Faculty Spotlight: Karen Meades
Meet Professor Karen Meades, a dynamic and enthusiastic member of the School of Business & Hospitality faculty, whose passion for teaching energizes the classroom and inspires student success.
Professor Karen Meades loves bringing real-world business experience into the classroom at the School of Business & Hospitality. Before joining Algonquin College, she spent several years in leadership roles in the private sector, managing financial strategy, budgeting, and operations for a variety of organizations. She enjoys sharing stories from her career to help students see how theory connects to real business challenges. Known for her approachable and student-focused teaching style, Karen is passionate about helping learners gain the confidence and skills they need to succeed both in their studies and in their careers.
“I love seeing students make the jump from classroom learning to real-world experience. Watching them gain confidence and put their skills into practice, especially during their work placements, is one of the most rewarding parts of teaching,” Karen shares.
I enjoy time outdoors, whether hiking, e-biking, or exploring with my husband and our dogs. It’s my favorite way to recharge and stay inspired.
Advice for new students: Education opens the door to opportunity and freedom. Stay curious, approach life with a positive mindset, and good things will follow.
Meet Lola Saliba, a part-time professor at the School of Business and Hospitality. She approaches teaching as a meaningful mission, one centred on empowering students, fostering critical thinking, and shaping the development of responsible future professionals.
With more than eight years in management consultancy and four years in research, Professor Saliba brings industry insight and academic rigour to her work. She has two years of teaching experience and is currently pursuing her PhD at the University of Ottawa’s Faculty of Education and Management, focusing her research on innovative evaluation methods for numerical programs in the AI era. An ISO Lead Auditor with an MBA and expertise in quality management, she is known for her clear, structured, and flexible teaching approach and her commitment to an inclusive learning environment.
Professor Saliba teaches Finance and Macroeconomics in the Bachelor of Commerce Degrees as well as the Business Administration Advanced Diploma programs, integrating real-world examples from her industry experience to help students apply theory in practice. She encourages students to think critically and openly discus their ideas, while maintaining a clear, structured, and flexibe approach that supports a positive learning environment.
As professors “it is not enough to do our best; we need to know what to do first, and then do our best,” as Edward Deming said. And she tells her students “The difference between a D- and an A+ often comes down to just 30 minutes a day”.
Outside of work, Professor Saliba is a mother and prioritizes spending quality time with her children. She enjoys cooking for them and staying connected with friends and family, which she considers essential for maintaining her energy, positivity, and balance.
Advice for new students: Forget past school experiences; Algonquin is a fresh start! Build your knowledge, relationships, and yourself exactly the way you want. Don’t be shy to ask for help; professors can’t read minds, and you don’t change color as a signal, so please speak up. And remember: your professor isn’t a genius they got here through consistent habits and repetition. Yes, repetition is the most powerful way to learn and master anything.
Meet Alexander Landry, a Professor in the School of Business & Hospitality at Algonquin College. Drawing on a multitude of leadership experiences across defence, public service, and industry, Alexander focuses on preparing students to communicate clearly and think critically in complex workplace environments. His teaching emphasizes practical skills and lifelong learning to help students succeed beyond the classroom.
Alexander brings a multidisciplinary background as an engineer, business professional, and educator to his teaching at Algonquin College. More than a decade of experience in the defence and security realm enables him to emphasize practical, real-world applications towards helping students develop workplace-ready skills and a mindset of lifelong learning.
At Algonquin College, Alexander has taught Strategic Business Communications, Sales Negotiation, and Global Marketing, with the latter serving as his premier course. Backed specifically by three years of professional experience overseas in Europe and the Middle East, he seeks to bring a global, real-world perspective into the classroom. His teaching emphasizes applied learning, helping students translate theory into practical skills such as professional communication, negotiation, and cross-cultural decision-making. ‘My goal is to help students understand how their skills apply in real workplaces – across industries, cultures, and careers,’ Alexander shares.
Outside of the classroom, Alexander is deeply engaged in community service and volunteer leadership, serving on several boards both locally and nationally. He values lifelong learning and public service, which generally enable him to spend time exploring new places and connecting with others over good coffee. These interests reflect his belief that strong communities are built through curiosity, service, and meaningful engagement.
