Board of Directors
Our Board of Directors are volunteers members of the legal assistant and paralegal professions with a wide variety of experience and knowledge.
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Vanessa has built a diverse career in the legal field. Starting her legal journey in 2006 as a full-time temp, this provided Vanessa with exposure to various firms of different sizes and cultures in Calgary, as well as the ability to gain valuable exposure to multiple different areas of law. In 2009 when she decided she wanted to move into a full-time noncontract role, Vanessa enrolled in the Legal Assistant Diploma program at SAIT at the guidance of industry professionals.
Upon leaving SAIT in 2011 Vanessa joined a family law boutique firm that specialised in child welfare. However, due to her family moving to Regina in 2013, she temporarily transitioned to an alternate career path due to difficulties finding legal assistant work in Saskatchewan. Upon returning to Calgary in 2015, Vanessa briefly continued her sales career before venturing back into full-time temporary work, gaining knowledge in pension law. Since the Spring of 2017 Vanessa has been working with a growing mid-size firm as a litigation paralegal, with her primary focus being on criminal defence and civil litigation.
Outside her professional endeavors, Vanessa has been pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice through online studies with Athabasca University, developing a deep passion for access to justice in Alberta. She has dedicated her time to volunteering with the 538 “Buffalo” Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron since 2016. Apart from her involvement with Cadets, Vanessa tries to be an active member of the Calgary burlesque community, and in her personal life, Vanessa embraces the joys of being a cat parent to three delightfully chonky cats with her partner, as her human children are now all adults and have moved on with their respective lives.
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I was the first Paralegal Bencher to complete a 12‑year term at the Law Society of Ontario, and helped build Ontario’s paralegal regulatory framework, and later served on the Legal Aid Ontario board (2016–2020). In 2020 I received the William J. Simpson Distinguished Paralegal Award. Today I represent lawyers and paralegals before the LSO Tribunal, teach CPD, and hold credentials from Sheridan College and Windsor Law (ADR Certificates 1 and 2).
On a more personal note, I love to read and travel.
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Samantha is an experienced Estates Paralegal with 20 years in the legal industry and more than a decade working as a paralegal. Samantha specializes in the area of Wills and Estates, where she assists with complex estate administration, probate applications, estate litigation matters, real property, adult guardianship and trusteeship, and the many moving pieces that come with helping clients navigate some of life’s most difficult transitions.
A strong believer that knowledge is power—and that professionalism and personality can absolutely coexist—Samantha is passionate about mentorship, education and advancing the role of professional paralegals within Alberta’s legal community. Her contributions to the profession have included recognition for her work and mentorship in Wills and Estates, contributing to continuing legal education materials, participating in paralegal education and industry panels, and sharing her experiences through professional speaking and podcast opportunities. She is also a sessional instructor, bringing practical, real-world experience into the classroom.
Samantha is a proud Metis woman and has furthered her own learning through the University of Alberta’s Indigenous Canada program. Her background and experiences have helped shape the importance she places on community, inclusion, lifelong learning and creating space for different perspectives within the legal profession.
As Secretary with the Alberta Association of Professional Paralegals, Samantha is excited to build meaningful relationships between AAPP and organizations that share its commitment to supporting, recognizing and strengthening Alberta’s paralegal community.
Outside of the legal world, Samantha is a mom, dog lover, lifelong learner and firm believer that you can take your work seriously without taking yourself too seriously. She brings curiosity, humour and a genuine love of connecting with people to everything she does.
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Sandra has over 20 years of experience in the legal field and currently holds the role of Treasurer for the AAPP.
She has a Business Degree from the King’s University College (1997), a Legal Assistant Diploma (2002), a Post-Diploma Paralegal Certificate from Red Deer College (2024), and has recently earned her Certified Executor Advisor designation from the Canadian Institute of Certified Executor Advisors (2026).
In addition to working in Red Deer firms, Sandra has also worked independently as a paralegal practitioner since 2014 and operates her own business, SS Paralegal Services. She specializes in estate planning and estate administration services.
