National committee chairs and national positions

Academic editing special interest group

Alex Benarzi (he/him)

Editors Calgary

I began my official editing career in 2020, connecting with clients as I obtained my certification in editing through SFU. Most of my freelance work has been in fiction and academic writing. Beyond this, I am passionate about accessibility in language and in practice. As a fiction writer as well as an editor, I believe in bridging atypical and accessible writing. I believe that, in tandem, writers and editors have the power to see the world differently and communicate it clearly. I am also passionate about community: connecting with writers and editors in an increasingly isolated industry.

Jenn Rossiter (she/her)

Editors Edmonton

I am a freelance editor and grant consultant based in Edmonton, Treaty 6 territory. I specialize in copy and stylistic editing for academic and non-profit clients. I’m passionate about helping authors strengthen their voice and refine their message to create clear, compelling content. I have worked on a wide range of materials, including articles, books, grant proposals and government reports—largely crafted to drive social impact.

Awards coordinator

Position vacant

Career builder committee

Holly Vestad (she/her)

Editors Québec

I am a Montreal-based freelance editor specializing in memoir, creative non-fiction and academic work. I have an MA (specializing in print culture) and I pursued three years of doctoral research in the English department of McGill University, where I also served as the chair of the professional development committee for the department’s association of graduate students. I have held writing workshops in the university setting throughout my graduate career, and I am currently a writing tutor at the McGill Writing Centre. I am also easing into my new role as the in-house tutor for the McGill First Peoples’ House.

Certification steering committee

Saleh Waziruddin

Editors Hamilton-Halton

I am a freelance academic and non-fiction editor in the Niagara region of Ontario with a STEM and public policy/municipal government background. I’ve taken the academic and professional editing course at Queen’s University. I am South Asian and involved locally in anti-racism organizations. Though born in Quebec, I lived abroad for most of my childhood.

Comité agrément/principes

Vacant

Conference adviser

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.

Conference committee

Melanie Pitman (she/her)

Editors Atlantic

I live in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and work remotely as a personal finance writer for Weymedia, a Moncton, New Brunswick-based company that runs two websites focused on personal finance. My day-to-day involves both writing and various forms of editing, but I’m most practiced in copy editing. Before this position with Weymedia, I spent several years as a freelancer, mostly dealing with academic writing and website copy. When I’m not writing, editing, and/or singing the praises of the Oxford comma, I enjoy reading (just about anything I can get my hands on) and taking my dog, Ivy, for long walks in the woods.

Jenn Tonna (she/her/they)

Editors Atlantic

I love proofreading, as an aspiring author and part-time freelance editor. My biggest cup of tea is fiction, and when I’m not assisting with work projects, I keep the “right side” of my brain alive with standup comedy. As a UofT alumnus, with roots in Nova Scotia, I made the decision to move back here right before the pandemic hit—and while it slowed down my pilgrimage slightly, I’m now here in the HRM and so excited to be getting involved in our local twig. When I’m not editing, you can often find me building castles in Minecraft.

The Editors’ Weekly (English-language blog)

Zanne Klingenberg (he/they)

Editors Edmonton

I’m a queer, neurodivergent editor and have been writing and editing professionally since 2009. I have been an Editors Canada member since 2022, when I finished my Publishing Certificate at TMU. I interned at HarperCollins Canada and then edited for an academic journal before starting my freelance business. I have a passion for diverse representation in fiction, and stories with queer and neurodivergent characters are particularly close to my heart. I edit across genres and industries because my favourite thing in the world is learning something new—and I learn something on every project.

Equity, diversity and inclusion committee

Traci Williams (she/her)

Editors Québec

As a translator and editor for 30+ years, I am passionate about cross-cultural communication and languages. I live in Montreal with my husband and cat. As a life-long and active member of the disability community, I have been made to feel “less than” or feel misrepresented in life, literature and the media. Having a strong sense of social justice, I dream of an equitable, diverse and inclusive society, and look forward to working with those who identify as BIPOC, racialized, LGBTQ2S+, neurodivergent, disabled, and all wishing to ensure inclusion, equality and a lack of bias or stereotyping in our communications.

External liaison

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.

Facebook group moderator

Lenore Hietkamp (she/her)

Editors British Columbia

I have been a freelance editor since 2003, primarily in the academic field, but I have also worked in house for a trade publisher for several years.

Tara Penner (she/her)

Editors British Columbia

I am an academic and technical editor, specializing in scientific, technical and ESL editing. I work with academic researchers, graduate students, and other authors to create clear and concise documents. I work extensively with ESL researchers to prepare grant applications or manuscripts for submission to academic journals.

Forum monitor

Lauren Sawant (she/her/hers)

Editors Toronto

I am a freelance editor specializing in cookbooks, recipes, and food writing. I have worked in and adjacent to the food and beverage industry for over 15 years, including three years as a pastry cook at the iconic Toronto landmarks Palais Royale and Casa Loma.

