Loans Canada Expert Contributors

Caitlin Wood is the Editor-in-Chief at Loans Canada and specializes in personal finance. She is a graduate of Dawson College and Concordia University and has been working in the personal finance industry for over eight years. Caitlin has covered various subjects such as debt, credit, and loans. Her work has been published on Zoocasa, GoDaddy, and deBanked. She believes that education and knowledge are the two most important factors in the creation of healthy financial habits. She also believes that openly discussing money and credit, and the responsibilities that come with them can lead to better decisions and a greater sense of financial security.

Bryan is a graduate of Dawson College and Concordia University. He has been writing for Loans Canada for five years, covering all things related to personal finance, and aims to pursue the craft of professional writing for many years to come. In his spare time, he maintains a passion for editing, writing screenplays, staying fit, and travelling the world in search of the coolest sights our planet has to offer.

In his over six-year career as a professional writer, Kale has focused on writing about finance, technology, cryptocurrency, entertainment, and sports. Kale's work has been published on Yahoo, RentHop, the Regina Leader-Post, LoansCanada.ca, and ReboundFinance.com. Kale loves to create a wide variety of personal finance-related content. Including everything from how-to guides to featured articles, to advice pieces and everything in between. Whether he’s writing about the newest piece of technology or providing tips to help people with their finances, Kale is passionate about educating Canadian consumers and making sure they have the information they need to make the best decisions.

Lisa has been working as a personal finance writer for more than a decade, creating unique content that helps to educate Canadian consumers in the realms of real estate, mortgages, investing and financial health. For years, she held her real estate license in Toronto, Ontario before giving it up to pursue writing within this realm and related niches. Lisa is very serious about smart money management and helping others do the same.

Veronica is a writer who specializes in creating unique and educational personal finance content. She has extensive experience writing blog posts for companies in the financial sector. Veronica's background is in accounting as she graduated from Western University in 2017 with a degree in accounting. She is passionate about using her accounting expertise to help others with their personal finance questions and issues and enjoys using her writing to educate Canadian readers. When Veronica is not writing, she enjoys film, reading, travelling, going to the gym, and listening to music.

Sean Cooper is the bestselling author of the book, Burn Your Mortgage: The Simple, Powerful Path to Financial Freedom for Canadians. He bought his first house when he was only 27 in Toronto and paid off his mortgage in just 3 years by age 30. An in-demand Personal Finance Journalist, Money Coach, and Speaker, his articles and blogs have been featured in publications such as the Toronto Star, Globe and Mail, Financial Post and MoneySense.

Cris graduated from the Computer Science Technology program at John Abbott College in 2009 and obtained a Bachelor of Commerce from the John Molson School of Business in 2015. He has been working in web technologies and web marketing for over 10 years and has managed Loans Canada's technology and marketing efforts since the company's inception.

Priyanka Correia is a Marketing Coordinator and personal finance expert at Loans Canada. Priyanka completed her Bachelor's degree in Marketing at Concordia University and has published work that has been mentioned in various news media. She is passionate about money management and educating Canadian consumers about how to take control of their financial lives.

Liz Enriquez is the founder of Ambitious Adulting, an online platform that helps Canadian Millennials save more, make more, and reduce stress about money.

Margaret H. Johnson ACE, RQIC, is a debt expert and leader in the field of Credit Counselling. A distinguished speaker and author, in addition to becoming a very successful entrepreneur in the financial industry. She is a well-respected community member and is a two-time nominee for Entrepreneur of the Year. Margaret is the President of Solutions Credit Counselling Service Inc. and Women and Money Inc. In 1999 Margaret created Solutions Credit Counselling Service Inc. and Women and Money Inc. to provide Canadians with real access to financial education in addition to credit and debt and restructuring. Margaret is also the author of a series of books called “Doing it My Way,” titles such as Future and Estate Planning, Budgeting, Weddings, Financial & Personal Goal Setting, and How to Think about Money and Manage Credit. She is currently the President of the Canadian Association of Independent Credit Counselling Agencies (CAICCA).

