Hello!

With 25+ years as a communications and visual media professional, I bring a wealth of experience and a well-established career devoted to sharing the stories of people, places, and public policy. I have a deep belief in the power of stories to create positive social change.

My 14+ years working for newspapers and wire services as a photojournalist and editor — during which I was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for my work covering 9/11 for The New York Times — combined with my 14+ years at non-profits, museums, and universities is a unique blend of skills that are an asset to the mission, goals, and values of my clients. 

PROFESSIONAL PROFILE

Communications professional with 15+ years experience developing dynamic social media content and comprehensive communications strategies for organizations with a collective 450k+ followers. Dedicated to creating human-centered storytelling that informs and inspires positive social change. Creative and innovative thinker who crafts and curates high-quality content for diverse audiences. Highly skilled writer and editor of content to support fundraising, programs, and events. Avid researcher and reader who stays informed of news and industry trends. Dedicated advocate for diverse, authentic, inclusive, and accessible media culture. Mission-driven professional who prioritizes quickly and thrives under pressure. Excellent written, spoken, and organizational skills.

EXPERIENCE

SOCIAL MEDIA & AUDIENCE MANAGER

The Chronicle of Philanthropy | Washington, DC | 2024 - present

  • Lead the social media strategy for established publication dedicated to serving the nonprofit industry

  • Support revenue generation through focused social media content highlighting the variety of professional development opportunities including subscriptions, webinars, online forums, and job listings

  • Elevate the visibility of writers, editors, and contributors

  • Invigorate primary social media platforms and add new platforms to connect with new audiences to expand reach

  • Build community through engagement on all platforms and support dialogue with nonprofit professionals on LinkedIn Groups

CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER / SOCIAL MEDIA & DIGITAL CONTENT MANAGER

Canandaigua National Bank & Trust | Canandaigua, NY | 2022 - 2024

  • Modernize and elevate social media content to reflect vibrant community-focused regional bank

  • Increased Instagram followers by 1.7K%, Facebook likes by 24%, and increased reach on Instagram by 125% and Facebook by 57%

  • Drive and manage the development of communications and social media strategy for organic, owned, and paid media that resonates with current followers and attracts new and diverse audiences 

  • Produce compelling, trend-inspired video content to connect with wide range of demographic groups across all social platforms

  • Design content with keen eye to capitalize on algorithms to best position content to be served to followers

  • Work cross-departmentally to collaborate on communications, marketing, product campaigns, and growth goals of each line of business

  • Support and inform organization’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion goals

  • Research local influencers for potential partnerships

  • Conduct social listening to gain insight on brand awareness, monitor reputation, and respond to crises

  • Provide excellent customer service to the public, media, and stakeholders

SENIOR SOCIAL MEDIA SPECIALIST

Rochester Institute of Technology | Rochester, NY | 2020 - 2022 

  • Supported the Director of Social Media in the design and implementation of the social media strategy

  • Increased engagement and followers through focused posts on all social platforms with specific emphasis on Instagram and TikTok

  • Brainstormed, created, and curated social media content designed to inform, inspire, and build community with college students

  • Wrote, designed, photographed, filmed, edited post content

  • Diversified social content to improve accessibility for neurodivergent, deaf, and hard of hearing students 

MARKETING & CIVIC ENGAGEMENT DIRECTOR

Alice Paul Institute | Mt. Laurel, NJ | 2016 – 2021

  • Developed and led creative marketing strategy for feminist non-profit and teen leadership development institute

  • Tripled the social media following within three years 

  • Started the weekly newsletter, ERA in the News, to track media stories about the Equal Rights Amendment and inform 4,000+ subscribers

  • Designed marketing campaigns that led to sold-out educational programs and events, and contributed significantly to fundraising efforts

  • Wrote all printed and digital materials: brochures, press releases, newsletters

  • Participated in strategic planning for fundraising and organizational goals

  • Reported to Board of Directors on efficacy of marketing and social media efforts

  • Founded and led organization's Advocacy Committee to advance the Equal Rights Amendment to full ratification

ANSEL ADAMS INTERN | CURATORIAL INTERN

Center for Creative Photography | University of Arizona | Tucson, AZ | 2013 – 2015

  • Assisted Chief Curator with organization and execution of exhibitions

  • Wrote concise and informative wall labels and marketing materials

  • Led art-education programs with students visiting the archives

  • Supported visiting researchers from around the world

PROGRAM DIRECTOR | PHOTOGRAPHY DIRECTOR

Voices, Inc. | Tucson, AZ | 2007 – 2013

  • Oversaw design, development, and implementation of award-winning after-school arts education non-profit for underserved teens

  • Hired, trained, and mentored over 200 teen apprentice journalists, ages 14-21; diversified curriculum for special needs students

  • Published 200+ youth-produced stories in print, video, and radio

  • Established social media presence on Facebook; wrote and edited all posts

  • Collaborated with community partners to leverage program success to increase youth participation by 50%

ASSISTANT PHOTO EDITOR | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER | DIGITAL SPECIALIST | INTERN

Associated Press, The New York Times, Lincoln Journal Star, Contra Costa Times, San Antonio Express-News, Attleboro Sun-Chronicle | 1993 - 2007

  • Assisted Photo Editor with supervising, creating, and editing photo assignments for large staff of photographers and college interns

  • Photographed news, features, sports, art, and business assignments

  • Filed remotely on quick deadlines with accurate and succinct captions

SKILLS

Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter/X, YouTube, Threads

Sprout Social, Hootsuite

Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Premier, etc.)

Writing, Editing, Publishing

Photography, Video

Graphic Design, Layout

Analytics, Metrics, Data, KPIs

Wordpress, Squarespace

MailChimp, Constant Contact, Meltwater, Cision

Project Planning

Digital Marketing, Organic/Paid

Public & Media Relations

Customer Service

Fundraising & Grants

EDUCATION

MASTER OF ARTS - History of Art (Visual Culture)

University of Arizona, 2015

BACHELOR OF ARTS - Journalism (Photo)

San Francisco State University, 2012

CERTIFICATIONS

MUSEUM STUDIES CERTIFICATE

University of Arizona, 2015

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT 

PARTICIPANT - Thrive Leadership Program - 2023

PARTICIPANT - HighEdWeb Association, Analytics Summit 2020

PARTICIPANT - HighEdWeb Association, Annual Conference - 2021

AWARDS

PULITZER PRIZE

The New York Times, 2002

TEACHING

ADJUNCT INSTRUCTOR

Jefferson University (previously Philadelphia University), 2016-2019

Course: Photography as Narrative

INSTRUCTOR

Alice Paul Institute, 2017-2019

Workshop: Social Media Smarts

INSTRUCTOR

Art Partners Studio, 2016-2017

Courses: Photography, Digital Collage for Telling Your Story

INSTRUCTOR

Jewish Community Center, 2011-2013

Workshop: Photography for 3rd-5th Grades

INSTRUCTOR

VOICES, 2007-2010

Courses: Photography, Journalism, Interviewing