Joyce Byrne of Venture Publishing named Magazines Canada volunteer of the year

Joyce Byrne, an indefatigable and generous contributor to the magazine industry in Canada generally and Alberta magazines in particular, has been named Magazines Canada's Volunteer of the Year for 2011. One award is made annually to someone whose outstanding volunteer contributions have had a national impact. 

"Joyce is a wonderful mentor for the magazine community," said Deborah Morrison, the chair of Magazines Canada's board and president and CEO of Canada's National History Society. "She's a talented publisher who is always enthusiastic about sharing her knowledge and networks with others. Most importantly, she always does so with warmth and humour."

Byrne, who is vice-president and associate publisher of Venture Publishing of Edmonton, has been on the Magazines Canada's board for 10 years and currently sits on the government relations committee and MagNet curriculum task force. She has chaired the professional development committee since 2007. In Alberta, she serves on the board of the Alberta Magazine Publishers Association and sits on the association's conference committee.

Prior to joining Venture, Byrne was publisher of Toronto-based This Magazine.