| Edmonton Office |
Ruth Kelly
Publisher and Editor-in-Chief
E-mail Ruth
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Bio:
Ruth Kelly is the president and CEO of Venture Publishing Inc., and the publisher and editor-in-chief of Alberta Venture, Alberta’s only province-wide business magazine. Venture Publishing also produces contract magazines for Alberta Mental Health Board, Capital Health, Consulting Engineers of Alberta. Finning Canada, Growing Alberta and Merit Contractors.
Ruth served as the 2005 chair of the board of directors for the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce. She is a past president of the Alberta Magazine Publishers Association and currently serves on the boards of the University of Alberta, the Institute of Corporate Directors (Edmonton chapter) and the Banff Centre Leadership program. She is also president of the Edmonton Business Council for the Visual Arts. Ruth was recognized as a Global Woman of Vision in 1998, a YWCA Woman of Distinction in the Entrepreneur category in 2003 and received the Advertising Club of Edmonton’s 2004 Fellowship Award for contributions to the industry and the community. In 2005, she was selected as the Allard Chair of Business by the MacEwan School of Business and received a Centennial Medal for service to the province. She is currently co-chairing the capital campaign for the Art Gallery of Alberta. |
Anita McGillis
Vice President, Sales
E-mail Anita |
Bio: Part of the Alberta Venture team since its inception, Anita McGillis is responsible for senior sales in the Edmonton and northern Alberta regions. She is also involved in the professional advertising community in Edmonton and was proud to serve as the 2001-2002 vice-president of the Advertising Club of Edmonton, after completing her tenure as co-chair of the 2000 ACE Awards. An expert at working with clients to create the best campaign to reach goals, within budget, Anita would be pleased to speak with you about how Alberta Venture can meet your advertising needs.
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Joyce Byrne
Associate Publisher
E-mail Joyce |
Bio: Joyce Byrne is Alberta Venture’s Associate Publisher, and is also responsible for the new youth-oriented business magazine, Unlimited.
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Daska Davis
Associate Publisher, Contract Magazines
E-mail Daska |
Bio: Recently shipped in from England, Daska Davis is a qualified journalist and editor who has worked on national newspapers, business, consumer and customer magazines. Since 2000, she has specialized in customer magazine publishing with experience of the in-flight, automotive, charity, financial services, broadcasting and corporate sectors. At Venture Publishing she heads the customer magazine division, working with the team to achieve clients’ marketing and communication objectives. |
Michael McCullough
Editor, Alberta Venture
E-mail Mike |
Bio: Mike McCullough has spent most of his career working in a variety of capacities in the print media in western Canada, from newspaper reporting to business magazine editing to 'zine publishing to writing books, and strangely enough it's all relevant to his current position leading the editorial team that produces Alberta Venture every month. It's his job to keep the magazine lively, relevant and a must-read for businesspeople in Alberta.
If you have story ideas, suggestions to improve the magazine, rants and raves, send them his way.
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Tracy Hyatt
Managing Editor,
Alberta Venture
E-mail Tracy |
Dan Rubinstein
Editor, Unlimited
E-mail Dan
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Bio: At their best, magazines can inspire change. As the editor of Venture Publishing’s newest title, Unlimited, Dan Rubinstein's job is to help capture, cultivate and convey the stories of young Albertans who are leading by example. Their work, and their lives, are rooted in fulfillment beyond financial success. (Dan tries to live up to their example by avoiding a five-day work week, which gives him more time in Edmonton’s river valley and the mountains with his young twin daughters.) He was the features editor of Alberta Venture until Unlimited came along, and also freelances for magazines throughout the country. |
Natasha Mekhail
Associate Editor,
Alberta Venture and Unlimited
E-mail Natasha |
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Lindsey Norris
Assistant Editor,
Alberta Venture and Unlimited
E-mail Lindsey |
Bio: Since joining Venture’s editorial team, Lindsey Norris's imagination and appetite have flourished (anyone who has seen a recent issue of Food for Thought will understand why). She is a recent graduate of the University of Victoria’s writing program, and is pleased to report that four years of studying leads and comma usage has proven very useful in her position as editorial assistant for our contract publications.
