Mattea Henderson is a passionate and kind woman who strives for excellence and personal growth in all aspects of life. Naturally an ambitious individual driven by the principal of gratitude, she recently graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration from Mount Royal University, majoring in Marketing and minoring in International Business. Education has always been a strong pillar in Mattea’s life and has led her in the direction of utilizing her education as a means of helping others. Mattea feels that those who have access to education should create a better world.
Mattea is a proud 5th generation Canadian who has had the opportunity to live in and explore various parts of Canada. Her childhood was spent in Markham, Ontario. In her early teens, Mattea’s family relocated to Calgary, Alberta and she also spent a short time living on the west coast in Victoria, British Columbia. Mattea has been an active member of her communities through her participation in various sports, and her commitment to community service and volunteering. Mattea is proud to see the evolution of our country, and to embrace the diversity and walks of life that Canada offers.
Mattea takes the opportunity to learn something special about each person she meets. She will not sit on the sidelines but will inspire all she meets to embrace education and promote the understanding and tolerance of all peoples. Learning from a young age, Mattea has discovered her place as a role model for Canadians and women internationally. It is not about being the loudest or the best, but how relatable you are. When people can see a part of themselves in you, that is what creates a dedicated momentum of people working through and inspiring each other.
Representing Canada at three international pageants has permitted Mattea with the opportunity to discover her love of travel, culture and speaking to women about the importance of pursuing their personal and professional aspirations. Mattea has fostered a unique perspective on what the non-profit world can do globally, how the fashion and beauty industry is a force that helps to shape what is deemed beautiful in our world, in association with what social media can do for individuals who feel that their voice is not heard.
Mattea is excited to inspire small influential changes that will have grand results in business and create a positive & inspiring environment for others. She uses her experiences competing in pageants, actively modeling in her youth and applying her degree to drive her forward in life.
Q . How does it feel to be a delegate of Miss Universe Canada 2019?
Incredible and empowering! Canada has such strong, independent and driven women ready to take on the world! Being included in such a competitive yet compassionate environment I am taking on all challenges head on, ready to put my best foot forward, preferably in a killer pair of heels!
I am blessed to know several of the ladies that I will be standing beside on and off stage. I know that the woman who will represent Canada at Miss Universe will be a representation of all the women standing beside her, and they will stand behind her cheering her on without a question of her drive with excitement!
Q . What inspired you to the world of pageantry?
Patti Falconer was my agent when I started modeling at age 16. In our first meeting, she shook my hand and stated before I could introduce myself, “I see you being successful in pageants. You remind me of a former Miss Universe.” Andso, my journey began. Patti Falconer taught me to never compromise my morals or values to get ahead in life& constantly drove me to embrace that spark she saw in me and I have learned to see in myself.
As I embraced pageantry, it was intimidating to be surrounded by women of such strength and accomplishment. Who wouldn’t be intimidated- but then that moment hits. A moment of realization, I have earned my place here just like every other woman. That is what inspires me, being surrounded by like-minded women who are competitive and driven, but are passionate, caring and making changes in their countries and globally.
Q . How would you like to represent yourself at Miss Universe Canada 2019 pageant?
With kindness, confidence and an unwavering sense of self. I really am just another woman, but I know who I am and what I represent. Over my years in the pageant world, through volunteering and work I have earning from a young age, my place as a role model for Canadians and women internationally. It is not about being the loudest or the best, but how relatable you are. When people can see a part of themselves in you, that is what creates a dedicated momentum of people working through and inspiring each other.
Q . Who is your role model, if any, and what values of his or her do you wish you could inculcate in your own life, and teach the next generation?
I said this in my Miss Universe Canada questionnaire, “Although, I have been surrounded by many strong and extraordinary people in my life, my grandmother has been a role model who has been so very influential.Granny is a woman who inspires so many people, me included. Her unwavering positive attitude, her guidance and perseverance define her. As a single mother in the 1960’s, she raised four children on less than a dollar an hour and managed to put herself through University too.Seeing her dedication to family and her strength in difficult times, she has taught me the value of persistence, hard work and unconditional love.At 84, she continues to live independently with true Western Canadian pioneer spirit, even setting posts and building her own fence. She finds good in every situation and embraces life to the fullest. I could not have asked for a stronger woman to lead those that surround me, along with myself, while instilling such love and resiliency.”
Q . If you could be invisible for a day, how would you like to spend it?
As a young woman I felt invisible, but rather than thinking of it as a weakness I learned to adapt to my surroundings and really be self-aware of who I was and what was going on around me. This is something that I do pride myself on daily.
But if I could be invisible for a day, I would love the opportunity to be behind-the-scenes at the ROM (Royal Ontario Museum). To be able to explore different exhibits, the creative inner workings of the museum and its people. I have a fondness for the ROM, I remember exploring its wonder as a child & whenever I am in Toronto I always try to go back and embrace my inner child.
Q . What or who empowers you to be yourself and work hard every day?
I have been told that the first five people that you think of that you surround yourself with is a representation of yourself. My parents instilled that whatever you choose to do, do it 120%! Have passion, drive and love what you do!
Q . What is the one thing that keeps you going and inspires you to be the best version of yourself?
The best version of myself is definitely something that I have developed over the years. Mainly, from one key moment. When I was born it was a traumatic birth, that resulted in a skull fracture which impacted the way that I absorb and process information. Growing up and into my early adult years I really embraced who I was, my differences, and learned that my work ethic and who I am as a woman will carry me into the best version of myself, because I believe in my capabilities.
Q . Would you like to share your most special childhood memory with us?
My childhood was amazing, I had the opportunity to explain it in the Miss Universe Canada questionnaire, on my official delegates page. One of my childhood memories that I hold very near to my heart is when I grew up in Markham, Ontario. It was the middle of autumn & I lived on half an acer of historical property with apple, pear, and maple trees everywhere. The smile I get on my face thinking about playing in the child-size leaf pile with my brother, sister, and our two golden retrievers happened every year when we were cleaning the yard of the multi-coloured leaves.
Q . What is the one thing you can label as your guilty pleasure?
Oh my goodness, I would be lying if I didn’t say it was food or drink related! Either a really beautifully created latte, or cheesecake!
Q . We’re sure that this competition is another milestone in your life. What is that one thing that you ultimately want to achieve?
Ultimately, one thing that I want to achieve is not only to win Miss Universe Canada but win Miss Universe by representing myself and my country to the best of my ability.
Throughout this process, I wanted to push personal and professional limits in my life to progressively grow as a woman and a human being. Through this process I have grown more than I could have imagined. If you happen to read my official delegates page, my honest answers at the time have grown into greater aspirations that I wouldn’t have imagined five months ago.
Q . If you are granted three wishes right now, what would you ask for?
Three wishes.
The first is to win Miss Universe Canada and to do it being unapologetically myself.
The second: I want an entire cheesecake when I have (fingers crossed) won Miss Universe Canada.
The third and final: I would hope to continue to have gratitude and faith in myself and the process of life. There are so many things that are out of our control, but what matters is that we have faith that everything happens for a reason.
Q . Lastly, is there any message that you would like to give to your fans of Angelopedia?
This message is to you- just do it!
Whatever you have aspired to do, day-dreamed daily or from time to time had that thought come into mind, it is your choice to actively just do it! You are the one person who can truly make their dreams into reality!