Current Contributors
Contributors
Working Draft would not be possible without the Creative Communications faculty and staff who have advised and mentored students in countless ways over the last two years. Thank you for your ongoing support. The magazine is also possible through the support of RRC Polytech’s Creative Arts department.
Special thanks to Matt Brooks, Andrew McCrea, and Joel Schwab for their work on various iterations of our website. Thank you to Kevin Rodriguez who wrote and recorded the “Working Draft Theme” for our audio stories and Drew Jensen who did the voicing.
Faculty Advisors: Emily Cain, Anna Leventhal, Karen Press
Headshots: James Turner
2026 Editorial Board: Ian Baquiano, Courtney Derksen, Adriana Gartner, Rylee Gerrard, Toni De Guzman, Alyssa Jansen, Aleah Kamerman, Hannah McLandress, Charlotte McLaren, Alex Mendoza, Azariah Palileo, Easton Penner, Darren Purpur, Alexander Smeding, Samantha Wiebe
First-year reps: Noor Grewal, Janique Lariviere, Graham Walker, Emily Wilton
Alyssa Jansen
Alyssa said at three years old that she liked talking to strangers the best. Since then, her extroverted curiosity has led to conversations around the province, including the Winnipeg Jets dressing room, Manitoba’s wheat fields, and — most recently — a construction site in the Whiteshell.
Connect with Alyssa on LinkedIn
Aleah Kamerman
Aleah is a colourful storyteller and sharp editor. She commands a room with her big expressions, words, and sounds. With a perpetual smile, she’s a confident leader and always willing to be the first to ask questions.
Connect with Aleah on LinkedIn
Allen De Ocampo
Growing up chronically online, Allen’s work is influenced by YouTube personalities. He takes inspiration from them when creating videos and is constantly planning future ideas.
Connect with Allen on LinkedIn
Alex Mendoza
Alex wears the eldest daughter hat with pride. She loves being part of the creative process, buying books and reading them (eventually), and spends her time trying to make a dent on her Watch Later playlist.
Connect with Alex on LinkedIn
Angelina
Angelina has a new hobby each week. She has an entire room dedicated to her thrift finds — yet still has nothing to wear.
Azariah Palileo
Zari hates it when he does the same thing all the time. That’s why he constantly changes his hairstyle, picks up new hobbies, and dreads the inevitability of losing his curiosity.
Alexander Smeding
Alexander Smeding is a jack-of-all-trades writer, video editor, designer, and audio technician. He spends his free time playing guitar, producing music, and writing short stories. He hopes to learn how to write concise sentences in the future.
Catch Alexander on LinkedIn
Ava Liske
Ava Liske (she/her) is determined to make a name for herself in the creative world. She hopes to one day see a book she wrote as a bookstore clerk’s staff pick.
Carmyn Chesney
Carmyn (Carm) loves talking about her latest obsessions. She also loves gel nails, Snoopy, sports, and iced drinks, no matter the temperature outside. Sometimes she’s big energy — sometimes she’s quiet and overthinking the perfect two-word reply.
Connect with Carmyn on LinkedIn
Courtney Derksen
Courtney thinks nothing tells a better story than a good outfit. Outgoing and observant, she loves being in front of the camera and behind it.
Connect with Courtney on LinkedIn
Charlotte McLaren
Charlotte (Char) is a long-serving winter apologist, obsessive media consumer, and seasoned yearner. As a self-described emotional sponge, she takes in the feelings of those around her and fills the needs she sees. Empathetic but ambitious, she goes after what she wants with intention.
Connect with Char on LinkedIn
Chelsey Hernando
Chelsey loves life in the fastlane and hopes to interview people in the F1 paddock one day. She likes to build LEGO cars and needs to make space in her room if she ever gets another one.
Chris Hince
Chris is a French-speaking Métis fella with a bold personality and a lifelong passion for sports. When he isn’t cracking jokes, he’s usually watching movies or listening to Drake.
Connect with Chris on LinkedIn
Christian Thiessen
Christian hopes to one day publish the zombie book series he’s been writing since he was 11, and he spends all his free time watching movies. He also likes to sit back and listen, because he hates being the one talking.
Connect with Christian on LinkedIn
Dallas Bird
Dallas went from making videos of his dog to working as a content coordinator. He directs, shoots, and edits videos, creates advertisements, and writes articles for local organizations.
Connect with Dallas on LinkedIn
Darren Purpur
Darren Purpur has been likened to a cat. It could be his intense curiosity about the people around him — or maybe it’s just his last name.
Dre DeBattista
Dre is a bilingual multimedia communications specialist. He combines his background in technical management and communications with his advocacy for sustainable development in his writing.
Edrilene Mayuga
Edrilene (she/her) is a natural conversationalist. She approaches life with a “can do” attitude, and secretly hosts solo dance parties in her room. With history as an alto singer, flute player, and theatre cast member, she hopes to keep the rhythm alive through storytelling.
Connect with Edrilene on Linkedin
Emma Grandmont
Romanticizing the mundane is something Emma does every day. She is drawn to medieval worlds, immersive video games, and conversations that stretch longer than planned. Her favourite word is effervescent, and she does her best to embody it wherever she goes.
Easton Penner
Everyone knows where Easton is – just listen for his loud, echoing voice. He is a proud personality hire, and brings enthusiasm to every project that comes his way.
Gabriella Nanassy
Gabriella (Gabby) is confident, outgoing, and thrives in organized chaos. She’s a natural people person who is equal parts bold and bubbly. She believes great style is a form of communication and that pop culture is worthy of serious attention.
Haleigh Bohn
Haleigh’s inquisitive mind and artistic talent bring both innovative creativity and thoughtful strategy to every project. She has a love for weird knick-knacks and is the opposite of a minimalist — and promises to never lose her whimsy.
Connect with Haleigh on LinkedIn
Hannah McKenna
Hannah directs/produces theatre and film, with a special focus on period pieces, particularly Shakespeare. She works in video journalism and film.
Hannah McLandress
Hannah (she/her) is a proud fangirl of pop culture, restaurant patios, and punctuation. An introvert and self-proclaimed people person, she’s happy to get to know you in a small group setting — ideally with a shared plate of fries.
Connect with Hannah on LinkedIn
Ian Baquiano
Ian’s superpower is turning strangers into friends within seconds of meeting — carrying forward his late father’s warmth and smile. He is a high-energy people person and self-proclaimed professional home-cook who leads with the heart of a Kuya to those in his circle.
Connect with Ian on LinkedIn
Isabella Baerg
Isabella is driven by curiosity. She believes everybody has a story to share and cultivates that in her writing. She is passionate at heart and playful by nature (yes, she’s a Scorpio). Should she ever go missing, check conspiracy forums or Reddit threads.
Connect with Isabella on LinkedIn
Jesse Brogan
Jesse takes long walks in the dark and insists on writing about it. Compelled by the history of belief, he observes the undefined edges of life where the most interesting people tend to exist.
Connect with Jesse on Linkedin
John Pangilinan
John is a globetrotting creative inspired by culture, connection, and stories from around the world.
Follow John’s adventures on Instagram
Josh Pinette
Josh Pinette is a Métis actor and writer working in film and theatre. Exploring the craft of performance is an integral part of his writing style. With a B.A. in filmmaking and theatre from the University of Manitoba and training in Vancouver – Josh’s heart belongs to acting.
Juliana Thiessen
Juliana (she/her) is fueled by her rampant sweet tooth and won’t rest until the puzzle in front of her is solved. She believes clarity is kindness and naturally seeks out the deeper connections in work and in play.
Connect with Juliana on LinkedIn
Katie Hilder
Katie hates being perceived unless the perception is that she likes purple, anything Kuromi or My Melo, and fashion. Contrary to what she’s been told, it is, in fact, a fashion show. Her love of media production began with How To Draw books from the Scholastic book fair and iMovie.
Keira Still
Keira is a social homebody who spends her time reading romance novels and telling her friends about them. She loves emotional storytelling and the quiet moments that make everyday life feel meaningful.
Connect with Keira on LinkedIn
Kelsey Ainslie
Kelsey wants to be a creative director… probably. She loves banter with strangers, collecting vintage cameras, and recounting her daily anecdotes to a captive audience.
Shower her in compliments on LinkedIn
Amanda Haley (Mandi) Maxwell
Mandi is a depression survivor, bi+ advocate, and self-proclaimed Sailor Scout with a specialty in storytelling and play. When she’s not writing, creating, or making too many puns, she can be found rummaging through thrift stores, escaping escape rooms, watching cult classics, and searching for the perfect GIF.
Connect with Mandi on LinkedIn
Maya Shank
Maya is always chasing new experiences. She has a penchant for planning, absurdism, storytelling, and art. Simply put, she really likes creating comics — and strategizing about how to use them in PR too.
Connect with Maya on LinkedIn
Marli Cohen
Marli is an outgoing introvert. She is talkative and bubbly and can easily have a 20-minute conversation with someone she just met. You can find Marli curled up with a book or spending time with her older sister.
Maryrose Villena
Maryrose loves orange chocolate but they’re too expensive. She’s a photographer who prefers a big chunky DSLR over a mirrorless camera. Maryrose is the happiest when the sun is out. Oh, and she (lowkey) loves to write.
Connect with Maryrose on LinkedIn
Pam Espiritu
Pam (she/her) is more of a listener than a talker, unless you’re in her tight circle. What looks like zoning out is her paying attention to the little things most people miss. Maybe that’s why she likes showing up to airports early, waiting becomes people-watching.
Connect with Pam on LinkedIn
Rae Alarcio
Rae finds comfort in three things — genuine conversations, cinematography, and hours of playing basketball. Each letter in “Rae” makes up his full name, “Romulo Alarcio VIII.”
Connect with Rae on LinkedIn
Rylee Gerrard
Rylee is a firm believer everything happens for a reason every time she’s in pursuit. Whether she’s after a hammerhead shark 40 m underwater or chasing stories from City Hall to the House of Commons, she’s always on the move.
Samantha Wiebe
Samantha is an avid explorer of real and imaginary worlds. She hopes to write more into existence — and maybe travel to them too.
Connect with Samantha on LinkedIn
Santino Buffone-Magro
Santino expresses his creativity through video production. His love for video editing stems from his childhood, creating visual essays to express his opinion on media he’s enjoyed. Now he’s evolved this into creating meaningful stories through video.
Spencer Enns
Spencer fell in love with Winnipeg the moment he had his first Fatboy. His dream of playing professional sports was shattered by scoliosis (and definitely not his egregious lack of skill). He now hopes to be paid to watch sports for a living.
Connect with Spencer on LinkedIn
Stefanie Roopchand
Stefanie is naturally curious and drawn to what lies beneath the surface. Thoughtful and attentive to detail, she values work done well and people who can laugh along the way.
Connect with Stefanie on LinkedIn
Toni De Guzman
Toni fearlessly chases stories — whether it’s sneaking into an apartment building or chasing someone down, she gets the job done. Toni is a believer in cold calling, manifesting via vision boards, and saying “off the record” around her friends. In another life, she’s a lawyer.
Connect with Toni on LinkedIn
Tiago Resko
Tiago loves telling stories. When he was little that meant drawing comics and making stop motion LEGO movies. Now, it means telling compelling stories through journalism.
Zen Finnson
Zen Finnson is a creative contractor skilled in three trades: playing guitar, singing, and writing. His hourly rate and per-diem can be negotiated if you buy him a cold beer.
Listen to Zen’s band Lëddwyn on Spotify
Zach Nolan
Zach spends most of his time at the rink. If he isn’t playing hockey, he’s writing about it or commentating it. His goal is to make a full-time career of this, so he never has to leave the rink.