BCBusiness

6 P o r t r ai t : A l ai n a M i c h e ll e B C B U S I N E S S . C A A P R I L / M AY 2 0 2 5 HARBOURING AMBITIONS I've been to Nanaimo twice in the last few years. The first time, I fell for a fake Airbnb listing, which cast a shadow over the entire trip. Many thanks to the Best Western Nanaimo for helping me out in a pinch there. The second time, when I went to cover the city and how its business scene is progressing for "The Port in the Storm" (p.36), a much different vibe awaited me. From the Hullo ferry on the way over to the approachable mayor and the many businesses and organizations that are pulling for the city to attract new residents and new life, it was a breath of fresh air. In particular, the story of our cover subject—Amy Ferris, owner of the White Rabbit café and the Black Rabbit restaurant and bar— resonated with me and I'm glad we could tell it. This is my last cover for the magazine, and I'm proud that it's ending on this note with someone so deserving. I'll be leaving for another job in media after seven years with BCBusiness, and Darcy Matheson, who has worked for some of the most successful media organizations in this province, is taking over. For me, it's incredibly bittersweet. I truly love this job and have great fondness for the team that helps put this magazine together every issue. In this, my last editor's note, I want to highlight the work of some of those people. Michael McCullough went from one of my bosses at Canada Wide Media to one of my most trusted freelancers. He put together our "B.C.'s Most Economically Resilient Cities" (p.23) feature with his usual insight, professionalism and expertise. Former managing editor Alyssa Hirose helped proof this issue and wrote the Inventory feature "Living Little" (p.64). She's a dear friend and one of the most talented people I've ever worked with. My right-hand person and associate editor for years, Rushmila Rahman, helped me write "The Disruptors" (p.45). She's curious and passionate and the magazine has benefited so immensely from her work. Current managing editor Dani Wright, who wrote "Harnessing Passion" (p.57), is kind and funny and far, far more considerate than she has any right to be. And art directors Jenny Reed and Edwin Pabellon are the true lifeblood of this magazine—somehow, they make the things we see in our heads come to life so beautifully. Long-time real estate columnist Frances Bula ("Right up Your Alley," p.16) taught me to be brave, and to step into my own voice. Jennifer Van Evra ("Hot Streak," p.11) has taken this magazine down rabbit holes it never would have gone otherwise and has made plain some concepts that astrophysicists would struggle with. Carry On columnist Charlene Rooke ("Beyond the Butler," p.60) invites readers on a different journey every issue, always finding a new angle on travel, somehow. The excellent Riley Webster ("Labour of Love," p.18) has unearthed so many stories about B.C. communities and businesses that never would have seen the light of day without her. And proofreader/copy editor extraordinaire Melissa Edwards has saved this publication from approximately a million disasters. I also want to say thanks to you, the readers. The notes I've gotten from you and the conversations I've had have helped me to understand this province more thoroughly. I hope we can stay in touch. And I hope you, like me, will continue reading this magazine for years to come. DESK DITOR'S e We celebrate another incredible crop of execs and entrepreneurs in our Women of the Year issue NEXT NATHAN CADDELL Editor-in-Chief bcb@canadawide.com | @bcbusiness | Follow BCBusiness on

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