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Q&A with IABC Member Tanya Alexander
TANYA ALEXANDER, CMP, BACS
PRESIDENT
2020-2021 IABC NL Board
LinkedIn
How long have you been an IABC member?
Going on 18 years.
What was your very first job?
Working in a tanning salon – one of the first in the province. It was called The Tanning Factory 🙂
What energizes you?
Music, walks in the fresh air, positive people. Oh, and very strong coffee.
What do you do to turn things around when you’re having a bad day?
Play ukulele out on my deck in good weather, walk my dog with 80s New Wave piped through the headphones, experiment with a new culinary delight on a Friday night with glass of wine in hand and a favourite playlist on bust… maybe a little dancing around the kitchen too. Ok, there’s usually dancing. 🙂
What’s the best advice you were ever given?
A wise soul once told me that if I’m ever confused or hurt by someone’s behavior, to take pause and not jump to react. Perhaps even though it affects me or at first glance feels insulting, it may have absolutely nothing to do with me.
The COVID-19 pandemic has been challenging, but have you found any silver linings over the last several months?
Though this time has been difficult, I have found many gifts in the pandemic. The first thing I did was buy a few jigsaw puzzles. My mom loved them and we used to do them together when I was young. I bought a few online and had one after the other on my dining room table from March to July. It brought back great memories and brought me great peace. I also tried my hand (successfully, I’m happy to say!) at growing some vegetables and herbs I hadn’t tried before. Very satisfying – to grow AND to eat! The time with my husband has also been a beautiful blessing.
What book are you currently reading?
The Canadian Press Style Guide. Haha! It’s my go-to resource at work. In the personal vein, though I’m usually a voracious reader and read at least a few pages in bed every night, when COVID came down, I spent far more time with a TV remote than a book in my hand. It was a focus thing, I think. But the book I last read that stands out is Gemma Hickey’s Almost Feral. I laughed out loud a few times and shed a few tears. I even gasped once. It is a wonderful memoir.
What is the best part of being an IABC member?
The best part is the feeling of strength in numbers, of a like calling. IABC has set the global standard of communications excellence, elevating the visibility and viability of our industry. It feels empowering to be part of that.
Communications is often categorized as a soft skill, but I beg to differ. Great communicators are built under time and pressure – like diamonds. And we all know diamonds are the strongest known material on earth. Cut from the values of excellence and integrity, effective communications provides clarity, colour and consistency to an organization’s brand and culture. Every organization should have a qualified communicator on the team.
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Email us at iabcnl@gmail.com!