Name: Alixe Gustafson
Position/Institution: Director of Trademarks & Licensing at The University of Arizona
Number of years in your position: 4
Alma Mater(s): The University of Arizona
Hometown: New Orleans, LA

1. Why did you become involved in ICLA?
When I was just starting in licensing I waslooking to meet new people and learn more about the industry.

2. What is your favorite part about being a member of ICLA?
Networking with industry peers.

3. What is the biggest challenge to working in a university environment?
The politics.

4. What do you consider to be your greatest accomplishment to date?
Professionally, I'm really proud of the UA replay line; upcycling jerseys into women's fashion. Personally, I'm really proud of my work as a mentor with my sorority. The issues facing college women now are very different than when I was in school, and that wasn't THAT long ago. I enjoy helping these young women become the best versions of themselves.

5. What is the most important skill you have developed in your career?
Networking & creating meaningful relationships

6. Who has been the most influential person in your career?
My dad. He is the reason I pursued marketing as a career.

7. What is one item you cannot live without?
My cats, but I have 2, so I have 2 items I can't live without ;). Does that make me weird?

8. Who would you choose to switch places with for a day?
Ronda Rousey. She's a BOSS.

9. What is your favorite sporting event you have ever attended?
2013 Arizona at UCLA. UA lost but I met my husband.

10. Why/when did you decide to pursue a career in collegiate licensing?
Licensing was part of my responsibilities as the assistant director of marketing in the athletics department. I stumbled into licensing and really enjoyed it.

11. In your mind, who in this industry can serve as a good role model?
Shout out to Kathy Hoggan! -- I learn so much from her every time we chat.

12. How has your involvement with ICLA influenced your career?
ICLA has provided an opportunity for licensing professionals to meet and discuss issues that might be plaguing our campuses, it's been great to hear no issue is totally unique and ICLA is a great support system.

13. What educational or business experiences best prepared you for a career in licensing?
I'm not sure...I landed in this role by accident and found it incredibly interesting, so I sought out any info i could find to help make me a better LD and help grow my program.

14. What challenges do you face when working with students or vendors?
Students: Everyone thinking their situation is special, so I NEED to bend the rules for them.

15. Would you please explain a professional success and how you implemented it?
A huge success for me was getting my first raise. I collected information with the help of industry colleagues and presented a solid case to my supervisor and was rewarded for my hard work. It felt good.

16. In your opinion, where is collegiate licensing headed in the future?
That's tough to answer without sparking a debate ;).

16. What is the best piece of advice you have ever received?
The seven most expensive words in business are, "We have always done it that way!"

17. What is the best piece of advice you have ever received? What advice would you give to someone looking to enter the field of collegiat licensing?
Best advice I ever received was to "never burn a bridge." Your network is your biggest asset. 

18. What was your biggest professional failure/mistake and how did you learn from it?
Funny story...not sure this is my biggest failure but it was a pretty huge mistake...When I was still working in athletics marketing I intended to write "Free Shirt" on posters and flyers that were to be distributed on campus for a big Women's Basketball game but I forgot one important letter in the word "Shirt." I didn't catch the error and the posters were distributed all over campus. ooops. I got chewed out by the coach and made sure to triple check everything.

19. What percentage of your work-week is spent in your office?
50%.

20. What are you most looking forward to at the next ICLA Convention or Winter Symposium?
Getting to know someone new!