Advice for new students: Be curious, stay adaptable, and take ownership of your learning. The professional skills you develop in communication and collaboration will matter just as much as technical knowledge. Build relationships and view every experience as preparation for the workplace you want to be part of!
Meet Chef Katie Ardington, a celebrated culinary leader and Chef-Professor in the School of Business & Hospitality. Katie’s passion for food, teaching, and mentorship continues to shape the next generation of hospitality professionals.
With over 20 years of culinary experience, Katie brings deep expertise in fine dining, menu development, cost management, and kitchen leadership to her role at Algonquin College. A graduate of the Culinary Management program, Katie built her career in some of Ottawa’s most respected kitchens, rising from cook to Chef de Cuisine at Beckta Dining & Wine, where she led one of Canada’s top restaurant teams and helped maintain consecutive CAA/AAA Four Diamond awards. She was also the chef for the Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau, executing menus for his family and dignitary visits to Canada. Her dedication to local ingredients, sustainable food systems, and excellence in culinary execution informs both her teaching and her industry engagement.
At Algonquin College, Katie teaches and mentors aspiring culinary professionals, helping students build skills grounded in real kitchen practice, teamwork, and leadership. Drawing from roles as Chef de Cuisine and senior manager at Beckta Dining & Wine and Play Food & Wine, she brings lived expertise in menu design, food costing, staff development, and supplier relations directly into the classroom.
Katie maintains strong industry ties through consulting, community partnerships, and continued involvement in national culinary events. She believes in empowering students through experience, sharing that “great food is built on curiosity, collaboration, and the courage to learn by doing.”
Outside of her work with students, Katie is a proud community builder, volunteering with a wide range of food-focused organizations, including Youville Centre, Harmony House, HOPE Live, and Food for Thought initiatives supporting youth, women, and local charities. Whether mentoring teenage mothers, organizing fundraising dinners, or teaching high-school students to produce large-scale events, she finds joy in connecting people through food. When she isn’t cooking professionally, she enjoys exploring markets, sharing meals with family, and celebrating local Canadian farmers and producers.
Advice for new students: “Show up curious and stay open to every opportunity. In this industry, the people beside you become your network, your collaborators, and sometimes lifelong friends — invest in those relationships and let passion guide your path.”
Asfrah Syed-Emond
Meet Asfrah Syed-Emond, a dedicated member of the Legal Department, School of Business and Hospitality. Asfrah teaches and coordinates placements in the Paralegal and Law Clerk programs.
Asfrah discovered her passion for teaching at AC a decade ago, first as a part‑time professor, and recently celebrated eight years in a full‑time role. She co‑leads A.C.T.I.O.N. (All Cultures Together in One Network), reflecting her commitment to fostering diverse and inclusive learning environments for her students.
With over 10 years of experience in higher education and 26 years in private practice, Asfrah specializes in teaching good advocacy and negotiation skills. She brings real world cases into her classroom to support active learning. Asfrah holds a B.A. (Honours) in English Literature and an LL.B. from the University of Ottawa, and is a member of the Law Society of Ontario.
Asfrah remains deeply engaged with Ottawa’s legal community, mentoring graduates and contributing to key local initiatives. She stays connected with local paralegals and lawyers through volunteer work, including hosting the 2025 Paralegal Spring Conference at the College. She‘s participated in the Faculty-Industry Co-Mentorship (FICM) Project, and consistently offers her support to projects that strengthen legal education and professional development.
Outside the College, Asfrah is an avid traveler who has toured over 20 countries. Raised in Quebec by first generation immigrants from Kenya, Asfrah speaks four languages and is currently learning a fifth! Her creative interests include painting and writing, and on weekends you will often find her helping her husband set up his stall to sell his cutting boards at the Ottawa Farmers’ Market in Westboro and Lansdowne Park. She is a proud supporter all things LOCAL!
Advice for New Students: Remember that your classmates are your future colleagues in the profession! Your reputation starts right here within the corridors of AC. Remember to be kind, helpful and respectful.