WestCanCDA - Board of Directors

WCCDA - BOARD OF DIRECTORS

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PAULA WISCHOFF YERAMA - Interim Co-Chair

Paula Wischoff Yerama is a proud CCDP (R) with over 20 years of service to careerdevelopment associations and organizations. It wasn’t long after Paula stumbled into career development that she was introduced to the Career Development Association of Alberta (CDAA) by way of her first employer and an annual career development consultation / conference - that was in 2001! Career development captivated her and she immersed herself in the profession and becoming a career development professional.

Throughout her adventures in career development (and even while she took a hiatus to work as a personal trainer) Paula was involved with the CDAA in some capacity - as a member, committee / event volunteer, board member, executive director, and registrar. Her involvement afforded her many exciting opportunities including leading Team Canada at the International Symposium on Career Development and Public Policy in 2017, chairing and participating in Canadian Council for Career Development working groups, contributing to the development of the Competency Framework for Career Development Professionals, and presenting at numerous conferences / events across Canada.

In addition to her passion for career development Paula finds joy and fulfillment in fitness and physical challenges, gardening, baking, canning, and spending time with her family and friends..

CHRISTINE BUCHANAN - Vice Chairperson

Christine Buchanan is a Director of Employment Services and Training at Open Door Group. She provides oversight to 10 WorkBC centres throughout 3 regions in Vancouver City Centre, Sea to Sky, and Kamloops-Thompson. She creates service delivery models to improve services to job seekers and employers; along with developing partnerships with community services, associations, training institutions, and employers to best serve the local labour market needs.

In 2016 she received the Career Practitioner of the Year award from BC Career Development Association for the positive impact on the profession. Christine has been working with Open Door Group for the past 15 years because it is built on the fundamental belief that everyone has the ability to succeed which is perfect alignment with her values. She has been known to be pulled away from her passion at work to follow other passions such as dancing and taking long silent meditation retreats.

GAIL KASTING B.Ed., CCDP, CCS - Director

Gail Kastning, B.Ed., CCDP, CCS, is the founder and owner of Purposeful Careers, a training company specializing in designing and delivering career, employment, and business support programs. Her company focuses on supporting independent workers and researching the non-traditional workforce, including global trends toward on-demand labour and portfolio careers. With over 20 years of experience, Gail has helped thousands of Albertans in achieving their career, employment and self-employment goals.

With 20 years of experience in career development and human resources across both private and public sectors, Michelle Cook brings expertise and enthusiasm to helping people navigate their career journeys. She has supported clients of all ages and backgrounds, empowering them to build confidence, clarify their goals, and make informed decisions that lead to meaningful and fulfilling careers.

Michelle guides individuals through every stage of career development — from exploring career paths and post secondary options to crafting effective job search strategies. She helps clients strengthen their professional brand through compelling resumes and cover letters, polished LinkedIn profiles, and targeted interview coaching.

She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Calgary and is a Certified Career Development Professional (CCDP).

ALISON IRELAND BA, CDP - Treasurer

Alison Ireland is currently the Senior Manager of Employment Services at DIVERSEcity Community Resources Society in Surrey, BC, and is earning her Executive MBA through the Quantic School of Business and Technology. She has over 15 years of experience in leadership roles within the Employment Services Sector, with extensive work in proposal development, program management,

instruction, and the development of strategic community partnerships. She’s also been a guest speaker and sessional instructor at Simon Fraser University’s Career Development Practitioner Program.

HERKY CUTLER B.Ed. MA - Director

Having coached and trained CDPs for the last 20+ years as an independent practitioner, Herky Cutler is on a life-long mission to ignite transformation—within individuals, organizations, and the world. A passionate change maker, Herky is driven by a powerful vision: to help people/organizations break through barriers, unlock potential, and step boldly into extraordinary performance.

