This year I have committed to having #fiftytwocoffees with fellow business owners in our community. Once a week I have been randomly paired with someone to meet, learn, and make a new connection! The idea is to bring the young business community together and grow a stronger North Bay!

For week two, I got to chat with Alex DeGagne. He is the Urban Aboriginal Strategy Coordinator at the North Bay Indigenous Friendship Centre.

He has a wide portfolio with part of his job being to find ways for Indigenous groups to meet and reach the goals they have set out, as well as provide information for support and programs available for those in need in the community.

Alex has lived in North Bay, Toronto, Ottawa and even spent some time down in South Carolina, after getting a scholarship to play Lacrosse for two years.

He makes an annual trip with some friends every year to attend a Clemson Tigers football game. He says it’s a long drive but worth it once you take in the atmosphere of tailgating and watching a live college football game.

Alex has been in his role for four months and is always looking to make contacts with new members of the community and those who think they can offer partnerships that would benefit the North Bay Indigenous Friendship Centre.

Like me, Alex is hoping to see North Bay grow over the next few years and we had a great chat about new technology sector jobs that are attracting young people in other areas that North Bay should look to move in on.

Alex doesn’t have a favourite artists but enjoys listening to country music!

Two cups down, 50 more to go!

Follow me and other young professionals in our journey over the course of the year by following the #fiftytwocoffees tag on social media platforms.