Professional Experience

Freelance Writer and Editor at Old City Public Relations (2021-present)

  • Write blog posts, magazine articles, press releases, advertisements, and home features.

Editor and Writer at On Our Moon (2017-present)

  • Edit (and contribute to) weekly Substack newsletter that includes personal essays, journalistic reporting, and an advice column focusing on motherhood, matriarchy, and cultural musings.

  • Edit stories for the website, giving feedback to contributing writers, reviewing final copy, and ensuring all voices on the site produce a cohesive narrative aligned with our mission.

  • Summarize articles for Instagram captions, compelling followers to click through to website, engage in the content, and inspire readers to share.

  • Author essays focusing on relatable issues using personal history that engages readers and inspires vulnerability, connection, and conversation.

Assistant Director of Communications & Marketing at the University of South Florida Libraries (2019-2022)

  • Planned and managed all communication projects and marketing campaigns designed to inform, persuade, and engage USF and community patrons and partners. Oversaw branding, graphic design, video production, publications design, website, and photography. 

  • Ran multi-platform social media accounts @usflibraries, including Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. Followers, reach, and engagement metrics consistently ranked in the top 10 at the university.

  • Created and oversaw digital and print collateral including brochures, press releases, annual reports, publications submissions, PowerPoint presentations, display advertisements/signage, and general correspondence. Launched The LIB Latest, which showcased news articles, events, press, and monthly newsletter. 

  • Managed press coverage and media relations with local, national, and international news agencies and production companies on stories about collections, initiatives, and faculty and staff projects. 

  • Acted as central clearing point for all Libraries communications and coordinated with all-campus departments to ensure consistent brand and identity in messaging and web presence. 

  • Evaluated and assessed all projects and campaigns to ensure effectiveness, including quarterly analytics reporting for news,press, and social media. 

  • Assisted Libraries Development in communication & marketing needs for successful fundraising, donor relations, and events. 

  • Managed publications/graphic designer, webmaster, and student assistants helping with all communications & marketing needs. 

  • Was a trusted colleague of central USF Marketing, helping with branding, sensitive and strategic communications, diversity and equity, and cultural betterment, including being Chair of the USF’s Return to Campus communications & marketing campaign to transition the campus community from COVID-19 remote operations back to in-person. Assets included a Returning to Campus website, extensive social plan, new photography, digital marketing assets, and communicators toolkit.  

  • Co-PI in a culture and communications, IRB-approved study with intentions for journal publication.

  • Branded the podcast Calling: Earth, a production of the USF Libraries and USF School of Geosciences. Marketing campaign was made possible through a grant awarded by the Tampa Bay Library Consortium.

  • Launched annual marketing and team-building events surrounding USF Homecoming called LIB Fest to increase internal and external engagement with USF alumni, faculty, staff, students, donors, and community patrons.  

  • Partnered with external organizations (e.g. Tampa Bay Library Consortium, Tampa Bay History Center, City of Tampa, Yelp Tampa Bay) on utilizing collection materials, cohosting events, and producing marketing collateral. 

  • Served as a representative on various committees throughout USF and coordinated special projects, news promotion, and campaigns with central Communications & Marketing.

Copyright & Permissions Specialist (and Item Publishing Specialist) at NWEA (2014-2018 / 2009-2013)

  • Ensure quality and absence of plagiarism in highly visible educational assessments and company materials, specifically focusing on permissions, copyright, trademark, and rights of publicity.

  • Quickly and efficiently research and review materials ensuring smooth transitions through the production process and a hard-deadline publication. Hunt down images and texts and find trustworthy sources.

  • Collaborate effectively with subject matter experts, and research and product teams, to ensure quality content materials, citing any permissions issues or obstacles and bias and sensitivity.

  • Assess media rights and usability, considering quality and internal guidelines, and format passages in HTML according to internal style guidelines.

  • Copyedited and formatted grade K-12 educational assessments, strictly adhering to internal style guides and The Chicago Manual of Style. HTML coded items, reviewed audio scripts and recordings, quality checked visual and multi-platform displays, ensured accessibility criteria, and collaborated with subject matter experts.

  • Successfully led a variety of efforts including managing intern program, training contractors, and chairing company staff engagement committee focused on fun and volunteering.

Project Management & Executive Assistance at the St. Augustine Distillery (2015-2017)

  • Wore multiple hats in start-up: created office procedures and documentation, organized office space and tech to increase efficiency, hired and trained staff, and managed projects for ever-changing needs and goals.

  • Planned and managed new spirit releases in partnership with Marketing Director, overseeing reservation system and product release days, including scheduling and supporting staff, providing customer comfort, and working with neighboring businesses and city to guarantee smooth and successful operations.

  • Provided administrative assistance to CEO and CFO, managing executive action items, meetings, and email; assisted office manager, finance associate, event planner, retail manager, brand ambassadors and distillers. 

  • Started barrel program, managing waitlist, reservations, and sales. Built relationships with Florida breweries, VIP customers, and coffee companies.

  • Streamlined and improved hiring process by writing job descriptions and interview questions. Reviewed resumes and interviewed potential new hires.

  • Determined customer base and built beginnings of membership and customer loyalty incentive programs.

EDUCATION & CERTIFICATIONS

Bachelor of Arts, English · Minor in Communications Studies · College of Charleston · 2008

CopyrightX · Harvard Law School · 2019 

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion in the Workplace · USF Corporate Training & Professional Education · University of South Florida · 2021

skills

Editing, writing, copy editing, communications, marketing, social media, project management, fundraising, event planning, publishing, copyright law, blogging, Substack, Squarespace, WordPress, Microsoft suite, HTML, Salesforce, Qualtrics, Constant Contact, Mailchimp, sharp eye for detail, avid reader, runner, and lover of music and making playlists

VOLUNTEER & LEADERSHIP

Returning to Campus Campaign · Chair · University of South Florida Communications & Marketing · 2021

LIB Fest/USF Homecoming · Co-Chair/Libraries Representative · University of South Florida · 2019-2022

Spirit Release Project Manager · St. Augustine Distillery · 2016

For the Girls · Co-Chair · St. Augustine Distillery · 2016

High School Internship Program · Intern Coordinator · NWEA · 2010-2013

Fun & Community Engagement Committee · Co-Chair · NWEA · 2010-2013

Bowl for Kids’ Sake · Co-Chair · Big Brothers Big Sisters @ NWEA · 2009-2013

A Gathering of Good · Auctioneer · Metropolitan Family Services · 2010-2013