Photo by Jennifer Friesen.

I’m Silvia Pikal, a Calgary-based content leader. I help organizations—from major Canadian media companies to post-secondary institutions and non-profits—craft content that engages audiences, drives growth and strengthens brand presence. With over a decade of experience, I’ve led initiatives that doubled web traffic, boosted newsletter open rates to nearly 60% and earned recognition from the Alberta Magazine Awards and National Magazine Awards: B2B edition. I’ve worked on staff for major Canadian media companies like The Canadian Press and St. Joseph Communications, and as a freelancer, partnered with clients including Mount Royal University, producing everything from long-form features to branded storytelling.

I hold a Bachelor of Communication in Journalism from Mount Royal University and recently completed the Creative Writing Certificate at the University of Calgary. I am also an alumna of the 2025 Poynter Women in Media Leadership Program. Passionate about education and mentorship, I serve as Chair of the Banff Book Discussion Weekend board and mentor emerging writers through several programs.

When I’m off the page, you’ll find me walking my rescue pup with my husband Derek, reading, practicing yoga, or eating my way through multiple sharing plates at a restaurant with friends. I also love to travel—highlights include watching the sunset from the top of Sacré-Cœur in Paris, stumbling upon a bamboo forest in Tokyo, swimming (at a safe distance) with a shark-attack-survivor sea turtle in Oahu, walking in the rain to The Strand bookstore in New York City and exploring London’s Christmas markets.