Denise Martell
Marketing Director, World Financial Group (WFG)
OC Program of Study: Dental Office Administration, 1995; Education Assistant, 2007
Denise is a financial professional and entrepreneur who has dedicated over 11 years to helping families achieve their goals and dreams. She found her passion for helping others while advocating for her son, realizing that a strong financial foundation, including access to the Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP), would enable him to lead a full inclusive life in the community. The recipient of the WFG Leadership Award and voted Top 40 over 40 by BDO LLP and the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce in 2023, Denise believes her personal experiences, post-secondary teaching, and education assistant backgrounds have been invaluable to her success. She is committed to promoting safe and secure futures for people with disabilities through financial education, estate planning and implementation of the RDSP program. Her extensive volunteerism has spanned many organizations throughout the Okanagan including City of Kelowna, Victory Life Church, Trinity Baptist Church, Level Up, PLAN Okanagan, Launch Okanagan, School District No. 23 and Sweet Smiles Society.
Highest level of education
BC Provincial Instructor Diploma, Insurance License, Mutual Fund License
Describe your career experience and history
I attended Okanagan School of Esthetics in 1989 and opened a spa in January of 1990. Running my own business provided me with some great experience that allowed me to start teaching esthetics by 1994 through local colleges until 2004. Advocating for my son took me in a different direction and I became office administrator with Heritage Christian School Secondary while achieving my degree as a Certified education assistant that I worked at for 6 years. I started my training program as a financial professional in 2011 becoming fully licensed in January of 2012 and have been working with WFG ever since. The past 11 years I have worked with many families to achieve their financial goals and educating them on RDSPs and estate planning.
Describe your volunteerism and/or impact in your community
- Volunteered with the City of Kelowna as a youth planner and putting on youth events (dances, scavenger hunt)
- Volunteered with the City of Kelowna as a youth/young adult as a clown for family fun days
- Volunteered with Victory Life Church for city wide Back to School Backpack events
- Volunteered with Victory Life Church for city wide Easter Egg hunts
- Volunteered with Trinity Baptist Church in kids camps in the summer, as a host/greeter for Global Leadership Summits, Level Up and as a host/greeter for Saturday services for 15+yrs
- Volunteered with PLAN Okanagan facilitating & assisting with workshops including RDSP Level 1 & 2, Safe & Secure Workshops, Facing the Future Together, as well as fundraising events including Trivia Night, Run Through the Vines, Scavenger Hunt
- Volunteered on the Board of PLAN Okanagan
- Volunteered with Launch Okanagan as a facilitator for their RDSP focused families
- Curling event in Penticton (WFG)
- Volunteered with SD#23 for reading programs
- Chartered member with Sweet Smiles Society
Achievement, honours or special recognitions you’ve received
I have been happily married for the last 28 years to Dale Martell and we have two boys Ryan (27 years) and Kyle (25 years). I have lived in Kelowna for 44+ years where I enjoy being involved in many outdoor activities including skiing both cross country and down hill, swimming, boating and fishing in the many lakes in the area. I can often be found walking and hiking the trails in the area with my dogs Bo and Mari. I have a passion for learning and reading so it is not unusual to find me reading a book, listening to podcasts, watching documentaries, and taking continuing education courses.
Describe your personal achievements (family life, pastimes, etc.)
- Lion Heart Award for contributing time and energy to lead team members at WFG
- $100K MD Club
- Marketing Director promotion in 2015
- Helping families and orphanages in Mexico with roofing and bedding.
- Received an $11k matched contribution for PLAN Okanagan through the Run for the Vines event
- Top 10 in personal and team for the WFG EVC division
- Top 40 Over 40 in 2023
Careers in health care and social development provide a meaningful way to meet the needs of families and communities. The Okanagan region’s population and demographics provide diverse learning opportunities in a range of fields. Practical-oriented programs prepare students for careers in health and social development settings, including hospital and community nursing, long-term care, home care, social services, non-profit societies, children’s daycare and more.
OC Alumni Association
The Okanagan College Alumni Association (OCAA) is a non-profit organization that celebrates alumni by creating connections and opportunities. Founded in 1988, the OCAA aims to connect alumni with each other and with the College, while supporting the College's mission statement of transforming lives and communities.