Francophone advisers

Karine Marquis

Editors Québec

Diplômée de l’Université Laval (Québec) en Révision professionnelle depuis décembre 2023

Alexis Paquette-Lacasse (il/elle)

Editors Québec

Je suis membre étudiant affilié de Réviseurs Canada depuis 2023 et réviseur professionnel depuis plusieurs années. Je suis détenteur d’un baccalauréat en littératures de langue française et d’une maîtrise en littérature comparée de l’Université de Montréal. Je suis présentement doctorant en lettres françaises de l’Université d’Ottawa, et mes recherches portent sur l’histoire de la littérature canadienne-française des années 1900 à 1960. Ma thèse porte sur l’histoire de la littérature queer avant la lettre au Québec. Je suis également collaborateur de la collection Inauditus de Moult Édition, spécialisée dans la réédition d’œuvres originales et méconnues de notre patrimoine littéraire.

L’Hebdomadaire des réviseurs (French-language blog)

Gaby Balan (she/elle)

Editors Barrie

My experience in editing is related to language teaching and the steps to follow for writing tasks, the first draft, (copy edit), the sentence: grammar, punctuation, etc., (structural edit), the paragraph: logic and progression of ideas, before the final draft for correction.

As a volunteer managing editor, I am responsible for the publication of the l’Hebdomadaire des réviseurs, a blog for francophones and francophiles to exchange ideas.

I would like to be a role model for anyone from a minority and help increase the success rate of applicants.

Honorary life membership evaluation committee

Heather Buzila

Editors Edmonton

Marianne Grier

Editors British Columbia

Roma Ilnyckyj

Editors British Columbia

Taran Woloschuk

Editors Edmonton

Human resources committee

Kaitlin Littlechild

Editors Atlantic

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

Marketing and communications committee

Gillian Burrows (she/her)

Editors Kitchener-Waterloo-Guelph

I am a writer and editor from Southwestern Ontario who specializes in fiction, both in short and longer form. I have a BA in English Creativity and Literature & Philosophy from Western University (2022), and completed the Professional Editing Standards Certificate program through Queen’s University in 2023. Currently, I write for Pink Lemonade Confessions on Substack.com. Within Editors Canada, I also serve as the English Language Discord Coordinator.

Mediator

Monica Gill (she/her)

I graduated from the University of Toronto Faculty of Law with a Juris Doctor in June 2024. In the summers of 2022 and 2023, I worked for a leading labour and employment law firm in Toronto. Starting in August, I will be articling with the firm. Prior to law school, I completed an Honours Bachelor of Science and was a Dean’s List Scholar for three years. I have extensive research experience and have been published in the British Journal of Anaesthesia. I have enjoyed serving my community through various volunteer roles at a hospice, community health centre, and hospital.

Mentorship committee

Jenn Rossiter (she/her)

Editors Edmonton

Member services committee

Maylon Gardner (she/her)

Editors British Columbia

I began freelance editing after graduating TMU’s publishing program in 2016. As a passionate learner, I’ve dabbled in many jobs and volunteer positions that have allowed me to explore my interests, from personal training to event planning. Each of these roles has given me skills I use to this day in my editing, which focuses on manuscript evaluation and developmental editing of fiction works. I also hold an Honours Bachelor of Arts in English and Comparative Literature and Culture from Western University and a smattering of certificates that speak to my multipotentiality.

Nominating committee

Maria Frank

Editors Edmonton

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

Publications committee

Matthew Long

Editors Toronto

I am a freelance editor, writer and project manager based out of Hamilton, Ontario. My collaborative and empathetic approach to working with clients, comprehensive editing skill set, and endless dedication make me a trusted partner for a wide variety of projects. I also publish content at whatstheidea.ca, including original articles and interviews with creators and artists for the “What’s Your Idea” interview series.

Standards committee

Greg Ioannou

Editors Toronto

Colborne Communications
I’ve been a freelancer since 1977, and have taught editing all over the place. I was a founding member of (F)EAC and have had all sorts of positions on the executive, including president three times and treasurer six times (yikes!). In real life I own and run a writing and editing company called Colborne Communications, where my office is populated with moose paraphernalia. I’m also the publisher at Iguana Books. More importantly, I captain a team in a weekly trivia league, and frequent local pubs and stamp auctions.

Laura Seguin

Editors Edmonton

I am a graduate of the University of Calgary, where I have also worked as a Research Administrator. Currently, I am taking a professional writing certificate specializing in business and technical writing and I am working towards transitioning into a career in editing.

Student relations committee

Position vacant

Training and development committee

Katherine Morton

Editors Toronto

I am a settler descendant from where the Bow and Elbow Rivers meet. The Blackfoot name is Mohkinstsis (Calgary). But I didn’t stay long. I studied French in Québec and France, taught English in Japan, and completed MBA studies in Germany, Mexico and the Philippines. I worked in international development in dozens of countries and travelled to dozens more—70 countries collected so far, with a love of culture, language and people. I’m based in Toronto and still globetrotting. I do academic, corporate and non-profit editing. I completed the SFU editing certificate program and am an Editors Canada Certified Copy Editor.

Volunteer management committee

Position vacant