Getting Lost in the Momentum of Mentorship

Tips for Building Authentic Connections and Meaningful Relationships Through Community

Did you know?

January 17, 2025 is International Mentoring Day!


In celebration of International Mentoring Day, let's head the words of John F. Kennedy,

"We must find the time to stop and thank those the people who make a difference in our lives."

On this momentous day, we implore you to take time to connect with someone who has made a significant difference in your life, whether that is a Mentor, Peer, or Protégé. It is through the practice of gratitude we nurture lasting relationships with those who take time to build community.


One of the gifts of “Mentorship” includes the opportunity to empower others and to be a part of someone’s career journey. Being part of a Mentorship relationship, supports and benefits all involved while creating shared learning experiences.


Having a Mentor, Peer, or Protégé supports building community which is critical to support professional development where individuals feel they can connect and share without judgement and in confidence their struggles, discuss approaches, considerations, and options, to develop a strategy to move forward.


It is through the identification of goals, that we can openly explore the possibilities of pathways to be taken to help move closer to goal achievement. Each step forward is evidence of incremental progress and with gentle nudges can sustain momentum. Mentoring relationships, support accountability through discussion and agreement to initial goal identification, actionable steps to achieve goals, monitoring of goal progress, and the celebration of goal achievement.

For this to occur, a foundation of trust and a belief that the intention behind received feedback is based on a desire to support someone in achieving a goal, such as enhancing a skill, or ability to deliver difficult feedback, as an example.


Based on personal experience and learnings, it is recommended as you build the foundation of your Mentorship Relationship, to take time to establish:

Shared Commitment to Purpose:

  • Commitment to open and transparent dialogue without judgement.
  • Commitment to psychological safety to be able to express needs and clarify expectations, and personal and professional boundaries.
  • Understanding of goals, expectations, communication needs and preferences, how to address differences
  • Willingness to empathetically and actively listen through the lens of curiosity.


Shared Experience, Learning, and Sponsorship Considerations:

  • Review and Feedback of Resume and/or Mock Interview Practice
  • Discussion of academic courses, role-plays, resume review, mock-interviews.
  • Attending CPHR Alberta and other events together and post-session debrief about learnings.
  • Participation in LinkedIN Learning, Coursera, or other course(s) to support shared skill development.
  • Listening to podcasts, reading blogs/book with shared learning discussions.
  • Supporting introductions and connections for special projects or volunteer opportunities.


The strongest relationships measure their progress to goal achievement, celebrate progress, and ‘make it safe’ to be vulnerable to readjust goals and priorities while being open about limitations and mistakes.


This includes exploring the difference behind being kind versus being nice. As highlighted by Whitener’s Council post: Why you should learn to differentiate between nice and kind, Being nice is nearly always superficial, perfunctory or, viewed most cynically, manipulative, while being kind is authentic, meaningful and empowering.


Prior to delivering feedback, press “pause” and reflect on verbal and non verbal communication including: choice of language, tone, inflection, and body language and setting.


Mentors play a significant role in supporting others in the development of confidence in one's abilities and professional judgement. This can be done through the challenging of perspectives to create opportunities for different lenses to be represented. This allows individuals to draw their own conclusion on a topic through an openness to ‘learn and unlearn’.


The “Gifts of Mentorship” align with a commitment to life-long learning, and spark motivation to consider, “What is my/our next opportunity for growth? Mentoring Relationships enrich our personal lives through intentionality and empathetic listening, this supports connection and empowerment.


Today, we express gratitude for those who have listened, supported, and built community through the connection of Mentorship.

Happy Mentoring!

Author: Amanda Van Haaften, CTMP, CPHR, SHRM-SCP, IPMA-ACP, MER, B.Com

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.



Celebrating the Stars of HR: Introducing Our 2026 Member Recognition Recipients

By Jessica Jaithoo • March 11, 2026
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.

Reminder to cast your vote for the next CPHR Alberta Board of Directors

March 5, 2026
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.

Celebrating Progress, Inspiring Action This International Women’s Day

By Jessica Jaithoo • March 4, 2026
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.
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