Actuality¹⁴⁹

As part of International Women's Rights Day, the Junior Chamber of commerce of Montreal is highlighting inspiring stories in a series of 8 portraits of women (or self-identified women) who volunteer on our various committees.

Portrait 4 - Meet the dynamic Alexandra Johnstone, volunteer project manager on the ideation and content committee.

What do you see as the greatest challenge for women in 2025?

In my view, in 2025, one of the biggest challenges women continue to face is ensuring that all initiatives and conversations about the future truly incorporate diversity. We need to have more perspectives around the table (other than just women), including more male allies, in order to foster real progress towards equality.



A woman who inspires you enormously and why?

To be honest, my mother is my greatest role model. I grew up with a strong, inspiring woman who made her mark in a predominantly male environment. She always taught me that I could succeed at anything, regardless of my gender. Even today, she continues to inspire me and remains the best example I have.

Ordinary women are extraordinary.

Your favorite Quebec woman-owned business?

Caprice & Co. I really like the founder's story and the products.

What's the myth about your area of expertise that you'd like to debunk?

As a marketing professional, I've always thought I needed to specialize. Over the course of my career, I've learned to enjoy the process of professional development and to see what works for me. By trying out new roles and tasks and talking to other people in business, I've realized that I can be a multi-tasking marketing professional and still be an excellent generalist.

So it's possible to work in marketing and be more of a generalist than a specialist.

The best advice you've ever received?

“Sometimes the best decision is the one you least expect”.

Your secret ritual for staying focused?

It's super basic, but exercise! Whether it's in the morning or the evening, if I need to find my focus I make a visit to the gym.

What's been the most surprising thing about your journey so far?

I think for me, it's the fact that there are actually a lot of people who are there to help and support me in my career development and that, most of the time, they're people who don't have the same experience and career path as me. I'm really lucky, the people around me want to contribute to my success.

Do you have any advice for young women in Montreal?

Try not to doubt yourself. Go for it! Lean on the support of the people around you to keep building your confidence.