Today’s Notable Young Professional is Alison Lawler-Dean, who uses her marketing and communications expertise to advance one of Canada’s most promising charities. We caught up with her to find out what inspires her work and what advice she would share with other young professionals…
WORK
1. Describe what you do in less than 140 characters. Go.
I run marketing and communications for Rethink Breast Cancer – Canada’s only breast cancer charity focused on supporting young people.
2. What was the inspiration for your career route?
I’ve made many leaps during my career but each move has stemmed from an emerging interest or opportunity that presented itself. I started in fashion editorial telling visual stories, and from there moved into PR and communications to help craft brand stories and experiences. Now I educate and empower young women impacted by breast cancer by using all of the latest media channels to communicate, connect, and share stories. Each step has felt like it led perfectly to the next.
3. What is the most memorable milestone in your career so far?
Opening the first international Joe Fresh store in New York City. It was awesome to introduce this much-loved Canadian brand to the international fashion community. And I’m very excited about some of the projects coming up for Rethink…
4. Where do you see yourself in 5 years, 10 years, 20 years?
I’d love to have cracked the perfect work/life balance of being able to work for an amazing organization making a real difference, all while travelling the world and spending time with family and friends.
5. Do you have any advice for other young professionals?
Never stop evolving! The world is changing so quickly and there is so much to learn and absorb. Even if you aren’t loving what your day job has to offer, there are so many ways to get involved with causes and communities to develop skills and challenge yourself.
6. Do you support any charities? If so, which one(s) and why is it (or they) important to you?
Rethink Breast Cancer!
7. What is one major challenge that you’ve had to overcome in your career? How did you overcome it?
I can’t think of one major challenge but do feel ingenuity and dedication will help you through just about anything.
8. What does the word notable mean to you?
Stand out.
PLAY
1. Where is your favourite place to wine/ dine in your city and why?
Too many to choose! But The Harbord Room and Campagnolo are especially important to me.
2. What’s the most visited website on your Internet browser?
Instagram. A good scroll session is my visual meditation at the end of a long day.
The most played song on your phone?
Currently All Night by Beyonce makes me feel all the feels.
3. Who’s one person you think everyone should be following on social media?
I like every single post by Humans of New York. Awesome images and powerful stories = win-win.
4. What’s your favourite country to visit and why? And what’s the next one you plan on travelling to?
France! There is no place like Paris for me.
Next on the wish list are Morocco, Spain, Maldives, Iceland…
5. What gives you the greatest FOMO?
Cool cultural moments.
6. What’s your guiltiest pleasure?
Ice cream. All of the ice cream. Death in Venice’s Lemon Ricotta is my current fave.
7. What’s something you wish you didn’t spend so much money on? What’s something you wish you spent more on?
I spend far too much money on Uber. And never enough on flowers.
8. And finally, what does success look like to you? Work, play, or otherwise…
Success is when you are so excited about something (work, play, or otherwise) you just can’t stop talking about it.
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