Karen Stewart
Founder & CEO of Fairway Divorce Solutions
Biography
As a Founder of Fairway Divorce Solutions®, the first national divorce company, Karen developed a step-by-step divorce process from start to finish. The Fairway model was franchised in 2008, and there are locations across Canada from B.C. to Ontario. Karen is a Chartered Mediator that works directly with high net worth clients whose files offer both emotional and financial complexities.
Karen has over 25 years of experience in the business/financial world. She is experienced as a Financial Planner, Stockbroker, Insurance Agent, Certified Divorce Financial Analyst, Chartered Mediator, innovator, and entrepreneur. She has previously founded, built and sold four businesses with Fairway being her present primary focus. With Fairway, she designed a unique resolution model for successfully moving people through divorce.
Karen is passionate about changing the way divorce happens™ and disrupting outdated traditional thinking. When her divorce cost her over $500,000 in legal bills alone, she knew there had to be a better way.
My divorce took over four years. Time destroyed assets, opportunities, relationships, feelings of self-worth. Ironically, in the end, the deal we ended up with was almost identical to a deal my ex, and I agreed to in principle before we retained legal counsel. The only real difference was that we had far more assets the first-time around. By the end of it all, a lot of what we owned had either been destroyed by the journey or found its way into our lawyers’ pockets.
Specialization
- Chartered Mediator with a focus on high net worth families
- Franchising
- Innovation & Entrepreneurialism
- Writing
Karen is the author of the best-selling book “Clean Break” — Guide to Divorce and sought after by various media outlets for her advice and speaking.
Education And Training
| 2014 | License Insurance Agent |
| 2013 | Chartered Mediator Designation |
| 2012 | Certificate in Attuned Communication Certificate in Facilitative Mediation Certificate in Integrative Negotiation |
| 2010 | Governance Essentials Program for Directors of Not-for-Profit |
| 2007 | Registered Family Mediator |
| 2005 | Mediation of Family Legal Education Society of Alberta |
| 2004 | Branch Managers Course Certified Divorce Financial Analyst Effective Management Seminar Options Supervisor Course |
| 2003 | Canadian Securities Course Conduct & Practices Handbook Course |
| 2002 | Partners, Directors & Senior Officers Course |
| 2001 | Enhanced Lifestyle Coach (ELC) |
| 2000-2004 | Certified Financial Planner Courses |
| 1998 | Registered Health Underwriter |
| 1992 | Life Insurance Level 1 and 2 Course |
| 1991 | Canadian Investment Funds Course |
| 1988 | Bachelor of Science Degree Major in Finance and Marketing University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon |
| 1986-1988 | Masters of Business Administration Major in Finance and Marketing University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon |
Professional Experiences
Since Fairway’s inception in 2006, Karen has been the CEO of Fairway Divorce Solutions® in Calgary, Alberta. In addition, she is the President of Oreiva Insurance Inc, specializing in high net worth succession, business and estate planning.
Prior to Fairway, Karen was the Founder, President & CEO of Milestone Asset Management for 15 years in Calgary, AB. This full stock brokerage wealth management firm, with full capital requirements on the IDA platform, uses a proprietary, disciplined methodology to bring to reality the financial desires of its clients.
From 2003 to 2007, Karen created, directed and actively promoted related organizations such as Exclusive Capital Corporation, Miles Financial Insurance Services, and Miles Financial Group.
Karen, in 1996, founded Balanced Planning Alberta, a financial dealership built it to over 100 representatives by 2000. This dealership was subsequently sold to Cartier Partners who were later bought out by Dundee Securities.
From 1988 to 1993, Karen started her career as a Management Consultant for Arthur Anderson in Calgary, a prestigious management consulting company, where she learned and mastered the fundamentals of business and the value of processes and methodologies.
Get Started with an initial Consultation
Do you think Fairway might be for you? Talking to us can help make sense of what your next best step is. Just 30 minutes and you’ll have more clarity.
We offer our prospective clients a no charge consultation with one of our senior divorce mediators. They will discuss your situation, needs and concerns to find out which of our services is best suited for you. Whether it is mediation, financial guidance or litigation support, our team will set the stage for a timely resolution. Stay empowered and in control of your future, finances and freedom.
Before you call a Lawyer, call us.