Public Affairs Administrator

• Apr 2019 - Present

Freelance Writer/Editor

• May 1994 - Sep 2019

•Wrote feature articles for Washington Parent and DC Military magazines. •Served as lead writer for special sections published by the now defunct Post Community Media, LLC, including Our Children, Gazette Health, Gazette Seniors, Private Schools, Higher Education in Maryland and Best Of. Produced more than 60 feature-length articles annually. •Administered the My Favorite Teacher program for the now defunct Post Community Media, LLC. Coordinated judging of 1,500+ nominations. Interacted with as many as 90 teachers and their student nominators. Handled editorial and photographic components for both online voting and final print edition announcing winners. •Managed special projects, such as the former Healthy Challenge, for the now defunct Post Community Media, LLC. Interviewed and selected contestants, developed editorial calendar, supervised freelancers, edited copy, provided editorial and photographic content, planned promotional events, forged sponsor partnerships. •Wrote monthly advertorial for Leadership Maryland. •Prepared conference catalog, articles for quarterly newsletter, and Great Places in America program summaries for the American Planning Association (APA). Coauthored research reports and edited a book for APA's Planners Press. Show less

Communications and Outreach Manager

• Mar 2015 - Mar 2019

•Coordinated all aspects of the organization’s communications and outreach efforts, to include media relations, community and stakeholder engagement, and brand marketing. •Wrote and edited an internal newsletter and develop outreach materials for specific transportation projects. •Planned and implemented all social media activity, including website content for NVTC and specific transportation projects, such as Envision Route 7. •Managed NVTC's Twitter (https://twitter.com/NoVaTransit) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/NoVaTransit) pages •Coordinated annual policy forum and other business-to-government events. Show less

Director

• Jul 2013 - Aug 2015

•Served as a liaison between Amtrak management and the 24-member ACAC, facilitating the sharing of information between the two bodies with the goal of improving the passenger experience. •Processed and extracted information from ACAC members’ trip reports and customer complaints to identify trends and inform ACAC customer service discussions and initiatives. •Planned and handled logistics and travel arrangements for semi-annual business meetings, including budget and content development, speaker identification, and and development of pre- and post-conference surveys. •Administered the ACAC Customer Service Award program. Show less

Lunch Bunch Teacher

• Oct 2004 - Mar 2015

Crafted and taught a combined science and performing-arts curriculum for a two-hour, twice-weekly extended-day program for up to 16 4- and 5-year-old children. Supervised parent aides. Received outstanding parent evaluations: “Karen's program is a deal based on cost alone, but add in the high quality instruction and curriculum and it's Glenbrook's greatest bargain.” Crafted and taught a combined science and performing-arts curriculum for a two-hour, twice-weekly extended-day program for up to 16 4- and 5-year-old children. Supervised parent aides. Received outstanding parent evaluations: “Karen's program is a deal based on cost alone, but add in the high quality instruction and curriculum and it's Glenbrook's greatest bargain.”

Director of Public Information

• Sep 1988 - May 1994

•Developed public relations program and accompanying budget for nonprofit, membership organization to increase public knowledge of the profession and to attract new members. •Crafted annual public relations plan; contributed to association’s strategic plan. •Trained leadership and research staff in effective communication and media-relations strategies. •Assisted state chapters and special-interest divisions in developing and implementing media relations plans. •Created national media relations strategies •Administered national awards program. •Wrote and developed a range of materials for various internal and external audiences, including articles, biographies, editorials, press releases, research and annual reports, video and slide show scripts, PowerPoint presentations, and public service announcements for print, online and broadcast use. •Established first Design Profession Public Relations Roundtable, a monthly brown-bag luncheon attended by communications professionals from associations representing landscape architects, planners, architects and engineers. Participants shared successes, brainstormed potential solutions to challenges, and collaborated on projects. Show less

Public Affairs Specialist

• Nov 1985 - Sep 1988

•Served as one of three spokesmen for government agency dealing with campaign finance. •Researched, wrote and disseminated press releases on statistical, legal and feature topics. •Processed and responded to Freedom of Information Act requests. •Served as one of three spokesmen for government agency dealing with campaign finance. •Researched, wrote and disseminated press releases on statistical, legal and feature topics. •Processed and responded to Freedom of Information Act requests.