Welcoming Skye Berry as Executive Director

Dear friends,

It is with immense joy and genuine excitement that I share some wonderful news with you. Skye Berry has officially stepped into the role of Executive Director of Career Professionals of Canada.

As our association continues to grow, evolve, and serve our sector, having an experienced career professional like Skye at the helm is both inspiring and reassuring. I have had the privilege of knowing Skye for many years, watching her journey, her commitment, and her unwavering dedication to CPC and the career development profession. Now, seeing her take on the leadership of our association fills me with gratitude and hope for all the possibilities ahead.

CPC has always been more than an association. It’s a vibrant, supportive community where professional growth, ethical practice, and purposeful kindness intersect. Over the past two decades, our members have built a culture that lifts each other up, shares knowledge generously, and celebrates success at every level. It is a culture that sets CPC apart and one that I know Skye not only appreciates but embodies in every action she takes.

Skye’s Journey with CPC

Skye’s connection with CPC goes back many years. She joined as a member in 2008, and from her very first networking session, she could feel the energy, curiosity, and support that define our community. In that early experience, she discovered something powerful; CPC was more than professional development. It was a family, a learning ground, and a place where careers and confidence could grow side by side.

Over the years, Skye has worn many hats within the association. She served as a volunteer, led certification programs as CPC’s Certification Manager, and stepped into the role of Acting Executive Director. In each position, she demonstrated a rare combination of strategic insight, operational expertise, and heartfelt connection with members. Skye knows CPC from the inside out. She understands our systems, our values, and, most importantly, our people. She has a deep awareness of what makes CPC special, and she has already begun to build on that legacy with vision and purpose.

Leadership, Expertise, and Navigating Challenges

Transitioning to a new Executive Director is always a significant moment, but, in Skye’s case, it comes at a particularly important time. CPC faced some unexpected challenges recently, with several important initiatives and processes needing attention. It could have been a daunting scenario for any incoming leader. But Skye stepped in with her trademark calm, competence, optimism, and commitment. She didn’t just stabilize the situation. She energized it.

Her experience leading CPC’s certification programs has been particularly invaluable. Certification is a cornerstone of CPC’s credibility, and Skye has long been a guardian of these standards. As Certification Manager, she oversaw a team of 10 assessors and guided the management of five key certifications, ensuring that our members’ credentials remain rigorous, respected, and nationally recognized. Her ability to maintain integrity, mentor others, and implement practical solutions demonstrates the leadership and operational skill that are critical to her role as Executive Director.

But Skye’s strengths go beyond strategy and oversight. What stands out is her approach to leadership: collaborative, approachable, and genuinely invested in people. Members consistently describe her as someone who listens, encourages, and engages with warmth and authenticity. She doesn’t just lead from the top. She leads alongside the community, ensuring that every voice is heard, every success is celebrated, and every challenge is met with support.

Championing Community, Transparency, and Purposeful Kindness

If there’s one thing that defines Skye’s leadership, it is her commitment to CPC’s core values: community, transparency, and Purposeful Kindness. She understands that an association’s strength depends on how supported, connected, and inspired its members feel. Already, she has worked closely with the board, team leads, and volunteers to address pressing organizational matters, reinforce transparent communication, and ensure that CPC programs continue to deliver meaningful value to every member.

Her approach to culture is simple but profound; strong communities are built through consistent encouragement, recognition of achievements, and opportunities for meaningful engagement. Whether it’s a quick check-in, a note of appreciation, or a thoughtful initiative, Skye believes in lifting people up, not just professionally but personally. And that belief is woven into the very fabric of her leadership.

Recognition and Awards

Skye’s professional expertise and commitment to career development have been recognized repeatedly. She has received some of the most prestigious awards in the field, including:

• CPC Executive Director Award of Excellence
• CPC Awards of Excellence
• Career Innovator Award Honourable Mention
• TORI (Toast of the Résumé Industry) Award Nominee and Judge

These accolades are not just shiny titles. They reflect her impact, her credibility, and the trust that peers and colleagues place in her. They underscore why she is not only qualified but uniquely suited to lead CPC at this moment in our history.

A Vision for CPC’s Future

Skye’s vision for CPC is rooted in the association’s legacy and guided by a forward-thinking approach. She sees CPC as a place where every member feels connected, supported, and empowered to achieve their career goals. She aims to:

• Reconnect members with CPC’s vibrant community through engaging opportunities, events, and meaningful interactions.
• Strengthen transparency and communication across all levels of the association, ensuring that members feel informed, included, and valued.
• Support professional growth and certification, upholding CPC’s rigorous standards while encouraging innovation and learning.
• Promote CPC as Canada’s trusted hub for career development expertise, maintaining its position as a national leader while staying responsive to evolving industry needs.

In everything she does, Skye leads with integrity, empathy, and Purposeful Kindness. She inspires confidence in members, volunteers, and the board alike, and her leadership style reflects the very values that make CPC exceptional.

Why This Moment Feels So Right

As I reflect on this transition, I am deeply grateful. CPC has always been about people: our members, volunteers, and leaders. Seeing someone like Skye take the helm is a natural evolution. She knows our profession and CPC intimately. She embodies our values and provides the strategic leadership and personal warmth that will allow the association to thrive.

I am thrilled to see her vision in action and I am confident that under her guidance, CPC will continue to grow, innovate, and strengthen the careers of practitioners across Canada. More than that, she will nurture the culture that makes CPC special—one where kindness, collaboration, and excellence walk hand in hand.

Welcoming Skye to the CPC Community

I invite every member to welcome Skye warmly, to connect with her, and to engage with the association under her leadership. She is approachable, ready to listen, and committed to helping each member achieve their professional goals while maintaining the community spirit that defines CPC.

This is more than a leadership transition. It’s an opportunity to reaffirm what makes CPC remarkable. With Skye leading the way, I know we will continue to grow as a community, celebrate our members’ successes, and inspire career development practitioners across Canada to thrive with confidence, integrity, and purpose.

Thank you for joining me in celebrating this exciting new chapter. I can’t wait to see what we accomplish together under Skye’s leadership.

With heartfelt excitement and gratitude,

Sharon Graham
Founder and Chair of the Board
Career Professionals of Canada