The Team

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 CREATIVE TEAM

RitaVanLeeuwenRita van Leeuwen, 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 25 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.

Paul Butters, Art Director

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. Paul’s strong sense of design and effective use of colour consistently provide for magazine presentations that are tasteful and elegant at once.

 

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.

LisaLesterLisa Lester, Advertising Sales Executive

A polished professional well known for her integrity, Lisa Lester handles the advertising needs of a wide range of clients on behalf of Style Manitoba . Lisa successfully combines her excellent communication and analytical skills with her unstoppable creativity to achieve the desired results for clients. Also an accomplished singer, Lisa has produced several CDs and a music video.

THE DIGITAL MEDIA TEAM

Joe Potenza, Executive Director Digital Media

Joe Potenza brings a wealth of promotional and marketing experience to the team, and is well versed in the latest digital technology. His role in transitioning Style Manitoba into the era of digital media was invaluable, as he oversaw the development of the organization’s online presence through social media, video production and a suite of digital products.

 

Larry van Leeuwen, Digital Media Specialist

Larry van Leeuwen taps into his creativity, utilizing his marketing and digital media skills to bring Style Manitoba’s print content to life on its Instagram and Facebook /META feeds, further engaging our growing online audience.

 

VinceKrochakVince Krochak, Digital Media Video Technician

Vince Krochak, who has worked extensively in the motion picture industry, brings 20 years of experience in film and video production to Style Manitoba. In an ever-changing digital marketplace, Vince offers the full breadth of his expertise in digital video production to Style Manitoba’s clients.

 

Rebecca Van Beveren, Web Design Specialist

Rebecca van Beveren rounds out our team as Website Design Specialist, and is
responsible for the creation of Style Manitoba’s current website. Rebecca brings her
imagination, creativity, attention to detail and technical expertise together to
produce and maintain visually appealing, highly functional website designs for those
seeking an exceptional online presence.

 

THE CONTRIBUTORS

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.

WRITERS

KellyGrayKelly Gray, Writer

Kelly Gray is a Canadian-based book author and magazine writer. For more than 25 years he has written in a wide range of local and national publications on topics from cocktails to Quonset Huts. Currently, he is touring the country promoting his new book The Less You Know – Tales of the Wolseley Voyager.

 

 

GregKlassenGreg Klassen, Writer

Greg Klassen is an avid gardener and traveler, having visited fifteen countries in the last decade. Favourite experiences include hiking the rice paddies of Jatiluwih, Bali; watching the sun set with a glass of brunello in hand in southern Tuscany and doing the nightly tapas crawl in the beautiful Spanish seaside city of San Sebastian. If Greg could live anywhere else in the world, it would be Amsterdam, where the cyclist is king.

 

RandalMcIlroyRandal McIlroy, Writer

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.

 

 

QuentinMills-FennQuentin Mills-Fenn, Writer

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.

 

 

DonnaMinkusDonna Minkus, Writer

Donna Minkus has worked in the communications field for more than 30 years, having held communications specialist positions at corporations in both the private and public sectors. With a background in journalism and experience at daily newspapers, Donna is to returning to her roots and pursuing a career as a freelance writer. Recently retired, Donna is pleased to join the contributing writers at Style Manitoba.

 

Lea Currie, Writer

Lea Currie joined our team in 2015 and has been a regular contributor to Design & Décor, Kitchen & Bath Showcase and other sections of Style Manitoba ever since. An accomplished writer, Lea adds her own editorial flair to our pages, providing clean crisp copy to capture the attention of Style Manitoba’s reading audience.

 

LeighPattersonLeigh Patterson, Writer

Writer, editor and true-blue prairie gal Leigh Patterson has been a regular Style Manitoba editorial contributor since 1998. Leigh loves to bring the stories of our province’s many entrepreneurs and other talented folks to life on our pages. Always on the go, she channels her energy into running, cross-country skiing, yoga, gardening and shopping. On her rare down time, she may be spotted reading a book.

 

Julie Germaine, Columnist

Drawing on a wealth of experience, Julie Germaine pens a motivational health and fitness column for each issue of Style Manitoba, providing readers with valuable tips and inspiration to accomplish their personal goals. Julie is a 2x International Pro Fitness Champion, Registered Personal Trainer, Certified Nutrition Expert and Prenatal/Postpartum Health Coach, who has helped thousands of men and women worldwide improve their health since 2005.

 

Onalee Ames, Columnist

Onalee Ames provides regular coverage on Manitoba’s film industry in every issue of Style Manitoba, keeping our audience engaged with the lowdown on locally produced new films, television shows and industry news. Leveraging her 25+ years in film and television – from LA to Toronto to Winnipeg, as a director, producer, writer and actor – Onalee is an essential player on the local film scene.

 

THE PHOTOGRAPHY TEAM

JohnJohnstonJohn Johnston, Photographer

John Johnston has spent over 40 years capturing light, life and stunning imagery through the lens of a camera. His diploma in creative communications helps him understand the high impact imagery his clients require.

 

 

MichaelRobertsMichael Roberts, Photographer

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 throughout every issue.