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Together with Linda Cartier Akeela founded the Academy of Financial Divorce Specialists. She serves as Chair of the Advisory Board.

Akeela is the author of the best selling book "Divorce Dollars - Get Your Fair Share" (now in 2nd edition) which is available in all major book stores and through the Internet. This book serves as the basis of the first module of the Financial Divorce Specialists Course. Akella has been involved in teaching the in-class sessions of the Financial Divorce Specialists Course since the Academy was created. Akeela has appeared on radio and TV and in newspaper and magazine articles as an financial divorce professional possessing a wealth of experience in this area.

Akeela has practiced as a financial planner and investment advisor since 1985 and as a Financial Divorce Specialists since 1997. Akeela takes a professional approach in dealing with her clients, however, always remains empathetic. She has contributed to the training material in the Financial Divorce Specialists course based on her extensive experience and knowledge.

Maintaining the highest professional standards is of paramount importance to the Academy of Financial Divorce Specialists and is part of her role as chair of the Advisory Board.

As a Certified Financial Planner with over 25 years experience in the financial services industry, Erika works with many time-stressed female professionals and businesswomen.

Previous financial industry experience includes 20 years with the Royal Bank Financial Group, where her career was directed towards helping her clients establish financial arrangements best suited to their needs.

In 1998 Erika established her own financial planning practice. She is a "deep generalist" with an excellent understanding of the many complexities of financial planning that affect her clients' financial and personal lives. Close relationships are established with other professionals whose expertise can be accessed when needed.

An active volunteer, Erika has been a board member for charitable organizations. She has also worked the 'front line' as a canvasser and crisis line counselor. As an educator, Erika acquaints students with principles of finance and is actively involved in educational forums for other professionals.

Education
Erika has successfully completed the Financial Management program at BCIT. She obtained her Fellow of the Canadian Institute of Bankers (FICB) from the Institute of Canadian Bankers and her Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designation from the Financial Planning Standards Council of Canada. The Professional Retirement Planner (PRP) designation is granted by the Canadian Association of Pre-Retirement Planners and the Financial Divorce Specialist (FDS) designation from the Academy of Financial Divorce Specialists. Other financial courses include the Canadian Securities Course and Investment Funds in Canada. Erika has also completed studies in Collaborative Law, Conflict Resolution and Mediation.

Janis M. Pritchard is a member of the Law Society of Alberta and received her call to the Bar in 1977, graduating with distinction. She is a partner in the firm of Pritchard and Company LLP and her practice for the past 18 years has been restricted to family law.

Janis' practice is now restricted to Collaborative Family Law. Janis is a Registered Family Mediator in Alberta and has received advanced training in Mediation, Interest Based Negotiation and Collaborative Law. Janis is the founding President of the Association of Collaborative Lawyers (Medicine Hat & Brooks). Janis was key to implementing Collaborative Law in Medicine Hat and other centers in Alberta, Saskatchewan, the Northwest Territories, British Columbia and Prince Edward Island and providing Collaborative Law training in Alberta, Saskatchewan, British Columbia, the Northwest Territories, Prince Edward Island, Minneapolis, Minnesota, Vienna, Austria and New Brunswick.

Janis is a member of the board of the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals and chairs the board committee dealing with standards and credentials for collaborative professionals. The Medicine Hat Collaborative Law group has revolutionized the practice of family law in Medicine Hat.