CPC History
Career Professionals of Canada was founded in 2004. On Canada Day, 2022, we incorporated the organization and are now a national not-for-profit association supporting Canadian career professionals from coast-to-coast-to-coast.
Our history is built on a commitment to ethics, expertise, and purposeful kindness. Learn more about our history and vision in About CPC, and explore how members are shaping history through our Member Benefits.
CPC's history...from inception to today!
- Revolutionized member experience with a cutting-edge portal integrating all services in one seamless platform.
- Unveiled a dynamic, user-friendly learning management system to enhance professional growth.
- Gamified learning, rewarding members who are passionate about lifelong education.
- Transformed leadership communication with the launch of an innovative Director Portal.
- Assembled a powerhouse Digital Team to elevate website usability and introduce new tools.
- Established a forward-thinking Professional Development Team to unlock fresh learning opportunities for members.
- Strengthened operations with the development of key policies to support growth.
- Marked a major milestone, celebrating our 20th anniversary with a vision for the future.
- Expanded our reach with the setup of a new Ottawa head office.
- Empowered members with free webinars, making professional development more accessible.
- Brought learning to life with the launch of interactive, hands-on workshops.
- Celebrated our first year as a not-for-profit.
- Reduced the professional membership price to $150.
- Welcomed Christine Ball as the new Executive Director.
- Appointed Ayesha Bhikha and Brad Whitehorn to the Board of Directors.
- Launched the Member of the Week program, featuring over 50 outstanding members and their achievements.
- Developed The Career Professionals Creed, defining our Code of Professional Conduct in real-world language.
- Established a revolutionary CPC Member Portal offering resources, networking, and a user-friendly interface.
- Introduced the Résumé and Cover Letter Showcase, allowing members to view and submit samples.
- Launched four Special Interest Groups (SIGs), becoming a cornerstone of our community.
- Revamped and updated instructor-led Career Development Practitioner (CDP) program.
- Embraced the future of learning with new Self-Directed Learning (SDL) courses.
- Celebrated CPC’s 1000th Career Connections eNewsletter Edition.
- Incorporated Career Professionals of Canada Association as a not-for-profit on Canada Day.
- Updated all CPC courses, certifications, and certification eGuides (CCS, CWS, CIS, CES, CRS).
- Implemented the Members Matter Program to prominently feature members and their stories.
- Established Career Professionals of Canada's Code of Professional Conduct.
- Implemented Write Feature Articles Like a Pro program, teaching members how to create high-quality content for publication on the CPC website.
- Confirmed that CPC is an authority website in Canada through a formal SEO and content analysis.
- Established group health, dental, and extended benefits program for members, provided by PROLINK.
- Updated all CPC courses, certifications, and certification eGuides (CCS, CWS, CIS, CES, CRS).
- Deployed Trauma-Informed Member Care program to support members through pandemic.
- Developed Certified Work-Life Strategist Program (CWS certification) and associated course.
- Created The Canadian Work-Life Strategist eGuide.
- Updated all CPC courses, certifications, and certification eGuides (CCS, CIS, CES, CRS).
- Deployed Canada Career Month resource: The Story of Career Development in Canada – Free eBook.
- Implemented cost-effective Liability Insurance program for members through AON.
- Created program for a lower CPC alumni group membership rate.
- Updated all CPC courses, certifications, and eGuides (CCS, CIS, CES, CRS).
- Deployed Canada Career Month resource: Insider Secrets from CareerPros – Free eBook
- Deployed podcast: What Does CPC Membership Feel Like?
- Updated all certifications and eGuides (CCS, CIS, CES, CRS).
- Established CareerProCourse.ca, offering blended delivery courses.
- Updated all certifications and eGuides (CCS, CIS, CES, CRS).
- Deployed Canada Career Month Podcast: Résumé Expert Q&A Session.
- Produced Start a Career Practice free online course for career professionals.
- Created a community of practice with CPC's Facebook Group.
- Established a series of CPC webinars for members.
