Käthe Lemon

When COVID-19 hit in 2020, Käthe Lemon stepped up—for anyone who knows Käthe, this will come as no surprise. Wearing both editor and publisher hats, she led a lean team with calm determination, keeping Avenue Calgary’s schedule on track while securing its financial future. From the editorial line-up to sales and client relations to custom publishing, she acted as a pinch hitter for almost every role in the business, taking over from an incredibly talented team when needed, ensuring the brand’s survival and its ongoing relevance to Calgarians.

Typically, editorial and publishing roles run in parallel, with editors and publishers staying in their respective lanes. However, Käthe’s unconventional rise—from assistant editor at Avenue to editor-in-chief, then president of RedPoint Media, and now co-owner—means she navigates seamlessly and expertly between editorial creativity and business strategy.

As editor, she established Avenue as a market leader. Under her watch, RedPoint’s flagship title added new partnerships and special issues, including Made in Alberta, the Future of the City Festival, and Innovators of the Year. Avenue earned multiple industry accolades, including being named the Alberta Magazine Publishers Association’s Magazine of the Year in 2020. More recently, Käthe has helped launch new revenue streams, such as the A-List Membership program, which offers VIP access to local events, and forged strategic collaborations, including Top 20 Under 20 with the YMCA.

Today, RedPoint Media has transformed from a legacy media company into a sustainable social venture rooted in community connection and trusted storytelling. In a recent RedPoint survey, 97.7 percent of Avenue readers reported that they agree or strongly agree that Avenue is a trusted source of information.

Käthe’s genuine love for Calgary and its people shines through in both her creative vision and business acumen. Her schedule defies logic. When she’s not mentoring writers, editing, leading various teams, managing budgets, forging new relationships, and brokering partnerships, she advocates for supporting local and speaks regularly on panels, at webinars, workshops, and industry events and conferences both locally and internationally for groups as diverse as the Girl Guides and FIPP.

Käthe served as an AMPA director for numerous years and continues to contribute as a committee member on the government relations and programming committees, working to connect and build the community in the province. She is generous in sharing her knowledge with other publishers. Käthe is also a founding member of the Amber Bowerman Foundation, which honours the memory of local journalist Amber Webb-Bowerman. The foundation has raised and distributed more than $100,000 in scholarships and endowments to artists and writers. In 2024, Käthe was named president of the International Regional Magazine Association and was also presented with the Calgary Chamber of Commerce Sherrold Moore Award, which is awarded to a long-standing member whose character embodies the true essence of community, volunteerism, and humble dedication.

Colleague Colleen Seto puts it best: “At the end of the day, the work that we do all comes down to meaningful connection. This is Käthe’s superpower. She has always been an advocate for inclusiveness and belonging, and that informs everything she does…”

Käthe’s calm, confident presence sets the tone for an inclusive, supportive culture that brings out the best in her team. The team’s core belief that their work serves a greater social purpose shows up in their dedication to amplify underrepresented voices, forge respectful and equitable partnerships, reduce their carbon footprint and cultivate a workplace where every team member feels valued. So, with every issue, every article, every collaboration, every partnership, the team continues to prove that they are not just publishing a city magazine; they are fostering a powerful movement. One that’s inclusive, innovative, and deeply connected to the communities it serves.

By Diane Bolt