About Edible Vancouver Island

November 01, 2023
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Our Readers
 

Islanders love where they live, and live where they play. Our focus is always on family and friends first, quality of life, and a healthy lifestyle with plenty of outdoor activities.  We eat what we grow/catch/harvest, and we love to discover and experience the region’s amazing food & drink options. We respect our heritage, our environment, and our elders.  We respect the land and waters which surround us, those who work it, and those who provide for us.  And we celebrate these connections.  


Our Team 
 

KAREN ELGERSMA
Publisher & Master Storyteller

Karen loves stories. She always has. Even as a little girl, she loved to interview people—"I would pretend I had my own show, and I would use my hairbrush as a microphone and badger friends, relatives and strangers, to participate in my make-believe TV show," she recalls.  ​

She went on to study storytelling at UBC, graduating with an honour’s degree in Creative Writing and Journalism. She then pursued a career in journalism, telling people’s stories through radio, magazines and television. She was a multi-award-winning TV journalist, who spent over 20 years in front of the camera, telling the stories of the people, places, events and ideas of Vancouver Island. In 2014 she then went back to school to study the art of storytelling in the digital age and graduated with Distinction with a Master’s degree in communications from Royal Roads University.  Her thesis was an award-winning documentary on the power of storytelling.

After completing her Masters, she worked with travel writers telling the stories of Victoria and Vancouver Island as the Manager of Media Relations at Destination Greater Victoria and as the Executive Director of Tourism Cowichan.

Today, she is the Founder of Karen Elgersma Media and Publisher of Edible Vancouver Island.


 

CORRY MATECHUK 
Operations Manager

Corry Matechuk plays multiple roles for Edible Vancouver Island, keeping the team organized and on task. With a background in event coordination and business operations, she has a natural knack for project management. Her experience and organizational skills have led her to coordinating local festivals, managing farmers markets, planning tours and workshops, and co-founding the Victoria Public Market. Having also been a well-respected farmer and educator for many years, she has fostered deep connections throughout the culinary industry of Vancouver Island. When she is not working her behind-the-scenes magic, she is cooking, painting, spending time outdoors and exploring our beautiful Island.


 

DANIELLE STEINER
Editor

Freelance writer and editor Danielle Steiner has been the editor of Edible Vancouver Island since its third issue (and every issue printed becomes her new favourite!). With a BA in psychology and anthropology, alongside an editing certificate, she has unique insight into sharing engaging, meaningful stories of the people and communities that make up the food and beverage industry of beautiful Vancouver Island. When she isn't furiously typing up a storm on her laptop, she can be found with her hubby travelling, hiking, camping, paddleboarding, running, or doing anything else that involves the great outdoors.


 

LEANNE VON HOLLEN 
Art Director 

Originally from Alberta, Leanne has called the West Coast home since 1999. She is mom to two fabulous, active kids and one very non-active cat/assistant who she shares with a hubbie that is somehow always willing to listen to her extol the virtues of a great new font (NOTE: Leanne may have a font obsession).

She is a passionate strategic art director with more than 20 years’ experience in the graphic design industry. Her decisiveness in planning work and executing brand visions to achieve marketing and advertising goals have been hallmarks of her career. She is known for a careful eye to the fine details and final composition and excels in fast-paced environments with tight timelines. Leanne enjoys the rush (and maybe celebratory cocktail) of a well-executed design sent off to press or published.

Good food, yummy bevies and exploring new places inspire her creativity. In her downtime she enjoys the outdoors, running, skiing, tennis, walks, patio
season with friends and a good book in her backyard hanging chair.


 

JENNY LEUNG
Social Media Manager

Jenny’s passion for food started when she was a little girl. She was born and raised in Victoria into a food-loving family, and her father was one of Victoria’s first dim sum chefs. Growing up, she was always surrounded by talk of good food and cooking. Working with Edible Vancouver Island has been a dream come true for Jenny, because she is able to combine her passion for food and marketing by helping share stories of local food makers and small business owners. When Jenny isn’t working, you can find her dining around town, sipping on London Fogs and snapping pictures of food to share on her personal social media account.


 

PEGGIE TERRY
Marketing Consultant

Peggie Terry was the publisher of Where magazine, a position she held from 1984–2019. Peggie and her husband James, have "retired" to Qualicum Beach on Vancouver Island. She has traded in her suits for shorts and high-heels for flip flops!

Currently, she is the Volunteer Executive Director of the Vancouver Tourism Awards Program, a non-profit service recognition program recognizing front line service individuals in tourism and hospitality. She has held board positions with Destination Vancouver, Science World and most recently with The Old School House in Qualicum Beach. Peggie has been a volunteer board member with Tourism Industry Partners - TIP Society since 2010. 

 Peggie has continued her publishing persuits with Edible Vancouver Island Magazine (KEM) as a Marketing Consultant a position she has enjoyed since 2019. 


 

THOM KLOS
Marketing Consultant

Thom originally hails from the Vancouver area and has rich experience involving graphic design, marketing, and sales. He has worked in the Travel and Tourism Industry, commercial printing, and print media.

Thom has multiple endeavours on the go including his own graphic design business and working with the WestShore Chamber of Commerce. A fan of Edible Vancouver Island for many years because of the quality of design, printing, and content, Thom hopped on board when he found out Karen was looking for someone to serve clients on the South Island. Thom is also inspired by, and grateful for, the people in his life who are great cooks and bakers and from whom he has learned and enjoyed so much about food.

When he's not working, Thom likes cooking (and eating) good food and watching the Food Network—his guilty pleasure is "Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives." He's also a self-professed paper nerd, a logo geek, and loves well-designed cookbooks and publications.


KIMBERLY JOHNSTON
Marketing Consultant

Kimberly Johnston works as a producer for Tuff City Radio in Tofino, BC. She is involved with marketing and sales as well as curating special shows such as The Red Door—an all-female show about interesting women around the globe.

Prior to radio, she worked as an environmental educator and journalist for print media. She has a Masters of Communication & Education from Royal Roads University. She loves to be in Courtenay in the winter and spring for skiing at Mount Washington, and in Tofino in the summer and fall for surfing with her family.  


 

SHANE YAKELASHEK
Videographer

Shane Yakelashek is an accomplished videographer with 15 years of experience in the television industry. He earned a Bachelor of Arts and a Master's Certificate in Project Management, which has equipped him with the skills and knowledge to excel in his field.

Throughout his career, Shane has worked on a variety of projects, including documentaries, music videos, commercials, broadcast graphics, promotions and corporate videos. His work has been featured on major television networks and streaming platforms.

Shane is known for his technical expertise and strong interpersonal skills, enabling him to collaborate effectively with clients and production teams. He is dedicated to ensuring that each project he works on is executed to the highest standards, from pre-production planning to final delivery, and proves to be an enjoyable experience for all involved.


 

RAE-ANNE GUENTHER
Videographer & Photographer

Rae-Anne Guenther is a freelance videographer and photographer born and raised on Vancouver Island. As a child she was constantly interviewing people with her father’s camcorder, even holding the pizza guy hostage until he answered her questions. Storytelling has always been an essential part of her life. When Rae-Anne doesn’t have a camera in hand, she is playing with her two sons on their off-grid farm in Nanaimo. She is grateful to work with Edible VI and be part of such a passionate, driven team.


 

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