Erin Ward
Editorial Innovation Manager
Erin Ward
Editorial Innovation Manager
Erin has been with Scribendi on and off since 2014 and in her current role as Editorial Innovation Manager since May 2023. She works closely with management and the in-house team to ensure smooth day-to-day editorial operations, provides support to the Quality Department, and generates reports on editorial data relevant to editors and the company.
Erin holds an undergraduate degree in philosophy from Western University, a master’s in philosophy from the University of Windsor, and a master’s in journalism from UBC. She also began a PhD in Argumentation Studies. Before returning as an in-house editor in 2020, she freelanced for Scribendi and edited for academic journals.
Outside of work, Erin is passionate about reading, writing, and exploring nature, and she spends most of her free time with her son and daughter.
How long have you been with Scribendi and what are your primary responsibilities at the company?
I have been working with Scribendi on and off in some capacity since 2014. I have been in my current role as Editorial Manager since May, 2023. I primarily work with management and the in-house team to ensure that the day-to-day editorial processes are running smoothly. I also provide support to the Quality Department and generate regular reports on editorial data that is relevant to the in-house editors and to the company.
Can you tell us a bit about yourself and your path to Scribendi?
When I began working with Scribendi as a freelance editor in 2014, I had an undergraduate degree in philosophy from Western University and I had written for some local publications and organizations, like WindsoriteDOTca, Juniper Books, and the Windsor Printmaker’s Forum. I have always had a love of the written word, and at that time I was heavily invested in cultivating my writing abilities. I came to Scribendi with a robust knowledge of grammar concepts (courtesy of my grammar-fanatic mother) and some experience editing my own work. I then did a masters in philosophy at the University of Windsor and a masters in journalism at the University of British Columbia before returning to Windsor to start a PhD in Argumentation Studies. While enrolled in this program, I began editing for a couple of academic journals, Informal Logic and the Journal of Teaching and Learning, based at the University. I then returned to Scribendi as an in-house editor in July, 2020, and continued in that role until I went on maternity leave to have my daughter, Luna. Shortly after my maternity leave, I returned to Scribendi as the Editorial Manager.
When you sign off from work for the day, what are you passionate about?
As a life-long student, I continue to read philosophy and find obscure books that activate my sense of wonder. It’s really that sense of wonder that drives me in a lot of my pursuits. I have also continued to work on my own independent writing projects, and one day I will get over my need for perfection and actually attempt to release them to the world in some way. I spend as much time as I can in nature and love to hike and explore conservation areas and national parks. When I need to relax, that’s where I go. My focus right now, however, is mainly on my family and my two-year-old daughter, Luna. It has been an incredible (and exhausting!) journey so far watching her grow and learn, and I am constantly amazed by her.
Can you offer a few words for Scribendi’s editors?
Editing requires such mental fortitude. Many editors routinely have to face and overcome feelings of doubt and an anxiety-driven need for perfection; they have to self-motivate to reach tight deadlines with quality work, often working in isolation; and they have to have a deep knowledge of the language and its structural underpinnings. But it can just be so rewarding to utterly transform a piece of writing and to have the expertise and ability to engage with the language at a depth that most people will never glimpse. Given the extremely low rate of acceptance for freelance editors at this company, Scribendi editors have proven themselves to be at the very top of the editing hierarchy in terms of skill, and I think that’s really something to be proud of.
Lauralee Branzan-St. Pierre
Customer Support Manager
Lauralee has been working with Scribendi since November 2019, progressing through different support roles before becoming the Customer Support Manager. She oversees the day-to-day functioning of the Customer Service department while maintaining a strong customer-first mindset to enhance the overall Scribendi customer experience. She is always working to identify opportunities to improve customer satisfaction and department processes.
Lauralee studied psychology and earned her Addictions Certificate in 2022. Outside of work, Lauralee likes staying active, exploring new places and experiences with her husband, reading thriller novels, and catering to the very high standards of their two spoiled cats.
Osama Hamzeh
Head of DevOps (Global)
Osama joined Scribendi in July 2022 as a Senior System Administrator, was later promoted to IT Manager and now serves as Head of DevOps across our Canada, Japan, and China brands, overseeing IT systems, cloud services, infrastructure, and security across the company.
He holds a Ph.D. in Computer Science, specializing in Machine Learning and Pattern Recognition, and brings 25 years of experience spanning universities, financial institutions, healthcare, and editing services.
Outside of work, Osama enjoys spending time with his family and playing table tennis, while prioritizing mental well-being and quality time with loved ones.
Meghan Vankoughnett
HR Coordinator (and Freelance Support)
Meghan has been with Scribendi since February 2022. As HR Coordinator (formerly HR Assistant), she manages daily HR tasks including recruitment, onboarding and offboarding, personnel and attendance records, performance management, and benefits administration. Meghan also supports the freelance team by answering queries, updating contracts, processing karma requests, and assisting with freelance recruitment.
Meghan holds an undergraduate degree in English Language and Literature from the University of Windsor and a postgraduate certificate in Human Resources Management from St. Clair College. In 2023, she obtained her CHRP designation.
Outside of work, Meghan enjoys spending time outdoors with her husband, reading, crafting, and binge-watching her favourite TV shows.
Last Updated: 05/15/2023