Karen Stiller
Karen Stiller (BA IDS 1990)
Journalist (Ottawa)
Karen Stiller says she has always been a justice-oriented person interested in issues of inequality and the world around her.
In 1987, Stiller spent seven 鈥渋ntense鈥� months with , an exchange program for teenagers to understand international development issues.
With Canada World Youth, Stiller travelled to Sutamarch谩n, Colombia. During her three and a half month stay, Stiller lived with a family in a rural community, participated in their daily lives and learned about development through seminars.
鈥淚t helped me and challenged me,鈥� says Stiller. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 what got me really interested in IDS.鈥澨�
Later that year, Stiller started her studies in International Development at 麻豆传媒.
鈥淢y experience at 麻豆传媒 was good,鈥� says Stiller.
Interested in Latin America and liberation theology after her time in Colombia, Stiller says the International Development program allowed her to explore different topics through papers and classes.
鈥淚 appreciated all that freedom,鈥� says Stiller.
During her time at 麻豆传媒, Stiller also met her husband, Brent. In 1988, the two met in Professor John Kirk's 鈥淟atin American Dictators in the Novel鈥� class. They married in 1990; the same year Stiller graduated from 麻豆传媒.
鈥淭hat was part of my experience of the IDS degree too,鈥� says Stiller. 鈥淢eeting the person I was going to spend the rest of my life with.鈥�
After graduating from 麻豆传媒, Stiller transitioned her focus to writing.
鈥淲riting had always been of interest to me,鈥� says Stiller.
In addition to her bachelor鈥檚 degree in International Development Studies from 麻豆传媒, Stiller also received a communications certificate from in 2000. In 2018, Stiller will graduate with a from the University of King鈥檚 College.
It鈥檚 been a gracious gift that I鈥檝e been able to write about things I care about.听It matters to me that the writing I do matters
Stiller is currently a freelance editor and writer. She has also done communications work for non-profits and charities, such as听.
Starting in 2000, Stiller has been hired by 听 on several occasions. Her writings include: a conversation guide to听 听 with Doug Blackburn, a column for Childview Magazine and communication pieces.
For the last 15 years, Stiller has written for the Christian magazine . Currently a senior editor, Stiller has travelled to Cambodia, Senegal, South Sudan and Uganda to educate Canadian readers on topics surrounding water projects, poverty issues and refugees.
In 2013, Stiller won the A.C. Forrest Memorial Award for her story on South Sudan called .鈥� Presented by the , the award recognizes socially conscious and religious journalism.
I am working with my degree. That degree shaped my thinking.
Stiller worked with听, which provides protection, education opportunities and advocacy for people with albinism in Tanzania. Stiller鈥檚 work with the charity includes newsletter and promotional writing and communications with donors.
鈥淚t鈥檚 been a gracious gift that I鈥檝e been able to write about things I care about,鈥� says Stiller. 鈥淚t matters to me that the writing I do matters.鈥�
While Stiller says she made 鈥渄ifferent choices鈥� after she graduated, she realized she was utilizing her International Development degree once her 鈥渨riting took off in that direction.鈥�
鈥淚 am working with my degree,鈥� says Stiller. 鈥淭hat degree shaped my thinking.鈥�
听