CEO

Dr. Kara Mitchelmore, holds a Doctorate in Business Administration from Athabasca University, is a fellow of the Chartered Professional Accountants (CPA) and the Certified Management Accountants (CMA) and is a Certified Marketing and Research Professional (CMRP).

She spent eight years with Certified Management Accountants (CMA) Alberta, including four years as president and CEO. Most recently, Kara was the CEO of the Marketing Research & Intelligence Association (MRIA). She also has a decade of experience as an instructor, including time spent at CMA Alberta, Mount Royal University and Bow Valley College.

Kara is outstanding at moving projects forward, and as a leader and educator, she describes herself as “output-based,” and inspires and equips her team to excel in that regard as well.

Executive Assistant

Vicki Rinke supports the Head Office of the CPLED team.

She is responsible for arranging corporate events, making travel arrangements, coordinating schedules and handling multiple high-level projects. She is passionate about teamwork and assisting others in driving measurable results.

Vicki has worked across a wide range of industries including Shaw Communications, Fortis Alberta, and the Calgary Flames Hockey Club.

Acting Education Manager

Erica Green is responsible for all educational development and activities for CPLED, including the Practice Readiness Education Program (PREP).

She holds a Bachelor of Laws from Dalhousie University and was called to the Bar in Nova Scotia is 1997. Erica worked in private practice for 15 years focusing on Family Law, Real Estate, and Wills and Estates before joining the Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society in their Education & Credentials Department. While at the Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society she was involved in all aspects of articling including facilitating their Bar admissions course. ​She became involved with the creation of PREP during her time at the Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society and has participated in all roles and areas of development.

Education Assistant

Kendall Aikins assists with the responsibilities for all educational development and activities for CPLED while working closely with the Education Manager and Education Coordinator.

She holds a Legal Assistant diploma from the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT), is a licensed Commissioner for Oaths, and a member of the Alberta Association of Professional Paralegals. Following graduation, Kendall worked in private practice and in-house legal environments and then went on to instruct for SAIT’s Legal Assistant program teaching Law Office Procedures and Legal Computer Applications.

Manager of Operations

Liza Worthington is a specialist in leading and delivering professional education programs. Her prior experience includes overseeing the undergraduate, graduate and continuous professional development programs at the University of Calgary’s Department of Family Medicine and the pre-certification programs at Chartered Professional Accountants (CPA) Alberta and Certified Management Accountants (CMA) Alberta. Liza was an instructor at Mount Royal University and CMA Alberta. She is a Fellow of the CPA and CMA.

Liza is currently a board member for YMCA Calgary. As a life-long learner, she thrives on new challenges and transforming “what could be” into “what can be.”

Program Manager

Andrea Rodic is responsible for providing critical information and exceptional customer service to individuals who are engaged in CPLED’s Practice Readiness Education Program (PREP). She is a key point of contact for PREP students.

Her previous work experience includes managing pre-certification programs at Chartered Professional Accountants (CPA) Alberta and Certified Management Accountants (CMA) Alberta. Andrea holds Bachelor of Arts in Communications from the University of Calgary.

Program Coordinator

Kristina Jurcic is responsible for recruiting lawyers for the various opportunities within the Practice Readiness Education Program (PREP). She also oversees all student registration and administration for the Legal Research and Writing (LRW) course. Kristina previously worked as an Education Coordinator and then a Practical Experience Officer at Chartered Professional Accountants (CPA) Alberta.

Kristina holds a Bachelor of Arts in Art History from the University of Calgary. After graduation, she studied Art Conservation in Italy and later worked in the field in Europe.

Student Services Advisor

Eric Pye is responsible for supporting Practice Readiness Education Program (PREP) students who are seeking articling roles, and developing support services for all PREP students

He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from McMaster University as well as a Certificate in Career and Academic Advising and is certified as a Resume Specialist. Eric is also certified in Strong Interest Inventory© which enables him to provide students with dynamic career direction and insight into options that align with their interests and abilities. His prior experience includes international and domestic roles in corporate training, employee relations, recruitment and language teaching.

Communications Advisor

Carly Thompson is responsible for the development, implementation and evaluation of communication strategies and plans for both external and internal communications initiatives of CPLED. 

She holds a Bachelor of Communication Studies and a Public Relations Management Certificate from the University of Calgary as well as a diploma in Digital Graphic Communications from the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT).