We are thrilled to share the news that Lisa Whittington-Hill, an instructor in our Publishing – Book, Magazine and Electronic program, is the recipient of the 2025 Foundation Award for Outstanding Achievement!
The Foundation Award for Outstanding Achievement is the National Media Awards Foundation's most prestigious individual prize since its inception in 1990. We couldn't be more pleased that Lisa's work in this field, including her role as the publisher of This Magazine, is receiving this recognition.
In our Q&A below, Lisa shares her thoughts on receiving this award and reflects on her career to date.
Take us back to when you first found out the news that you had won the National Magazine Award for Outstanding Achievement. What was your first reaction? Who was the first person you told?
My first reaction was a mix of shock and surprise. I read the email about the news, and then I re-read it to confirm. The first person I told was my mom. After I texted her, I went and got some fancy champagne to celebrate.
This is the National Media Awards Foundation’s most prestigious individual prize. What does this recognition mean to you, and to be part of a group of recipients that goes back to 1989?
It means so much to me. I’m really honoured to receive the prize and to be included in the group of recipients. I respect and admire so many of the people who have received this award. I’ve been lucky enough to work with a few of them and learned so much from them. It’s still a bit surreal to be on the list.
You have experience in various parts of the magazine industry. How has that range of experience shaped your perspective on the industry as a whole? Has it deepened your appreciation for magazines as a result?
I think my experience has given me an appreciation for a range of perspectives. When I started in the industry, I really wanted to work on the editorial side of magazines. I did that for a few years and then gravitated more to the business and publishing sides. I like to think that work on the editorial side helps me as a publisher and a teacher.
I’ve also had the opportunity to volunteer with industry associations like Magazines Canada, which has allowed me to work with a range of magazines, from small literary magazines to large consumer publications, and learn about the wide variety of issues and challenges facing magazines. It’s also given me the chance to meet people working in the industry and hear about their work.
And, of course, teaching in the publishing program at Centennial College gives me the opportunity to meet the next generation of publishing professionals and hear what areas of the industry they are interested in and what excites them about books and magazines.
It has definitely deepened my appreciation. I am so inspired by the industry and the people working in it. I love magazines and love being able to spend my days working on This Magazine or helping students in the program write their first magazine feature. I love discovering new magazines and introducing people to publications I am a fan of.
If you could go back to the time when you were just starting out with This Magazine, what would you tell yourself about this industry?
I would tell myself not to be so nervous because people in the industry are really helpful and supportive. I’m very grateful to all the people who have answered my calls and emails and who have helped me figure publishing out and explain how the industry works. It’s a great industry to be a part of and I love seeing students in the publishing program excited to be a part of it.
Anything else you'd like to mention about the award and your career thus far?
I really want to thank the National Media Awards Foundation for this honour, as well as the people who nominated me and wrote letters of support. I also want to thank the publishing community for letting me a part of it for this long. I feel really lucky to get to do something I love and am thankful to everyone who has helped and supported me along the way.
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