Outside the office, Sandra is married with three grown sons. She enjoys playing Scrabble, gardening, and growing cut flowers.
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Alishia has over 10 years of experience as a residential real estate conveyancing paralegal, having built her career at a prominent Edmonton law firm with expertise in purchases, sales, refinances, builder and developer transactions, and manufactured homes. She has also contributed to legal technology development, helping create solutions designed to improve efficiency and support legal professionals in their day-to-day work.
Today, Alishia remains deeply connected to the legal community through her work in the real estate and title insurance sectors, where she collaborates closely with legal professionals across Alberta. Her background as a conveyancing paralegal provides her with a strong understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing the profession.
As Director of Membership and Engagement for the Alberta Association of Professional Paralegals, Alishia is passionate about building connections, supporting professional growth, and fostering a strong, engaged community for paralegals throughout the province.
Outside of work, Alishia enjoys spending time with her husband, her two energetic daughters, and her dog, Cooper. She is passionate about health and wellness and can often be found running, practicing pilates or yoga, and staying active with her family.
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Tara Edwards is an Alberta Registered Paralegal and Senior Paralegal at Sharon Roberts Law Group in Edmonton, where she works in employment law, civil enforcement, corporate registrations, and corporate annual maintenance.
With 20 years of experience in the legal profession, Tara began her career in Toronto, Ontario, as a Labour and Employment Legal Assistant before expanding her experience into various areas of legal practice. She holds diplomas in Human Resources, Legal Office Administration, and Paralegal Studies and is certified in CORES Levels I and II and APPRES.
Beyond her professional practice, Tara is the creator and host of a podcast dedicated to career development, mentorship, education, and the evolving role of legal assistants and paralegals. She has also presented continuing legal education seminars through the Legal Education Society of Alberta.
As Director of Communications and Social Media for the AAPP, Tara is focused on strengthening the Association’s visibility, fostering member engagement, and supporting membership growth through strategic communications and social media initiatives. She is passionate about promoting the value of legal support professionals, creating opportunities for professional development, and building a stronger, more connected legal assistant and paralegal community across Alberta.
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Ross Furgeson was recently nominated and appointed to the Board of Directors for the AAPP in September 2026. Prior to this achievement and his present endeavours for a growing legal education, Ross worked previously in protective services and law enforcement roles throughout the Canadian prairie provinces. Since witnessing firsthand how many Albertans with legal matters cannot access justice services or professionals like lawyers due to prohibitive costs or significant legal fees, Ross fully supports the AAPP’s mission and objectives.
Ross has been employed as a legal support professional within southeast Alberta & southwest Saskatchewan for over three years. His work is performed alongside and under the supervision of members of a provincial Law Society (lawyer practitioners). Ross provides legal support services primarily in family law, civil litigation & criminal law matters. In the future, Ross has desires to gain experience and expand in Indigenous Law, legal rights and protections for Children & Youth,Intellectual Law, and Privacy Law.
Outside of his employment & AAPP commitments, Ross enjoys spending time within the Cypress Hills regions where he was raised on a fourth-generation family farm. Further, Ross volunteers any of his spare time to other local organizations, charities and boards within the area. Ross lives alone with his plants & pets. He also enjoys music, cooking, running, Saskatchewan Roughrider football, and comedy.
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Kristie started her career in the legal profession in 2014, learning residential real estate. Finding an extreme liking for her work she decided to attend Bow Valley’s Legal Assistant Diploma Program in the evenings by distance learning and graduated in 2017. Since graduating she has obtained her Level 3 CORES and APPRES Accreditations. Moving from residential real estate into commercial real estate and corporate law, with a little dabbling in Estate Planning and Estate work. Currently she is solely focused on Corporate Law with a side of Commercial.
Kristie enjoys spending time with her son and two beagles, Bonnie and Clyde. In her spare time, she can be found knitting and hanging out with her pups.
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Cassandra (Cassie) Morris holds a Bachelor of Legal Studies (Paralegal) Degree from Capilano University and is an Alberta Registered Paralegal and Certified E-Discovery Specialist. She began her legal career in Vancouver before relocating to Edmonton, where she worked for the Government of Alberta and later transitioned to a mid-sized Western Canadian law firm. With over a decade of experience as a paralegal specializing in litigation and eDiscovery, she has a particular interest in legal technology, innovation, and professional development.
