Deborah Evans, Founder and Content Strategist
Deborah Evans is the driving force behind Luminate Communications. As lead content strategist, Deborah has been a copywriter and editor for almost 25 years. She began her career as a journalist, and was published in various newspapers, including the Toronto Star, The Wall Street Journal, the National Post, and The Globe and Mail. She then moved on to a five-year stint leading major marketing and communications projects in the not-for-profit sector before venturing out as a freelancer in 2009, and later founding Luminate Communications.
What have her diverse writing careers taught her? To become an expert on a variety of subjects in a short period of time, and to cut through the jargon and smooth out the details to create easy-to-understand copy. While her clients remain varied, the bulk of her expertise has been devoted to providing writing support to not-for-profits in an effort to help them further their mission and give meaning to their words.
Deborah used to say that when she wasn’t writing you could find her at the local playground with her two kids – but now that they’re both taller than her, you’re more likely to find her sitting in a cold hockey rink on a Saturday. Or else, you’ll find her running away from them as she trains for her next race.
Cara Smusiak, Writer & Editor
Cara Smusiak is a writer, editor, and strategist with 15+ years of experience working with magazines, marketing agencies and corporate clients. She has a passion for website copywriting and helping non-profits connect with supporters and share the important work they do through engaging storytelling. She’s developed award-winning campaigns, led the relaunch of a major editorial product testing and seal program, and helped entrepreneurs showcase their products and services. When she isn’t immersed in writing and editing, Cara is usually working in the garden, out on a bike ride, or simply luxuriating in a day of rest — usually with a great book
Emma Bowes, Writer & Social Media Coordinator
Emma Bowes is a writer, editor, and all-round word nerd from the UK. Having always been a lover of all things literary, she studied English at university before starting an editorial career in the publishing industry. After this, she went on to join a communications team in a not-for-profit organization. Emma enjoys writing for the charitable sector and feels it’s a privilege to be able to use her words to raise awareness of important initiatives and share impactful stories. In 2021 Emma decided to pursue her dream of becoming a freelance writer. She feels very lucky to have the opportunity to work with clients from across the globe on a range of exciting projects. When she’s not writing, Emma is usually found outside with her toddler, meeting friends over cake or planning her next trip to explore somewhere new.
HANNA WHEELER, Writer
Hanna Wheeler lives and works in Toronto as a writer and translator from Dutch into English. She is a nerd for new knowledge, who loves to write stories for inspiring non-profit organizations and innovative brands with a heart. As a translator, she has worked on marketing copy as well as literary titles — from beach reads to historical biographies, coffee table books, children’s picture books, and graphic novels. Hanna appreciates a good ampersand and owns a scraggly dog who may or may not be a tiny werewolf. Her favourite word is flabbergasted. She snuck it (appropriately) into all three of the romance novels she’s translated to date. Most days, you can find her at her desk by the big window or in one of a dozen of her favourite coffee shops in the city.
Jonathan Chan-Choong, Writer
Jonathan "JCC" Chan-Choong is a copywriter, brand strategist, and published poet from Scarborough, Ontario. His love for dynamic wordplay and narrative began at a young age, with some of his earliest memories revolving around storytelling and Caribbean folktales. JCC's mission is to help non-profits and socially-driven organizations 'do more with words', which is what led him to Luminate. When he's not clicking and clacking at the keyboard, JCC is often running through woods and community gardening with The Stop.
Juliana Kedzior Kaminski, Writer & Social Media Coordinator
Juliana Kedzior Kaminski is a writer and editor in Toronto. With an education in journalism, Juliana learned the ins and outs of what it takes to write a story. But after university, Juliana found her way into the non-profit world where she worked as a fundraising coordinator at a family shelter in the city. There she explored social media management, fundraising communications, donor relations and so much more. When Juliana isn’t working, she’s reading through her stack of books, biking along the waterfront, playing with her cat, Margot, or practicing bass guitar for her band’s next gig.
KELTIE THOMAS, Writer & EDITOR
Keltie Thomas is a writer, editor, and content strategist with more than 20 years of experience working with magazines, websites, books, and corporate clients. She is a former editor of OWL Magazine, Canada’s science and nature magazine for kids, and an award-winning author of more than 20 children’s books, including The Kids Guide to Money Cent$, Do Fish Fart?, and Rising Seas: Flooding, Climate Change and Our New World. When she’s not creating content to help companies achieve their business goals, she’s getting in the flow on her yoga mat, grooving to the latest and greatest tunes, hiking in nature, and curling up with a great read.
Rachel Ott, Graphic Design Partner
Rachel Ott, owner of Varga Girl Design, is an award-winning, nationally and internationally recognized designer specializing in logos, branding, and graphic and web design. For over 20 years, Rachel has delivered smart, visually engaging and enduring design solutions for a varied and loyal client base, including the Elizabeth Fry Society, Mainstay Housing, ONPHA, OANHSS, the Southdown Institute, Juniper Insurance and many more. Whether your brand is due for a refresh or you’re starting from scratch with a great concept and need a visual identity to back it up, Varga Girl Design is your one-stop-shop for the entire creative process.
SUZANNE GARDNER, WRITER & PROJECT MANAGER
Suzanne Gardner is a writer, editor, project manager, and social media specialist from Toronto. Being in the communications industry for over 15 years, she’s worked for major Canadian lifestyle brands, while also using her social media expertise to provide freelance support to everything from books, to restaurants, to politicians. She even wrote a TV show guide book which was translated and published in three other languages! Nowadays, she works almost exclusively with non-profit clients, which is some of the most soul-filling work she's ever had the pleasure to do.
When she isn’t buried in her writing, you’ll find her on adventures with her kids, watching the Jays at the Skydome (yes, Skydome), or getting lost in a good book.
Lynn Zeelenberg, Executive Assistant & Project Manager
Lynn Zeelenberg, Luminate’s Executive Assistant, sweats the small stuff and appreciates the beauty of a great spreadsheet. With more than 30 years experience in both the public and private sectors, Lynn uses her strong skills in administration, marketing and project management to ensure that we stay on track. When not organizing other people, Lynn enjoys hiking, photography and exploring the city's indie coffee shops.
Our Trusted Partners
We have a powerful network of trusted partners waiting in the wings.
Hannah Martin is the owner of Sore Thumb, a digital marketing agency that specializes in crafting bespoke content strategies, developing visually stunning websites, creating engaging videos and designing successful social medial campaign to help growing business stand out online.
Katy Jonker, owner of Kosmic Creative, is a trusted website designer with over 10 years of experience. Her websites drive action, establish professionalism and look sharp on all devices.
Mark Brodsky has been helping small business owners with their email marketing since 2008. A lone wolf at first, Mark Brodsky Digital Communications is now a team of experts working with retailers, health clinics and service professionals, including lawyers, accountants, mortgage brokers, and real estate agents.
Forged in the fires of the advertising industry and honed over more than a dozen years, photographer Stephen Caissie’s eye for compelling imagery is ready to make your customers laugh, cry and come back for more. See Stephen Caissie’s work here.
Warda Nazir at Fully Promoted Heartland is your go-to for comprehensive branding and marketing solutions. Specializing in custom merchandise, including apparel and promotional products with embroidery services, Warda ensures that each product meets high-quality standards. She provides access to samples and delivers on-time solutions tailored to your specific needs and budget, helping your brand stand out in today's competitive market.