Can I Ask You Something? Vol. 7

Alexa Hassink, Alexa Hassink Strategies, LLC

Alexa Hassink has built her consulting practice around work that actually matters. Gender equity, violence prevention, children's rights. She helps organizations figure out how to say what they mean, reach the people they're trying to reach, and keep moving when things get complicated. She's also figured out something a lot of us are still working on: how to trust the gut feeling that tells you whether a project is worth your time.

I think you'll like what she has to say.

Alexa Hassink, Alexa Hassink Strategies, LLC

Hi Alexa! Tell us a bit about your organization.

I’m a strategic communications consultant for national and international nonprofits and UN agencies, and multilaterals focused on gender equity, violence prevention, and children's rights. I help organizations develop and implement communications strategies, refine brand messaging, understand audiences, and manage pieces of work during transitions – all to increase their impact, and ultimately, to create a safer, more just world.

What helps you decide what to say yes to - and what to let go of?
I'm on a journey of learning more and more to trust the gut feeling I get about saying 'yes' or 'no' to a particular piece of work. It's not about leaning into a passing whim, but I find that the gut feeling usually has a way of capturing all the major decision points in one feeling, like: 1) Capacity – Do I have the time to deliver on this in a way that meets my standards? 2) Topic alignment – Is this a topic I feel passionate, educated on and engaged with? 3) My contribution – Will I be able to make a meaningful impact on this scope of work, in terms of the skills it requires? 4) Client fit – Am I values-aligned with the people I'd be working with?

What’s one thing you wish you could tell your younger self?
Being a generalist is a strength, not a weakness. Working in and with nonprofits, there are a lot of folks who are highly educated on a very specific topic, and they are incredible. I really admired the depth of focused knowledge they have. For me, I always felt like more of a jill of all trades – I could pop into a development, or advocacy, or programmatic piece of work all while developing my comms skill set.

Sometimes it felt like it was all "a little of this, and a little of that." I used to think this was a weakness. But now I think it's one of my greatest professional strengths – being able to understand a topic from a variety of angles and points of view; to make connections and come up with solutions that feel like they take into account perspectives and priorities from across a whole organization.

What’s something bringing you joy in your life right now?
My answer is always connecting with the people I care about. That consistently brings the deepest level joy. On a more micro level – I love the moment, right now, when seasons are changing and the fashion is very confused – in the course of one walk, I can see someone in shorts and a tank top, and the next person in boots and a parka.

Who or what are you learning from lately?
One of my favorite parts of being a consultant is the constant opportunity to learn. Lately, I’ve been deepening my practice in survivor-centered, trauma-informed communications through my work. It’s pushing me to think more intentionally about how we communicate with transparency, clarity, care, and awareness—how to build in safeguarding when content may be triggering, and how to create spaces where survivors, and all people, feel safe, supported, and able to care for themselves while engaging with deeply challenging issues.

What’s something your organization is proud of right now?
I'm really proud of existing. Being able to do work I believe in, with people I connect with every day is extremely fulfilling. I feel lucky to be able to do it.

Thank you again, Alexa! You can find out more about Alexa Hassink Strategies here

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