TEAM
KENT NASH, B.COMM, CLU, CFP
President & Financial Planner
Kent Nash has been helping clients build clarity and confidence in their financial futures since 2011. He holds both the Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) and Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designations and has been a consistent Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT) member since 2016, ranking among the top financial advisors in Canada.
Outside of work, Kent is a dedicated family man, enjoying time with his wife Courtney and their two boys, Seth and Darian. He is also a passionate fitness enthusiast and the owner of Islander Athletics, a thriving CrossFit affiliate in St. John’s.
LINDSAY POSTMA
Client Relations and Operations Manager
Lindsay is a West Coast transplant who made the decision to put down roots in St. John’s, Newfoundland in 2023, after graduating from Memorial University with a B.A in both Linguistics & Anthropology. She carries her interest in communications and cultural contrasts forward into her professional life, endeavoring to build strong relationships in every field she’s stepped into.
Lindsay has collected a diverse set of experiences, including working in hospitality, customer service, data entry, and administrative assistance. She also facilitates a local storytelling collective in her spare time, helping participants build connection through games & storytelling practices.
NEERU MAKKAR
Advisor Support Associate
Born in Delhi, the capital of India, Neeru Makkar began her career in the insurance industry before moving to Canada in 2015. After spending time in Calgary, she settled in Halifax, where she now works as an Advisor Support Associate with Canada Life. With several years of industry experience, Neeru is recognized for her dedication, loyalty, and problem-solving skills—all of which ensure clients receive exceptional service. Guided by a people-first approach, she values clients’ time and is committed to continuous learning to strengthen the support she provides to both advisors and clients.
Outside of work, Neeru enjoys life with her husband and their two children. She loves traveling, cooking, exercising, and spending quality time with family and friends.
Katie C. Melanson
Advisor Support Specialist
Katie is known for her strong organizational skills and warm personality. Aas an Advisor Support Specialist, she helps keep day-to-day operations at Ash Tree Financial running smoothly by supporting advisors, managing client communication, and ensuring every detail is handled with care & professionalism. With over four years of experience in administration, customer service & operations, Katie has worked in industries spanning from financial services, human resources, and government.
Katie holds a diploma in Business Administration with a focus in Human Resource Management, as well as a BA in Political Science & Psychology. Outside of work, she enjoys baking, practicing yoga, and spending time with her two pups, Daisy & Peach.
DIRK LEAVESLEY, PFP, CFP
Financial Planning Consultant
Dirk has been in client facing roles in the financial industry since 2001. His focus for his clients has been tax planning, pre-retirement planning and post retirement cash flow planning.
As a Financial Planning Consultant, Dirk's goal is to elevate the financial planning standards for advisors and their practices across Canada. He does this through education on financial planning concepts, defining or refining advisor's goals-based planning processes and collaborating on advanced case study work in complex client situations. He also assists advisors with using Conquest planning software to provide the knowledge they need to help bring plans to life for every client.
TRACY O’BRIEN
I.T. Support Specialist
A Nova Scotian (and Newfoundlander at heart), Tracy O’Brien is known for her dedication and her calm, practical approach to problem‑solving and customer service. With a 30‑year career in financial services across a range of senior client‑support roles, she has always kept her finger on the pulse of technology using it to strengthen her ability to support clients and colleagues. Today, as the owner of O’Brien IT Consulting, she continues to provide end‑user support and clear, practical guidance for clients navigating the dynamic world of technology.
Tracy is passionate about travel, great food, gardening, VW camping, and time with friends and family. She lives in Ketch Harbour with her husband Bruce and their Chow Chows.
GROUPQUEST
Founded in 2006, GroupQuest is Canada’s leading provider of Group Advisor Services, supporting more than 1,000 advisors across the country.
They partner with advisors to deliver scalable, back-office solutions that enhance efficiency, unlock growth, and elevate the client experience. With deep industry expertise and a commitment to service excellence, GroupQuest act as an extension of the Ash Tree team – providing the tools, insights, and support needed to thrive in today’s competitive market.