ABOUT BIRCH BAY
Working with us isn’t a transaction.
We’re offering the ring, not just a fun Friday night.
Purposefully boutique means we only take on as many relationships as we can know well. We decide together that we’re partners in this. You decide what you want to achieve. We take on the financial side—the planning, investments, insurance, and estate work that helps you get there.
Planning, investments, insurance, and operations—one team working across Carnduff and Sundre.
01 / WHAT GUIDES US
At Birch Bay Wealth Management, we provide thoughtful, personalized financial and insurance advice that empowers clients to make informed decisions, protect what matters most, and move forward with clarity and confidence—today and in every season ahead.
To be a steady and trusted presence in our clients’ lives—helping them prepare for the unexpected, plan for the meaningful, and confidently navigate every season of life by tying together all aspects of their financial world with clarity, care, and resilience.
Recognizing the significance and vulnerability involved in sharing something as important as your future goals—and treating both your goals and your trust with the utmost respect.
Being upfront about your current situation, what is possible, and our ability to provide the right advice for your needs.
Continuing to learn, deepen our expertise, and stay current so our clients benefit from it.
We are here because you are here. Your goals come first.
01 / OUR TEAM
Four different roles. One team that shows up for each other—and for you.
01
Founder | CFP®, TEP, CIWM
Karen is the owner of Birch Bay Wealth Management Inc. with 17 years of experience in the financial industry. Banking runs in the family, which makes reunions especially fun for the in-laws.
Karen worked at both a bank and a credit union before going independent. In both, she saw two groups consistently underserved: pre-retirees / retirees trying to unwind a lifetime of saving in a tax-efficient way, and families with the competing priorities that come with blended households. Generic, rule-of-thumb advice wasn’t enough for either. That’s what drove her to start her own firm in 2018 and build it around tailored, full-service planning.
Staying current matters to Karen. She holds three designations — Certified Financial Planner, Trust and Estate Practitioner, and Certified International Wealth Manager — and continues to invest in deeper expertise so her clients benefit from it.
Born in Alberta and now living in Carnduff with her husband Ken, Karen’s family includes two sons and their wives, four bonus children, and six grandchildren. She loves them all, but the ones who provided her with the six grandchildren may be slightly more favoured. Outside the office, she’s on the water kayaking, paddleboarding, or fishing, or on land hiking and cross-country skiing. Her Boston Terrier, Bella, is occasionally a willing participant.
02
Insurance Specialist
Born and raised on a grain farm, Clay learned early the value of hard work, responsibility, and looking out for others. Growing up in a farming family instilled a strong work ethic and a deep appreciation for the importance of protecting what matters most—whether that’s a family, a livelihood, or a community.
Those lessons followed him into the oilfield, where he spent six years working in demanding environments, including four years operating heavy equipment. While he valued his time in the industry, Clay wanted a career that would allow him to spend more time with his family and become more involved in the community he and his family call home. He was looking for something that aligned with his value of helping people protect the things they’ve worked hard to build.
Clay was drawn to the insurance industry because he understands that life doesn’t always go according to plan. Growing up in agriculture, working in the oilfield, and serving with the Sundre Fire Department have all reinforced the importance of being prepared for the unexpected. He enjoys helping people navigate decisions around protecting their families, homes, farms, businesses, and futures with confidence.
When he’s not meeting with clients, Clay is usually busy with his four children, at the hockey rink coaching, or responding to calls as a member of the Sundre Fire Department. Community involvement has always been important to him, and he appreciates the opportunity to give back to the place his family is proud to call home.
These days, Clay’s schedule may look different than it did during his oilfield years, but the values remain the same: work hard, show up when people need you, and take care of those around you.
03
Associate
Born and raised in Sundre, Alberta, Kayla Caldwell is deeply rooted in agriculture, community involvement, and building meaningful relationships. With a diploma in Agricultural Management from Olds College focused on the beef industry, Kayla has spent much of her life immersed in farming and livestock production. After graduating, she moved to Manitoba with Clay, where she worked with WADO conducting crop research while continuing her involvement in grain farming and beef production. Today, Kayla combines her agricultural background with her passion for helping families and farmers navigate their financial futures. As an Associate, she keeps the firm running smoothly and is often the friendly face behind client communications.
Outside the office, Kayla is heavily involved in her community. She serves as a Director, Treasurer, and Vendor Coordinator for the Sundre Pro Rodeo and Bulls & Wagons committee, is Secretary for the local gymnastics club, and remains actively involved in Green Certificate programming. A proud mom of three boys and one girl, Kayla understands the realities of balancing family, farming, and business life, staying passionate about supporting agricultural families through every season from calving and seeding to harvest and beyond. Growing up in a small town taught her the value of face to face connections, trust, and building lasting relationships with clients and community members alike.
04
Client Services & Operations
Southeast Saskatchewan has always been home for Allie, who grew up between Gainsborough and Carnduff. After high school, she spent a year in Manitoba earning her nail technician certificate before returning to Carnduff to be with her now-husband, Brody. Together they are raising their two daughters, Clara (5) and Ava (3), and share their home with two golden retrievers and a cat.
In Client Services & Operations at Birch Bay Wealth, Allie enjoys supporting clients and keeping daily operations running smoothly. Outside of work, she is actively involved in the community, serving on several local boards and organizations. She is a co-founder of the Carnduff Community Fridge, an active member of the local Santa Cause, and can be found on almost any board tied to her kids’ activities. Her passion for helping others and giving back shows up in both her work and her personal life.
In her spare time, you’ll most often find Allie with family and friends — on the golf course, at the rink, or sharing a good cup of coffee.
