2022 CEO Year End Message

21
Dec 2022
157
A woman wearing glasses and a black jacket is smiling in a circle.

Author: Ioana Giurca, CEO, CPHR Alberta

Click here to watch or listen to the CEO message on video.

What an incredible year 2022 has been for the association and I am honoured to be sharing this year’s CEO message with our stakeholder community. As the new CEO of CPHR Alberta, I have seen the association in a different light the past several months and I am inspired by our members and team daily.

Our member first philosophy continues to be our driving force as an operational team, and with that philosophy in the forefront of our minds we have been able to deliver some truly unique opportunities this year.

For a full year now, we have continually rolled out improved process for members through our new member portal. The increased activity we have seen within the portal in recent months has reafirmed the hard work that was required to launch the system. There are still some areas that require attention and work to ensure we attain the seamless, easy and all-inclusive experience we are seeking for our members. Please note that our team is working hard to complete these.

In February of 2022, we launched the CPHR Alberta Career Center. This new platform has allowed us to increase our reach, bringing in job opportunities from around the country as organizations seek hybrid and remote workers along with our provincial hires. We have increased our number of job postings and as a result increased our revenue allowing us to better support association programs and learning opportunities. The career planning services, and resume uploading have also been an added benefit for members.  We are eager to see the growth of the Career Center into 2023 and the opportunities it brings our membership.

Moving back to in-person meetings and events has been an exciting process and one our team has managed with grace as they consider logistics, pricing and safety of our members. This year we were able to bring our members together in-person for our mingles and smaller group professional development sessions including our Executive Breakfasts. Our capstone event of the year, our annual conference, was a large success as we brought members together both in-person and virtually for our first hybrid event. With over 500 combined attendees we delivered a two-day experience that included the presentation of our 2022 Excellence Awards, networking opportunities, concurrent sessions, keynotes speakers, a meeting  with the Board of Directors and more. We look forward to delivering another hybrid event next year in Edmonton.

To ensure we are protecting the best interest of the public, members are required to focus on continuous education amongst other areas such as ethical standards. To support this initiative and prepare our members for successful careers in human resources, CPHR Alberta delivered eight certificate programs in 2022 including Workplace Investigations, Executive Compensation, Organizational Change Management, Negotiations and Conflict Resolution and Project Management. In addition, we introduced new PD offerings for our members in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.  

Our regulatory competencies and ethical standards have also seen a review the past year with changes to both our competency framework and EVA. The updated CPHR Canada Competency Framework was announced in late 2021 and was used as the basis for the National Knowledge Exam in 2022. In 2023, the Experience Validation Assessment will follow the updated framework and the number of competency examples required to pass the EVA will be changed from 12 to 8.

To ensure we are meeting these standards and the needs of our members we administered five short member survey’s throughout 2022.  I want to thank all of our members who participated, your feedback supports us with offering the right services. We had 867 individual members respond over the five part survey with the highest engagement on professional development and membership value sections. When asked what one word would be to describe CPHR Alberta, our two most popular answers were Professional and Informative! In 2023, we look forward to continuing to deliver in those same ways while ensure we gain ground in being educational, cost-inclusive and community centred.

An important strategic priority for the association and the CPHR Alberta Board in 2022 was our continued pursuit of self-regulation. Our journey thus far has led us to a point of review and as such, feedback from our membership. In the fall, our Board of Directors held an open event for members at the annual conference to learn more about the status of our application and the impact self-regulation  would have on the association and you as members. The development of our Self-Regulation Brochure and Petition were created to support awareness of the importance of self-regulation. We continue to ask for your assistance by signing our petition and completing the self-regulation question during your dues renewal through our Good Character Attestation form. Please take a moment to read our message from the Board, available now on our blog for more details.

As we continue to build awareness for the association and the designation amongst government and the private sector within our jurisdiction, our membership numbers continue to grow. As of December 5, 2022, CPHR Alberta has 6,073 members and 2,996 designates, an increase of 2% from 2021. The increases in members have also been impacted by the 2022 CPHR Canada Awareness Campaign and  CPHR Alberta’s Accredited Student Member Growth Campaign. It is through this campaign that we look to brighten the future of the profession by investing in the next generation of HR professionals, and building a pipeline of success for the association and supporting the growth of the CPHR designation.

With the continued growth of the association and our healthy financial situation, I am happy to share that membership dues have not increased since 2019 and they will remain the same in 2023.

Planning for 2023 has already begun, and as we continue to support our members with our regular programs and learning opportunities we will also turn our efforts towards our continued pursuit of self-regulation, growing our membership and bringing awareness for CPHR Alberta and the designation to the business community within our jurisdiction.  

Thank you to the CPHR Alberta Board for their support and guidance this year. Our board chair, Lisa Watson has shared a message for our members now available on our news blog. And thank you so much to all our volunteers!

