MPI Ottawa Chapter President: Ashley Craven

MPI Ottawa Chapter President: Ashley Craven
Name and designations: CMP, DES
Position: Manager of conferences & events, corporate partnerships
Employer: Canadian Association of Medical Radiation Technologists
Joined MPI in 2014

Contact information
LinkedIn: Ashley Craven
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ashleycraven4
Email: president@mpiottawa.ca  

Tell us a bit about yourself
I was born in Hamilton, Ontario but grew up in Orleans. I was a bit of wild child when I hit my teen years and barely graduated high school. I just wanted to listen to punk rock as loud as I could while driving around in my 98 Dodge Stratus delivering pizzas and of course, roll my eyes at everyone that dared look at me.

How did you join the industry?
I started working in restaurants when I was 16 as a prep cook and moved my way through dishwasher, line cook, hostess, server, bartender, manager – you name it I did it. I eventually went to college and took Photography at Algonquin College which I did for a few years after graduating while still working in bars and restaurants. It is a tough life working in restaurants, but I loved it and when you are in your early twenties it was so fun. I worked at Fat Tuesdays, Zaphods, Kinki, Hooleys, Yuk Yuks, Barley Mow... the list goes on, I always had 3 jobs on the go. For a while I worked as a part time sales Rep for Mars Canada (yes the chocolate), and ended up transferring to Vancouver. I of course also got a bar job when I got there and at that bar and we held tons of large events, which I loved. Eventually I wanted to move home to go back to school and a friend of mine, Alyssa Lancefield, had just taken the Event Management program and recommended I take it as well. It has been 7 years since I graduated.

Social Media: (pick one question from this category)

• What do you recommend following on social media?

Twitter: Ottawa Public Health – It provides important information in a funny way
Instagram: The Birds Papaya – It’s a Canadian influencer who talks about changing your mindset around how you view yourself.

Inspiration:

• What are you currently reading or would recommend reading?

I would highly recommend Untamed by Glennon Doyle and any of the following to help you work on becoming Anti-Racist: Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man, How to be Anti-Racist, The Skin We’re In

Professional:

• What is the best advice you have ever received?

When you’re being interviewed for a job and you get a question, answer it to the best you can then stop talking. We all tend to ramble when we get stressed, but you must sit in silence until the next question is asked.

Personal:

• What is the advice you would give to your younger self?

I would say work less – In my twenties I had 3 jobs and I wish I could have worked less and focused more on my important goals instead of stretching myself too thin.

• What is the last big change you made in your life?

My partner and I decided to get engaged last year!

• Do you collect anything?

I collect old cameras, cameras from early 1900 and digital cameras. I have about 20 cameras. The coolest one is the 3D color slide camera.

• What is the best thing about being the age you are now?

I really like that I beat Ryan Young at being the youngest MPI Ottawa President.

Networking:

• What was your favourite networking event?

My favourite networking event would have been at Rendez-Vous in MPI WEC Conference 2019 in Toronto. Rendez-Vous was at a club, everyone was on the dance floor during the whole night. It was so fun!

Last words
I got involved with MPI right after I graduated from school. Every single job I’ve had since is the result of being a member of MPI. My friend Alyssa Lancefield encouraged me to get involved and to volunteer.

The first advice she gave me was ‘you get what you give’. To get the maximum ROI from your membership you must attend events; educate yourself; if you have the time, volunteer in a committee. Being President is a lot to do and commit to, but I love it. The Ottawa MPI Community is so tight and so close. I’ve made lifelong friends through my involvement with MPI Ottawa.

Article written by Elodie LORTAL, CMP, DES | LinkedIn

Article edited by Darlene Kelly-Stewart, Stonehouse Sales & Marketing Services