| Member at Large (Youth Rep): |
Kendall Bistretzan, Calgary |
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Kendall Bistretzan was born and raised in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, before moving to Calgary in 2017. In 2021, she received her degree from Mount Royal University, majoring in journalism and minoring in creative writing. She’s worked as an investigative fellow for the Institute for Investigative Journalism, an editorial intern for Avenue Magazine, and is currently employed as a chase producer for QR Calgary. Outside of work, Kendall is the Co-Founder and Director of Communications for Sask Girls United, a non-profit that provides free online programming to youth across Saskatchewan. In her free time, Kendall writes prose and reviews that have been published in FreeFall Magazine, Understorey Magazine, Blue Marble Review and more. She is also working on her debut novel. As someone who enjoyed and appreciated the youth programming provided by her local writer’s guild growing up, Kendall is excited for the opportunity to facilitate experiences and connections for other young writers across Alberta. |
| Youth Committee / Social Media: |
Kate Gough, Calgary |
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Kate Gough is a Canadian-based poet and a member of the online poetry community. Her work modernizes romantic literary sensibilities and explores recovery from trauma and living with chronic illness. She has two poetry collections entitled “Cottage in a Mirror” and “The Maiden in the Tower”, published by Sunday Mornings at the River. She has participated in a community poetry event “Escapril” four times, releasing poetry every day for a month. She has been published in several online journals, including the Latte Edit and Nightingale and Sparrow, as well as in her local community in Disability Pride Alberta, and in the YYC Portraits of People project. She lives a cozy life, usually seen drinking a cup of chamomile tea. |
| Youth Committee: |
Danielle Guthrie |
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Danielle Guthrie was born on Vancouver Island before moving to Edmonton, Alberta where she graduated from MacEwan University, majoring in English and minoring in Creative Writing. Danielle has worked as an editor for the Bolo Tie Anthology and YEGWrites Press where she assisted on the publications of four annual anthologies. Beyond writing, Danielle enjoys reading at cozy cafes with a coffee and croissant. She is currently working on her first novel. You can follow her on Instagram @poweredbycroissants |
| Youth Committee: |
Sophie Torro |
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Sophie Torro began writing at the age of eleven. At fifteen, she published her first novel. She has since published over three series and a dozen novels, with many more in production. She has also written five articles that were published by TraveLife Magazine, one of the largest online travel publications in North America. When she isn’t writing, she enjoys drawing, crochet, and tending to her carnivorous plants. |
| Youth Committee: |
Amanda Gomez Sanchez |
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Amanda is a venecuir (Venezuelan cuir) poet who has been calling Moh’kinstsis home since 2012; her works have been published in Bipan Magazine, Troublemaker Firestarter, and Circe Magazine. She is a true mutable, Sagittarius stellium, with a variety of interests ranging from studying Hellenistic Astrology, cooking, writing, to community building. She is the co-founder of various community groups including Lavender Club, The Hatch, and Venecuir Writings. Amanda loves working with community members and inspiring people to love learning as much as he does; a perfect day for her includes hanging out with their cats whilst listening to a podcast, or reading poetry. |
| WGA Staff Liaison: |
Ashley Frerichs, Calgary |
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Ashley Frerichs (aka Ashley J.J. White) was born and raised in Calgary where she worked in radio until 2012 when she made a swift escape to the west coast. In Vancouver, she was the Program & Promotions Coordinator at the Rickshaw Theatre and co-founder of The Revival Festival. She moved to London in early 2017 where she spent three years attending as many writing workshops and music festivals as possible while working as a freelance copywriter and occasional bartender. She is now (finally) working toward a BA in English from Athabasca University. In addition to her studies, she is a writer of poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction; she’s had a few short stories and poems published in various literary magazines. She is thrilled for this new chapter in her career as the Program Coordinator for the Writers’ Guild of Alberta’s Calgary office. |
| Youth Programming: |
Sadie MacGillivray, Iron River |
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Sadie MacGillivray was born and raised in Iron River, AB. They love being outside and soaking in all of the sounds and sights that nature has to offer and uses that time to come up with new project ideas as well to sneakily photograph everything that catches their eye. Sadie also enjoys taking time out of their day to learn interesting facts, watch anime, play as many Legend of Zelda games they can get their hands on, as well as sit down and work on the multitude of projects (resin art, cross stitch, knitting, painting, screenplays, poetry, sewing, etc.) they have scattered around their house. Sadie has a Professional Communications degree from MacEwan University, and is a few steps closer to becoming a book editor. Although, going back to school for a teaching degree in English or drama is definitely on the table. Sadie has decided that even though there technically isn’t enough time in each day to do everything they want to do, they are going to try to fit it all in anyway! Stay awesome and weird <3 on the table. |
