Have you met Lazina, manager of the Venture Mentoring Service in the Office of Advancement? Spend a few minutes getting to know her a little better.
What's your first U of A memory?
I moved here in 2006 to do my MBA, and my first memory coming onto campus was when I walked into the beginning of an orientation week for the MBA program. I found my first friend in Edmonton - I sat beside her that day, and she's still my closest friend today.
What's the most boring thing about you?
I don't drink very much, and sometimes that's uncomfortable for other people because it's this very social thing that everyone does. I think that might be boring to other people? It's not boring to me.
PC or Mac?
Mac and iPhone - I've lived in the Apple bubble for eight or nine years.
Where do you go when you need an afternoon snack?
If I need a little something, I'm probably going to KB & Co for an energy bite or maybe a smoothie.
What's something your coworkers don't know about you?
When I was a teenager I played tennis competitively - I actually got scholarships to go to the states.
Lazina Mckenzie
If you could go back in time and tell your 18-year-old self one thing, what would it be?
I would tell myself to be bold about being curious: be open, ask lots of questions, and don't care so much if it's a weird question or a dumb question.
If you could see any live performance tomorrow, what would it be?
I really like the Dave Matthews Band. I've already been to one concert, but it was a long time ago and I was very high up in the Bills Stadium, so you're not really part of it. I'd like to go back to that concert and really be part of it.
Your friend is coming to Edmonton for the first time. Where do you take them?
In the morning we'd start with a run from Rundle Park to downtown along the river valley, then I'd take them to one of my favourite coffee shops for breakfast. A little tour around downtown would be cool, and I would also go for a walk around Hawrelak park.
What's your favourite distraction?
Anything on my phone. I'm a creature of social media, and I can spend a long time getting lost there.