Executive Team Profiles

Kurt Wipp, Managing Director

Kurt joined the Amur Financial group in 2005 and oversees the strategic direction of the group. Along with his brother Brent, he has been responsible for increasing the Group’s funds under management from $5 Million to $500 Million and expanding its operations across Canada. Kurt has over 20 years of business experience in roles involving investment banking, corporate strategy, international structured finance and board of director representation. During his career, Kurt has lived in Milan, Montreal, Auckland, Dallas and London (UK). He has an MBA from studies at the University of British Columbia and Università Bocconi (Italy) and a Joint Honors degree in Economics and Business from Simon Fraser University. In his free time, Kurt enjoys the outdoors, travel and spending time with his family.

Brent Wipp, Managing Director

Brent has over 30 years experience in the peer to peer private loans industry and is one of the founding directors of Amur Financial. He acts as the Managing Director of the group and in his role has overseen the development of Amur Financial Group’s proprietary software and ensures the streamlined operation of the company. Along with his brother Kurt, they have been responsible for increasing the Group’s funds under management from $5 Million to $500 Million. Brent is a registered mortgage broker in both British Columbia and Alberta and has a Diploma of Technology from Selkirk College. In his free time Brent enjoys playing squash, travel, the outdoors and spending time with his family.

Arif Mulji, Chief Operating Officer

Arif joined Amur Financial Group in 2013 and has taken on the responsibility of overseeing sales, marketing and business development for the Group. Arif is involved with strategy development and implementation for the organization and, driving sustainable growth for the companies. Arif brings over 15 years of business experience to the Group and has held roles in sales, marketing, sales management, finance and management consulting. Outside of Amur Financial, Arif enjoys teaching in the Business faculties at the University of Calgary and at Douglas College. Arif obtained BSc and MSc degrees from UBC, an MBA (Finance and International Business) from the University of Calgary and the Chartered Professional Accountant designation (CPA, CMA) from CPABC. In his free time, Arif enjoys sports, reading and spending time with his family.

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Steve Anderson, Chief Financial Officer

Steve joined Amur with over 20 years of professional experience working for both public and private companies including Westport Innovations, The Jim Pattison Group and KPMG. Steve has an MBA from UBC along with a Chartered Professional Accounting Designation (CPA, CA) with over 5 years auditing experience. Steve oversees all accounting, financial reporting, IT, cash flow management and financial management of the funds. Outside of work Steve enjoys time with friends, trips with his family and a round of golf.

Graham Sawery, VP Compliance

Graham joined the Amur Financial group in 2009. Graham acts as the Chief Compliance Officer for Ryan Mortgage Income Fund and oversees the daily management of the numerous funds under management of Amur Financial Group. Graham is a Chartered Investment Manager and holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of British Columbia. In his free time, Graham enjoys spending time with his new family and completing renovations on his property.

Matthew Boulton, VP Fund Management & Investor Relations

Matthew joined Amur Financial Group in 2015 and oversees investor relations activities and governance for Amur’s Mortgage Investment Corporations. Matthew also coordinates Amur Financials Group’s strategic planning process and is acting director of Full Circle Debt Solutions. Matthew graduated from Carleton University with a BA and obtained his MBA in 2012 while working as a business banker with TD Canada Trust. Matthew has continued his studies through UBC Sauder School of Business Executive Education program, the Institute for Canadian Bankers, the Canadian Securities Institute and the Institute for Financial Services Education. Matthew and his wife have two young children and he enjoys golfing, cycling, playing guitar and the outdoors.

Kerilee Raven, VP Marketing and Communications

Kerilee joined Amur in 2016 and oversees marketing, communications, community relations and human resources for the group. Kerilee has almost 10 years of experience developing and implementing marketing strategies, campaigns, budgets and media plans for a variety of creative, corporate, and government organizations targeting urban, rural, national and international demographics. Kerilee has a joint degree in Communications and has continued her studies at the UBC Sauder School of Business. She is a member of the BC Chapter of the American Marketing Association (BCAMA) and has served on a variety of boards, including as the Director of Communications for the Advertising Association of Manitoba. In her spare time, Kerilee collects Motown records and vintage fashion and enjoys hiking.

Ken Brar, VP Finance

Ken joined Amur Financial Group in 2016 and has taken on the responsibility of overseeing accounting and IT for the Group.  Ken ensures the businesses are running efficiently and works on maximizing shareholder returns through improved processes and financial management. Ken also brings over 15 years of business experience to the Group and has held senior roles in finance and accounting for public and private companies and worked as a strategic business consultant for over five years and an instructor in the CMABC Strategic Leadership Program.  Ken completed his Operations Management Diploma from BCIT and later completed his BBA with BCIT and OLA before finishing his Chartered Professional Accountant designation (CPA, CMA) from CPABC. Outside of the office Ken enjoys hiking, biking, travelling and spending time with his friends and family.

Brad Ferraro, Portfolio Manager

Brad joined the group in early 2013. Brad started in the Administration Department before becoming Mortgage Administration Manager.  Brad now acts as the Fund Manager for Manchester Investments Inc and Blue Stripe Financial, while still overseeing daily operations for Amur Financial Group. Brad is a licensed mortgage broker and holds a bachelor’s degree, obtained while on a baseball scholarship. He has also completed the Canadian Securities Course.  In his free time, Brad enjoys playing golf, hockey, going fishing and spending time with his growing family.

Estelle L’Heureux, Portfolio Manager

Estelle joined Amur Financial in 2015, and has specialized in alternative lending and finance investments for the past 6 years. Her 10 years of professional experience includes involvement with start-ups and diverse facets of finance. Estelle obtained a Bachelor of Business, with an Accounting major, from Douglas College and has continued her studies at the Ivey School of Business. Always looking for a challenge, Estelle is pursuing the Chartered Financial Analyst designation as a 2018 Level III CFA Candidate. She is also a licensed mortgage broker, after successfully challenging the exam. Estelle has always enjoyed being engaged in organizations. Of note, she has been volunteering with the CFA Society of Vancouver since 2013 and currently sits on the Candidates committee.

Colin Atwood, General Manager, Origination

Colin has been with Alpine Credits since 2006. He joined the group with a background as a financial planner at Sunlife for over 7 years. Before that he shaped young minds as a teacher at both private and public schools in BC. He holds a Bachelor of Education degree from Queen’s University and has been mentoring and leading the commercial broker team at Alpine Credits for well over a decade. Colin enjoys spending time with family and friends and the occasional round of golf.

Tammy McKnight, General Manager, Origination

Tammy has been with Alpine Credits since 2002, starting out as a receptionist and moving her way up to General Manager over her many years with the company. Tammy has lived in Edmonton her whole life and enjoys camping, travelling, reading and spending time with loved ones.