This is the fourth post in our ongoing series, “Two Minutes With”. We’re getting to know a little more about the Elettra team, our clients, and our partners/suppliers. Today we chat with Elettra Managing Partner, Gwen Hardy.

Alma Mater:  UVic

Favourite restaurant or food: For dinner, Chambar. Specifically the Moules Congolaise. Possibly the only dish I have ordered there but it’s hard to deviate when you know you love something. For lunch, whenever I have time to walk a few extra blocks, I head to India Abroad on Hornby. Their vegetarian dishes are full of flavour, their naan is fresh, and they have a side salad with an inexplicably spicy yogurt sauce that just works. Heaven.

Morning beverage of choice: Typhoo tea to ease me into the day, followed by black coffee at work.

Favourite spot in Vancouver: On the water in Howe Sound.

Oxford comma: Yay or nay? Yay. The infographic featuring strippers, JFK, and Stalin pretty much sums it up for me. (Do a Google image search. You’ll get it.)

Best piece of career advice you have received? Contribute. In every meeting, on every conference call, and in every interaction make sure that you add value to the conversation.

What are you most proud of in your career? Striking out on our own and starting Elettra.

Why do you choose to live in Vancouver? The water. I love visiting other places, but I feel claustrophobic when I can’t get to a beach or get on a boat. Makes the mortgage payments worth it. Almost.

Which news story were you most captivated by in the past year? I would have to say the ongoing Federal election campaign. Unlike with a snap election call, fixed election dates mean that the electorate gets to take a good, long look at their candidates. Hopefully this will result in more substantive discussions around the issues.

Where would we typically find you on the weekend and what would you be doing? Chasing after my kids, aged two and four.

What is something you learned in the last week? That oysters boost your serotonin levels. Margaret Trudeau was the keynote speaker at the Kettle Society’s Making a Difference luncheon last week. She shared her personal story and talked about how important diet is in maintaining mental health.

This is the third post in our ongoing series, “Two Minutes With”. We’re getting to know a little more about the Elettra team, our clients, and our partners/suppliers. Today we chat with Jenna Anderson, who has been on the Elettra team since September 2014 as a Tour Guide at Vancouver International Airport. Jenna is now moving into a Community Relations Coop position at YVR. Best of luck in your new position, Jenna!

Favourite quote: “Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one’s courage” - Anais Nin

Favourite place to visit: New Zealand. It has gorgeous scenery, lovely people, and amazing activities like canyoning!

Favourite author: George R. R. Martin, he created a captivatingly detailed universe in A Song of Ice and Fire and I cannot wait for him to finish the Winds of Winter.

Morning beverage of choice: First, orange pekoe tea then an hour later a cup of coffee.

Best piece of career advice you have received? Take initiative, triple check all of your work, and always arrive 15 minutes early.

Why do you choose to live in Vancouver? Where else can you hit the slopes, go hiking, go to the beach, and then get some of the best sushi all in one day.

Natural talent you wish you had: The ability to gracefully walk in high heels.

This is the second post in our ongoing series, "Two Minutes With”. We're getting to know a little more about the Elettra team, our clients, and our partners/suppliers. Today we chat with our friend and partner, Lisa Edward, Art Director/Owner of  Studio Chartreuse.

​Favourite publication:Paper Mag

Favourite social media sites or blogs: Design Milk, My Modern Met, and Dwell

Favourite quote: You miss 100% of the shots you don't take. —Wayne Gretzky

Role model: Barbara Kruger

Favourite place to visit: Cannon Beach Oregon is my favourite beach along the Oregon coast. Tons of fond memories from family vacations here throughout the years. Cannon Beach is one of those places you wished were part of your everyday walk. Incredible rocky coast with miles of sand to walk while you listen to the waves crashing…

Favourite restaurant or food: Spicy and ethnic are my go-to’s: La Mezcaleria has an amazing atmosphere and the most amazing Mescal Margaritas! Kin Kau is a new one in my neighbourhood. The combination of excellent spicy Thai food with a relaxing modern interior is the perfect combination for me.

Favourite author: Stephen King (specifically ‘The Shining’)

Morning beverage of choice: Bulletproof Coffee - gives me so much more energy throughout the day without making me jittery

Favourite spot in Vancouver: Too many to list, but one of my ‘new favourite spots’ is the new Convention Centre. I can’t get enough of the stylized 3D stack of lumber walls throughout. Did you know that there are over two acres of wood feature walls!

Oxford comma: Yay or nay? Depends on which font I’m using ;)

Favourite font: Univers Condensed, Gotham Black, HelveticaNeue-UltraLight.

What are you most proud of in your career? Being one of three women who completed the design of the Scitech Technology Center in Al Khobar Saudi Arabia.

Why do you choose to live in Vancouver? It is such a beautiful city with oceans, mountains and is the exact perfect speed for me. Not too fast, and not too slow. I worked six months in Toronto and realized that even though I often work late, I definitely relate better to the west coast speed of things.

Fun fact about you: I’m quite the computer geek and love all things technology. Whether it’s installing a better Wordpress plugin for my clients site, or setting up a VOIP telephone system so I can work internationally with clients in different countries - I love learning so much and it gives me a great sense of achievement when I’ve mastered something I knew nothing about a few hours ago.