National executive council

Members of the executive council serve as trustees for the general membership. Collectively, they direct Editors Canada activities and decide how to spend its money. They are all members of the association.

Executive council 2023–24

President

Headshot of Maria Frank

Maria Frank
Editors Edmonton
I have worked as an editor since 2008. I have been both a freelance editor and an in-house editor, editing government documents, K–12 study materials, fiction and non-fiction manuscripts, and corporate communications. I currently work for Athabasca University and edit primarily content for undergraduate- and graduate-level business courses.

I am an editor because I am passionate about language and the power of the word. I am particularly interested in the application of language to reflect cultural values and effect positive social change.

Outside of editing, I am passionate about powerlifting, photography and learning new languages.


Vice-President

Headshot of Marcia Allyn Luke

Marcia Allyn Luke
Editors Toronto
I have an Honours Bachelor in English (University of Guelph) and a postgraduate Publishing Certificate (Ryerson University). I am currently completing a Master of Professional Education (Western University). I have 15 years’ experience in educational publishing, including acquisitions, editorial, management, marketing and sales positions, providing a unique, holistic perspective. I have been teaching and developing curriculum since 2017, including the following courses: Introductory Communications and Conspiracy Theories (Critical Thinking) at Fleming College, College English at George Brown College and Professional Writing at Humber College. I have contributed to a #1 International Bestseller, Silent Grief, Healing, & Hope.


Past President

Headshot of Heather Buzila

Heather Buzila
Editors Edmonton
I began my editing career in 2007 and am a certified copy editor and stylistic editor with Editors Canada. I currently work at Athabasca University in Edmonton, where I edit materials for online courses in humanities and social sciences. I’ve also edited fiction and nonfiction book manuscripts, professional development modules for the College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Alberta, and website materials for diverse organizations.


Treasurer

Tara Avery
Editors British Columbia
Technically, my editorial career began in grade five, when I decided my school needed a magazine and that I was just the gal to start it. I’ve worked in a professional capacity since 2003. I’m a Professional Member of the CIEP, CAA and AIPP. Though my experience is wide-ranging, I work predominantly with fiction, creative non-fiction and dramatic texts as a coach and developmental/line/copy editor. I’m interested in serving on the NEC to give back to Editors Canada and its members, who have welcomed me so warmly.


Secretary

Mina Holië
Editors Calgary
I joined Editors Canada as a student affiliate last year and have transitioned into a member for the NEC director position this year. Having worked as an external auditor in public practice, my domains are auditing and forensic accounting. Prior to that, I held a position for accounting and administrative support duties in the hotel industry. I am currently taking the Technical Writer Graduate Certificate program at Algonquin College part-time while also pursuing a master’s degree in informatics with a concentration in information security management. I look forward to this opportunity for working on various projects with other members.


Director of Branches and Twigs

Ellen Keeble
Editors Toronto
I have been working as an editor/writer for more than 14 years. I hold a bachelor of journalism from Carleton University, a publishing certificate from Ryerson University and Editors Canada Structural Editing certification. I love this industry because I’m constantly learning. I provide editorial services for a variety of corporate clients, both in-house and on a freelance basis. In 2021, I received the President’s Award for Volunteer Service for my contributions as a designer.


Director of Marketing and Communications

Headshot of Ruth Pentinga

Ruth Pentinga
Editors Ottawa–Gatineau
I am excited to join the NEC as the newest director of marketing and communications. I have this strange passion and aptitude for editing, so I took the Editing Certificate program at George Brown College, after receiving my Masters of Theological Studies from U of T. I’ve been fortunate to function as an editor (and do some marketing and communications) throughout my career and now I have some formal editing education to strengthen my practice and passion. I have edited some books, and other writing, in conjunction with my work as an itinerate preacher, a photographer and managing my wooden art puzzle business. I’ve been a member of Editors Canada for a few years and am happy to now work with the marketing and communications committee on initiatives to promote Editors Canada and the editing profession.


Director of Member Recruitment and Retention

Suzanne Aubin
Editors Quebec
I have been editing and translating for 20 years. I was an active member of the association until family life took priority and am now happy to have time again to dedicate to our profession, to our association. If elected for this position, I plan on helping to find ways to improve membership retention and recruitment, in both official languages.


Director of Professional Standards

Headshot of Arija Berzitis

Arija Berzitis
Editors Toronto
I am a former associate editor and typesetter and currently proofreader in financial documents. I have a degree in English Language and Literature and am a native speaker of English (my parents emigrated from Latvia to England and then Canada following the Second World War). My schooling from kindergarten took place in Canada and although I finished my Hon. B.A. many years ago, I am currently working on the Publishing Certificate at Ryerson. I have had freelance copy editing experience in journals for about 10–15 years now. I was recently a technical editor for the Canadian journal TESL Canada from the University of Western Ontario. This involved editing references and their citations. However, I have also copy edited scientific and highly technical journals from the United States as well, including in such fields as humanities, social sciences, philosophy, futures, management, ultrasound, and medical and education. A current project includes copy editing a memoire written by a first-time writer, something I’m not used to but enjoying very much for the complete about-face from my usual activities.


Director of Publications

Kaitlin Littlechild
Editors Nova Scotia
I am both a freelance editor and writer and work as a communications and marketing specialist for an environmental consulting firm. I frequently edit works written by Indigenous authors and works written about Indigenous Peoples. I commonly edit (and occasionally write) in the areas of business communication, health, public health, biology, environmental issues and marketing pieces of all types.

When (if) I have spare time, I can be found outside enjoying all that New Brunswick has to offer—beautiful beaches, waterfall hikes, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, camping. There is always something to explore with my kids and dogs


Director of Training and Development

Błażej Szpakowicz
Editors British Columbia
A former academic with a PhD in history, I’ve worked as an editor for four years, specializing in academic and fiction editing. As a member of the Editors British Columbia, I’ve participated in Vancouver-based branch meetings and seminars. I’ve also served on the Editors Canada training and development committee since 2017, helping run the successful ongoing webinar program. If elected, I shall help guide the further development of this program and ensure it offers a wide range of ongoing professional development, in both French and English, to all Editors Canada members across Canada, regardless of location, background or expertise.


Director of Volunteer Relations

Headshot of Leah Morrigan

Leah Morrigan
Editors Toronto
I’m a writer and have published in a variety of places from the Hill Times (Parliament Hill) to the Canadian Medical Post to my own men’s image column in a UK gentleman’s magazine. As a professional editor, I have sat on professional and community boards and spent 10 years as the in-house editor and contributing writer at a provincially funded not-for-profit. As a non-fiction freelance editor, I have waded into legal tech, academic writing, and natural and social sciences—because variety is the spice of life!

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