About the Publication
A local publication serving Vancouver Island. Featuring local businesses and personalities, articles on health, heritage, island living, entertainment and events, we have budget-friendly advertising rates. We serve Nanaimo area under the Nanaimo cover and Vancouver Island (Victoria to Comox Valley) under the Voyager cover. We are racked on BC Ferries, Victoria & Nanaimo Airports, Helijet terminals in Nanaimo, Victoria & Vancouver, and at seaplane terminals. We have a great and varied demographic reached by Canada Post, insertion in The Bulletin, hand delivery and racking. We are also online where ads are hyperlinked to advertisers’ websites targeting our Facebook, LinkdIn and Instagram followers. If you advertise for 3 months, you can get a free business profile. We are “Not-for-profit” and Arts and Entertainment friendly and offer great personal service!
Judy Stephan: Editor / Publisher
Judy was born in South Africa and lived there until immigrating to Canada in 2009. She has a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in English and Psychology and holds a higher diploma in Education. In South Africa, Judy was a High School English teacher for 23 years, specializing in the teaching of English literature to Grade 12 students. She was the head of the English Department of 2 exclusive private colleges and was a recognized expert in the teaching of film and assisting second language students. Judy also produced the school newspapers and yearbooks.
Since Judy’s arrival in Nanaimo and purchase of Nanaimo & Voyager Magazine, she has joined many community and networking organizations. Since 2010 she has been volunteering with the Nanaimo Chamber of Commerce where she heads up the Ambassador Program and is presently Chair of the Board. She also served on the Downtown Nanaimo Business Improvement Association Board (2012-2017), an Advisory Board for Nanaimo Family Life Association (2013-2019), was Vice President of Oceanside Rotary, is a board member at the Nanaimo Senior Services Network and served until very recently on the Old City Quarter Association Board. Judy is an active member of Women of Note, and has volunteered with Central Vancouver Island Multicultural Society teaching English (2021-2022).
Judy has a passion for helping small businesses succeed, and loves to promote Nanaimo and the Island and thrives on calling this paradise, Vancouver Island, home. She proudly became a citizen in June 2015.
Nanaimo & Voyager Magazine was in the top 3 Small Businesses at the Chamber Business Awards in 2014, a finalist in 2 categories in 2019 and won the Creative Services category in 2020. It was in the Top 10 Small Business BC Awards – Immigrant Entrepreneur Category in 2015, and Judy was nominated for a BC Multicultural award in November 2015 and was winner of the Central Vancouver Island Multicultural Society’s Community Leadership Award in 2019. Nanaimo & Voyager Magazine won a national Canadian Choice award in January 2024, and Judy won the Matriarch category at the Women of Influence Awards in February 2024.
Judy is married with 3 grown children, has recently become a grandmother, and has published 9 romance novels and a handbook to help new immigrants.
Racheal Talboys: Graphic Designer
Racheal was born in England, and now lives in Canada. Racheal studied Fine Arts and Graphic Design in BC. After graduating, she worked as a Graphic Designer at various design agencies, publishing and printing companies throughout Vancouver and started working for Nanaimo and Voyager Magazine in 2006. She was a huge part of the magazine winning the coveted Chamber’s Creative service Award in 2020. In her spare time, she likes the outdoors; hiking and mountain biking.
Cathy Holmes: Ad Sales, Writer, Delivery & Promotion
Joy Murray: Editing & Writer
Susan Bihari: Editing
Delivery Team
J. Stephan: Greater Nanaimo, North End, Nanoose & Parksville
R. Barnes: South Nanaimo, Ladysmith & Chemainus
C. Holmes: Central Nanaimo, Cowichan Valley
J. Dickinson: Central Nanaimo, Downtown & Old City Quarter
S. Stephan: Victoria
We also utilise Canada Post, Nanaimo News Bulletin, CI Delivery, Mikus Transport, Immediate Images & Certified Folders