S Advisory, Peters & Co. Limited
Stéphanie Blais
Partner
403.542.5815 | stephanie@diamondwillowadvisory.com
Stephanie joined DWA in 2023 as a result of a merger with H&S Advisory Ltd., the firm she previously co-founded, with a common goal to elevate the Canadian debt financing advisory space with an exciting team of like-minded professionals. Stephanie comes from a family of entrepreneurs and previously owned and managed a small business for seven years prior to pursuing a career in investment banking / capital markets in 2016. She brings a unique set of skills assisting business owners with strategy and marketing, putting their best foot forward to obtain best possible results in a financing scenario. Originally from Québec, she is fluent in both French and English and has a passion for supporting entrepreneurs building successful businesses and helping them achieve significant milestones. Stephanie has also been involved in various mentorship programs including Women in Capital Markets, the University of Calgary, and Haskayne Connect, supporting the next generation of finance professionals.
Prior Firms: H&S Advisory, Peters & Co. Limited
Mathew Burpee, CA, CFA
Partner
403.807.7202 | mathew@diamondwillowadvisory.com
Every group has to have an overachiever, and for us at DWA, that is Mathew. Given the professional designations (CA and CFA), becoming the youngest Manager at a major multi-national accounting firm, graduating at the top of his University class and volunteering at Youth Central Calgary, it appears Mathew has a firm grip on that overachiever status. Having successfully sold two small businesses and more recently, acquiring and overseeing eight small businesses, Mathew brings a depth of capital raising, strategic planning and private equity experience to the table at DWA.
Prior Firms: Lynx Equity Ltd., GNS3, Purpose Capital, Ernst & Young
Alex is as passionate about helping entrepreneurs achieve their business goals through access to capital as he is about the fascinating world of the capital markets. He is experienced in every area at DWA, including collaboratively working with the team to develop creative solutions to entrepreneur’s capital needs, being involved on the research desk, and growing the lender network. Like the rest of the team at DWA, Alex is a self-diagnosed workaholic but, when he does have some free time, enjoys being outside in the woods or cheering on his hometown Calgary Flames. Not satisfied with just a BComm (Finance and Accounting) from UBC, Alex is currently pursuing both his CFA and CPA designations.
Permanent Employees of the Month
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Paige
Director of Food and Beverage
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Moose
Chief Barketing Officer
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Kobe
VP, Toy Acquisition
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