hi, get to know me
and what i love

Hi, I’m Alexa Haenel.

I grew up in a small town in rural southern Illinois, where my roots instilled in me a strong sense of community and people-first values. I am very passionate about building, whether it’s physical products,

digital experiences, companies, or communities.

 

I’m currently a senior at the University of Oregon, pursuing a degree in Product Design but I do a lot outside of school. For example, when I'm not in my classroom, Im usually just in another, I’m a licensed substitute teacher, which allows me to continue be in my favorite place, a learning environment. I also work with the Oregon Innovation Challenge (OIC), a university start-up incubator, where I collaborate with founders and early-stage ventures working to invest over 130,000 dollars annually in seed funding to the next generation of innovators. At 19, I founded LA Links, a jewelry company that I’ve built from

the ground up, fueling my entrepreneurial drive and creativity.

 

My experiences have shaped my love for innovation, my dedication to people, and my drive to create lasting impact that changes the lives of others through design.