Vice President of Design and Merchandising | Canada Goose
As a self-proclaimed “gearhead,” Spencer is a cyclist and dedicated to remaining active with his family, enjoying camping and skiing. They currently reside in Toronto. With 15 years of experience in the outdoor industry, Spencer is responsible for the line planning, design direction and development of Canada Goose’s collections and has led the immense growth of its product portfolio from 35 styles to more than 300 for the 2016 Fall/Winter season. Prior to Canada Goose, Spencer worked at Sierra Designs in design and development.
EDUCATION & DEGREE(S) ACHIEVED: Studied Outdoor Recreation at Lakehead University; M.B.A., Ivey Business School at Western University
BIGGEST CHALLENGE YOU’VE OVERCOME: Breaking into the industry. Loving outdoor activities and being a gearhead aren’t the only traits needed for success. I knew design would be my career focus, but I lacked professional experience. I started working on the sales floor of a local outdoor store during the day and building a gear review service at night. I was finally given the opportunity to design my first collection of outerwear at Sierra Designs. While my attempts were not pretty, they showed promise and passion. The following years were full of tech packing and long nights, but once I earned my stripes, I was asked to present at the annual sales conference. The rest is history.
MOST IMPORTANT THING I HAVE LEARNED: Prioritization. Canada Goose is growing almost exponentially. I’ve learned to carefully evaluate what the most impactful projects are for the company and what should wait for the right time.
WHAT YOU WOULD WANT YOUR LEGACY TO BE: To be remembered as someone who was extremely passionate and brought energy into work every day, but also someone who kept things in perspective and put family first.
BEST ADVICE I WAS GIVEN OR THAT I WOULD GIVE: Don’t be afraid to ask questions or for advice. You never know what you will learn and who you can learn from.
DESCRIBE YOURSELF IN TWO WORDS: Determined and Loyal
