Wendy Kaur (The Walrus) examines how power structures shape women’s lives across politics, culture, and media. Her work combines policy analysis with intimate profiles, often spotlighting systemic inequities through individual stories.
“Your story was the most accurate reflection of my life that I have seen.” – Isabel Allende, Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient
Wendy Kaur has carved a niche at the intersection of cultural storytelling and policy analysis, particularly through the lens of women’s experiences. Her early work for ELLE Canada and British Vogue focused on profiling women reshaping industries—from actors like Selma Blair to Gucci’s first Indian global ambassador, Alia Bhatt. These pieces established her signature style: intimate narratives layered with socio-political context.
By 2024, her reporting expanded into systemic analysis. At The Walrus, she dissected Canada’s gender-equality infrastructure, exemplified by her April 2025 investigation into Prime Minister Mark Carney’s elimination of the Women and Gender Equality Ministry. This shift reflects her evolution from chronicling individual achievements to scrutinizing the institutions that enable—or hinder—those stories.
“Merging the portfolio of WAGE into a larger ministry…there’s major concern that it will get lost.” – Wendy Kaur, The Walrus, April 2025
This 3,000-word analysis blends political reporting with grassroots perspectives. Kaur documents the Carney administration’s dismantling of the Women and Gender Equality Ministry through interviews with former minister Marci Ien and advocacy groups like the Canadian Women’s Foundation. She traces the policy’s implications using historical parallels to 1980s austerity measures, while humanizing the impact through stories of domestic violence survivors reliant on WAGE-funded programs. The piece exemplifies her ability to tether bureaucratic decisions to tangible human outcomes.
Kaur profiles Liberal Party stalwart Karina Gould’s bid against Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre, framing it as a litmus test for progressive politics in populist times. Through campaign trail access and policy comparisons, she contrasts Gould’s gender-inclusive housing reforms with Poilievre’s economic nationalism. The article’s standout element is its integration of demographic data—voter sentiment charts among women aged 25–40—to contextualize Gould’s strategic focus on childcare subsidies.
This career retrospective of CNN anchor Kaitlan Collins combines personal history with media industry analysis. Kaur details Collins’ breakthrough coverage of the Trump administration while unpacking the challenges faced by women in broadcast journalism. She cites ratings data showing a 22% viewership increase for The Source since Collins took the anchor chair, paired with anonymous testimonials from female producers about workplace equity gains. The piece balances celebratory tones with critical questions about representation in news leadership.
Kaur prioritizes policies affecting women’s material conditions, particularly when paired with personal narratives. A successful pitch might explore how provincial childcare subsidies in Alberta are enabling single mothers to re-enter STEM fields, supported by interviews and employment data. Avoid abstract feminist theory; her work grounds concepts in lived experience, as seen in her Carney ministry analysis linking bureaucratic changes to domestic violence rate projections.
She seeks subjects influencing culture beyond obvious fame. Instead of A-list celebrities, propose profiles of leaders like Anishinaabe water activist Autumn Peltier or hijabi fashion designer Nabila Pirani. Kaur’s British Vogue piece on Gucci’s first Indian ambassador demonstrates her interest in globalized cultural exchange. Include specific metrics about the subject’s impact, such as policy changes influenced or audience growth metrics.
Kaur frequently incorporates original datasets, like her analysis of gender parity in Canadian political candidates. Pitches should identify under-researched gaps, such as municipal-level representation of Indigenous women or correlation between corporate board diversity and parental leave policies. Partner with academic researchers or NGOs to strengthen proposals, mirroring her collaboration with the Canadian Women’s Foundation in tracking WAGE funding outcomes.
Her investigation into Canada’s femicide crisis was shortlisted for its innovative use of court records and survivor testimonials. The series exposed how 63% of domestic violence homicides involved prior police contact, prompting parliamentary hearings on law enforcement training protocols.
Recognized for reshaping celebrity journalism through pieces like her Selma Blair profile, which wove memoir analysis with disability advocacy. The award highlights her ability to elevate lifestyle writing into cultural criticism.
At PressContact, we aim to help you discover the most relevant journalists for your PR efforts. If you're looking to pitch to more journalists who write on Culture, here are some other real estate journalist profiles you may find relevant:
