Mentor Spotlight: Alex Dembinski on the Value of Showing Up
BEEDIE LUMINARIES – As part of our ongoing mentor spotlight series, we continue to highlight the incredible individuals and partnerships that help our students thrive—both throughout their undergraduate journeys and long after graduation.
These stories reflect our deep commitment to student success and the belief that mentorship, when done with care and intention, can change the trajectory of someone’s life.
Meet Alex Dembinski, mentor to alum Lily Chau from Cohort 2019.
A Development Manager at QuadReal Property Group, Alex has built a career shaping skylines, but it’s the human connections that truly drive him. Originally from Winnipeg, he headed west to earn his Bachelor of Commerce from UBC’s Sauder School of Business. Years later, he returned to the classroom—this time at Western’s Ivey Business School—to complete his MBA, sharpening his strategic mindset and reinforcing his belief that leadership is as much about values as it is about vision.
Alex’s fascination with architecture and the way physical spaces influence human interaction is more than a professional interest—it’s a lens through which he approaches mentorship. Drawing on his own student experience, he brings practical insight, a fresh perspective, and genuine curiosity to every conversation with his mentees, including alum Lily Chau.
Life outside the office? Equally full. You might find Alex skiing down a B.C. slope, hiking a new trail, competing on the squash court, or watching Arsenal battle it out on the pitch. And if he’s not moving, he’s tasting—exploring new cuisines one bite at a time. Always curious, Alex seeks out activities and communities that allow him to live, learn, and connect.
What sets Alex apart isn’t just his professional experience or active lifestyle—it’s how he shows up. Prepared. Engaged. Intentional. Generous. In Alex’s world, mentorship isn’t a transaction; it’s a relationship built to last.
Throughout his professional path, Alex was shaped by mentors who offered their time and insight, even when they had little of it to spare. One of those individuals was Beau Jarvis, President and CEO of Wesgroup. Whether through brief phone calls or informal coffee chats, Beau modelled what intentional, values-based mentorship could look like. That example left a lasting impression.
Now, as a mentor himself, Alex brings that same level of presence and purpose to his relationships. He’s not just checking boxes—he’s making time, asking the right questions, and building trust. He shows up prepared and engaged, not just to give advice, but to listen and learn.
His mentee, Lily, remembers that well.
“Alex’s dedication as a mentor is remarkable. He gives his 110 percent to everything he does, both within our mentorship and beyond. I am constantly inspired by how he carries himself, and I deeply admire his professionalism. My memories of working with Alex on my cover letters and resumes during the challenging times of COVID are ones I will always cherish.”
“One quality of his that I continue to strive for is ambition—Alex is always pushing himself to new heights, and that drives me to do the same. It has been incredibly rewarding to learn from him and navigate various experiences with his guidance. Having him as a cheerleader throughout my student and post-graduate journey has been invaluable. I am truly grateful for his unwavering support.”
Alex does not take those words lightly. For him, mentorship is about being present through both the highs and the lows. It is about celebrating his mentees’ wins, helping them reflect on setbacks, and encouraging them to try again with a clearer sense of direction.
Rather, Alex believes that failure is an essential part of growth. He encourages his mentees to be analytical when things fall apart, to ask, “What can I learn from this?” instead of “Why did this happen to me?” It is this particular mindset—one that is ever-curious, resilient, and future-focused—that he sees as the foundation of long-term success.
Alex also understands the toll ambition can take. After completing his MBA, he found himself rethinking what it means to be successful. Long hours and professional milestones were no longer sufficient on their own. Personal well-being, balance, and boundaries became essential priorities. It is a lesson he often shares with his mentees: that a fulfilling career should not come at the cost of one’s health or happiness.
What draws Alex back to mentorship year after year is not only the impact he knows he can have, but the impact mentorship has on him. It reminds him that behind every job title and LinkedIn profile is a young person trying to figure things out, just as he once did. That grounding perspective, he says, continues to shape his approach to both life and leadership.
And sometimes, what a young person needs most is not just a mentor, but someone who believes in them before they believe in themselves.
Thank you, Alex. We are grateful to have you as part of the Beedie Luminaries community, and we look forward to watching you continue to grow as a mentor and leader.
Your guidance can change a life.
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