On behalf of CPHR Alberta, I wish all of you a very joyful holiday season and a happy new year.

The views and opinions expressed in this blog post belong solely to the original author(s) and do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of CPHR Alberta.



2026 PD Opportunities with CPHR Alberta

By Jessica Jaithoo • January 28, 2026
Plan your 2026 professional development in advance and discover what CPHR Alberta has planned for you! Below is a brief overview of the programming coming your way in the months ahead. For full details, visit our new PD Calendar , and check your Member Portal regularly for updates. Signature Events Member Recognition Gala – April 30, 2026 | The Westin Airport Hotel, Calgary We invite you to an evening of celebration, connection, and inspiration. The Member Recognition Gala is a formal event honouring the individuals, teams, and projects shaping the future of HR across Alberta, the Northwest Territories, and Nunavut. Inspired by the Aurora Borealis, this redesigned experience replaces traditional awards with Spotlights—a meaningful way to recognize excellence in action. Tickets will go on sale soon. CPHR Alberta 2026 Conference: Future-Ready HR – June 2–3, 2026 | BMO Centre, Calgary Our 2026 Conference prepares human resources (HR) professionals to master the fundamentals, embrace innovation, and build executive-level influence—creating agile organizations ready for economic and workforce change. A future-ready HR community. Registration will be opening soon. Chapter Community Events | Throughout 2026 We’ll be visiting all chapters across the year with popular community events in your region. Stay tuned for event announcements and details. Stampede Breakfast | July | Calgary, AB A member favourite breakfast event is returning! Join us to mingle, connect, and enjoy the energy of Stampede. More information will be shared soon. Certificates Workplace Investigations Training | February 17–19 and March 17–19 Presented in partnership with Veritas Solutions. The Workplace Investigations Certificate is a three‑day program focusing on three core training topics. Participants may register for the full program or select stand‑alone courses. A certificate is awarded upon completion, and no prerequisites are required. Webinars Networking at Noon Join us for one hour each month to explore current and emerging HR topics. With a new focus every session, you'll leave with thought‑provoking questions and earn 1 CPD hour. On February 12, join us for HR Trends & Priorities for 2026. International Women’s Day National Event Join us on March 4 from 10:00–11:30 a.m. for a special fireside chat with Layne the Auctionista and Sheena Russell, founder of Made with Local . This national celebration of International Women’s Day explores the theme “Give to Gain,” highlighting how generosity and purpose‑driven leadership can shape meaningful careers. You’ll hear real stories, bold insights, and practical inspiration you can take back to your HR practice. Details ®gistration: https://cphrns.ca/events/EventDetails.aspx?id=2018615&group= Virtual Sessions for Students Students can expect two sessions each month: one dedicated to building skills one offering practical advice from HR professionals in the field These sessions are complimentary for Student Members. Are you interested in becoming a member? Students receive complimentary membership. Learn more: www.cphrab.ca/student-programs Other Events DisruptHR YYC 13.0 will take place in October. More details will be shared in late summer. Plan Your Year With Us Explore the full list of programs and events on our 2026 PD Calendar.

Welcome to OY Works: Practical Tools to Recruit, Onboard & Retain Opportunity Youth

By Jessica Jaithoo • January 22, 2026
In 2025, CPHR Alberta became a partner to the Collaborative Funders Table and the Calgary Youth Employment Initiative to address under-employment for opportunity youth. Over seven months, more than 60 partners came together to research, design, and test what would become OY Works . That story of co-creation is what makes this toolkit different. Employers shared what they need to know and what tools would make a difference. CPHR Alberta members contributed HR expertise through representation on the steering committee, and participation in surveys, interviews, and protype testing throughout 2025. Attracting, engaging, and retaining young talent isn’t just a workforce strategy — it’s an investment in our collective future. When we empower youth with meaningful opportunities, modern skills, and a sense of belonging, we build workplaces that are more innovative today and more resilient tomorrow. The organizations that thrive will be the ones that recognize youth not as the workforce of the future, but as essential contributors shaping the world right now. A dedicated toolkit to hire opportunity youth gives HR professionals and employers the practical resources, insights, and frameworks they need to connect with young people authentically — turning intention into action and helping break down barriers and supporting organizations to build strong, sustainable talent pipelines. Co‑designed with HR professionals and industry leaders, the toolkit reflects real challenges and real solutions, ensuring it is both practical and deeply aligned with the needs of today’s evolving workforce. - Lisa Watson, CPHR Alberta Board Director, OY Works Steering Committee Member Today marks an exciting milestone: the launch of OY Works , an online toolkit designed to make inclusive youth hiring easier for Alberta employers and HR professionals. This free resource was co-created by a diverse group of stakeholders—employers, HR experts, and non-profit agencies—who share a common goal: opening doors for young people who are ready to work but face barriers. Why OY Works? Too many youth are eager to contribute, learn, and grow, yet struggle to access meaningful employment. OY Works is here to change that. Built with practicality and purpose in mind, the toolkit offers actionable strategies to help businesses recruit, onboard, and retain Opportunity Youth—young people aged 18–29 who are not currently in school, training, or work. What’s Inside the Toolkit? It makes business sense: Read the Business Case for hiring Opportunity Youth and be empowered to influence leaders. Explore the ideas and tools in the Quick Start Hiring Guide . Learn how to onboard effectively and build retention from day one in the Optimal Onboarding & Mentoring Guide and the Retain & Grow Guide . Discover how non-profit agencies are preparing OY for the workplace. They often support employers and employees through all stages of employment. This isn’t just about doing good—it’s about making smart business decisions. Inclusive hiring strengthens workplace culture, reduces turnover, and taps into a motivated talent pool ready to make a difference. We invite you to explore OY Works and join the movement to create opportunities for youth who deserve a chance to shine. Explore the OY Works toolkit: https://bit.ly/3L6SQuF When young people get a chance to contribute, it’s a win for youth, employers and the community. Join us in spreading the word by sharing the toolkit with your networks.

