CPA Alberta’s mentorship program consistently sees a return rate of at least 30 per cent year over year, with some mentors contributing for more than five years. In a profession where demands are high and time is limited, this raises an important question: what motivates a busy CPA to become a mentor—and to keep showing up month after month, year after year?
We invited several mentors to reflect on their mentorship journeys and share why participating in the program was the right next step for them. When asked “Why did you decide to become a mentor?,” many responses were rooted in a desire to share experience, support others, and help build a stronger profession for the future. As the conversations deepened, however, a more nuanced picture emerged. Many mentors described the experience as mutually rewarding, offering unexpected insights, fresh perspectives, and personal growth alongside the opportunity to support a mentee.
Why mentors step forward
For many, the decision to participate began with a desire to give back.
Sandy Lyons CPA, CA—a four-year returning mentor and semi-retired consultant with his own firm, Sparkplug Consulting Inc.—describes his motivation this way:
“I get to share my life experience, cheerlead for the next generation, and give back to the profession. There are not many insolvency professionals involved as mentors in the CPA Alberta Mentorship Program, so this is an opportunity to help those who may be struggling with career direction, especially in this field.”
For Gary Yamada CPA, CA, Chief Financial Officer and a first-time mentor in the program, mentorship is closely tied to his own career journey:
“I was lucky early in my career to have some very influential mentors, which facilitated my development and career choices. I saw mentorship as a powerful and valuable partnership between two ambitious people looking to grow and expand, not only in their professional career, but also in their life experience and skills.’
Do mentors benefit?
Mentors consistently shared that the experience strengthened skills they hadn’t anticipated, particularly in listening, asking thoughtful questions, and building empathy. It quickly became clear that mentorship is far from a one-sided exchange.
Gary reflected on how his perspective evolved through the process:
“I strengthened my listening skills and my understanding of challenges that were not obvious at first. I also gained perspective from my mentee’s experiences, which helped me develop more empathy and openness toward different backgrounds.”
While he initially expected to share his own experiences and career insights, Gary found the real value came from truly understanding his mentee’s situation:
“By really listening and understanding his situation, I was able to support both short‑term objectives and longer‑term goals, especially when working through roadblocks that were currently impacting him.”
Deepa Mittimani CPA, also a four‑year returning mentor, reinforced this approach:
“Mentorship is about listening first. There is always an urge to jump to conclusions or provide ready‑made answers, but effective mentorship starts with understanding.”
Across each perspective, one theme stands out: mentorship works best as a structured conversation—not a one-way exchange. It creates space to reflect, test ideas, and move forward with greater clarity and intention.
Deepa is featured on the CPA Education Foundation’s Uncommon Sense Podcast, where she discusses mentorship and the CPA profession.
What makes an effective mentor?
- A willingness to listen and understand before offering input
- The ability to ask thoughtful—sometimes challenging—questions
- A commitment to showing up consistently
The return on mentorship
Mentorship is an opportunity to contribute in a meaningful, practical way, while strengthening the very skills that support leadership, communication, and long-term professional growth.
The CPA Alberta Mentorship Program is now accepting applications for the 2026–27 cohort. Over the coming weeks, additional perspectives from mentors and mentees will be shared. For those considering becoming a mentor, these reflections offer a glimpse into both the impact and the personal value of the experience.
