Pen-and-Pencil-Circle
In today’s world, trustworthy information is everything. Some of my truths are listed below; they are but a fraction of what makes me a passionate, creative, and reliable human.
  • Storytelling: Modern storytelling has ties to ancient folklore; using those traditions to compel and persuade gives us meaning much deeper than just surface noise. We welcome tales that engulf our senses, surround us with emotion, and cause us to think.
  • Food: I have loved to cook and bake since my grandmother put me on her counter while making sugar cookies, and I believe strongly that food is more than what’s on the plate; it crosses cultural barriers, drives our emotions, and colors our memories.

     

  • Metrics: Without meaningful measurements of process success, we cannot control our future. That said, information overload isn’t helpful either. It’s all a balancing act, and I can help you wade through the myriad of data — and use it to your advantage.
  • Learning: To better serve your needs, I constantly learn the latest industry standards and develop methods to implement and improve upon them.

     

  • Equality and Equity: Everyone should have a fair chance in life to be happy, healthy, and productive. It’s simply part of who being a human is.
  • My Cat: This might sound silly, but he’s taught me discipline, love, and how to better care for others. Thank you, buddy.

Professional Skills

  • Strategic Communication
  • Non-profit & For-Profit Marketing
  • Health Literacy & Promotion
  • Media Planning & Training, PR
  • Writing: Copy, Marketing, & Technical
  • Editing: AP, Chicago, & MLA
  • Branding & Logos & Guidelines
  • Print & Web Design
  • Accessibility for Print and Digital
  • Social Media Strategy & Content
  • E-Newsletters & List Management
  • Photo Restoration & Retouching
  • Project Management
  • Equity & Inclusion Advocacy
  • Health Communication & Literacy
  • Plain Language

Education

Post-Baccalaureate Studies

Strategic Communication
University of Missouri – Columbia

Diploma

Digital Marketing
Shaw Academy

Bachelor of Art

English Literature
University of Missouri – St. Louis

Certificate

Professional Writing
University of Missouri – St. Louis

Advanced Technology

  • WordPress & Drupal
  • CSS & HTML & SEO
  • Adobe Acrobat Pro
  • Adobe Illustrator
  • Adobe InDesign & GREP
  • Adobe Lightroom
  • Adobe Photoshop
  • Google Analytics
  • Hootsuite
  • Digital & Social Advertising
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube
  • Mailchimp
  • SurveyMonkey
  • Salesforce
  • Google Analytics & UTM
  • Microsoft Office

Advanced Training & Certifications

Incident Command System (ICS) Communication Certification

FEMA Emergency Management Institute: U.S. Department of Homeland Security

National Incident Management System (NIMS) Public Information Systems Certification

FEMA Emergency Management Institute: U.S. Department of Homeland Security

Missouri Information for Community Assessment (MICA) Data Certification

Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS): Jefferson City, Missouri

Work History

Highlighted and Recent

Editor, Writer, Graphic Designer, Web Designer, & Brand Creator

On the Rise Creative Solutions

  • Focus on the communication and development needs of non-profit organizations and small businesses
  • Develop strategic communication, branding, and marketing campaigns, providing advice and consultation
  • Edit and write patient handouts, non-fiction books, magazine features, news articles, juried journal submissions, newsletters, websites, marketing and communications collateral, sales brochures, and business correspondence
  • Design websites, social media pages and posts, books, book covers, logos, advertisements, magazines, newsletters, e-newsletters, album artwork, brochures, flyers, stationery, business cards, annual reports, collegiate commencement programs, and wrapping paper

Marketing Communications Manager

Regional Arts Commission of St. Louis (RAC)

  • Developed and led strategic communication efforts for and production of multiple, concurrent campaigns
  • Established style and branding guides and communication/social media policies for internal and external use
  • Wrote, edited, and designed advertising, social media posts, newsletters, website content, and reports
  • Created a system to place internal clients into the marketing queue and to take their projects to completion
  • Monitored and evaluated digital campaigns and metrics, using Google Analytics, UTM, SEO, social, and email
  • Served on the Inclusion, Diversity, Racial Equity, and Accessibility Taskforce to expand organizational DEI

Strategic Communication & Marketing Director

Center for Health Policy & Missouri Health Equity Collaborative: University of Missouri School of Medicine

  • Developed and implemented strategic communication plans and marketing materials for the Center and its projects, including monthly newsletters, promotional emails and flyers, social media, and campaign building
  • Promoted the Center by pitching story ideas to the media and serving as a liaison between the media and experts
  • Provided staff with guidance in talking to the media and pitching story topics to print, radio, and television news
  • Worked with minority groups across the state to develop targeted plans that highlight their health needs to all Missourians, including citizens, policy makers, and other stakeholders — to raise their health equity
  • Conducted focus groups with community stakeholders on strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats
  • Partners included Missouri Foundation for Health, PROMO, SAGE, Missouri HIT Assistance Center (MO HIT) (EHR help for providers), Medicaid Data Project for Department of Health and Senior Services, Healthy Community Partnership, Missouri Council for Activity & Nutrition, Casa de Salud, and OSEDA

Art Director, Graphic & Web Designer, Project Manager, & Branding Specialist

Health Communication Research Center: University of Missouri School of Journalism

  • Developed and managed brand identity, logos, and branding guidelines for the center as a whole and its partners
  • Designed, created, and re-imagined websites for the HCRC and its partners
  • Created expo banners, brochures, booklets, and other marketing materials for the HCRC and its partners
  • Wrote and edited news releases on health topics and designed infographics to accompany them
  • Supervised and mentored multiple interns in multiple disciplines, ensuring their success
  • Partners included MU Extension, Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS), American Lung Association, MU Health Care System and School of Medicine (Center for Health Policy and Missouri Health Equity Collaborative), Interdisciplinary Center for Food Security, Missouri Council for Activity and Nutrition, Missouri Department of Natural Resources, Heartland Telehealth Resource Center, and Tobaccofree Missouri

Vice President of Customer Service, Logo, Brochure, & MarComm Designer

LogoYes/Web.com

  • Addressed customer concerns and provided consultation for better marketing, branding, and commerce plans, communicating with approximately 80 customers per day
  • Designed and wrote copy for custom logos, brochures, PowerPoint templates, and collateral pieces

IT Director, Website Administrator and Educator, & E-Rate Administrator

Osage R-III (Fatima) School District

  • Managed multiple servers, including those for email, file sharing, databases, and security
  • Developed, and coordinated the district’s website, including co-teaching the district’s Web Design class
  • Wrote RFPs and handled all correspondence and contracts associated with the school’s technology needs

I have also been a …

  • Newspaper editor, copyeditor, proofreader, A1 (front) page designer, and lead features designer
  • Photo retouching and restoration artist, including for major U.S. and international magazines
  • Technical writer for CitiMortgage
  • Nonprofit communication and fundraising strategist
  • Event planner
  • Culinary journalist
  • Pianist for an antebellum home
  • Quiz Bowl question writer and judge