Through their online portal, webinars, live events, and coaching, Enriched Academy helps Canadian consumer work to build and develop financial awareness. Their goal is to make financial freedom accessible to everyone.

Flinks is an award-winning company and a leader in financial data connectivity. Their mission is to enable businesses to connect their clients with the financial services they want. Through connecting their client's bank accounts and enriching their data, Flinks empowers companies to offer betters products.

Fairstone Financial is a leading alternative lender in Canada, they have been helping Canadians since 1923. Their mission is to provide Canadians, with fair to good credit, with an affordable alternative to payday loans.

Borrowell empowers Canadians to make better decisions about credit. They were the first Canadian company to partner with Equifax to offer their clients free credit scores and reports. And created the countries first AI-driven Credit Coach, Molly who helps consumers learn about their credit so they can work to improve it.

Zoocasa helps Canadians find the home of their dream faster. Consumers can search anywhere, anytime. Explore the homes for sale in a specific neighbourhood or even hire a real estate agent, all through the Zoocasa website or on their mobile app.

Established in 2015, Marble is a financial technology company on a mission to help Canadians learn to better manage their personal finances and build better credit. Through socially responsible lending practices, like their Fast Track Loan and Score-Up credit building product, Marble has allowed thousands of consumer take back control of their finances. Moreover, Marble uses AI to provide recommendations and plans to help Canadians improve their financial health. They're also a BBB accredited business with an A+ rating.

Corrina Murdoch has been a dedicated freelance writer and editor for several years. With an academic background in the sciences and a penchant for mathematics, she seeks to provide readers with accurate, reliable information on important topics. Working as a print journalist for several years, Corrina expanded her reach into the digital sphere to help more people gain insight into the realm of finances. When she's not writing, you can find Corrina swimming and spending time with family.

Chrissy is a Toronto-based communications advisor. With an English degree from the University of Toronto and editing courses under her belt from Ryerson University, she has continued her lifelong passion for writing and editing. In addition to working for Loans Canada on a variety of financial topics, Chrissy has a few years of resume writing and editing under her belt, and takes great pleasure in helping people find work that fits with their experience and passions. When she isn't working, you can find her practicing yoga, hanging out with her dog, reading up on financial and real estate news, or planning her next trip abroad.

Mark is a writer who specializes in writing content for companies in the financial services industry. He has written articles about personal finance, mortgages, and real estate and is passionate about educating people on how to make smart financial decisions. Mark graduated from the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology with a degree in finance and has more than ten years' experience as an accountant. Outside of writing, he enjoys playing poker, going to the gym, composing music, and learning about digital marketing.

Matthew joined the Loans Canada writing team in 2021 while was finishing up a Bachelor's degree at the University of Saskatchewan. It was there that he discovered his love of writing. His work has appeared in several publications, including the Canadian Student Review and NewEngineer.com. In his spare time, Matthew enjoys reading, geocaching, and spending time with his family and pets.

Kira graduated from Concordia University with a degree in Communication Studies. She feels passionate about making financial education accessible to all Canadians through diverse forms of media. She has experience in writing, video editing, and social media.

Caroline is a 4th year commerce student at Memorial University of Newfoundland pursuing a focus in finance. She is a member of Memorial University’s student managed investment fund and acts as a sector manager in the industrial and financial sectors. Caroline joined the Loans Canada team in 2021 and rediscovered her passion for writing and media creation. In her free time she enjoys spending time with friends and family and reading.

Mai Kadeer is a graduate of Concordia University, with a BA in English Literature, with a minor in Law and Society. Mai was a student strategist on the Concordia University Senate (2016), through the Academic Planning and Priorities committee. She has a background in financial budgeting as a board member for non-profit organizations, such as the Quebec Public Interest Research Group and the Concordia Food Coalition. For the past five years, Maidina has worked as a content specialist. Mai is passionate about helping Canadian consumers with financial management and literacy so they can make informed decisions regarding their personal finance.

