A successful team beats with one heart. Simply put - teamwork is the ability to work together toward a common vision. At Style Manitoba, our mandate remains the same as when we first began publishing in 1996 – that is to produce an attractive upscale publication that reflects the lifestyle interests and concerns of Manitobans. This is an accomplishment that as an organization we are proud of today.
The team involved in the marketing, production, editorial content and design of publications produced by LifeStyle West Publishing Inc have highly developed skills in different areas of the industry. Along with other editorial and support staff, they culminate in a dynamic team of professionals who have the expertise necessary to achieve and maintain publications in which fine products, services and lifestyle concerns can be represented.
THE EDITORIAL & CREATIVE TEAM
EDITORIAL DIRECTOR As CEO of LifeStyle West Publishing and Editorial Director for Style Manitoba, Rita van Leeuwen successfully demonstrates her journalistic savvy and well-focused sense of direction in Manitoba’s publishing industry. Combined with her experience in market research and thorough knowledge of sales, marketing and management, Rita has continually developed and maintained many contacts in both the creative and advertising communities for the past 20 years. Her keen insight into the diversity of Manitoba's reading audience and the marketing needs of businesses therein assists her in providing a unique and creative editorial blend for every issue of Style Manitoba.
ART DIRECTOR A graduate of University of the Arts London (Camberwell School of Art), Paul Butters serves as Art Director for Style Manitoba and other products published by LifeStyle West Inc. Well known for his creative abilities, Paul’s design and layout expertise contribute significantly to the success of each issue. He also lends his skill in photographic direction to all publications produced through Lifestyle West Inc. Paul’s strong sense of design and effective use of colour consistently provide for magazine presentations that are tasteful and elegant at once.
EDITORIAL & ADVERTISING COORDINATOR Since 2002, Ava van Leeuwen has brought her savvy sense of style to the pages of Manitoba’s largest and most popular lifestyles magazine. As Editorial & Advertising Coordinator, Ava lends her organizational skills to the Production Department, assisting in sales and with collecting client advertising materials. She also facilitates various editorial areas, including En Vogue, Fashion & Fab Finds. Ava’s eye for what’s hot – whether in home décor or fashion – has spiced up our editorial pages significantly, adding a fresh new look to Style Manitoba from issue to issue.
THE MARKETING TEAM Responsible for establishing new clientele and the ongoing maintenance of established accounts, our advertising sales team is comprised of outstanding marketing professionals who are committed to the high standards of excellence Style Manitoba is noted for. These polished individuals practice professionalism, honesty and integrity in all their business dealings. Noted for their highly developed skills in supplying creative marketing solutions to a wide cross section of clients and for providing outstanding customer service, our account executives professionally handle all advertising sales for Style Manitoba.
Eric Green, MarketingExecutive
A key player on the successful publishing team, Eric Green lends his invaluable sales and marketing expertise to Style Manitoba, offering marketing strategies to a wide range of clients. For the past 20 years, Eric has been involved in the marketing and advertising fields, where he is noted for handling the advertising needs for a cross section of major clients in Manitoba.
WRITERS & PHOTOGRAPHERS It would not be possible to publish a magazine like Style Manitoba without the help of a great many people. This we have been fortunate to have. Our contributors are all experts in their own fields. Time after time, they have responded to the needs of our organization and readers alike with beautiful photography and well written editorials. Without the collaboration of their efforts, Style Manitoba would simply not be the publication it is today. Our talented entourage of writers and photographers has been delightful to work with and we value all their contributions to our publications.
Christine Hanlon
Freelance writer Christine Hanlon provides regular coverage for Style Manitoba's home decorating and design sections, including the fabulous home featured each issue. When not at the keyboard, this petite Francophone can be found at the theatre, on a hiking trail or in a restaurant, indulging her passion for gastronomy.
Ian Mozdzen When he’s not interviewing playwrights or profiling other interesting Manitoba personalities for our lifestyles section, writer Ian Mozdzen can usually be found exploring the local restaurant scene for Delectable Dining or Noshing Out, two of Style Manitoba’s regular columns.
Mia van Leeuwen
Tuned in to the city’s cultural beat, Arts & Entertainment columnist Mia van Leeuwen provides our readers with an entertainment guide each season in Stepping Out With Style. When she’s not busy with her regular column, Mia is usually working on a theatre production of her own or interviewing an actor, author or other celebrity for Style Manitoba.
Leigh Patterson
A professional freelance writer since 1998, Leigh Patterson is a regular contributor to Style Manitoba who particularly enjoys penning landscape features or profiling the talented artists who have been covered in our issues over the years.
Renee Sierra
Renee Sierra lends her financial savvy to a regular column in every issue, providing perspectives on financial planning, and monetary and investment matters for consumers who read Style Manitoba.
Kelly Gray
A seasoned professional, writer Kelly Gray has long provided Style Manitoba’s readers with the latest scoop on housing developments, hot new condo projects, the real estate market and so much more.
Aileen Goos
Well known on the local front, freelance writer Aileen Goos demonstrates her versatility with the variety of topics she tackles editorially. From profiling musicians, business people and artists to providing coverage on housing options, Aileen contributes a wide range of editorial to Style Manitoba.
Quentin Mills-Fenn
Style Manitoba’s long time book columnist Quentin Mills-Fenn has enjoyed dinner with David Suzuki and tea with Jan Wong, as well as an iced latte with Margaret Sweatman on a hot August afternoon. When he’s not interviewing authors, he can usually be found reading yet another novel, biography, history or travel book…
Randal McIlroy
Local writer Randal McIlroy makes valuable contributions to each issue of Style Manitoba with his well respected insights into the world of music, Tuned in to the music scene, McIlroy reviews CDs regularly in Styling the Stereo, along with occasionally profiling musicians.
Sylvia Jansen, CSW
A wine educator, speaker and freelance writer, Sylvia has been speaking on wine for almost two decades, and has worked in the wine industry for the past five years. Her wealth of knowledge on the topic is reflected in the wine columns she frequently writes for Style Manitoba. Sylvia also leads wine appreciation courses for the public, holds the Certified Specialist of Wine designation from the Society of Wine Educators, and a Sommelier diploma through the International Sommelier Guild.
THE PHOTOGRAPHY TEAM
John Johnston
Since the magazine’s inception, Creative Communications graduate John Johnston has lent his photography skills to Style Manitoba in several areas, from event coverage for our Style Was There section to photographing restaurateurs and entrees at local eateries. Johnston’s talent for photography is also apparent in other sections of the magazine, including Renovations and Neighbourhoods.
Michael Roberts
A successful freelance photographer and graphic artist since 1993, Michael Roberts consistently demonstrates his commercial versatility while satisfying his need for creative expression. Whether shooting fashion, architecture, products, or corporate portraiture, Roberts draws from his knowledge of artistic composition techniques to get the best out of every assignment. His keen eye for detail is apparent in several Style Manitoba areas - among them, the gardening section, Kitchen & Bath Showcase and Design & Décor sections.
Lance Thomson
Freelance photographer Lance Thomson frequently captures footage for several areas of Style Manitoba, including the Fab Home story and the Design & Décor section. Noted for producing a wide range of moods and one-of-a-kind looks, Thomson’s creative skills are always reflected in his work.