When Lindsey is not writing, she enjoys playing beach volleyball and exploring the city of Edmonton. As a confirmed West Coaster, she only wishes that Alberta’s weather was as hospitable as its citizens! |
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Alfredo Zelcer
Art Director,
Alberta Venture
E-mail Alfredo |
Bio: Alfredo Zelcer's background is almost exclusively in magazine publishing, starting out as an Assistant Art Director at PLAYBOY and most recently as Art Director for MEN'S HEALTH. In between he has designed and re-designed formats for TWA AMBASSADOR and PHILADELPHIA, among others. Alfredo's work has been recognized by the Art Directors Clubs of New York, Chicago and Philadelphia, as well as by CA and Graphis magazines. |
Malcom Brown
Art Director,
Unlimited
E-mail Malcom |
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Kim Larson
Associate Art Director, Alberta Venture
E-mail Kim |
Bio: For the love of magazines! Kim Larson has worked in publishing around Edmonton for 16 years both as a Graphic Designer and Art Director. As a Venturite, she looks forward to contributing to the creation and beauty of Alberta Venture each month. |
K. Paige Weir
Assistant Art Director, Unlimited
E-mail Paige |
Bio: Paige Weir started her design career working freelance out of a coffee shop in Vancouver, but despite her, um, esoteric experience, Ruth Kelly took a gamble and put her to work. Having dabbled in photography, illustration, florals, painting, and printmaking while practicing her trade, Paige loves the diversity of the challenges that face her every day at the magazine, and looks forward to continuing with Venture for some time yet.
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Tracy Niven
Assisant Art Director, Alberta Venture
E-mail Tracy |
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Vanlee Robblee
Production Manager
E-mail Vanlee |
Bio: Vanlee Robblee has had the privilege of working in various roles within the Art and Design department. From a contract designer to taking a full-time role as the production coordinator and to associate art director for Alberta Venture and the contract division, she is pleased to take on the role of production manager. Vanlee looks forward to the challenges and opportunities to utilize her design background along with her love for deadlines, number crunching, and organization. Outside of Venture, she likes to spend her time with her family of pets (2 dogs, 2 rabbits, 1 hedgehog) and her husband, belly dancing, playing music, and being a TV junkie. |
Gunnar Blodgett
Production Technician
E-mail Gunnar |
Bio: Working in the production department, Gunnar Blodgett is the tech guru for the Venture Publishing team. Have a question about press-ready PDF? Problem figuring out FTP? Please feel free to contact him for more information. |
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Stefanie Claro
Director of Marketing
E-mail Stefanie |
Bio: Stefanie Claro is responsible for the role the marketing unit plays in the successful promotion and marketing of Venture’s various magazines, websites and events. Stefanie has spent the majority of her professional career in the international business and marketing arena. She possesses extensive international experience in Asia, Latin America and the United States. |
Tiffany Teslyk
Associate Director of Marketing
E-mail Tiffany |
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Amy Fung
Event Coordinator and Marketing Assistant
E-mail Amy |
Bio: Amy Fung oversees the logistics of Venture Publishing's numerous events throughout the year and assists in the Marketing department. If she has time, she freelance writes and maintains www.prairieartsters.com |
Erin Solano
Marketing Designer
E-mail Erin |
Bio: Erin Solano is responsible for designing print and web materials for Venture Publishing's marketing, sales, and circulation departments, as well as internal advertisements for Alberta Venture magazine. Outside of work she enjoys mountain biking, running, painting and spending time with her husband and their Amstaff, Pluto.