Refuel. Recharge. Repeat: Lead Yourself with Intention and Energy

By Jessica Jaithoo • January 13, 2026
Author: Robin O’Grady Wellbeing can feel impossible when life is already overflowing. The thought of adding “one more thing” to your plate? That’s enough to send anyone over the edge. However, in the end, taking care of your own health is not a “nice to have”, it is essential, in more ways than one. As an HR Professional you are often the go-to for tough conversations and as a support system. Protecting your own energy isn’t only about your personal wellbeing, it is what allows you to show up fully for your people, when it matters most. To get it out of the way, here are the things this is NOT about: Going to the gym Hopping on a trend (wellness/fitness/nutrition) Adding more things to your calendar What it will be about is… Refuel, Recharge, Repeat . Leading yourself with intention and energy. Perspective Shift Keep it simple. Thriving over surviving. When in the tornado of your day-to-day adding things to you r calendar can feel overwhelming and unattainable. The first step is to take stock of your capacity, really step back and assess what you might have available timewise. Then, assess how full your fuel tank is, how are your energy levels at different times of the day? Only then can the strategy be built on how to implement what is right for you. To begin, choose only one thing, many struggle because they try to do too much at once. Tips If choosing nutrition as a needed change, consider adding or removing only one thing as a beginning VS changing your entire diet or diving into a trend-based program that you know isn’t sustainable. Movement comes in a large variety of ways. Think about things you actually enjoy doing and find ways to add them instead of forcing yourself to do things you don’t enjoy just for the sake of adding more movement. Fulfillment is an important part of taking care of your holistic health, prioritize time for things you love – hobbies/family/travel etc. Energy Management The oxygen mask principle is a familiar one. When flying on an airplane, the flight attendant tells us that in the case of emergency, you must put on your own oxygen mask before helping others. This is where the protection and management of your energy begins. Awareness of what energizes you VS what drains you and an intentional placement of those things through your day as one step. Another, in protecting your calendar and being diligent about the spaces you had set aside for your energy management (eg. specific closed door office hours or break times). Tips Take your breaks away from your desk, even away from the building when possible. Implement grounding practices through your day, for example, before entering the workspace and at the end of your day before going home. Protect your transition time - 15 minutes between meetings to process and reset. Intentional Adaptation Making a decision that something might need to change is really the first step, without that awareness, there is little that can or will be done. As a leader, your responsibility is to yourself, but it is also in role modelling for the team. HR Professionals set the tone for the workplace culture around them. The way you prioritize your own boundaries and wellbeing quietly gives others permission to do the same. When you show up with intention, it ripples through the entire organization. The research and stats are clearer now than ever before, workplace wellbeing as a strategy, is one that increases the bottom line and enhances the overall culture of your workplace. In order to see the high end of those stats, intentional adaptation is key. This is a strategy and a process, one that will make you and your business better, you could be the catalyst for that. Tips Create a community within the workplace to prioritize these habits and strategies with. Make it a fun practice you can all do together and hold each other accountable to, especially when the day takes over and the “tornado” is most fierce. Build out the process and SOP in the same way you would for other business strategy and involve your team in the process, so you know what you are planning is good for the whole. Make sure you are first. Leaders first. Remember the oxygen mask principle, you deserve whole health, and you will thank yourself later for checking in and adjusting when needed. Start with some space to breathe. That space? It comes from letting go of what you think you "should" be doing and tuning into what actually serves you and your team. Wellbeing isn't a one-size-fits-all prescription. It's a personal practice of alignment, which can (and should) be translated into how you all work as a whole. Today is as good as any, tomorrow will come regardless. 
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