Introducing Alex Oxenham – Senior Director of Community Partnerships for The Vancouver Canucks & Executive Director of the Canucks for Kids Fund. After graduating from BCIT with a degree in Broadcast Communications, Alex pursued a career in professional sports. At 26, she moved to Toronto to work for the Toronto Blue Jays. It was here Alex learned valuable lessons in leading a team and the importance of always maintaining a positive attitude. In August of 2010, Alex joined the Vancouver Canucks.
Alex oversees all of the clubs’ charitable initiatives which support as many charities as possible, both locally in Vancouver and around the province. Alex also works on the charitable initiatives of players who want give back to the community. Through Alex and her teams’ efforts, they raise an incredible 3 – 5 million dollars a year for the Canucks for Kids Fund.
What does babes supporting babes mean to you?
To me, it means celebrating each other’s successes and supporting each other through our challenges. Let’s assume the best without judging each other, and approach life in a positive, loving and giving way. I think women are extraordinary on their own and together we’re unstoppable.
What does a typical day look like for you?
No day is the same around here. On game days, we have a set formula where we leave the players to focus on the night’s game. During a game, we’re running around fundraising, hosting guests, and doing meet and greets. A big part of the hockey game for us is our nightly 50/50 draw; it’s our biggest source of charitable revenue. On a non-game day, I spend most of my time talking to people on both the corporate and community side. I love that every day is different — it never gets dull.
With such a big portfolio of work, how do you prioritize what needs to get done in a day?
I’m a lister. I need to have it all laid out in front of me. I ask myself what’s the biggest fire? What does my team need to succeed today? Making sure that my team is set up for success is crucial because it makes me successful as well.
If I have a day of meetings scheduled, I know it in advance and accept that that will be my day. Also, I’m committed to not looking at my phone during meetings. I find it distracting and disrespectful to the other people who are in the meeting. I focus on what’s in-front of me right now and worry about the rest later. There’s always more work to do and it always gets done.
What’s the part of your role with the Canucks that you love the most?
First and foremost, the people. We work in a very dynamic, demanding environment. The hours aren’t normal and we ask a lot of each other. I love that my team inspires me daily and that we get to collaborate on so many important and meaningful initiatives. Also, being able to raise money for amazing charities fills me up — there’s truly nothing better than that. Witnessing a kid’s dream come true when they meet a player, is also so special. It’s moments like that give me butterflies.
What is one of the most challenging parts of your role?
I am a ‘yes’ person by nature, and I always want to say yes to every ask we receive. In the position I’m in, I have to say no a lot. We get a ton of requests from charities and kids, and although every opportunity is amazing and deserving, we simply can’t do it all. It took me a few years to feel comfortable saying no and I always make sure it’s never a flat out no. We want people to feel good about reaching out to the Vancouver Canucks — that’s why we’re here.
Personally, I had a child four years ago who is the love of my life, but I had to relearn how to balance my work, my personal and my mom life. It was and still is a learning curve for me.
Is there a person or organization that you would love to collaborate with and why?
Our mental health program, Hockey Talks, is a passion project of mine. I would love for a big celebrity like Lady Gaga, who is very vocal about mental health to bring awareness to what we’re doing. I would also love for a local celebrity like Seth Rogan or Ryan Reynolds to come in and help us raise money for charity. They seem like great, proud Vancouverites.
Other than work, what activities fill you up the most?
I need exercise in my life. I start my day at 5:00am a few days a week so that I can get a morning workout in. It puts me in a much better position to face the rest of my day. I also need time with my people. As long as I can unplug with my husband and son at home I feel good and can take my mind off of everything else. There’s nothing like time together with your family and friends.
In one word, tell us about your relationship with your phone?
Reliant. I have a love/hate relationship with it but couldn’t live without it.
What inspired you to put your phone down during meetings?
In our company, there is no shortage of work to be done, and I noticed that I would always say “I’m so busy”. I said it all the time, and then I realized – who isn’t? Everyone is busy, its challenging to get it all in and it can feel like a grind at times. But that’s the norm now, not unique. This is in part due to the fact that we are so reliant on our devices and are almost programmed to pickup our phone every time it lights up or buzzes, when in reality we don’t need to know or respond in that exact moment. So I’m trying hard to be more present with the task at hand, be more respectful to the people around me and, with that renewed focus, generate greater results.
What is the best piece of advice you have ever received?
Don’t sweat the small stuff. Doing a lot of event-based work, it can seem like the sky is falling pretty quickly, I always try to take pause and figure out a solution. There’s a solution to every problem, and not being reactive is so important. Especially as a leader, what does panicking do for your team? I worked with a great leader in Toronto who practiced this philosophy — we always figured it out without panicking.
Have you ever worked under challenging leadership, and how did you navigate it?
There’s always people in your environment who challenge you, and as difficult as that may be, I try to see it as something that actually makes me better and pushes me out of my comfort zone. If their management style is not my style, I can learn from that and choose not to repeat the same behaviour. At the end of the day, business is business, it’s not personal. No matter how personal it may feel.
Have you had a mentor? What did they teach you?
I’ve been really lucky with mentors. When I was 26 years old, my boss in Toronto, Laurel, taught me so much. She came to work every day filled with energy. She had really high expectations for our team but she also took the time to help us achieve our goals. In terms of the people that I’ve reported to directly throughout the course of my career, I hit the lottery with some great, innovative and very smart people. I’ve tried to soak in whatever I can from their each of their different leadership styles; I think it has made me a more robust leader and employee. I still feel like I have so much to learn so I’m lucky that I work with people who motivate me daily.
What is the most daring thing you have ever done?
I was born and raised in Vancouver and at 26 I had the confidence to move to Toronto. I found a job, made the connections and got on a place. When I think back to that time of my life, I think of all of the things I would worry about now, that didn’t even cross my mind then. It changed the course of my career. It was an amazing experience and I learned a lot about myself.
Is there anything you wish would come back into fashion?
I would have said scrunchies, but they’re back with a vengeance! I love any type of eighties shoutout because it takes me back to a great time in my life.
How would you describe your personal style?
My style is laid back and classic. At home, I am constantly running around playing trains and Lego, so I keep it pretty casual. Professionally, I believe in dressing for success — and I do love a pop of colour or animal print.
What is your must-have accessory?
My mom was a fashion writer, so I’ve always been a bit fashion obsessed. I love Kate Spade sunglasses with big frames. At the risk of sounding cheesy though, I rarely go a day without wearing my push present from my husband. It’s a beautiful bracelet with our family’s name engraved on it.
What is your must-have beauty product?
Laura Mercier under eye concealer is my best friend. I also love Charlotte Tilbury’s skincare products for a bit of extra glow after a sleepless night.
What product would you seriously stockpile if you found out they were not selling anymore?
Definitely under-eye concealer and mascara because they’re the only things that keep me from looking like my brother.
What is your favourite thing about living in Vancouver?
I love that within a 10 – 15 min walk I can be by the ocean. I always go for lunchtime walks and something about being near the water makes me feel good.
Keep up with Alex on Instagram @amitchenham.
Introduction written by Lindsay Pearce.
Photography by Ryan Pugsley.