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Andrea Cruickshank
Circulation Coordinator
E-mail Andrea |
Bio: Andrea Cruickshank oversees the circulation for Alberta Venture magazine and Unlimited. Organized and flexible are just a few of the adjectives needed to describe the circulation department, one of the three pillars of any strong publication along with editorial and sales. A very determined person in and outside of work, Andrea also runs competitively (and to relax), enjoys traveling, reading, and spending time with family and friends. |
Jennifer King
Circulation and Accounting Assistant
E-mail Jennifer |
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Amanda Pieters
Administrative Assistant
E-mail Amanda |
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Trudie Peters
Controller
E-mail Trudie |
Bio: Trudie Peters is completing her Bachelor of Management degree at the University of Lethbridge and plans to complete her CGA designation in the very near future. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time outdoors and with her family. |
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Mifi Purvis
Editor, Contract Publications
E-mail Mifi |
Bio: You can blurt out what you want people to know about your project or organization. Or you can tell great stories to get your message across. Chances are it’s the stories they’ll remember. And it’s Mifi's job to create lively publications, from two pages to 100, chock full of dramatic and informative prose and images, that will engage readers on many different levels – all while delivering your message. As editor of contract publications, Mifi currently oversee Your Health, Food For Thought, Tracks & Treads and Grip magazines as well as several smaller publications, ranging from quarterly to one-off. Her non-magazine time revolves around her two young daughters.
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Kim Tannas
Editor, Your Health
E-mail Kim |
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Noemi Lopinto
Associate Editor, Contract Publications
E-mail Noemi (Maternity Leave) |
Bio: After seven years toiling as a feature writer, Noemi Lopinto decided to buy a cigar and don a green visor and join the contract side of Venture Publishing. She aids her colleagues in the creation of one-stop magazines, or inserts within Alberta Venture, for a specific client. Together they create beautiful, glossy magazines that are the apples of our client’s eyes and a testament to whatever it is that they do. When she is not doing that she is writing freelance articles for our other publications, Alberta Venture, Your Health and Food For Thought. |
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Charles Burke
Art Director, Contract Publications
E-mail Charles |
Bio: “No, I will not use Helvetica!” It’s been a long ways since Chuck Burke uttered that line to his employer back in 1983.
As a fresh faced graduate of ACAD’s Visual Communications program, he figured I knew it all.
Over the years, his design journey has taken him across the country more than once.
In the process, Chuck has learned that in the world of design, everything - including Helvetica – has its place.
As the Art Director of Contract Publications, Chuck brings to Venture an array of skills and experience
(and sometimes even a little Helvetica) to publications like Grip, Food for Thought, Your Health and Tracks & Treads. |
Catherine Lizotte
Assistant Art Director, Contract Publications
E-mail Catherine |
Bio: Four years of education about kerning, colour and placement might seem useless in some jobs but not here! Catherine Lizotte still can't believe she actually gets paid for creating layouts and ads while working with a fantastic team. Her current focus is working in our contract magazines side helping to create Your Health, Food For Thought, Grip and a variety of other publications. |
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Michael Harvey
Director of Sales
E-mail Michael |
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Zoë Morris
Account Executive
E-mail Zoë |
Bio: Zoë Morris's sales experience in Holland was primarily in the area of licensing sales, selling the licensing rights of movies like The Lord of the Rings trilogy and children’s series like Teletubbies and Bob the Builder -- to name a few! Zoë discovered her love for sales while she was a special education teacher trying to raise funds for extra projects and computers that the kids in her school desperately needed. As an Account Executive for Alberta Venture she loves being able to offer clients the chance to advertise in the best business magazine
Alberta has to offer.
