Katie Pollock Estes is nationwide. Forget that, she’s global.
Estes is the editor of 417 Magazine, a national award winning publication known by its readers as a good travel companion for treks around the world.
Pollock Estes is in charge of the editorial and art departments for 417, managing art and issue planning, copy flow, proofreading and editing, as well as a range of personalities. In addition, she oversees the editorial direction of special publications 417 Home and 417 Bride.
At the age of 30, Pollock Estes already has left her mark on the publication industry.
In 2011, 417’s April 2010 cover story, “Ultimate Asian Food Guide” received top honors from the City and Regional Magazine Association in the leisure and lifestyle interests feature category, besting finalists from Chicago Magazine, Los Angeles Magazine, 5280 (Denver, Colo.) and Portland Monthly.
“It was our first national magazine award, and a tremendous honor considering the high-profile, large-market magazines that we were up against,” says Pollock Estes. “It was a feature I conceived and planned, and it combined a useful reader service, how-to components, delicious food writing and lots of local meaning and flavor.
It makes me extremely proud to know that we are fulfilling our goals for our community and readers in a way that has been nationally recognized.”
Besides making 417 nationally competitive, she has helped the magazine win several awards from the Missouri Association of Publications, including 2012 honors for Best Entire Issue, Best Single Article Presentation and Best Cover.
Becoming an editor with 417 at the age of 26, Estes says she is pleased what she has been able to accomplish thus far.
“Most professionals my age who are working in the magazine industry are not the top editors at their publications,” Estes says. “Most people in this role have several years on me.
“I’ve work hard to grow the magazine and improve its quality and usefulness since I’ve taken on that role.”
Pollock Estes, both at work and off the clock, has demonstrated a desire to be an effective leader.
Recently, she groomed her lifestyle editor’s leadership abilities in advance of a maternity leave.
“I don’t just want to help her hone these leadership skills so she will know what to do while I’m gone; I also want her to develop as a leader and effective manager to help her out in potential future roles here at the magazine or in other jobs she may have down the line,” Pollock Estes says, adding that she’s striving to simplify work systems so editors can have more free time and be engaged in the community.
Also, as a volunteer for Big Brothers Big Sisters, Pollock Estes says she has enjoyed having an opportunity to be a mentor with her little sister.
She also helps lead as a volunteer board member for Children’s Miracle Network hospitals.
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