By Natasha Avelar Dias

When Colleen Seto landed her first editing job with WestJet’s inflight magazine, she was the sole member of the editorial team. With no one to turn to for answers, she quickly learned to rely on determination, resourcefulness, and a willingness to keep learning. Those qualities continue to shape her work today as executive editor at Avenue magazine and RPM Content Studio.

“For me, that’s been a huge part of how I’ve approached my work. I don’t have to know all the details. Even if it’s something I’ve not done before or I’m not sure, I’ve always been sure that I could figure it out,” said Seto.

Her relationship with RedPoint Media began long before she considered working there.  While pursuing a communications degree at the University of Calgary, Seto approached the editor of the alumni magazine looking for writing opportunities.

What she didn’t — and couldn’t — know at the time, was that the editor who gave her that first opportunity, would later become the editor of Avenue. That experience reinforced a lesson that has guided her since.

“The biggest thing that I’ve realized over my career is it all comes down to relationships. That was how that original internship came about. I built the relationship with my editor and she took the time to help me develop as a writer and editor.”

Seto started as a freelance writer for Avenue in 2000. In 2023, she was invited to join RedPoint Media as a managing editor and later took on the role of executive editor.

Her experience as a writer for publications such as Today’s Parent, The Globe and Mail, and National Geographic Books has given her a deeper understanding of the challenges and perspectives of the writers who work with her. With strong coaching skills, and an excellent story instinct, she quickly became an editor writers want to work with.

“She takes such a collaborative approach and really wants to work with her writers to make the pieces better,” said Elizabeth Chorney Booth, freelance writer and restaurant columnist at the Calgary Herald.

“She’s rare in how approachable she is and very diligent. I think Calgary’s really lucky to have her,” said Booth

“The goal is always, ‘let’s tell the story as best we can’. It’s important to work with the writer and maintain their voice and help them tell their story better. Give them the latitude and flexibility to tell the story how they want to tell the story,” said Seto.

Since early in her career, Seto has had a knack for managing competing priorities. Last year she oversaw Create Calgary for Calgary Arts Development, Horizons for STARS, Leap for the Alberta Cancer Foundation and spur for Calgary Foundation, along with Avenue magazine and all of RPM’s branded content.

“Colleen’s contributions, not only to RedPoint, but to the larger magazine community have been huge. She’s been, over several decades, a contributor, writer, fact-checker and editor on many of our publications,” said Kathe Lemon, President and co-owner of RedPoint Media Group.

The roles and responsibilities may have changed over the years, but Seto’s approach has remained distinctly her own.

Ultimately, Seto said: “Who I am is who you get.”