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Kelly Sysak
Account Executive
E-mail Kelly |
Bio: Kelly Sysak is in awe at the levels of creativity and energy that she sees around her on a daily basis. As an Account Executive, she loves the feeling of successfully pairing a client with Alberta Venture 's great editorial. Kelly is not about getting clients into the magazine for a quick sale, but rather more interested in building long lasting relationships. |
Tara Kochan
Account Executive, Contract Publications, Unlimited
E-mail Tara |
Bio: Tara Kochan is keen on catering her creative enthusiasm to each individual client’s needs. Interested in bringing something fresh, edgy and different to the table, Tara has been working for Venture Publishing on publications Food For Thought, Alberta Innovators, GRIP and is looking forward to working on the highly anticipated launch of Unlimited magazine. Born and raised in the Edmonton region, Fort Saskatchewan to be exact, Tara enjoys spending her free time with family and friends, and if she’s ever at home, learning how to cook. |
Krista Hryniuk,
Account Executive, Unlimited
E-mail Krista |
Bio: Traveling across Europe and Asia over a course of three years, Krista Hryniuk has learned to appreciate different perspectives, cultures, and especially other culture’s regional delicacies and specialties. Krista believes in what she sells, and brings her knowledge and enthusiasm to her clients every time. Away from the office, she enjoys taking her Husky-Shepperd cross, Ripley, to the offleash dog park and spending time in the mountains. |
Stefanie Jackson
Sales and Marketing Assistant
E-mail Stefanie |
Bio: Stefanie Jackson grew up in Newfoundland, but migrated to British Columbia where she married and gained a whole new family. When she moved to Alberta, she never thought she would get thrown into the centre of Alberta’s Business world with this magazine. But here she is!! As the sales assistant, Stefanie helps the sales team give the best to their clients, along with making sure all the little things get done around the office.
Coming from working in a car dealership, it was a breath of fresh air to be working with so many wonderful, talented ladies. She can’t wait to see what they’ll come up with next. |
| Calgary Office |
Dennis McCormack
Account Executive and Office Manager
E-mail Dennis |
Bio: Chances are that if you've been in the media business in Alberta, you have crossed paths with Dennis McCormack. He started his sales career in his hometown of Lethbridge, AB...as soon as he could spell the word "sales" he was hooked. At Venture, Dennis is responsible for Alberta Venture, The Money Book, Alberta Market Facts Directory, FORE! (our golf digest), and sponsorships. |
Angela Kadin
Account Executive
E-mail Angela |
Bio: Angela Kadin brings her five years of experience from Vancouver back to her roots in Alberta. Presenting a congenial and charismatic rapport, Angela succeeds in her job by closely consulting with her clients to individualize the best choice for them. Being genuinely interested in her client’s success, Angela’s competitive edge and sly sense of humour has made her into a natural sales woman all her life. In her downtime, she enjoys spending time at her favorite spa, exercising, and playing golf. |
Jesse Semko
Assistant Editor, Alberta Venture and Unlimited
E-mail Jesse |
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| Toronto Office |
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Marion da Ponte
National Sales Representative
E-mail Marion |
Bio: Marion da Ponte is one of those people that some say are born to work in sales. Take her first deal, for example, at age eight she bought a sheep, raised it on the family farm and bartered it to her dad for a cow. By age 12, through shrewd livestock maneuvering, she had acquired a herd of 14. National clients will appreciate that enterprising and resourceful spirit. Call Marion up for one of her infectious chats and she’ll acquaint you with the Venture group of magazines and what they can do for your business. |
Caroline Ilaqua
National Sales Representative
E-mail Caroline |
Bio: Caroline Ilaqua laughs that she’s come a long way from her very first job as a McDonald’s cashier, but as a national advertising rep she’s still keen to let you supersize your ad or get the proverbial “fries with that.” Plus, Caroline is able to serve clients in either of the country’s national languages. She laments that her one sales regret is having gone door to door at 13 to flog her collection of Partridge Family, David Cassidy and Donny Osmond records. She wishes they were still with her today. |
Ricardo Aleixo
Office Assistant
E-mail Ricardo |
Bio: Ricardo Aleixo is responsible for coordinating all administrative tasks in our Toronto offices and keeping track of Alberta Ventures national advertising sales. Prior to joining the Venture team he was completing a post-secondary education in Fashion Arts. |
