A World of Opportunity

Story appeared in the 2021 issue of QMS Connections Magazine.

BY HAYLEY PICARD, Director of Communications & Marketing
Morgyn & Kate Chandler (‘99)

It has been said that the shortest distance between two points is a straight line, yet the power of growth and joy comes from the journey itself. For twins Morgyn and Kate Chandler, QMS was the foundation that provided them with the confidence to explore, attempt new activities, and stretch themselves by learning new skills. Their journey was not always the shortest distance between two points, and they encourage others to see the value in taking the scenic route.

During Morgyn’s visit to campus in early 2021, her first time back on campus since 1999, she pauses to look around at the new buildings and reflect upon her QMS experiences. “Even with the new buildings, it still feels the same. It’s still tucked away like a little oasis,” she admires. “It doesn’t feel like it’s taken space away from the campus, in fact it feels bigger.”

The intimate nature of QMS, both the campus and class sizes, set the tone for Morgyn’s high school years. “You got the sense that there was total freedom to try whatever you wanted and fail spectacularly,” she laughs. “A freedom to experiment in an environment that was supportive, where you could try anything. It carried through in my life—the willingness to say, I’ll give it a shot and if it doesn’t work, I will try something else.”

Kate and Morgyn Chandler took the path less travelled.

After discovering a love for drama and the performing arts at QMS, Morgyn was awarded an acting scholarship to the University of Victoria. During her first years of study, she took Russian language and history classes which inspired her to plan a semester abroad in St. Petersburg, Russia. The experience showed her the potential for her future career plans.

“What can I do with language and public speaking? I asked myself,” she remembers. “Okay, I will go to law school. Ultimately international law held no interest for me, but going to court did. I wanted to advocate for people who couldn’t advocate for themselves.” Upon graduation from UBC, Morgyn became a litigator with a focus on personal injury, sexual assault, and elder abuse. Today she is the Managing Partner of Hammerco Lawyers, a BC law firm with offices in Vancouver, Duncan and Courtenay.

As Morgyn tours the hallways of her youth, learns about the new direction of the School and considers the move to being all-gender, she cautions everyone on the danger of holding onto the past too tightly. “It’s a different world than it was 20 years ago. You can’t simply talk about inclusion and diversity, you have to take action or it’s hollow,” she explains. “Every organization needs to be evaluating and re-evaluating, growing and changing. Resistance to change can stem from nostalgia. Yet, there will always be that part of me that wonders if what I experienced will be gone.”

To her sister Kate, QMS was also a space where she felt empowered. “I think being part of a smaller community allows you to be a pioneer. You can really explore and find what motivates you,” she shares. “I enjoyed the arts; such as photography, drama, and theatre, as well as sports, and academics. And we were also able to create new opportunities. I think the unique environment at QMS allows you to be a little less linear and see what sparks that passion in you to take forward.”

Kate and Morgyn’s desire to try new things led to the start of rugby at QMS. “With support frWom some of theorld Scottish Gap students, a group of us launched a rugby team,” Kate reminisces. “I had a remarkable time until I broke my ankle in a game, but I had a lot of fun until that point.”

Trying new things, building character through experiences—this would be the path for Kate. “I did not go into university right away, it took time for me to figure out what I wanted to study. Instead, I went into a Gap program in Australia. I wanted to travel and experience the world and encounter diverse perspectives.”

Her Gap year provided a deeper foundation of independence inspiring her to study mass communications at the University of Southern Queensland. “It took time to find my passion by narrowing down what really interested me,” she outlines.“ Communications resonated with me because of the vast range of fields open to you. I have had great opportunities in Canada and Abu Dhabi working for a school start up, a top university, and in the government and private sectors. I found a field that works for me and that enables me to grow and experience new cultures and places while building my career.”

Kate’s recent work as Acting Assistant Vice Chancellor, External Relations for New York University (NYU) Abu Dhabi during the COVID-19 pandemic called on her resources, skills, and experience in reputation management and crisis communications. “In early 2020 we were closely monitoring the virus that was beginning to emerge across the globe. With students coming from nearly 120 different countries, new travel restrictions and health and safety guidelines being introduced on an almost daily basis, we had to make a number of complex decisions quickly. In the end, we successfully moved to a remote learning model while keeping a significant percentage of students living safely on campus.”

Kate Chandler in Abu Dhabi with a friend.

Her global experience has provided Kate with a unique skill set that she feels she could not have acquired “on a more traditional path” and she is looking forward to putting her learning to use in a new venture.

“My recent decision to return to Canada and start my own communication consultancy was born of a desire to challenge myself as an entrepreneur and to support individuals and organizations to be more purposeful and strategic in how they communicate and tell their stories. It’s a big leap and I’m sure it won’t be easy, but I’m excited to build something new.”

As this QMS Royal alumnus considers the future for the Class of 2021, she smiles and offers a little advice. “Don’t be afraid to take your time and to explore what you’re passionate about. Meet new people from different backgrounds. QMS is an international environment so you are already understanding how to work across difference, which is critical in the 21st century. It can be difficult, but learning to be comfortable with discomfort will serve you well.”

Morgyn agrees with her twin. “This has been a truly tough year, but through it all, you are learning resilience. One of the most powerful things you can carry with you throughout your life. You will be better equipped than most other generations. There have been some hard lessons forced upon you, but this will propel you into a place where you can always draw on those reserves.”