Hi, I’m Carly Hickey.

I'm a Registered Nurse with 15+ years in healthcare, 12 of them at the bedside in adult critical care. ACE Planning Company helps Ontario families build advance care plans before a crisis forces the conversation. I work alongside estate lawyers, financial advisors, social workers and physicians who want the same thing for their clients.

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GOALS

Where is ACE Planning Company headed?

  1. Make ACE Planning Company the leading trusted name in advance care planning for Ontario families, estate lawyers, financial advisors, and physicians who refer them.

  2. LaunchThe Real DNR Podcast on September 10, 2026. This is a nurse and physician roundtable that makes aging, illness and end-of-life conversations approachable for families and referral partners alike.

  3. Distribute 1000 ICU Journals to patients and families through Canadian Intensive Care Week's campaign October 19–25, 2026.

  4. Grow The Caregiver Connection Expo (Nov 8, 2026, Ancaster Fairgrounds) into an annual fixture for caregivers across the region.

  5. Finish building the ACE READY Framework, a structured tool for assessing a family's emotional readiness for advance care planning.

  6. Complete my Nurse Practitioner degree in 2027 and bring that added clinical depth back into ACE's services.

  7. Create additional journals for different health experiences.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

What have we done so far?

  • Graduate studies: 2018 - Master of Nursing; 2024 - Nurse Practitioner

  • 15+ years as a Registered Nurse, including 12 years specialized in adult critical care.

  • 2023 - Founded ACE Planning Company, guiding Ontario families through advance care plans, healthcare directives, and end-of-life documentation.

  • AuthoredThe ICU Journal, grown from a 2024 pilot into a resource now gifted to families across Ontario ICUs.

  • Built a campaign for Canadian Intensive Care Week "1,000 ICU Journals for 1,000 Patients" campaign - hospital foundation outreach and a four-tier sponsorship program

  • Co-created NurseSTEAM with Tina (STEAMulation Lab) and Danielle Murray. This is a summer STEM camp for kids ages 7–12 to inspire the future of healthcare heroes.

  • Currently producingThe Real DNR Podcast alongside Dr. Michael Hickey and Sandra Andreychuk, RN.

  • Co-organizing The Caregiver Connection Expo, a three-partner event landing November 8, 2026.

INTERESTS

  • Advance care planning

  • End of life communication

  • Critical care nursing / intensive care

  • Palliative care

  • Humanizing hard decisions

  • Life support and resuscitation

  • Health equity and access

  • Podcasting

  • Public health education

  • Independent nursing business

  • Small business

  • Community building for caregivers

  • Household, estate and financial organization

  • Preventative health

  • Evidence based healthcare

  • STEM

  • Nursing profession

NETWORKS

What began as a passion project has evolved into something more. We’re proud of where we’ve been and even more excited for what’s ahead. What sets us apart isn’t just our process—it’s the intention behind it. We take time to understand, explore, and create with purpose at every turn.

SKILLS

What began as a passion project has evolved into something more. We’re proud of where we’ve been and even more excited for what’s ahead. What sets us apart isn’t just our process—it’s the intention behind it. We take time to understand, explore, and create with purpose at every turn.

WHO DO WE HELP?

  • Adults with Aging Parents

    Are you someone with parents in their 60s and wonder what their aging journey might look like?

  • Estate Planning Lawyers

    SALES MANAGER

    Focused, approachable, and driven by results, our sales manager is all about building strong relationships. They help connect people to the right solutions—with clarity and care.

  • Family Medicine and Family Health Teams

    MARKETING DIRECTOR

    Creative and strategic in equal measure, our marketing director brings fresh ideas to every campaign. They turn insights into action and help our message resonate with the right audience.

  • Senior Living Communities

    CUSTOMER SERVICE MANAGER

    Friendly, attentive, and always ready to help, our customer service manager ensures every interaction is a positive one. They keep communication clear, timely, and human.

Listen Up

The Real DNR Podcast will be coming to your your streaming service on September 10th, 2026. Please subscribe to the show so you don’t miss any episodes.