My Mentorship Story - Michael Elder
11
Apr 2022
168
Author: Michael Elder, Senior HR Advisor at Sobeys
I’ve been fortunate to have participated in eight separate mentoring relationships through the Human Resources Institute of Alberta and have appreciated each one. What has been particularly enjoyable is that I have worked with individuals that have run the gamut of career stages, from those still in post-secondary or those that had years of HR experience but from another country. Each has been beneficial in their own way.
Initially I had some self-doubt when I first was considering signing up. I found myself wondering “Do I have enough experience?” or “Can I really bring value to a developing HR professional?” Within a few meetings, I grew more and more comfortable with the topics of discussion, with the experience I possessed, and overall, with what I feel I could provide value wise. There is ultimately a reason that I’ve come back for seven additional mentoring relationships, as even years later I find myself enjoying them and the conversation.
From a mentor standpoint, there are many benefits to participating:
- Improving leadership skills – professionally I have had limited experience overseeing a team; through mentoring you are able to hone many of those skills. Being able to effectively listen, provide advice when needed, problem solve, and review options are all skills that are developed with mentoring. Knowing how to work with your protégé and have them determine the best solution with your support and through coaching is not a skill that most come by easily. I have found that this has already assisted me in my personal development and anticipate that it will only help me even more so in the future.
- Mastery of HR subjects – it is often said that to truly master a subject you need to be able to teach it. While not formal education, mentoring requires you to be able to distill your experiences into information that is relevant and interesting to your protégé. It makes you reflect, think through your accomplishments and skills and explain it in a beneficial way. This sort of teaching on relevant topics can clarify future career directions, prepare you for future interviews or advancement opportunities, and encourage you to participate in your own research as you look for more details on HR topics.
- Practicing problem solving in real world situations – depending on the stage of your protégé’s career, there is often opportunity to discuss challenging situations at work (in a confidential manner that does not disclose names and too many specifics). You may not have experienced these situations before, and it’s a fascinating way to consider what could be done in a similar case. Talking through contingencies prepares you should you run into them in the future, builds your problem-solving skills, expands your knowledge, and can serve as a satisfying “case scenario” to consider.
- Giving back to the profession – lastly, mentoring gives back to the HR Profession which only continues to grow in terms of professionalism and recognition. Reflecting on my career to date, I had many informal mentors that took an interest in my success, supported me, and gave advice that I still use regularly today. Participating in mentoring allows me to do the same and pay it forward to the future generation of HR Professionals that are just starting or coming into the workforce now.
Ultimately, for anyone considering becoming a mentor, I would strongly recommend giving it a try. You may be surprised by just how much information and support you can provide someone coming into the field, as well as how easy it can be to prepare for meetings. HRIA Alberta offers many supports as you are starting out, and by working collaboratively with your protégé, you’ll be able to create a mentoring relationship that will benefit both yourself as well as them. If you’re anything like me, cast aside your doubts and think to the benefits; you’ll be pleasantly surprised just how enjoyable it is.
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.
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.
Inspired by the spirit of the Northern Lights, the CPHR Alberta Member Recognition Program reflects a core belief: excellence is for everyone, everywhere. Just as the northern skies stretch across Alberta, the Northwest Territories, and Nunavut, so too does the impact of HR professionals—our Stars of HR—who illuminate workplaces and communities through leadership, innovation, and collaboration. We are proud to celebrate the recipients of our 2026 Member Recognition Program, a refreshed and re-imagined approach to recognition that replaces our former awards program. Inspired by the brilliance of the Aurora Borealis—a symbol of energy, beauty, and limitless potential—this program honours HR professionals as guiding lights within their organizations, illuminating pathways to success and shaping the future of work across our region. A New Era of Recognition With a renewed focus on excellence and inclusion, the Member Recognition Program recognizes a broad spectrum of contributions across the HR profession. From individual practitioners and collaborative teams to champions of the profession, volunteers, and newly designated CPHRs, this program celebrates the many ways HR professionals lead, inspire, and make a difference. We are thrilled to recognize the following groups at our first-ever Member Recognition Gala: Congratulations to our 2026 recipients and honourees. We’re proud to celebrate your achievements and contributions to HR! 2026 Individual HR Excellence Recipients 2026 Team HR Excellence Recipients 2026 HR Champion Recipients 2025 Newly Designated CPHRs 2025 FCPHRs 2025 Scholarship Winners 2025 CPHR Alberta Volunteers Spotlight: Individual HR Excellence Award The Individual HR Excellence Award honours HR professionals who demonstrate exceptional leadership, innovation, and commitment to the profession. Recipients are recognized for mentoring, collaboration, and inspiring others through their dedication, continuous learning, and advocacy for HR. 2026 Individual HR Excellence Recipients: Monika Ahuja Cristina Balamban Jennifer Kapala Arobo Ako Anna Tymoszejko All nominees who met the criteria, as evaluated by our Awards Selection Committee, will be honoured as 2026 HR Excellence Recipients and receive an individual spotlight at the Member Recognition Gala. Spotlight: Team HR Excellence Award The Team HR Excellence Award honours HR teams for exceptional collaboration, strategic leadership, and impactful execution. Recipients are recognized for advancing HR practices, delivering initiatives aligned with CPHR Alberta’s competency framework, and driving measurable positive outcomes through shared leadership, adaptability, and resilience. 