Käthe Lemon is the president and co-owner of RedPoint Media Group, Calgary’s largest independent, locally owned media company. RedPoint is the publisher of Avenue and The Scene, and through RPM Content Studio also creates award-winning custom publications including Leap on behalf of the Alberta Cancer Foundation, SPUR on behalf of the Calgary Foundation, Create Calgary on behalf of Calgary Arts Development, and more. RPM Content Studio also works with clients to create custom digital content and content-driven events. 

Prior to being named president, Lemon was the Editor of Avenue magazine for 15 years. During that time, the magazine was named Magazine of the Year by the Alberta Magazine Publishers Associations and won multiple awards for excellence in writing, photography, and design at the provincial, national, and international level. Lemon was named Alberta Editor of the Year in 2011. Much like Avenue, Lemon is a relentless supporter of Calgary and works to celebrate the city’s many success stories. She is also the board secretary for the Calgary Outdoor Swimming Pool Association and a director on the boards of the Alberta Magazine Publishers Association and the International Regional Magazine Association.

Please tell us about a turning point or challenge that you feel shaped you as a leader or mentor.

"I had an experience early in my career with a manager whose approach to leadership was to yell and belittle people. It was demoralizing and at times even heartbreaking. I often didn’t know what I’d done wrong, just that it was wrong. Fortunately, I was able to find another position that was a better fit for me, where my skills were celebrated and my weaknesses viewed as an opportunity for improvement, or, even better, a space for others on the team to shine. What I have grown to believe is that true mentorship is about helping provide opportunities for the mentee to see their own path, not to try to make the mentee be like the mentor."

What would you say is the most important trait or skill to develop for someone working in your field?

"Curiosity."

Käthe's session format is flexible - she is able to meet either in-person or virtualy.