Cassie is passionate about supporting the continued growth, recognition, and professional regulation of paralegals in Alberta. Through her role as Director of Post-Secondary Education Public Relations, she looks forward to fostering connections between the AAPP, educational institutions, and the next generation of legal professionals.
Originally from Lethbridge, Cassie now calls Edmonton home, where she lives with her husband, young son, and their four-legged family members. Outside of work, she enjoys family adventures, exploring new places, and getting lost in a good book.
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Michaela graduated from Red Deer College (now Red Deer Polytechnic) in 2017. Since graduating, she has worked for several law firms in the Central Alberta area and in January 2025, opened her own practice as a Paralegal Practitioner with a focus on the areas of Family Law and Estate Planning.
Michaela joined the Board of Directors in 2020 as a Director-at-Large and moved into the Secretary seat in October 2020. She has been the President of the AAPP’s Student Honour Society since October 2023, and in May 2025, she moved into a new position with the AAPP as the Post-Secondary Relations Director. Michaela also sits on the AAPP’s Education Committee, and does speaking engagements with students to promote the AAPP and our profession.
Outside of work, Michaela enjoys reading, listening to music, bullet journaling, and spending time with her husband and two cats.
Aimee Auclair, ARP
Director – Communications and Social Media
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Aimee Auclair
Aimee graduated from Grant MacEwan Community College’s Legal Assistant Program in June 2003. Since graduating, she has had opportunities to work in various types of law in various size law firms, in both public and private sectors.
Aimee has been in the legal industry for almost 20 years and a litigation paralegal for 15 of those years. During this time, she has been part of a training team in a trainer role assisting in providing training in various software programs and technology, law firm policies and procedures, as well as law firm etiquette.
Aimee grew up in the town of Drayton Valley. She has 2 dogs and enjoys baking, cooking and event planning. She finds volunteering for events is a great opportunity to get out there and meet people.
Ashley Stasiewich, MA
Director-Credentialling
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Ashley Stasiewich, B.A., B.Ed., M.Ed.
Ashley is a post-secondary educator with nearly two decades of experience in the legal industry, where she has excelled in a variety of non-lawyer legal professional roles. She is currently pursuing a doctoral degree, with her research centered on themes and contexts in paralegal education. Outside of her professional and academic endeavors, Ashley enjoys spending time with her family and her pets, a cat named Pig and a dog named Hera. She is also an avid reader with a deep passion for learning.
Ryan McDougall, MA, ARP, Q.Med, PM President Acting Director-Conduct Review
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Ryan McDougall, Q. Med, ARP, CLC
Ryan began her career 20 years ago and has specialized in family law matters. Completing her mediation and dispute resolution training in 2012, Ryan started a mediation practice focusing on keeping families out of the court system. Ryan returned to school and completed a degree in Governance, Law & Management in 2015.
Ryan continues her legal work employed at The Outreach Centre in Red Deer, AB where she assists victims of domestic violence needing protection orders and help navigating through the justice system.
She is passionate about the wealth of knowledge and experience paralegals can bring to citizens and is active on pursuing the regulation of the paralegal profession.
And she loves dogs.
Tanya Dechaine, ARP
Director-Awards and Events
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Tanya Dechaine, ARP
Tanya brings to us over 22 years of experience working in the legal profession and while she has dabbled in all areas of law, her passion is family law. Tanya has worked in the judicial system as a court clerk with the Court of King’s Bench for almost 10 years and in private practice starting as a legal assistant and graduating to a family law paralegal. She believes that working in both sides of the system has given her a wealth of knowledge that she now carries forward. Tanya recently started her own private practice offering paralegal services for uncontested divorces and estate planning matters.
Tanya has been married for almost 25 years and has 2 grown sons who have always been active in activities. She loves to chase after those and watch them do whatever they love and her and her husband love to travel as much as possible!