Yolanda Thornton, Founder and CEO
Yolanda Thornton founded Moongate Inc., a custom content, branding and strategic communications company in 2009. Her experience spans over 30 years in the communications industry, and roles with national consumer lifestyle magazines and broadcast sales including 14 years as the Director of Advertising Sales and Marketing at Harrowsmith Country Life Magazine. Yolanda has a deep understanding of how organizations, business sectors and Canadians get their information, entertainment and engage socially. She’s well versed in developing traditional and online communications strategies, magazines and content to create audience engagement, community involvement and loyalty.
Jules Torti, Editor-in-Chief
Over the last four years, Jules wrote all over the map (from Borneo to the Peruvian Amazon) for an all-women adventure travel company. She is a member of JourneyWoman’s professional travel writer editorial board and has been published in Cottage Life, Our Homes, Canadian Running, FASHION and The Globe and Mail. She previously reviewed books for The Vancouver Sun and has written dozens of neighbourhood and city guides for Realtor.ca.
Jules is the author of Free to a Good Home: With Room for Improvement; Trail Mix: 920 km on the Camino de Santiago; Been There, Ate That: A Candy-coated Childhood; The Wisdom Found in Hen’s Teeth and Trips That Went South: From Point A to B(eware). Her sixth book, Camino Chaos: Taking it All in Stride Across Croatia and Portugal will be published in Spring 2026.
Jules lives with her wife, Kim, on the 45th parallel line in Lion’s Head, Ontario, where she is often hot on the trail of a bird, fox or meteor shower.
Meredith MacKinlay, Creative Director
Meredith has designed and consulted for some of Canada’s most recognized corporations and not-for-profit organizations. Following her tenure with top branding firms in Toronto and Vancouver, she founded Egg Design in 1998. Meredith’s collaborative approach to the creative process and reputation for refreshing solutions has earned her accolades, including several national and international awards.
Teresa Martin, Project Manager / Executive Assistant
Teresa brings more than 30 years of administration, media and client service experience working with entrepreneurs, small businesses like Harrowsmith Magazine, and Bowen College. Her attention to detail, makes her ideal for executing tasks that have several moving parts accurately and on time. Teresa also serves as project manager and coordinator for Harrowsmith’s website, the magazine and newsletter. This includes communicating with clients regarding creative material for upcoming issues and processing insertion orders and advertising contracts. She is well versed in all Microsoft Suites and works with the Moongate sales team to effectively deliver professional PowerPoint presentations and documents. Clients find her organized, efficient and super‐friendly.
Heidi Welker, Strategy Specialist
Heidi is a marketing, sales and business strategist with ability to execute the plan-measure, monitor-able to achieve quantifiable results. Particularly skilled at mentoring aspiring marketing, sales and business development strategists.
People oriented and results driven professional with over 35 years of experience in the meetings and events industry. Experience in driving organizational growth through various integrated marketing and lead generation activities. Extensive background in operations, sales, business development and industry partnerships. A long standing and active member of industry associations (Meeting Professionals International, Meetings Mean Business Canada and Professional Convention Management Association) and dedicated to giving back to the community.
Les Nip, Marketing & Advertising Sales Manager
Les is an accomplished sales professional known for his consultative, client-focused approach. He prioritizes understanding each client’s unique objectives and is committed to developing tailored strategies that create value and foster growth. His strong relationship-management skills have earned him the trust of clients and colleagues alike, resulting in long-standing professional partnerships.
In addition to his professional achievements, Les is deeply engaged in the Aurora and surrounding community. He is an active member of the Aurora Chamber of Commerce, where he contributes to initiatives that support and promote local businesses. He is also a dedicated supporter of grassroots charitable organizations within the community. Outside of his professional and community involvement, Les maintains an active lifestyle and enjoys hockey, golf, and skiing.
Sammy Chervitz, National Accounts Manager
Sammy Chervitz works across Moongate and Harrowsmith to connect brands with engaged, values-driven audiences. He brings a background in media, digital advertising, and business development, having built and managed campaigns and partnerships across publishing, e-commerce, and consulting. Sammy is focused on helping advertisers tell their story and reach the readers who care about making, growing, sustaining, and sharing.