- Created a Member Referral Program with free extensions to membership.
- Updated all certifications and eGuides (CCS, CIS, CES, CRS).
- Deployed Canada’s first fully-virtual CAREERPRO conference.
- Established Certified Employment Strategist (CES) credential.
- Created The Canadian Employment Strategist (CES) study eGuide.
- Deployed employment strategy tele-class program; a four-week long interactive virtual course.
- Created a new look and feel for CareerProCanada.ca.
- Created CPC Mastermind Mentoring Program.
- Created a Member Marketplace for sharing member offers and discounts.
- Implemented Welcome Wagon program for new members.
- Established 4-week Build a Profitable Career Business program.
- Created an interactive online Career Club Forum for members to communicate.
- Introduced a Shared Resources program for links to useful member tools and resources.
- Created a fully searchable Online Member Directory.
- Established a Member Portal with full content and privacy control by individual members.
- Created CPC's LinkedIn Group, Canada's first community of practice for career professionals.
- Published Best Canadian Cover Letters paperback by Sharon Graham.
- Established in-person Meet-up with Career Professionals program with events across Canada.
- Established Master-Level (M-Level) Certification Program for all CPC certifications.
- Deployed Strategies for Success 2-day conference at the Hilton Toronto Airport (October 2008).
- Established CPC's free Tele-networking Program for members.
- Ran monthly tele-classes on a broad range of career development topics.
- Deployed Strategies for Success conference at Stage West in Mississauga, Ontario, in May 2006.
- Established CPC's Awards of Excellence program.
- Established the Certified Career Strategist (CCS) credential.
- Created The Canadian Career Strategist study eGuide.
- Deployed career strategy tele-class program. Four-week interactive virtual courses.
- CPC members host the Professional Assessment Centre at The National Job Fair & Training Expo in April 2006.
- Deployed résumé tele-class program. Four-week interactive virtual courses.
- Established Certified Interview Strategist (CIS) credential.
- Created The Canadian Interview Strategist study eGuide.
- Deployed interview tele-class program. Four-week interactive virtual courses.
- Ran Creating Powerful Careers event at Stage West, Mississauga, Ontario, in May 2005.
- CPC members provide free résumé assessments at the National Job Fair & Training Expo in April 2005.
- Founded Career Professionals of Canada June 16, 2004.
- Established monthly round table luncheons for career professionals.
- Established Certified Résumé Strategist (CRS) credential.
- Created The Canadian Résumé Strategist study eGuide.
- Issued the first edition of Career Connections eNewsletter.
- Published national bestseller, Best Canadian Résumés paperback by Sharon Graham.
THANK YOU to all of our leaders. No one does it alone!
- Sharon Graham (Chair)
- Felisha Ali
- Dorothy Keenan
- Gabrielle LeClair
- Erika Mendonça-DeSilva
- Cathy Milton
- Barb Penney
- Sharon Graham, Executive Director
- Janet Barclay, Technology Manager
- Debbie Lapointe, Operations Director
- Cathy Milton, Compliance Director
- Leanna Steeves, Development Director
- Jayne Barron
- Gabrielle LeClair
- Maureen McCann
- Cathy Milton
- Wayne Pagani
- Barb Penney
- Michelle Precourt
- Gabrielle LeClair
- Maureen McCann
- Cathy Milton
- Wayne Pagani
- Daisy Wright
- Erika Mendonça-DeSilva
- Jayne Barron
- Dorothy Keenan
- Barb Penney
- Michelle Precourt
- Tara Orchard
- Lynda Reeves
- Linda Schnabel
- Adrienne Tom
- Carrie Wakeford
- Andrew Roach
- Audrey Field
- Daisy Wright
- Deborah Foster-Stahle
- Denyse Cowling
- Howard Halpern
- Judy Friedler
- Judy Suke
- Julie Fulford
- Karen Shane
- Martin Buckland
- Marian Bernard
- Michael Mayne
- Ross McPherson
- Sandra Lim