Onlia Insurance is an online insurance company that offers digital tools for Canadians to find and secure an insurance policy. The company currently offers home, condo, tenant, and auto insurance to residents of Ontario. The insurer also provides group auto insurance to employees at companies that are part of Onlia's insurance program. Their goal is to simplify auto and home insurance so that Canadians can gain greater clarity when making a decision. .

For over 50 years, Alpine Credits has been a pioneer in the private lending market. They help Canadian homeowners get home equity loans when they need them by offering a variety of options based on the borrower's needs. Their goal is to provide home owners an extra option to access their home equity apart from banks and credit unions.

Yu is an Economics graduate of Wilfrid Laurier University and has been an avid writer about personal finance and accounting. She enjoys being able to share her experience and knowledge on financing and accounting practices. Yu has been writing blog posts since she was young and is an advocate for financial literacy in formal education. In between, she loves to hike, watch sci-fi series, travel, and is currently in the process of writing her own novel.

Established in 2016, Spring Financial is an online consumer lending company that has helped over a million Canadians borrow money and achieve greater financial freedom with its growing suite of credit products. They help Canadians gain access to credit and help build or re-build their credit. From personal loans to mortgages, Spring Financial strives to help Canadians gain access to fair products.

KOHO is a Fintech company founded in Toronto Canada. They offer four types of spending and saving accounts as well as two Credit Building programs. KOHO believes that Canadians should have access to easy-to-manage and simple financial products. Their goal is to create financial products that change the way you save and spend for the better. With the power of technology, they've made products and services that are open, intuitive and have no hidden fees or catches.

Shaistha is an editor/writer in the personal finance space, where she reports on topics such as mortgages, insurance, and credit cards.

Stefani Balinsky is the Head of Content Strategy at Loans Canada. Her work and her commentary have appeared in major media including the Toronto Star, Financial Post, and Bell Media. She is a creative and analytical thinker with a way with words. Direct, empathetic and funny, she makes convincing and coherent sense out of complex ideas. She has many years of leadership experience in marketing, writing, mentoring, and fintech.

Mortgage Maestro has been in business since 2017. It was established by Mr. Raymond D Williams with the mission to simplify the mortgage process for homeowners and home buyers. It is a digital mortgage brokerage that provides an entirely online mortgage application process. It uses its vast network of over 50 trusted lenders to help borrowers find the ideal mortgage solution. They currently offer mortgages, HELOCs, reverse mortgages and mortgage refinancing or renewals.

Jackson Starr studies journalism at Carleton University in Ottawa and is originally from Montreal. He is a contributor to the Capital Current and an Ottawa broadcaster. He is a fan of any sport and has a passion for educating Canadians on current events and market trends.

Barry Choi is a personal finance and travel expert at moneywehave.com. He makes frequent media appearances where he talks about all things related to money and travel.

Tony started investing in 2017. After incurring some hilarious losses on various poor stock picks, he now adheres to Bogleheads-style passive investing strategies using index ETFs. Tony graduated in 2023 from Columbia University with a Master's degree in risk management. His investing qualifications include the Canadian Securities Institute's Canadian Securities and Equity Trading & Sales course(s), Franklin Templeton's Canadian ETF Proficiency course, Bloomberg Market Concepts, CFA Investment Foundations, and McGill University's Personal Finance Essentials. His work has also appeared in U.S. News & World Report, USA Today, NYSE ETF Central, NASDAQ Fundinsight, Cboe ETF Market, TheStreet, The Motley Fool, and Benzinga.

HelloSafe is an online platform that helps consumers make informed decisions about insurance and personal finance products. They were founded in 2020 and were established out of the desire to simplify the jargon surrounding insurance and personal finance products. They now offer a wide variety of comparison tools and tables to help consumers find the best rates and deals.

Savanna Craig is a multi-platform journalist and producer. She hosts and produces Local 514, a Montreal-based web series focused on environmental, social and civic issues. She also writes feature articles, produces podcasts and more.

