Photos by Darren Hull
From the first conversation, it becomes clear that Trevor Michalkow is not the typical finance professional. Yes, he has spent nearly three decades helping individuals and families build wealth, protect assets, and make decisions that support long-term security. Yes, he possesses the technical knowledge expected of a certified financial planner who evaluates retirement, estate, and corporate planning options with precision. Yet the element that defines his work is an unwavering commitment to those in his community.
Trevor’s work is rooted in clarity, relationships, and the belief that understanding a person’s life is essential to guiding their financial future. He works closely with clients to help them understand how to protect their wealth across retirement, estate, and corporate planning decisions. His holistic approach keeps every conversation personal rather than procedural, shaped by respect for individual needs and long-term goals. It is a style that has helped him build lasting relationships across nearly three decades.
This people-first perspective aligns naturally with the philosophy behind Wellington-Altus. The firm’s independence allows advisors freedom from large corporate constraints. Its unconstrained structure ensures clients come first — not sales targets or timelines. Its entrepreneurial culture provides agility and the best platforms to serve clients. Trevor thrives in this environment because it reflects his belief that financial planning must be grounded in trust, guided by integrity, and centred on what is genuinely best for each client.
His personal life has shaped this perspective. As a single father raising two daughters while managing a demanding profession, he has learned to navigate pressure with intention. “My profession can bring anxiety, but over the years I have learned that we can not control our environment, so I do not sweat the small stuff. It is because of this my personal life has flourished by being able to understand this.” His daughters have taught him resilience and emotional depth. “Being from a separated family, my daughters have endured challenges most children do not experience. They never gave up trying to understand the whys and how’s. I love their resilience. It has made them into the beautiful young women they are today.”
This appreciation for resilience inspired his cycling journey across Manitoba for charity. “I have a friend that is cycling across Canada one province each year. He asked if I wanted to join. I’m trying to inspire my children that at any age you can do anything you set your mind to. It was a tough journey with many ups and downs. Just like financial planning, the road is plagued with its own types of challenges and it’s my responsibility to manage those bumps.” For Trevor, endurance — physical or financial — requires preparation, courage, and the willingness to keep moving forward.
Kelowna and the Okanagan have shaped his values. “We live in a blessed community and I’m proud to say I’m from Kelowna, British Columbia. Although it is growing at a rapid pace it still offers endless activities of choice and its out our back door. Clients here are mostly of the same mindset and live the ‘Okanagan way.’ This aligns myself and my clients to be able to maintain lasting relationships.” The region’s lifestyle influences his approach to work and relationships.
He lives this balance fully. His free time is spent golfing, hiking, mountain biking, skiing, socializing, and, more recently, gold panning. These activities sharpen his clarity and focus. “Maintaining health is the key to business, prosperity and life in general. Sports of any kind teaches discipline and focus. These two factors are also essential in wealth management. They help in approaching challenges and decision making both personal and business.”
What distinguishes Trevor in finance is not only experience but his understanding that financial planning is rarely just about money. It is emotional, personal, and often tied to life transitions. Clients turn to him not only for technical expertise but for reassurance and clarity, trusting his steadiness and belief that financial decisions should always support a meaningful, well-lived life.