Jess Ross, executive editor of Homemakers named MC Volunteer of the Year

Jess Ross, the executive editor of Homemakers magazine has been named Magazines Canada’s Volunteer of the Year for 2010, Magazines Canada announced today.

A generous and tireless volunteer in service of her industry, Ross is vice president and treasurer of the Canadian Society of Magazine Editors (CSME) and sits on Magazines Canada’s professional development committee and the MagNet curriculum taskforce. She has also made invaluable contributions to the Professional Writers Association of Canada’s team working on best practices for writers and editors.

“Jessica is a smart cookie, puts in hours of quiet volunteering and has exquisite professional standards,” said Tom Hopkins, former editorial director of Avid Media and former Magazines Canada board member. “I claim special knowledge on this—I was lucky enough to have her as a talented and tireless Avid staffer. Mark me down as a proud boss.”

On CSME, Ross has helped to elevate the professionalism of the organization by launching a revitalized website, organizing the group’s finances and steering a bid for incorporation. Ross also played a key role in the development of the Professional Writers Association of Canada’s initiative to create a set of best practices for writers and editors by providing valuable feedback on the real-life challenges of an editor.

Ross started her magazine career as associate editor and web editor of IE:Money magazine, and later took on the role of managing editor at Avid Media's Canadian Home Workshop before becoming executive editor of Homemakers. Prior to her career in magazines, Ross worked in advertising and consumer show management. She also writes a daily blog for Homemakers called Eco Logic  which promotes green living and develops editorial workflow systems in her off-time (!).

The Magazines Canada Volunteer of the Year Award goes each year to an outstanding volunteer who has had a national impact on the Canadian magazine industry. The award will be presented at the Magazines Canada Cross-Country Volunteer of the Year Reception on Thursday, June 9, 2011 at MagNet, Canada’s Magazine Conference at the Courtyard Marriott at 475 Yonge St. in Toronto, where regional volunteers of the year will also be recognized.