SUMMARY:  Exceptional Writing and Editing Background

Professional writer with agency experience offering rare blend of multichannel expertise and creativity available for a full-time position. Specialties begin with articles, web content, video scripts, blog posts, biographies, profiles, mass emails, nomination forms, research reports, social media and newsletters. Strengths include clever interplay between copy and visuals to produce elegant intertextual messaging. Six years as a staff writer & associate editor for global nonprofit Toastmasters International. Current client roster includes financial institutions, nonprofit agencies, insurance companies, commercial and residential real estate corporations, creative groups, and retailers.

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FREELANCE WRITING & EDITING:

  • Colliers America National Communications Team member, writing and editing numerous marcom and talent acquisition projects. Recently, my national awards nominations forms (similar to magazine articles) garnered a record-breaking 11 wins for Colliers professionals in one round of nominations.

  • Researched and wrote digital marketing content on numerous problem-solving money management topics for Honda Federal Credit Union (national).

  • Created webinar script, "Nonprofit Retention Strategies: Surviving the Great Resignation" for Unemployment Services Trust (UST).

  • FADE IN Awards 2019 national 2nd place winner: First Ten Pages Award for a screenplay.

  • Pushcart Prize nominee.

  • Wrote essay winning a national Time Warner TV ad campaign for family’s Pedego store.

  • Teamed with Pedego's PR agency to write press releases published globally.

  • Published multiple essays in Orange Coast magazine.

  • Published numerous recent “freelance” articles in Toastmaster magazine.

  • Published short stories in literary press.

  • Wrote compelling social media content for client PR agencies. Developed copy decks to synchronize all social media messaging.

  • Created 2020 Media Kit for AGIA insurance company.

  • Wrote three assigned ebooks for UST including Nonprofit Talent Sustainability Strategies: 5 Ways to Combat Hiring & Succession Planning Obstacles.

  • Wrote marketing collateral ebook for AGIA insurance company, Welcome to Welltown.

  • Edited Breaking the Ice autobiography by Helen Blanchard.

 

PUBLIC RELATIONS: Pedego Electric Bikes Corporate Headquarters

  • Teamed with client PR agency to develop PR events, writing news releases published on a global scale.

  • Wrote majority of articles for the corporate magazine/catalog detailing benefits of Pedego e-bikes.

  • Wrote compelling social media content for client PR agencies. Created and developed Copy Decks to synchronize all social media messaging.

 

ON-STAFF WRITING & EDITING: Multiple Deadline-Driven Responsibilities at Toastmasters International World Headquarters    

  • Associate Editor, the Toastmaster magazine.

  • Writer, by-line and “staff,” penning numerous articles and more for the magazine.

  • Leader, editorial team, proposing and delivering monthly magazine themes.

  • Story and idea generator, proposing, researching and writing numerous published articles.

  • Team leader in magazine theme content development and annual content calendar.

  • Public relations/marketing/advertising writer & editor, which included writing news releases that garnered international media attention. Fast-paced, multi-tasking agency environment.

  • Educational writer, breaking down complex information into clear copy for manuals, newsletters, articles and technical instructions.

  • Co-creator (concepts/text) comics published in magazine.

  • UX Writer, developing content to promote a positive user experience for toastmasters.org.

  • Editor, internal and external content by staff and freelancers, using both AP and Chicago styles, as required.

  • Project developer and key writer, Toastmasters’ new youth communication program. Editor, Toastmasters business leadership manuals.

  • Editorial lead member, TI Social Media Task Force, researching, developing and writing for key sites: Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn, etc.

  • Speechwriter and speaker, preparing and presenting speeches, also creating PowerPoint shows as needed.

  • Scriptwriter, marketing video and 11 additional video projects for Web and social distribution.

 

EDUCATION: Bachelor of Arts in English, University of California, Irvine

  • Degree Emphasis in Creative Writing.

  • UCI Humanities Dean’s List consistently.

  • Editor, UCI Undergraduate Research Journal - a technical and scientific journal.

  • Awarded grant for Undergraduate Research Project (short story collection)

  • Awarded 2005 Town and Gown Scholarship for academics and leadership.

  • Two-plus years as columnist for UCI’s campus newspaper, New University.

  • Straight-A performance in Creative Writing and Literary Journalism coursework.

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COMPUTER SKILLS: Apple/PC/iPad

I'm a digital native. Apple/PC; MS Office Suite, email, WordPress (Wix, GoDaddy), social media, apps and more.