Danielle Barkman, National Accounts Manager
Danielle is a marketing and sales strategist who turns strategy into revenue, with a track record of driving growth through integrated marketing, business development, and partnership strategy. She has led national sales initiatives and marketing campaigns across consumer, professional services, and association sectors, with particular strength in securing new accounts and building corporate and organizational partnerships. Her background spans strategic planning, sales enablement, and go-to-market execution, with a focus on measurable growth and long-term account retention. Danielle is an advocate for sport, supporting youth and advancing opportunities in her community. She is often found on a trail on her bike or running a marathon.
Leslie Lawrence, National Accounts Manager
With more than 30 years of experience in business development, sponsorship sales, and strategic partnerships, Leslie has built her career helping organizations connect with their audiences through meaningful storytelling, creative marketing solutions and strategic partnerships.
Leslie is especially interested in working with organizations in health, wellness, nutrition, travel, sustainability, and community. She believes the best partnerships are built through curiosity, collaboration, and a genuine understanding of a client’s goals.
Anita McGillis, National Accounts Manager
Anita McGillis has built a successful career in the magazine publishing industry spanning nearly three decades. She began her journey in 1997 as an Account Executive with the startup business magazine Alberta Venture, where she developed a strong foundation in advertising sales before advancing into business development and management.
Throughout her career, Anita has worked with leading publishing companies, including Venture Publishing, RedPoint Media, and Odvod Media Corp., representing both business and consumer publications. Her expertise encompasses print advertising, sponsorships, digital and social media solutions, and custom publishing, helping clients develop effective marketing strategies across multiple platforms.
Today, Anita is the founder of McGillis Sales Consulting, where she provides strategic sales consulting and business development services, drawing on decades of experience building client relationships and driving revenue growth.
Cheryl Carter, Editor, Marketing, Promotions
Cheryl is an award-winning copywriter who has spent more than 20 years helping some of Canada’s most well-known brands communicate their messages effectively. A versatile content specialist who writes for virtually every medium and format, her specialty is distilling complex information into communications that are reader-friendly and actionable. Cheryl’s early career in publishing was followed by several years as an Account Director at a Toronto marketing agency. When she’s not busy writing or reading, she can often be found dockside in Muskoka or slope-side in Whistler.
Tammy Watson, Editor, Home & Property
Tammy Watson is the founder of Canadian Handywoman and a leading voice in home maintenance, repair, and DIY. Her work focuses on building confidence and self-sufficiency for those who care for a cottage, rural property, or residential home. A former Provincial Investigator turned award-winning entrepreneur, Tammy traded a “golden handcuff” career for a hobby farm in rural North Frontenac before relocating to the Quinte region. She is known for her calm, non-judgmental approach to teaching, and for helping readers move from “How do I do this?” to “I’ve got this!”. Her expertise has been recognized with the County of Frontenac’s Women-Led Business of the Year award, and she has been featured in Cottage Life magazine, and on stages across Ontario. Outside of her shop, Tammy can usually be found spending time with her family, camping in Ontario Provincial Parks, or playing women’s recreational ice hockey.
Wayne MacPhail, Podcast Specialist
Wayne is a digital strategist with extensive experience in traditional, online and communication strategy development. He has assisted clients like Random House (where he helped establish digital outreach programs), the Association of Science and Technology Centers, McMaster Family Medicine, rabble.ca, University of Toronto, Engineering reimagine their communications strategies for an emerging media landscape and new audiences. Wayne brings three decades of rich media content creation, a background in journalism and the ability to creatively understand brand and messaging and create new platforms and opportunities for Moongate’s clients. He has taught and developed online content creation and communications for a variety of colleges and universities in Ontario.
Frank Ferragine AKA “Frankie Flowers”
Frank Ferragine AKA “Frankie Flowers” is arguably Canada’s most popular and trusted gardening expert. He is known for his ability to combine practical gardening advice with humour, and loves to share his passion for everything outdoors with the world. Frankie’s garden advice has twice earned him Landscape Ontario’s Garden Communicator of the Year, he has been named Toronto’s Favourite Weather Personality 8 years consecutively (Toronto Sun Reader’s Award) and his Disney inspired Tinker Bell Garden won 3 awards including public choice and best overall garden at Canada Blooms.
