Meet Our Team

At Totem Lake Insurance, we've built our team with individuals who have the highest standards for client communication and servicing. No matter who you interact with at Totem Lake Insurance, you'll have the best experience possible.

Get Familiar With The Totem Lake Insurance Team

Joel

Founder

WITH WHINS SINCE 2009

Joel started WHINS with his friend, cousin, and colleague Darren Hasson in 2009. Both were troubled by the impersonal direction of the big insurance companies, but better than complaining, they actually decided to do something about it. In 2014, Joel received his Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC) designation and the rest is history! Back at the ranch, Joel is busy with family matters. He’s married with two children. Further back, he graduated cum laude from UCLA with a degree in anthropology.

Meet Joel

Darren

Founder

WITH WHINS SINCE 2009

Darren has always been passionate about taking care of and helping others. He started out his career working for major big name companies (both in entertainment and in insurance), but soon became disillusioned by the impersonal nature of big businesses. Driven by his nature to protect, Darren sought out his cousin Joel to start their own insurance company; a company that would be based on true ideals and values, a company that they could be proud of. In 2010 and 2011, Darren was designated as the Westlake Village Chamber Member of the Year and honored with the Beverly Jordan Award and Maurice Herndon Scholarship Award respectively. In his free time, you will often find Darren enjoying farms, Disneyland, and other family events with his wife, daughter, and baby yet to come!

Meet Darren

Steve

Insurance Advisor

WITH WHINS SINCE 2013

Steve began his insurance career in 2013, after spending 18 years in the financial services sector as an investment banker and equities trader. Outside of insurance Steve is an award winning magician who has been a member of the World Famous Magic Castle for over 30 years. Steve is a native of Southern California and is the proud father of two wonderful children, Sophie and Jack.

Meet Steve

Karen

Insurance Advisor

WITH WHINS SINCE 2015

Originally hailing from the Seattle area, Karen moved to Los Angeles in 1995. Initially, she worked in television production, property management, as well as corporate management. Now Karen uses her versatile business experience by helping WHINS’ awesome customers protect their hard-earned assets. She is also “auntie” to Isabelle and Joseph, she enjoys farmers markets and street fairs, and—when the weather’s right— hitting the slopes!

Meet Karen

Morris

Insurance Advisor

WITH WHINS SINCE 2012

Originally from Iran, Morris moved to the United States with his younger brother when he was just 14. Initially lacking the proper language skills and having left his parents behind, Morris completed his education here in the U.S. and adapted well to his new surroundings. Back in 1999, he set out on his career in business and now specializes in insurance. Fully bilingual, Morris enjoys spending time with his own family now and, when he gets a free moment, watching an occasional action flick!

Meet Morris

Stella

Insurance Advisor

WITH WHINS SINCE 2012

When she’s not playing volleyball, hanging out with her family, or dancing to salsa music, Stella is contributing to the good vibe at WHINS. She began her insurance career as a customer service rep in 2014, at the same time obtaining both Property/ Casualty and Health/Life licenses. Stella doubles now as a broker and in customer service, which really helps, considering she’s bilingual and can provide valuable service to all of WHINS’ Spanish-speaking clients.

Meet Stella

Yelena

Insurance Advisor

WITH WHINS SINCE 2017

The newest addition to our family is Yelena. Yelena joined WHINS Insurance in August 2017 as an Account Manager. She began her insurance career in 2013 and has over 20 years of experience in customer relations. Yelena ensures efficiency, epitomizes integrity, honesty, hard work and always provides a supreme level of customer service. She is originally from Ukraine, and has been in Los Angeles since the age of 3. She is fluent in English and Russian. She is happily married, a proud mother of Sophie (a Maltipoo) and enjoys spending time with her friends and family. One of Yelena’s passions is giving back to the community often by organizing donations for the less fortunate. She believes that helping others become successful is how an individual succeeds.

Meet Yelena

Steven

Insurance Advisor

WITH WHINS SINCE 2016

Born and raised in the San Fernando Valley, Steven earned a Business degree from Cal. State Northridge and has enjoyed careers in TV production and the fashion industry. When he’s not coaching Little League, cheering on the gymnastics team or at the dog park, Steven is probably at a concert or festival because “Music is food for the soul”. A Stanley Cup Champion Los Angeles Kings season ticket holder since 1999, Steven and his wife Randi also enjoy attending Dodgers, Lakers and Rams games whenever possible.

Meet Steven