Don Smith CLU, FEA, TEP

Don graduated from the University of Calgary with a Bachelor of Commerce degree. In 1979 he founded DSI Estate Planning Inc., a boutique firm that works with high net worth individuals and family-owned enterprises to help them preserve capital and mitigate the impact of tax on their estates.

A frequent speaker on the uses of life insurance for wealth holders, Don has spoken to The Conference for Advanced Life Underwriting (CALU), the Society of Trusts and Estate Practitioners (STEP), the University of Calgary, the Calgary Foundation, the Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation and top advisor conferences for Sun Life and Manulife.

Don was a founding member of CALU and acted as its Chair in 2014. As Chair, he participated in meetings with the Department of Finance on the new tax-exempt insurance rules, which came into effect January 1, 2017. To better serve his clients, Don is designated as a Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU), Family Enterprise Advisor (FEA) and Trust and Estate Practitioner (TEP).

Don’s community involvement includes board membership on the Calgary Foundation from 1999 to 2008 and being the Founding Director of the Canadian Association of Family Enterprise (CAFÉ), Calgary Chapter. He served as an Advisory Committee member of The Hotchkiss Brain Institute from 2004 to 2016.

A former member of Canada’s National Badminton Team, Don remains active in promoting the Canada Open badminton tournament held annually at WinSport. Don is married to Susie. They have 3 children and 6 grandchildren.