National committee chairs

Awards coordinator

Joanne Findon

Editors Toronto

I am a writer, editor and retired university teacher of creative writing and medieval literature who is passionate about helping others to learn to write well. I have five years of freelance editing experience, and have written a range of fiction and non-fiction for children and young adults as well as academic books and a biography. My doctorate (Medieval Studies) from the University of Toronto focused on women in medieval Celtic literature, but I bring a broad range of literary expertise to my editing. During my academic career I served on a number of awards committees.


Career builder committee

Holly Vestad (she/her)

Editors Québec

Headshot photo of Holly Vestad

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

Headshot of Saleh Waziruddin

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

Headshot of Heather Buzila

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

Vacant


The Editors’ Weekly (English-language blog)

Laura Bontje

Editors Kitchener-Waterloo-Guelph

I am a freelance editor specializing in fiction editing, with a particular focus on children’s literature. I live in London, Ontario, with my husband and two young children. Editing my clients’ beautiful books and seeing the world through my kids’ eyes both reignited my own passion for writing: my debut picture book will be released in 2024, with more to come!


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

Headshot of Maria Frank

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

Joanne Haskins

Editors Toronto

Headshot of Joanne Haskins

I learned the fundamentals of editing and publishing at a national trade magazine, leaving as managing editor. I now help a variety of clients — including self-publishing authors, non-profits, governmental bodies and businesses — with my own editing, writing and design company, Think Communications. I’ve been an Editors Canada member since 1997 and have volunteered in a variety of roles, including the redesign and production of the Toronto-branch newsletter and pilot-testing the copy-editing certification exam.

@thinkcomjo


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’Hedbomadaire des réviseurs (French-language blog)

Marie-Gabrielle (Gaby) Balan (she/her)

Editors Barrie

Headshot of Marie-Gabrielle (Gaby) Balan

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’Hedbomadaire 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

Kristine Buchholtz

Editors Edmonton

Heather Buzila

Editors Edmonton

Marianne Grier

Editors British Columbia

Roma Ilnyckyj

Editors British Columbia

Anne Louise Mahoney

Editors Ottawa–Gatineau

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

Sarah Higgins (she/her)

Editors Manitoba

I’m a writer, editor and theatre artist based on Treaty 1 territory (Winnipeg, MB). I have an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of British Columbia, and I completed the online Editing Certificate from Simon Fraser University in 2023. My editing experience includes copy-editing, stylistic and structural editing of fiction, non-fiction and academic works. My plays have been performed in theatre festivals across the country—most recently Edmonton’s Sound Off Deaf Theatre Festival.

Fun fact: once I visit Nunavut, I’ll have lived in or visited every province & territory in Canada.

www.sfhiggins.com


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

Risha Gotlieb

Editors Toronto

I’m primarily a journalist whose work has been featured in The Toronto StarThe Globe & MailReader’s DigestChatelaine and Maclean’s, among others. As an editor I’ve worked both in-house and freelance—it’s been an eclectic ride that included working for newspapers, a university, a major corporation and an ad agency. I have a degree in journalism and am also affiliated with the American Society of Journalists & Authors.


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

Headshot of Maria Frank

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.


Publications committee

Matthew Long

Editors Toronto

Headshot of Matt Long

I am a Hamilton, ON-based editor, writer and project manager. I apply a thoughtful and collaborative approach to understand your ideas and help ensure they are successfully communicated to your audience.

My editing and writing experience includes corporate material, technical documentation and process manuals, non-fiction journalism and educational material. I am also trained in Agile project management methodology and have been part of and led a wide variety of difficult projects.

Apart from that, I occasionally foster dogs and often watch old movies. You can find out more or reach me via my website, What’s the Idea Professional Editing.


Standards committee

Greg Ioannou

Editors Toronto

Headshot of Greg Ioannou

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

Laura Jones (she/her)

Editors Edmonton

After working as a music teacher for several years, I followed my love of words and stories to editing. I am a recent graduate of Toronto Metropolitan University’s publishing program, and I now work as a freelance copy editor and proofreader. I have primarily worked with nonfiction texts, especially educational materials and translated works, but I also have a passion for fiction. When I’m not editing, you can find me rock climbing, singing opera, or writing about magic and dragons.


Training and development committee

Katherine Morton

Editors Toronto

Headshot of Katherine Morton

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

Ren Baron

Editors Toronto

I am a Toronto-based freelance editor new to Editors Canada. I primarily edit academic work in the Humanities and Social Sciences, with a particular focus in film studies and international relations. In 2018, I graduated from the University of Toronto with an Honours Bachelor of Arts in History, East Asian Studies and Spanish, and I will complete my Editorial Skills Certificate at George Brown College this spring (2022). My favourite fiction genres are fantasy and mystery, and I’m currently learning how to play platformer video games for the first time in my life.

To top