Get to Know: Carolyn Bronsdon

CSCM’s “Meet the Team” continues with a conversation with our Marketing and Communications Coordinator, Carolyn Bronsdon. She handles our website, emails, social media and (full disclosure) conducted this interview of herself.

Tell us a bit about yourself?

Carolyn: I’m a born and raised Winnipegger. I am a boy mom with two wild kiddos, currently 6 and 10 years old, who both have exponentially more energy than I do. My husband and I both have always loved travelling, and now we get to take the boys on adventures with us. I think seeing the world and discovering new places and different cultures is a great learning experience for them. I believe I am currently the only CSCM employee to hold a Film Studies degree.

Do you have any hobbies?

Carolyn: I love almost everything crafty or artsy. Calligraphy, knitting, felting, sewing, photography, painting, jewelry making, polymer clay, baking, cake decorating – I do them all and want to try more. I took a pottery lesson with my sister and mom last summer and it was so fun! My “office” is really just a giant craft room and I do my actual work at the dining room table. I also love reading and playing video games with my boys.

What’s your sport history?

Carolyn: My sport history is limited. I remember taking figure skating lessons and gymnastics as a kid, but neither really stuck. I did a bunch of swimming lessons because we have a family cottage and swimming is an important life skill. I still love the water! My mom is from BC, so I learned to downhill ski in the Rockies. But when I got to high school and beyond, I was very involved in theatre, choir, musicals, and student leadership, and as uninvolved in sports as possible. These days I like being active, like family walks and hikes, swimming, yoga, I recently started curling with my 10 year old. Curling is definitely harder than it looks, but we are having lots of fun! But yeah, I am definitely not an athlete.

How did you come to work at CSCM?

Carolyn: Before kids, I worked at a marketing agency with Luisa Alarcon, who has worked at CSCM and is currently a board member. I didn’t go back to work at the agency after my oldest was born, choosing instead to do freelance work for a variety of small businesses, mainly making websites, graphic design, and social media management, as well as running a small crafty business doing markets and such. Years later, CSCM was looking for freelance support for social media and website maintenance, and Luisa encouraged me to apply. After a few months, they asked me to join the team permanently.

What’s the best part of your job?

Carolyn: I love sharing stories and supporting other people on their journeys, and that’s a big part of this role. I’m here to make sure people know about our amazing team and the extraordinary athletes we work with. Also, after working by myself for ten years doing freelance, it’s nice to be part of a team again. The CSCM staff are really great to work with.

Do you have any advice for athletes?

Carolyn: People care about people. Our high performance athletes are living a life that most of the general public will never experience, but are fascinated by. People want to hear your story and support you on your journey. Don’t be afraid to share on social media or elsewhere, in a way that you are comfortable with. And if you aren’t comfortable sharing your story yourself, send me an email – I’d love to help!

As the interviewer and interviewee, Carolyn thanks you for reading!

Photos. Image 1: Carolyn in Parksville, BC, with her family in the background.  Image 2: Carolyn tries a wheel throwing pottery class. Image 3: Carolyn’s first attempt at curling (in hindsight, she should have stretched more first). Image 4: Carolyn at work, capturing Ava and Yoni at practice.

Have you read any of our other recent staff interviews?