About Us

Seaside Magazine is an impressive monthly publication with a 10 year long tradition of serving readers and advertisers on the Saanich Peninsula. It’s a magazine about community living highlighting news, events and the people that live on southern Vancouver Island. The magazine adds an extra dimension to our community space; a place where west coast culture is treasured and celebrated. It gives a glimpse of the people, places and ideas and unleashes the vibrant energy that the local community has to offer. The magazine publishes monthly, with a yearly distribution of 240,000.

We use a wide range of contributing writers each month including regular columnists and local experts, but here is our core team that is working behind the scenes!

Sue Hodgson –
Publisher/Owner

Sue spent her childhood along the shores of the Bay of Chaleur, in Dalhousie, the northernmost town of New Brunswick, a culturally rich and diverse community. Beside enjoying the daily lifestyle of beachcombing, boating and windsurfing, Sue grew up in a family committed to forest management and a love for fish and wildlife. She graduated from the University of Victoria, with a BA in Social Sciences, and her professional background is publishing: she has served as a director at Page One Publishing and is former publisher of the Peninsula News Review and Boulevard Magazine. She is owner of Seaside Magazine, a Saanich Peninsula community publication dedicated to exploring the people, places and ideas of our West Coast culture. Sue has been a member of the Board of Directors for Beacon Community Services, Shaw Ocean Discovery and Saanich Peninsula Hospital & Healthcare Foundation. She is currently a Board of Director for St Andrew’s, Abbeyfield House.

A resident of Greater Victoria for more than 30 years, Sue lives in Sidney with her puppy George and visits her two adult children in Vancouver and Nanaimo as often as possible.

Allison Smith –
Editor in Chief

Allison was born and raised in West Vancouver before moving to the Saanich Peninsula in 1992. A lifelong love of reading led her to a Journalism diploma from Vancouver’s Kwantlen Polytechnic University in 2003. She then spent five years as Editor in Chief of the commercial shipping trade journal Harbour & Shipping. After seven years in Vancouver Allison realized that it was no longer “home,” and with every trip back to the Island the lure of the salt air became stronger.

Fifteen years ago, Allison moved home to the Saanich Peninsula and has never looked back. She became Editor-in-Chief of Seaside, a job she loves, working with the people of her community and a fantastic group of women to create something she is proud to be a part of every month.

Leah-Anne MacLeod –
Creative Director

I was born and raised in Victoria and in my off time, you can often find me out exploring Vancouver Island with my family and friends!

With a background in a variety of visual and fine arts, I’ve taken my skills into the digital world. My graphic design experience spans a variety of media for both large and small companies.

I’m very excited to be joining the Seaside Magazine team and getting to know the people and community in the Saanich Peninsula.

Deborah Rogers – Editorial Director

Deborah grew up in the southwest of England, moving to Vancouver Island in 2008. An English Literature graduate of the University of the West of England, Deborah has spent much of her career writing and editing. After writing on assignment for Seaside Magazine for several years, Deborah took the role as Editor-in-Chief as a maternity cover. As Editorial Director Deborah now has a hand in most aspects of Seaside Magazine’s monthly production. Working as part of a small team in a supportive community provides constant opportunities for thinking creatively, coming up with new ideas and continually refining the end product.

Katherine Kjaer – Sales Account Manager

I was raised in Toronto and pursued my studies in Media and Communications at Seneca College. While living in Victoria I have taken a number of courses at Camosun College and Uvic, as I believe in the importance of lifelong learning. I made the decision to relocate to Victoria while my children were still young, drawn by the irresistible call of the ocean after numerous visits. Now, all three of my children are grown and happily residing in this beautiful city.

A devoted animal enthusiast who always has furry companions, I currently share my home with a rescue cat and dachshund. When living in Ontario, I fulfilled a lifelong dream of owning a horse as I have always had a passion for riding. Nowadays, I enjoy driving through the picturesque Saanich countryside, just to admire these majestic creatures.

After working in advertising sales across various industries such as aviation, boating, lifestyle, and tourism, I am thrilled to be part of the exceptional team at Seaside.

Janis Jean – Staff Photographer

Ever since I was a little kid growing up in Victoria in the 70s, I have always had a camera by my side. It all started with a Kodak Instamatic in third grade moving up to my dad’s coveted Canon AE-1 in high school. I loved the hours that I spent developing and printing film in the dark room.

I spent 25 years working the front lines as a First Responder. After my retirement 10 years ago, I pursued my lifelong dream of becoming a professional photographer.

Seaside Magazine is the best photography “assignment” I could ask for; I spend my days working alongside an amazing team of people while being given an opportunity to capture life on the Saanich Peninsula.