Who knew that working on Behind the Ivy while at Havergal in the pre-internet 1980s would lead to a career in digital media? It was not a direct path for Jayne Bingle ’90, but early experiences at Havergal endowed her with the life-long skills, curiosity, and personal confidence to jump into and tackle new opportunities and challenges. Jayne describes her life path as an “adventure,” where she leverages her past to succeed in the present and prepare for the future. In fact, it is in a space where the environment is constantly changing and the future is unpredictable, with a bit of chaos tossed in for good measure, that Jayne is most comfortable and happy. 

Looking back now at her Havergal days, Jayne comments that Ms. Corbett, her English teacher, had a significant impact on preparing her for the future—nurturing creativity and writing skills to be able to express herself both orally and on paper. Jayne has also come to value her relationships and shared experiences with fellow Havergal Old Girls/Alums which have not only opened doors but fostered conversations.

After Havergal, Jayne spent time at multiple post-secondary institutions, taking a variety of courses, while figuring out what she wanted to do going forward. Saying “yes” to the unknown opened new doors for Jayne and has provided continual excitement. It is an interesting view, being at the leading edge as technology rapidly changes the face of traditional media. Exposure to a variety of media companies and multiple media platforms—including television, publishing and digital—has broadened Jayne’s perspective, encouraged her to challenge the status quo, and think more critically. Professional success has earned Jayne a seat at the table in influencing and implementing new strategies, with the ability to self-direct much of her work. From early in her career producing “live online chats” during the men’s gold medal hockey game at the Salt Lake City Olympic Winter Games to now leading the Globe and Mail’s app team, Jayne has found that being at the forefront of sharing Canadian stories with the world is where she wants to be. 

Jayne doesn’t have a crystal ball that tells what the future will hold for Canadian media. She predicts a rocky road but exudes confidence that the industry will survive. To position herself for continued success, Jayne is focused on growing what she considers crucial foundational skills that can be translated into any setting: communication, collaboration, problem solving, team building, and client management.  Technology will come and go, and new technical know-how can always be acquired, but Jayne says that the soft skills first cultivated at Havergal will ensure many more fun adventures in the future.