Felix is a second year BCom student at McGill University, majoring in finance. He is an investment associate at Propel Impact; Montreal's first student-led investment organization. He is also a co-founder of SEED, a non-profit organization delivering sustainable education to middle school students. Felix has always had a passion for reading and writing, and has already written several opinion pieces for Dtech, McGill’s technology club.

Jessica is a freelance writer, professional researcher, and mother of two rambunctious little boys. She specializes in personal finance, women and money, and financial literacy. Jessica is fascinated by the psychology of money and what drives people to make important financial decisions. She holds a Master's of Science degree in Cognitive Research Psychology and Bachelor's degrees in Communications, and Psychology. Jessica is also a Certified Financial Education Instructor℠ (CFEI®). Her work has been published on Investopedia, The Balance, Money Under 30, Time.com, Seeking Alpha, Consumer Affairs, and more.

Passionate about personal finance, Scott is a serial entrepreneur and has been involved with financial technology companies for over 15 years. He co-founded VersaPay (TSX:VPY) and launched Loans Canada, the nation's first and largest personal loan search platform, in 2012. Scott holds CA and CFA designations.

Leanne Escobal is a seasoned financial marketer and publisher at Finder, boasting over eight years of industry expertise. Her impressive credentials include certifications in Canadian securities and personal lending from the Canadian Securities Institute. She holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in English literature and creative writing from Western University, showcasing her strong foundation in writing and finance. Leanne combines her financial acumen with a passion for literature to deliver insightful content in the world of personal finance.

As a distinguished real estate broker at Re/Max, Dilyar Murat stands out with a stellar track record, boasting prestigious awards such as the Hall of Fame, Platinum Club, and 100% Club. Hailing from a finance background, Dilyar brings a unique perspective to real estate. With previous roles as a financial advisor and mortgage specialist, coupled with an undergraduate degree in finance, Dilyar possesses the financial prowess and industry recognition that makes him a trusted and accomplished expert in the field.

Daniel is an expert on travel and finance. He received an Honours BBA (Finance) from Wilfrid Laurier University, then started his career with WOWA. Daniel is now the founder and lead financial writer of Croton Content. Aside from Loans Canada, notable clients include Forbes Advisor, WealthRocket, and Hardbacon. Daniel loves to travel when not working. Although based out of Lisbon, Portugal, some of his most adventurous destinations include Rio, Cairo, and Istanbul.

Lucas, a Toronto native, holds an Honours BBA (Finance) degree obtained from Wilfrid Laurier University. His career has spanned venture capital and blockchain startups. Aside from writing at Loans Canada, Lucas is a Hardbacon contributor, and content specialist at Croton Content. Additionally, his passion for exploring the world has taken him to an impressive 28 countries across Europe, North America, Asia, and Central America.

Trevor is a personal finance, SEO, and technical sales expert. He received an Honours BAA (Economics) degree from Wilfrid Laurier University. Trevor previously worked at Salesforce and used his personal finance knowledge to become a homeowner in Ontario by age 25. Aside from Loans Canada, Trevor contributes to Forbes Advisor and Hardbacon. He also serves as the chairman of the Schwartz-Reisman Alumni Association and is a content specialist at Croton Content.

Sandra MacGregor is a Toronto-based financial writer with over a decade of experience. She specializes in personal finance, investing, and credit cards. She also has a passion for tech and travel, but primarily enjoys helping Canadians navigate their financial journeys with confidence.

Steven Brennan is a freelance finance writer working from Vancouver, B.C. He has a BA and an MA in English Literature at the University of Ireland, Maynooth, and also spent time working in Italy and Vietnam as an English teacher. Today, he writes regularly on a range of personal finance topics including banking, loans, mortgages, insurance and tax. His work has appeared on sites such as LowestRates.ca and WealthRocket, as well as in print with Canadian MoneySaver.

Jun Ho is a finance professional from Vancouver, BC and a Bachelors in Business Administration from Simon Fraser University. His writing work has been featured in many publications, including the NYSE, CBOE, TheStreet, Horizons ETF, TrackInsight ETF, Financial Edge, and Corporate Finance Institute.