About Career Professionals of Canada
Career Professionals of Canada (CPC) is a national not-for-profit association supporting members from coast-to-coast-to-coast. We are a member-run, volunteer-driven social enterprise.
We are the leading national association for career practitioners supporting the Canadian labour market. We create opportunities for our members to gain contacts, credentials, and credibility within the field. We help our members to advance their careers and expand their businesses.
We are living, learning, and working together for career success!
Our Team
Sharon Graham (Chair) founded Career Professionals of Canada in 2004, setting the cornerstones for quality service, ethical standards, and excellence in the profession. As CPC’s executive director, she ensures that the mandate of this national not-for-profit association is upheld with integrity.
A key influencer and subject matter expert, Sharon has authored several critically acclaimed publications in the areas of résumé, interview, employment, work-life, and career strategy. Sharon pioneered and established several national professional development programs for practitioners. She architected, developed, and facilitated nationally recognized certificate courses, certification programs, and awards programs.
Felisha Ali is a Learning & Development Specialist and professor at Seneca College. A lifelong learner and MEd candidate, she is a member and active volunteer of Career Professionals of Canada. As a Career Development Practitioner (CDP), she has attained the following CPC certifications: CCS, CWS, CIS, and CRS.
Felisha provides career development support for employees of Seneca College. As a recent client reports, “Felisha is knowledgeable, skilled, patient, and—more importantly—generously spends her time with you to share her secrets. She has the innate talent of ‘scanning’ you to assess your abilities and skills from the very beginning, and to boost your current strengths to a higher level.”
As a part-time professor, Felisha teaches Career Planning. She is currently in her second year of pursuing a Master of Education degree in Educational Leadership. When she is not working, Felisha volunteers as a mentor helping new immigrants navigate the Canadian workforce by offering guidance on résumé writing, interview preparation, and job search strategies.
Skye Berry is a Master Certified Résumé Strategist, Graphic Résumé Architect, and Master Certified Employment Strategist with more than 14 years of industry experience. A respected industry innovator in visual résumé design and strategy, Skye frequently trains fellow résumé writers through webinars and one-on-one coaching. Her work is published in six industry-leading books on résumé and cover letter writing and she has been the recipient of numerous résumé writing awards.
Owner and Chief Career Consultant of Skye Is The Limit Résumé and Career Solutions, Skye is dedicated to helping her clients launch their careers to new heights by injecting creative elements to evolve an engaging résumé that gets results.
Skye is currently CPC’s Certification Team Lead where she helps to enhance professional development and develop strong certification standards. An active member of CPC since 2008, Skye regularly contributes to projects and initiatives that bring the industry together and enhance the standards within our profession.
Dorothy Keenan has been helping individuals in a broad cross-section of the labour force for the last 25 years. She has managed career development programs in non-profit and academic settings and currently operates FutureWorks a résumé writing and outplacement business. Dorothy has written $1M to $9M proposals and negotiated, and secured multiple, multi-year funding from the federal and provincial governments. She managed all aspects of the contracts and project teams and exceeded placement targets. Customized contracts serviced diverse groups including youth, immigrants, women, individuals on social assistance, and those entering the trades, technology and science.
With a degree in psychology from Trent University, master’s level courses in Counselling from UBC, and HR courses from BCIT, Dorothy is committed to helping to shape and develop the future of the career industry in Canada. Through her work, she has assisted over 10,000 individuals seeking employment in diverse industries, including technology, science, gaming, trades, finance, marketing, manufacturing, warehouse, and administration. In doing so, she has gained a solid understanding of the needs of Canada’s dynamic labour force.
Gabrielle LeClair is a master-certified career strategist with more than 15 years of industry experience. Owner and principal consultant of GDL Consulting, Gabrielle built a successful boutique firm, specializing in the intersection where adult education and career development meet. Bringing a background in Learning and Development, Human Resources, and Business Management she has developed programs that empower learners to excel.
