The Digital Publishing Leadership Award recognizes and celebrates an individual who has made significant contributions to the industry. Writers, visual creators, designers, developers, publishers, and other digital publishing professionals are all eligible, as long as they have demonstrated leadership, inspiration, creativity, and achievement. Nominations should come from three or more colleagues.
The National Media Awards Foundation is delighted to announce that Jude Isabella, the founder and editor-in-chief of Hakai Magazine, is the esteemed recipient of the 2023 Digital Publishing Leadership Award, which is the highest individual honour the Digital Publishing Awards can bestow.
Jude has worked as a journalist for over 30 years, focusing on the environment, ecology, and archaeology. Her innovative vision, unwavering dedication, and exceptional leadership have been instrumental in transforming Hakai Magazine into an award-winning publication recognized for its pioneering approach to digital storytelling.
Under Jude’s guidance, Hakai Magazine, launched in 2015, has grown from a promising start-up to a well-respected member of the science journalism community. The magazine, with its unique focus on coastal ecosystems’ science and society, has garnered over 50 awards from various programs, including the Amnesty Canada Media Awards, the National Magazine Awards, and the Society of Environmental Journalism (SEJ) Awards.
Letters from colleagues and writers who have had the privilege of working with Jude paint a picture of an editor who is not only deeply invested in the stories she helps shape but also in the people behind them. Her ability to generate fresh, imaginative story ideas, coupled with her editorial acumen and kindness, has been highlighted as an integral part of her successful leadership.
Beyond her work as an editor, Jude’s dedication to the future of journalism is evident. She has launched a fellowship program at Hakai Magazine, fostering the next generation of science journalists, and serves on various journalism award committees.
Earlier in her career, Jude spent over a decade as managing editor of YES Mag: Canada’s science magazine for kids, and she continues to write for children, having authored seven award-winning books for young readers. Jude also wrote the Canadian bestseller “Salmon: A Scientific Memoir” in 2014, which was required reading in various university environmental studies classes.
Please join us in congratulating Jude Isabella on her remarkable career achievements and this well-deserved recognition as the 2023 recipient of the Digital Publishing Leadership Award!
About the National Media Awards Foundation
The National Media Awards Foundation is a non-profit organization that champions excellence in magazine and digital publishing through its annual awards programs.
Mark your calendars for tomorrow, May 4, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. EDT, as we reveal the finalists for the 8th annual Digital Publishing Awards!
Previous Winners
2022 — Yannick Pinel
2020 — Dmitry Beniaminov
2019 — Kathy Vey
2018 — Brodie Fenton
2017 — Kenny Yum