Herky has a B Ed degree from Simon Fraser University, and a Master’s Degree in Organizational Development from the University of Calgary. He is a certified Life/Business Coach, Teacher, Smart Work Ethics Facilitator, Virtual Presenter, and Career Development Professional.

Herky lives in High River, Alberta with his wife Riesah, is a singer/songwriter/gigging musician, and long time member of “Mentor, Discover, Inspire,” an international organization that helps support and train men to be the best men they can possibly be in this world.

YAS SABERSHEIKH MBA - Secretary

Yas Sabersheikh is a Career Development Practitioner with extensive experience in career development, employment services, workforce development, and settlement. She also brings international experience as a university instructor, corporate trainer, and HR professional.

Yas holds an MBA in Strategic Management and a Career Development Practice Certificate from Douglas College. She currently serves as a Community Integration Practitioner with SUCCESS, supporting newcomers through employment, settlement, and community integration services.

She is passionate about helping newcomers build meaningful careers in Canada and actively supports initiatives that advance immigrant inclusion and workforce integration through Local Immigration Partnerships, Immigrant Advisory Tables, and her service on the WestCanCDA Board of Directors.

DAVID OWEN PhD, MFA, MA, CCDP - Director

David Owen is an experienced program manager, career and employment coach, facilitator, and college and university instructor with a PhD in Theatre Studies from York University, an MFA in Directing, and a MA in Dramatic Theory. David is a Certified Career Development Practitioner (CCDP) and member of Career Professionals of Canada (CPC) and Western Canada Career Professionals Association (WCCDA). He is a scholar, award-winning playwright, director, gamer, and past member of the Playwright's Guild of Canada (PGC).

He is the author of _Player and Avatar: The Affective Potential of Videogames_ published by McFarland and editor of two anthologies, _Long Live the New Flesh: 6 Plays from the Digital Frontier_ and _Digital Performance in Canada_ both for Playwrights Canada Press. His scholarly research focuses on the intersection of performance and videogames. David is currently the Program Manager of the Certified Utility Tree Worker program at the Bredin Centre for Career Advancement.

Dr. HODA KILANI CCDP®, CPCC - Advisor

Dr. Hoda Kilani is a Certified Career Development Professional and Certified Professional Co Active Coach, and the Founder of Right Career Fit based in Calgary, Alberta. She is a Career and Academic Coach specializing in career literacy and gifted education, working primarily with youth and young adults ages 14 to 25.

Dr. Kilani is dedicated to helping students and emerging professionals discover who they are, clarify their interests, and confidently navigate their next steps. She focuses on intrinsic motivation, personal growth, meaningful relationships, and community engagement, guiding clients toward pathways that align with both their strengths and aspirations. Her work bridges the gap where traditional education systems often fall short in preparing young people for life after school.

Through Right Career Fit, Dr. Kilani provides individualized and innovative career development strategies to students, parents, educators, and community partners. She has coached and mentored over a thousand individuals, supporting them in making informed academic and career decisions that reflect their goals and values.

A recognized speaker at national and international conferences, Dr. Kilani advocates for the importance of career literacy as a foundational life skill. She contributes to the field through conference presentations, academic writing, blogs, and media engagement. She hosts career focused conversations across multiple platforms including YouTube, podcasts, and radio in both English and Arabic, expanding access to career education across diverse communities.

Dr. Kilani is on a mission to make career literacy a global conversation and a social movement. Through her coaching, media presence, and community leadership, she empowers individuals to move forward with clarity, confidence, and purpose.

Dr. NORMAN AMUNDSON - Honorary Lifetime Board Member

Dr. Norman Amundson is a Full Professor in Counselling Psychology/Faculty of Education at the University of British Columbia, Canada. He has given numerous workshops and seminars and has been a keynote speaker at many national and international conferences.

Dr. Amundson is actively involved in several professional associations. He is the Chair of the International Committee for the National Career Development Association and the Editor of the Journal of Employment Counselling for the National Employment Counselling Association. He also is a Governor of the Canadian Career Development Foundation.