As CPC’s past certification chair and standards manager, Gabrielle’s stewarded CPC’s popular professional development programming, as well as strong member and learner standards. She has been key contributor to programs developed by CPC. An active member of CPC since 2011, she continues to volunteer with numerous teams and committees, contributing to projects and initiatives that facilitate connection, collaboration, and comradery among CPC members, nation-wide.
Erika Mendonca-DeSilva is a multi-certified Award-Winning Career Strategist and lifelong learner with 15+ years assisting individuals find their ideal career path and maximizing their potential. Passionate about helping people, Erika has earned a reputation for her kindness, compassion, integrity and professionalism. She is fueled by an unwavering commitment to make a difference in the lives of the people she works with, the clients she serves and the professional community she supports. She is an active member of CPC
Erika is an Executive Career Strategist at The Talent Company, leading the Career Solutions Pillar and works with individuals at all levels from entry to C-suite across a wide variety of industries. She has partnered with organizations in a variety of sectors (including human capital, telecommunications, pharmaceuticals, transportation, insurance, CPG, financial, retail and healthcare) providing support around corporate restructuring. She has managed on-site Career Centres for major organizations working with senior management to develop strategies on how best to assist individuals facing job loss. Complimenting her experience, Erika has also run her own independent consulting practice.
Cathy Milton became a member of CPC in 2010 after leaving a long career in the Canadian telecommunications industry. As someone who has always enjoyed writing, her goal was to learn leading-edge résumé writing strategies and start a home-based business. As Cathy pursued that goal, she did volunteer work for the association, which led to a role as CPC’s Communications Manager.
She also completed online courses through CPC, eventually becoming a Career Development Practitioner (CDP) and Master Certified Résumé, Interview, Career, Employment, and Work-Life Strategist. Today, she supports the national association as a board director, management team executive, and occasional course instructor.
Barb Penney is an award-winning résumé writer, career consultant, and facilitator. Following more than 25 years as a Human Resources professional and leader in healthcare, private, and charitable sectors, she started her career consultancy business Winning Résumés Career Solutions. Barb’s career includes supporting executives, managers, staff, and the board of a leading not-for-profit organization located in Edmonton.
Barb is a CPC Course Instructor and an active member. She leads CPC’s amazing group of Social Media Team volunteers. Barb has supported CPC as an advisor, ambassador, course contributor, and certification assessor. She has also volunteered for countless community organizations, clubs, and professional associations throughout her career.
- Gabrielle LeClair (Senior Advisor)
- Maureen McCann (Senior Advisor)
- Cathy Milton (Senior Advisor)
- Wayne Pagani (Senior Advisor)
- Daisy Wright (Senior Advisor)
- Jayne Barron (Advisor)
- Dorothy Keenan (Advisor)
- Erika Mendonca-DeSilva (Advisor)
- Barb Penney (Advisor)
- Michelle Precourt (Advisor)
CPC Founder & Executive Director
CPC Management Team
- Janet Barclay, Technology Manager
- Cathy Milton, Communications Manager
- Debbie Lapointe, Administrative Manager
- Gabrielle LeClair, Standards Manager
- Leanna Steeves, Membership Manager
CPC Course Instructors
- Jayne Barron
- Gabrielle LeClair
- Maureen McCann
- Cathy Milton
- Wayne Pagani
- Barb Penney
- Michelle Precourt
Career Professionals of Canada is a social enterprise with a strong and committed volunteer network.
Meet some of our active volunteers:
- Ambassador Team
- Awards Judging Team
- Certification Team
- Communications Team
- Outreach Team
- Social Media Team
- Tele-Networking Team
Learn about volunteer opportunities.
CPC’s members are a diverse group of individuals including employment consultants, career coaches, résumé writers, job developers, guidance counsellors, vocational consultants, outplacement consultants, and a wide variety of other career professionals. Working together, we provide quality services, comply with strict ethical standards, and offer career development expertise to assist Canadians in successfully navigating through the world of work.
Our members come from all sectors, and live and work in all regions of Canada:
- Universities and colleges
- Government organizations
- Non-profit services
- Private sector businesses
- Outplacement firms
- Corporate HR/OD organizations
Learn more about our membership.
