CLEAR Board of Directors Election 2026-27 Candidate Information
CLEAR's 2026-27 Board of Directors Election will begin on Monday, July 20, 2026 when all voting ballots will be distributed via e-mail to the primary contacts associated with each CLEAR membership. Due to time zone differences, some members may have received their ballots on July 21. All CLEAR members are eligible to vote and receive a predetermined number of ballots based on their membership category as stipulated by CLEAR's bylaws. All ballots are due before the election closes on September 7th at 5:00 PM (EDT). Below is the list of candidates for each Board position. If you have any questions about the candidates or the voting process, please contact us at membership@clearhq.org.
CLEAR's 2026-27 Board of Directors Election will begin on Monday, July 20, 2026 when all voting ballots will be distributed via e-mail to the primary contacts associated with each CLEAR membership. Due to time zone differences, some members may have received their ballots on July 21. All CLEAR members are eligible to vote and receive a predetermined number of ballots based on their membership category as stipulated by CLEAR's bylaws. All ballots are due before the election closes on September 7th at 5:00 PM (EDT). Below is the list of candidates for each Board position. If you have any questions about the candidates or the voting process, please contact us at membership@clearhq.org.
Positions being contested
Candidate for the Office of President-Elect
One candidate is running for the Office of CLEAR President-Elect
Michael Carpenter
Michael is currently CEO of General Surgeons Australia. An experienced and dedicated regulator, Michael has worked in the regulation of engineers, dentists, psychologists and health professionals more generally in both the UK and Australia.
Michael is a long-standing supporter of, and contributor to, CLEAR, having been a member of the Board of Directors for six years as well as Chair of the Regulatory Agency Administration Committee, one of the Deputy Chairs of the DEI Committee and a regular attendee and presenter at the Annual Education Conference and other CLEAR events.
Position Statement
Candidates for the Regular Member Positions on the Board of Directors
Six candidates are standing for the four available regular member positions
Christine Arnold (incumbent)
Christine Arnold is the Registrar and CEO of the College of Veterinarians of British Columbia and has served on CLEAR’s Board of Directors since 2025. Prior to joining the College, Christine was the founding director and managing lawyer of the Access Pro Bono Society of British Columbia’s Everyone Legal Clinic, a first-of-its-kind fully virtual legal services provider and teaching incubator aimed at improving access to justice. Christine is a course author and instructor at the University of British Columbia and the BC Council of Administrative Tribunals where she teaches topics in professional regulation including administrative law, decision writing, and ethics.
Position Statement
Jennifer Garrett (incumbent)
Jennifer Garrett is the deputy secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services, which oversees occupational regulation. She directs all external relations and policy development. Serving in positions of increasing responsibility over the past seven years, Jennifer has led internal efforts to address emerging issues. She has also forged and strengthened connections among occupational regulators across many states and actively works to identify and introduce topics and issues relevant to regulatory work.
Jennifer is a current CLEAR board and committee member. Committed and curious, she improves public understanding of and appreciation for occupational regulation and the safety it ensures in various professional services.
Position statement
Andrew LaFratte
Andrew LaFratte currently serves as Deputy Director of Policy for Pennsylvania's Bureau of Professional & Occupational Affairs, which coordinates regulatory affairs across 29 state licensing boards. In this role he has contributed to the passage of over 20 laws reducing barriers to licensure. An active CLEAR member, Andrew serves on the Regulatory Administration and Governance Committee and the AI, and Central Agency Working Groups, and will be a featured speaker at the 2026 Annual Education Conference. A frequent subject-matter expert for federal agencies and legislative committees, Andrew holds an MPA from the University of Pittsburgh and brings proven skills in coalition-building and strategic communication.
Position statement
Amelia Manuel
Amelia is a regulatory executive and registered nurse with extensive experience in professional regulation, investigations, governance, and public protection. She currently serves as Director of Professional Conduct for the College of Nurses of the Northwest Territories and Nunavut and has led complex regulatory initiatives, policy development, disciplinary processes, and organizational transformation across both jurisdictions. Amelia is recognized for her collaborative leadership, strategic thinking, and commitment to regulatory excellence, accountability, and continuous improvement. An active participant in national and international regulatory communities, she is passionate about advancing modern, evidence-informed regulation, strengthening public confidence in professional self-regulation, and fostering collaboration among regulators to address emerging challenges and share best practices.
Position statement
Arjun Shankar
Arjun Shankar is Deputy Registrar/Legal Counsel with the Saskatchewan College of Pharmacy Professionals, bringing 16 years of legal and business experience. He trained as a public defender, then ran his own law firm - building experience in public service litigation and administrative law. Then he became a senior crown prosecutor, leading high-profile homicide/firearms cases and gaining experience in police investigation techniques, warrants, 3d-printed firearms and constitutional law. Arjun then worked as legislative crown counsel, drafting healthcare and justice laws for the Province. In 2025, Arjun finished an MBA; he starts a PHD in Public Policy in the fall.
Position statement
Adam Slater
Adam Slater is CEO of AELERT - an environmental regulatory organization that seeks to improve the professionalism and capability of practitioners in Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific. He is in the examination stages of his PhD and holds a Visiting Fellowship at RegNet, and is an Adjunct Fellow at the University of New South Wales. He has held several senior roles in the New Zealand public service and is recognized for helping to build regulation as a profession in Australia. Lastly, he is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, and is a growing member of the CLEAR International Relations committee and others.
