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Council Connections: Changes to Council President and Vice President
Ashley Cesar was named the new President of the Council of the College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Alberta (CLPNA), effective September 1. In addition, Kristan Reynolds will step into the role of Council Vice President.
Outgoing President Kurtis Kooiker’s last Council meeting was in May.
For six years, Ashley has brought her clinical, education, and leadership experience to the Council. She served as Vice President from 2021 and will assume the role of President as the CLPNA continues to modernize its processes, improve public safety, and prepare for Health Care Aide (HCA) regulation.
Ashley has served in key governance and regulatory roles with the CLPNA, including involvement in policy, governance, compensation, and resolution committees. She has contributed to national exam frameworks and provincial curriculum projects, and she remains committed to public protection and excellence in healthcare practice.
Ashley is a nationally certified Medical-Surgical LPN and a seasoned healthcare educator and leader with more than 25 years of experience in Alberta’s health system. She began her career as an HCA and has practiced as a nurse for the past 17 years, building deep expertise in clinical care, education, and regulation.
She previously worked as Chair in the post-secondary system, where she oversaw several allied health programs and led initiatives in curriculum development, instructor training, clinical coordination, and student mentorship. Her leadership has supported program growth, innovation, and quality across multiple disciplines in healthcare education.
Ashley has recently stepped into a role at the City of Lethbridge as part of the Community Social Development team. In this role, Ashley supports vulnerable populations and strengthens community well-being through collaborative planning, policy development, and social programming.
Ashley holds a Bachelor of Health Sciences in Public Health and Health Leadership from the University of Lethbridge and is certified in Medical-Surgical Nursing through the Canadian Nursing Association.
A lifelong resident of southern Alberta and a first-generation Canadian, Ashley lives in Lethbridge with her husband and two children.
Kurtis has served on the Council since 2016 as a member, Vice President, and then as President starting in 2021. Kurtis brought a wealth of experience in the healthcare system to the Council, leveraging his work as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), educator, and leader to guide the organization in meeting its mandate of public safety.
Kurtis’s tenure coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic, during which the CLPNA modernized its operations to support the healthcare system. During this time, new legislation was also implemented to improve patient protection standards.
Under Kurtis’s leadership, the CLPNA Council embraced opportunities to support efficient and effective processes and remove barriers for applicants and registrants. Evidence-based, data-driven decision making became central to the CLPNA’s strategy. The implementation of a new performance measurement framework provided the Council with better understanding of the impact of the CLPNA’s regulatory activities and allowed for the measurement of progress towards strategic goals.
The Council also strengthened the CLPNA’s regulatory framework under Kurtis’s leadership, committing to the protection of the public and enhancing our collaboration over the years with key partners. The Council championed research into the LPN’s evolving role within Alberta’s healthcare system, the internationally educated nurse experience, and the role of HCAs—all to inform and enhance regulatory practices and increase public trust of the CLPNA as a regulator.
We thank Kurtis for generously giving his time, insight, and leadership to steer the CLPNA through challenges and opportunities. He has left a legacy of dedication and excellence that will be felt for years to come.
Kristan Reynolds has been with the CLPNA Council since 2024 and will now serve as Vice President.
As the Regional Director of Operations – Southern Alberta for CBI Health, Kristian ensures that healthcare services within the region meet quality standards and comply with regulatory requirements. This includes monitoring clinical practices, implementing quality improvement initiatives, and addressing any deficiencies or non-compliance issues.
Kristan has experience in strategic planning, financial management, leadership, and human resources. She has practiced in many areas of nursing including medical, orthopedic surgery, in-patient rehabilitation, neurosciences and a neuro-critical care unit, hospice, and in-patient acute psychiatry. Outside of her management and supervisory duties, Kristan has also taught courses on health promotion, pathophysiology, and integrated nursing skills. She is working on a Masters of Business Administration at the Hult International Business School.
Kristan’s wide-ranging experience in the healthcare system will be invaluable for the CLPNA as we move into the future.