Career Professionals of Canada’s Group Membership is rich and robust. Universities and Colleges, Non-Profit Employment Services, Government Organizations, Outplacement Firms, Corporate HR/OD Departments, and Professional Associations take advantage of Group Membership. Independent Practitioners who have been with CPC for five years also qualify for Group Membership.
Here are some organizations that have joined CPC’s group membership.
CPC participates alongside provincial and national associations, foundations, and charities to develop and deploy national initiatives and keep our members informed about what’s happening in the careers industry. We are a Supporting Organization for CANNEXUS, the largest national conference in Canada for career development practitioners. Members of CPC benefit from a reduced registration rate.
CPC works with the following organizations to extend our reach and provide value-add services to our community:
- British Columbia Career Development Association
- Career Development Association of Alberta
- Career Development Association of Prince Edward Island
- Career Development Practitioners Certification Board of Ontario
- L’Ordre des conseillers et conseillères d’orientation du Québec
- Manitoba Association for Career Development
- New Brunswick Career Development Action Group
- Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Career Practitioners
- Nova Scotia Career Development Association
- Plan International Canada
- Saskatchewan Career Development Association
- The Canadian Career Development Foundation
- The Counselling Foundation of Canada | CERIC | Cannexus
Our Vision & Goals
Career Professionals of Canada’s mission is to inspire practitioners across Canada by providing the support and tools they need to advance their career, business, and professional development goals.
Working together, we:
- Promote quality, ethics, and expertise within the field.
- Raise the capabilities, profile, and visibility of our members.
- Help members develop meaningful professional relationships.
- Encourage members to advance their career service goals.
- Give back to the Canadian career community and labour market.
We are living, learning, and working together for career success!
Our Call to Action is to work together and make a positive impact within the career development profession.
• SOCIAL EQUITY – Cement our culture of diversity and inclusion.
• SOCIAL MEDIA – Expand our reach, awareness, and engagement.
• SOCIAL ENTERPRISE – Grow our membership, courses, and certifications.
Our culture is one of purposeful kindness, inclusivity, and engagement.
CPC is a caring and sharing community of career professionals. We are inclusive, supportive, and collaborative. We maintain communication, and respect the perspectives of all members. Members are encouraged to actively participate in all of our initiatives and programs, and take full advantage of the benefits of being part of CPC.
Relationship building is important to us. CPC helps members share and grow through a variety of interactions. We strive to provide forums for members to build long-lasting friendships, so casual conversation is welcomed and encouraged.
Every one of us is on a unique career development journey. All of our members, mentors, and ambassadors are here for you.
CPC’s Code of Professional Conduct outlines our rules, standards, and ethical guidelines. Members of Career Professionals of Canada must know, honour, and adhere to this code of conduct. This framework helps us to make thoughtful decisions, uphold the quality and integrity of the services we provide, and guide our behaviour.
Career Professionals of Canada’s Annual Report provides you with a snapshot of our mission, vision and impact. The annual report highlights our activities during the previous year and gives you insight to what what lies ahead for our organization, our members, and our profession.
2021 Annual Report
Career Professionals of Canada was founded in 2004. On Canada Day, 2022, we incorporated the organization in Ontario. We are now a national not-for-profit association supporting career professionals from coast-to-coast-to-coast.
Career Professionals of Canada fundamentally believes in “Giving Back” to our community. We do this by sharing our time, talent, and treasures with Canadians and others in need. Since the inception of the organization, we have offered our resources in all these ways.
CPC has donated to the following non-profit charitable organizations on behalf of our members:
- Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Peel
- Canadian Red Cross
- The Canadian Women’s Foundation
- The Canadian Council for Career Development
- The Career Challenge Quiz
- Christian Children’s Fund
- Credit Valley Hospital
- The Humane Society
- Our Place (Peel)
- Road to Employment
- S.H.A.R.E. Agricultural Foundation
- Syrian Refugee Crisis and Refugee Arrival in Canada
- The United Way
Career Professionals of Canada
Working Together for Career Success!