Two decades of communications experience
* Certified Environmental Professional *
You didn't come to this 'About' page only to find out more about me. You also came to find out more about you - specifically, if and how you could relate to me as a potential collaborator.
Let me tell you how.
You are the most exciting part of my life's work.
I grew up on a farm in rural Alberta, and the experiences I had there shaped me profoundly. Swimming in sloughs (eww yes, I did), climbing trees, sleeping in the barn, tagging along on cattle drives, getting lost in the fields… all of this nurtured a deep (and slightly excessive) curiosity within me.
So naturally, as a child, I had very big plans. I wanted to be an archaeologist. An artist. An Olympic gymnast. An engineer, a chemist and a historian. And here’s the kicker: I still do! I want to be all those things and more, because life sets me on fire.
And this is how I’ve come to do it—through all my clients.
Municipalities—I’ve worked on the inside. I’ve planned parks and events, presented to Council, led working groups, built budgets, held open houses and worked alongside community volunteers. I have a strong understanding of how municipalities work.
Businesses—I’ve learned the art of splicing fibre optic cables, cooked in a commercial kitchen, sparked creativity in welding shops, inspected heavy duty engines, tested products and played inside some (mindblowing) software.
Environment—I’ve been dropped by helicopter to remote mountain lakes, slept in tents at research stations through days of rain, performed titrations, netted fish, stood knee deep in mud to count amphibians, collected water samples and stared down a microscope to identify some of the world’s most beautiful creatures (diatoms).
You—I’ve not just studied words, I’ve studied life. I have a very personal connection to my work and an intense enthusiasm to learn, create, and tell the untold stories. I want to visit your farm, stroll your streets, and don a hard hat to enter your shop. I want to understand what drives you and capture your story in a way that no one else can.
That’s what drives me. You. Inspire. Me.
Jill Yanch, BSc, EP, TAED - Owner
MY STORY
With my degree in Environmental Science and technical research background, I started Green Pen to deepen the benefits of effective communication for my clients. What started as a writing business quickly evolved into a complex and powerful tool through which I could offer not only writing and editing, but also project management, research, design and strategy.
To further enable my clients and my passions, I am constantly learning and developing professionally. I hold myself to incredibly high standards so you don't have to. I am currently completing my Masters degree through the University of York's MSc in Innovation, Leadership and Management program. I am also a certified Environmental Professional (EP), a certified Technician Aboriginal Economic Developer (TAED), and have a range of recent learnings under my belt, including Integrated Water Resource Management through McGill University, the Indigenous Canada program through the University of Alberta, and various levels of Incident Command System (ICS) training. Next up is a graduate diploma in the foundations of Canadian law.