2026 Team HR Excellence Recipients: Calgary Airports Servus People & Culture Team Edmonton West Primary Care Network (EWPCN) Alberta New Home Warranty Program Group of Companies Spotlight: HR Champion Award The HR Champion Award honors leaders in our business community who are not members, but who advocate for HR’s strategic value, demonstrate a people-first approach, and drive significant organizational impact. Award recipients are recognized for empowering colleagues, mentoring future professionals, and shaping workplace culture through outstanding leadership and innovation. In addition, these leaders actively encourage the pursuit of the CPHR designation, recognizing its importance in advancing HR professionalism and excellence across organizations. 2026 HR Champion Recipients: Bhanu Walia Kim Armstrong Join Us at the 2026 Member Recognition Gala Thursday, April 30, 2026 5:00 – 9:00 PM at the Westin Calgary Airport Included in your Gala Ticket: For $105 +GST, guests will enjoy a vibrant, modern, and prestigious night featuring a cocktail‑attire atmosphere, a three‑course plated meal, and a complimentary drink ticket. Get your ticket here.
Your current CPHR Alberta Board of Directors selected a slate of two (2) strong candidates to fill the current Board vacancies from a talented pool of applicants. The nomination process began in late 2025 with a call for applicants. The applications period ended on January 9, 2026. The responsibility of reviewing all applications sits with the Human Resources Committee of the Board. All applicants were reviewed in full, and based on the established selection criteria, a short-list was identified and interviewed. Following interviews a proposed slate was developed and presented to the Board, with the final slate generated for your consideration. The 2026 slate of Directors are Adediwura (Wura) Odiase and Terri Davis. These applicants reflect the skills, experience, and qualifications to supplement the existing Board of Directors and to guide the association into the future and to serve you, the members. 2026 Slate: Adediwura (Wura) Odiase - Click here to watch Wura's introduction video. Terri Davis - Click here to watch Terri's introduction video. Read more about our 2026 slate of directors here. How to Vote Only Chartered and Retired members can vote. Open the email you receive from CPHR Alberta via Simply Voting , read the bios, and vote yes or no to the slate. The voting website is available from March 2, at 1 PM MST until March 13, at 12 PM MST. The Simply Voting email contains your elector ID and password, which is needed for you to cast your ballot. If you do not see an email from CPHR Alberta via Simply Voting ( vote@simplyvoting.com ), please check your junk mail and spam filters. If you experience any technical difficulties in accessing the voting website, please email Heather McMaster at for assistance. On behalf of the CPHR Alberta Board of Directors, thank you in advance for your participation in the 2026 CPHR Alberta Board of Directors Election. We look forward to seeing you online for our Annual General Meeting on May 7. Registration will open in April, watch your email for more details.
Author: Taia Northrup, 2026 Social Media Committee Member International Women’s Day is a time to celebrate the achievements of women, recognize the barriers that still exist, and renew our commitment to advancing equity in the workplace and beyond. Across industries, women continue to shape organizations, strengthen communities, and lead innovation. In the HR profession especially, women play a vital role in designing inclusive workplaces, fostering culture, and driving meaningful change. Today, we celebrate those contributions — and acknowledge the responsibility we share in continuing to build equitable environments where everyone can thrive. Creating Workplaces Where Women Thrive Celebrating women’s achievements also means creating environments where future leaders can grow. Equity is not about identical treatment; it is about ensuring access to opportunity. It is about removing systemic barriers and fostering workplaces where individuals are supported in reaching their full potential. Organizations can take meaningful steps by: Actively monitoring representation across levels of leadership Conducting regular pay equity reviews Encouraging inclusive leadership training Amplifying diverse voices in decision-making spaces Recognizing and valuing different leadership styles Moving Forward Together At CPHR AB, we recognize the important role HR professionals play in advancing equity across Alberta’s workplaces. By embedding fairness into our policies, embracing inclusive leadership, and thoughtfully integrating technology with people-first values, we can continue to shape a future of work that is both innovative and inclusive. Progress happens when intention meets action. This International Women’s Day, we celebrate the resilience, leadership, and achievements of women across our profession and our communities. We also reaffirm our commitment to building workplaces where every individual — regardless of gender — has the opportunity to contribute, lead, and succeed.
