Klengenberg adds to impressive academic list
Darrell Greer
Northern News Services
Rankin Inlet (Nov 08/00) - Helen Klengenberg now has two more letters following her name.
The Rankin businesswoman walked down the aisle at St. Mary's University in Halifax, N.S., Oct. 22, to receive her master's degree in business administration degree
The MBA was Klengenberg's crowning achievement on an impressive list of academic accomplishments.
She holds a bachelor of arts in political science from the University of Western Ontario and a municipal administration certificate from McMaster University in Hamilton, Ont.
Born on the land at Kugluktuk, Klengenberg operates Akhaliak Consulting Ltd. out of Rankin Inlet with her husband.
The couple specialize in bookkeeping and accounting, targeting small businesses and organizations that require some catching up with their books and ongoing payroll and bookkeeping services.
The firm also conducts feasibility studies and supplies strategic business and marketing plans.
Klengenberg says it took her six months longer to graduate than she had expected because of some difficulties with her major research paper.
"There were six of us who wanted to graduate as a group this fall, but, to date, I'm the only one who completed the requirements," says Klengenberg.
"I was so happy to have my major research paper completed. I had worked on it for a year, including the whole month of September in Halifax."
Klengenberg's paper was on whether Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. will be able to pay the money it borrowed against the Land Claims capital by March 31, 2008.
"My conclusion was yes, if the political will continues to be there and the politicians follow up on issues they say they will. I had to prove there was political will there to begin with."
Klengenberg says her Inuit heritage and modern education have given her the best of both worlds. She feels optimistic about the future.
"The plan for now is to continue on with the company and, since I can concentrate on it full-time now, I'm hopeful our success will continue.
