I have performed duties as a publicist, marketing director, writer, social media manager, and senior communications strategist. My clients have included authors, national and regional book festivals, university and small independent presses, nonprofit organizations, federal agencies, Fortune 500 companies, professional services providers, attorneys and law firms, CPAs and accounting firms, financial planners, veterinarians, and entrepreneurs.
In this role, I am responsible for content strategy and writing all content for public health practitioners and a broader public audience with oversight of four direct reports. I assist in defining the target audience or creating personas for all content such as training for educators, public service announcements for federal agencies, and various diverse clientele. Job highlights include:
• Performing complex and technical research to synthesize data into easily understood and engaging messaging.
• Leveraging journalism background to conduct superlative interviews that capture comprehensive information from executives, public figures, scientists, and other subject matter experts.
• Covering sensitive topics with empathy, sensitivity, and integrity.
Banyan is a woman-owned, cause-driven creative agency with more than 27 years of experience developing and implementing social marketing campaigns and innovative communications solutions for nonprofits, government agencies, foundations, and community organizations. Banyan’s work is driven by a belief in the potential for evidence-based, human-centered, equity-focused communications to illuminate thinking, inspire action, motivate positive behavior and social change, disrupt oppressive systems, and enable individuals and communities to create positive, lasting change in the world.
In my role as For Momentum’s marketing director, I partnered with senior leadership to:
In this annual contract position, I worked with the program director to identify, evaluate, and craft pitches for potential authors/sessions at the festival. We programmed the stages, developed panels/sessions, session titles, and descriptions. We managed author/presenter and publicist relationships, ensuring all relevant information was captured, coordinated, and promoted.
In 2019, I served as the media relations contact for the book festival. I drafted and distributed press releases, managed incoming requests for interviews and information, and directed premium events like the sold out reading and signing for U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor.
Assisted partner at small law firm.
Wrote and produced weekend and morning show newscasts for this ABC affiliate in Baltimore, MD
The Grief in Progress podcast inspires listeners with messages of hope and healing as told by people who have lost a firefighter or first responder to a line-of-duty death. The podcast also strives to open dialogue around contemporary issues related to grief, healing, and resilience—and spark new ways of seeing the world and connecting with others.
Grief in Progress is a production of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation. The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation honors fallen fire heroes, supports their families and co-workers with programs and services, and works to help prevent and reduce line-of-duty deaths and injuries.
“Atlanta is a Book Town, home to avid readers and host to some of the finest writers and storytellers on the planet.” That was the thesis statement of the Literary Atlanta podcast, and for two amazing years, I was proud to provide the supporting details. I interviewed over 100 writers, authors, storytellers, literary and book festival organizers, and other creatives–live in front of an audience of hundreds or remotely.
4.0 GPA
Golden Key International Honour Society, Graduate English Association, Modern Language Association (MLA)
Research and Teaching Interests
• Nineteenth- and Twentieth-Century and Contemporary American Literature
• Literature and Culture of the U.S. South (New Southern Studies)
• Gender Studies and Feminist Theory
• Communications, Marketing, Public Relations, Social Media
University Echo Newspaper, Student Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ), Sigma Kappa, Chattanooga Singers
As a part-time English instructor, I taught writing and literature to students enrolled in ENGL 1101 Composition I (3 hours) and ENGL 1102 Composition II (3 hours).