The new Otago Festival of the Arts director grew up in the remote Canadian fishing village of Sointula, in British Columbia.
"If you've seen the television programme Deadliest Catch, well I've experienced many similar days," she said.
Ms Wheeler studied at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy - "When I came out, I realised I was now qualified to be a waitress" - before forming her own production company, Smartalec Productions in Victoria, BC.
But Middle Earth called.
"I'm a huge Peter Jackson fan and I always said that if he ever produces The Hobbit, I'm going to New Zealand. So I had to put my money where my mouth was," Ms Wheeler recalled.
"Originally, I was just looking at doing some extra work, but after getting involved in the Wellington art scene, I decided that I didn't want to go back to Canada."
In Wellington, she was soon managing two festivals for the Hutt City Council in Lower Hutt and was programme manager for the Young and Hungry Arts Trust.
While exploring New Zealand, she spent time in Dunedin working at Hare Hill Horse Treks at Deborah Bay from October 2009 to January 2010.
"I was a volunteer there helping break horses in. It's something I want to keep doing now I'm here in Dunedin."
Ms Wheeler said she was looking forward to the challenge of directing the only New Zealand arts festival never to have lost money.
"The opportunity to be part of such a high-calibre event is very exciting and very challenging.
"It's also a bit daunting. [Former director] Nicholas [McBryde] is so accomplished and well regarded in the industry. He's also very connected and well loved in this community," she said.
"He's got 12 years rattling around in his head that he's got to pass on in the next six weeks."
Mr McBryde's last day in the role is April 1.
"April Fool's Day," he drily noted in the background.
"The Otago Festival of the Arts has been running very successfully for many years and it has a great following. So I don't want to come into this and just make change for change's sake," Ms Wheeler says.
"I look forward to carrying on the legacy Nicholas has set, but not attempting to be him. I'm looking forward to developing the festival and taking it to a new direction in the future."
Next year's festival has already been largely programmed.
"It's important at the start to see how things are and why; and then look to 2014. The programming for 2014 will rest on my shoulders."
Otago Festival of the Arts Trust chairman Malcolm Farry said Ms Wheeler's appointment eased the pain of losing the festival's founding director.
"We're sad to see Nicholas go after a 12-year period of continuous success, but we're delighted to welcome Alec to the city and we know she will bring innovation and flair to the role and build on the success Nicholas has brought to the festival."
The next Otago Festival of the Arts is on October 5-14 next year.