Frankie is a four-time best selling author, consultant, garden writer, social media strategist, philanthropist and probably is favourite role, a father of two boys, Gavin and Matheson! Frankie’s family runs one of the largest combined greenhouse/garden centre operations in Ontario www.bradfordgreenhouses.com.
Frankie believes that life should be fun and lives every day by the mantra
“if you are green you are growing!”
Chef Ilona Daniel
Chef Ilona Daniel is the founder of Tribe Fresh Events and Consulting, a purpose-driven insights consultancy accelerated by modern approaches to the hospitality industry, immersive experiences, community and culture development, and game-changing deliverables. With 15 years of experience, she is a thought leader and an established business-builder with projects spanning the globe including Europe, North America, Africa, and Asia. Her strong background in consumer products and services includes a specialized focus on the interconnected producer and consumer in the food service sector. Ilona is also on the Board of Directors for the Tourism Association of PEI & The PEI Writers Guild. Chef Ilona is a published writer for numerous publications, is a media personality, and a dedicated Culinary Instructor at the Culinary Institute of Canada. The episode, “PEI Lobster” of the series, “Untamed Gourmet”, which Chef Ilona hosted was nominated for a Canadian Screen Award.
David Spence, Meterologist
In 2021, after 42 years in broadcasting, David retired from what he can only describe as a dream job, Chief Meteorologist at CTV Calgary. In a career that took him across Western Canada from Vancouver Island to Winnipeg, David settled in Calgary in the 1980s, and for almost 30 years, was the person who forecast the weather, good or bad, right or wrong on CTV Calgary.
David worked his way up from playing country records (yes, 45 rpm records) on a radio station in Campbell River, B.C., to becoming one of the most prominent broadcast meteorologists in Canada. Over the years, he has received numerous awards, including the Calgary Herald Readers’ Choice Awards, the Best of Calgary Award, and in 2017, was honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Radio and Television Digital News Association. David delivered forecasts during major weather events, including the 2000 Pine Lake tornado and the massive 2013 southern Alberta floods—tracking patterns and helping communities prepare.
Though he has retired from television, David’s work in meteorology continues. In addition to contributing to Harrowsmith, David provides weekly weather outlooks on the agriculture focused website Rural Roots Canada. And through Rural Roots, he also provides weekly outlooks to nine radio stations in Alberta and BC.
Robert Dick, Astronomy Editor
One of Canada’s foremost writers and educators on astronomical topics, the Almanac has benefitted from Robert’s expertise since its inception. Robert was recently invited by the Canadian Space Agency to be the astronomy instructor to our astronauts, and he ensures that our section on the tides, sunrise and sunset, stargazing, and celestial events is so detailed and extensive it is almost like its own almanac.
David Burman, WCAG Standards Specialist for Electronic Accessibility
David Berman’s accolades run as long as the mighty Mackenzie River. Armoured with over 30 years of experience in design and communications, he is a career shapeshifter. His professional work has brought him to over 50 countries as an expert, speaker, designer and communications strategist. He has been a High Level Advisor to the United Nations and provided training in AODA Pac 2.0 tagging and accessibility to various federal government departments as well as governing bodies in Australia, Bahrain, British Columbia, India, Ireland, Malaysia, Manitoba, Mexico, Norway, and Oman.
He served as the first elected president of the Association of Registered Graphic Designers of Ontario. In November 2005, David was elected to the board of Icograda (now ico-D), the world body for graphic design and visual communications, and was re-elected twice. Since 2011 he serves as Sustainability Chair. David is also an Invited Expert to the W3C, the publishers of the WCAG standard for e-accessibility.
His clients include BMO, IBM, Honda, the International Space Station, the Canadian Human Rights Commission, the World Bank, Sierra Club and the Aga Khan Foundation. David’s work includes award-winning projects in the application of plain language, typeface design, and the development of a system to republish the laws of Canada in plain writing and design.
Scott Bullock, Newsstand and Retail Sales Consultant
Scott is a veteran circulation expert with experience in both Canada and the United States. He has worked on trade titles such as Publisher’s Weekly and Library Journal, and has been the circulation director for Toronto Life, Fashion, and Canadian Art among others. Scott has a deep understanding of the unique pressures on publishers transitioning to online platforms, and has been instrumental in bringing all of our titles online.