Deborah’s work
Sure, I’ve told you a bit about myself, but every good storyteller knows you’ve gotta show, not just tell. While much of what I do is white-labelled for clients, there’s enough of it out there under my name for you to get a sense of my deal. Here is a small sample.
Features and profiles
From time to time, I get the opportunity to tell the stories of interesting people doing interesting things. Longform (or long-ish form) features and profiles are some of my favourite things to write—especially when the subjects are working to make the world a better place.
A few examples:
A profile of MDA Space CEO Mike Greenley and his efforts to take a venerable Canadian corporation to infinity and beyond [ Report on Business Magazine]
An examination of entrepreneurial businesses consciously choosing a slower and more sustainable growth paths [Report on Business Magazine]
A a National Magazine Award-winning profile of Jack.org founder Eric Windeler’s efforts to turn personal tragedy into a national charity devoted to improving youth mental health [Smith Magazine]
A profile of soccer star Diana Matheson’s efforts to bring a professional women’s league to Canada [Smith Magazine]
A tour of a Bay Street law office built for hybrid work [Precedent Magazine]
An a-peel-ing (🥁) deep-dive into Equifruit, a small Montreal importer working to bring Fairtrade bananas to the masses [Report on Business Magazine]
An alumni profile of Kristi Herold, the indefatigable entrepreneur who has made the business of play her life’s work [Smith Magazine]
Service journalism
At the risk of revealing the school-loving overachiever in me: I believe learning ought to be fun! In crafting “how-to” content, I strive to wrap useful and relevant takeaways in engaging and entertaining storytelling. Below are some of my favourite pieces of service journalism.
Examples:
Team Canada athletes on how to harness pressure [Smith Business Insight]
How to approach your dream mentor [Smith Business Insight]
Innovation at work: How to create cultures of creative problem-solving [The Logic]
The winning products that are propelling some of Canada’s top growing companies [Report on Business Magazine]
Put away the olive oil. This cooking oil is better and cheaper [Chatelaine]
Essays and columns
I love a good opinion, and have many of them. Whenever I’m asked to share an argument, I aim to research my case well, present it rationally, and articulate it with style. Life is too short for bad takes!
Examples:
How much emotional support can (and should) a boss offer employees? [Report on Business Magazine]
Too fast, too furious: Growing isn’t always the same as thriving [Report on Business Magazine]
Glad you asked: Why your justification for the pay gap is bunk [Maclean’s]
Why Roll Up the Rim to Win is the true test of my eco resolve [Chatelaine]
Editing and packaging
As an editor, I plan and polish articles that inform and delight, with clear structure, accessible presentation and diverse voices. I’ve worked with some of the best writers in Canada, and I love designing content packages with many different elements—and many different access points—united by a common theme.
Examples:
Women Lead Here 2024: Why so many women are quitting senior roles—and what to do about it [Report on Business Magazine]
Women Lead Here 2023: A snapshot of executive gender diversity in Canada—and ideas for how to improve it [Report on Business Magazine] (My work on this earned a silver SABEW Canada Best in Business award.)
The New Innovators 2022: A new ranking of 50 boundary-busting businesses [Canadian Business]
Special projects
As my unique media career trajectory might indicate, I thrive working on projects and programs that don’t fit neatly into a single category. Below are a few examples of multifaceted initiatives I’ve helped develop, build and manage, working with teams of smart people to deliver unique and effective content.
Examples:
This is Business Now, a thought leadership initiative meant to arm executives with insight and tools to meet changing societal expectations of leaders [Smith School of Business]
Canada’s Top Growing Companies, an annual ranking of the boldest entrepreneurial businesses in the country, involving research, editorial, podcasts and events [The Globe and Mail]
Women Lead Here, a yearly benchmark measuring executive gender diversity in corporate Canada, involving research, editorial and events [The Globe and Mail]
Report on Business Changemakers, an award program to recognize 50 individuals transforming business in Canada, involving research and editorial [The Globe and Mail]
Chatelaine’s The Big Dish, an event and content series celebrating and connecting Canadian women in food [Chatelaine]