Credentials
About
Throughout my career reinvention, I discovered, at my core, I’m an endlessly enthusiastic person. I'm a glass-half-full, things-will-work-out optimist. I love words. I’m energized by smart people. Compassion and good news make me cry. I’m loyal, I’m driven, and I’m occasionally a little wound up. In a good way.
In short, I’m a cheerleader.
I have a passion for writing, editing and managing publications to ensure they deliver clear, compelling messages. I've presented at statewide conferences and traveled across Michigan to help organizations become better at telling their stories.
As Vice President of Marketing and Communication for the Capital Region Community Foundation, I planned, reported, wrote and designed CRCF’s award-winning, magazine-style annual report. I also created a toolkit for nonprofit agency fundholders to help promote their endowment funds, and a series of brochures designed to help professional advisers advocate for philanthropy to their clients.
Prior to working with the Community Foundation, I spent 18 years with a Lansing State Journal byline, handling a variety of roles within the newspaper’s features department where I earned national recognition for my reporting, and I wrote the paper’s popular restaurant reviews for more than 10 years.
Fun fact: I'm a two-time "Jeopardy!" champion. Season 36, Christmas week.
Professional skills
Adobe InDesign
WordPress
DNN
AP style
Social media
PowerPoint
Personal skills
Work
Managing editor, Centralight magazine
2014–present
Develop editorial content that relates to the shared and diverse experiences and interests of Central Michigan University alumni. Ensure the successful execution of the magazine’s design, layout and production. Assign stories to freelancers and manage the writing and editing of all magazine content. Oversee and collaborate with photographers and designers to ensure the content and visual elements of the magazine advance a consistent and compelling product for the audience.
Vice President of Marketing and Communication
Capital Region Community Foundation
2010–2016
Conceive, write and design brochures, newsletters, annual reports and custom publications for the general public, donors and professional advisers. These targeted materials grow our donor base by showcasing the difference we make in our communities with grants and scholarships.
Features editor, Lansing State Journal
2006–2010
Responsible for the planning and production of the daily Life section and two weekly entertainment sections. Managed a staff of writers, designers, copy editors and freelance contributors to produce nine newspaper sections each week.
Prior to leading the department, I worked as a copy editor, reporter, assistant editor and special publications editor from 1994 through 2006.
School
Michigan State University
Bachelor of arts – journalism, 1993
My degree is in journalism with a minor in film studies. While I was at MSU, I took advantage of the eight-week Overseas Studies' Film in Britain program. Our class of 20 had private lectures with the likes of writer-director Mike Leigh, Working Title Films producer Sarah Radclyffe and legendary Indian actor Saeed Jaffrey. It was a pretty cool way to spend a semester.