Experience

Sierra Club

• United States
• Political Organizations
• 100 - 200 Employee

• Associate Regional Communications Director

  • Jun 2022 - Present

• Acting Associate Regional Communications Director

  • Nov 2021 - Jun 2022

• Deputy Press Secretary

  • Apr 2018 - Jun 2022

  Provides strategic media planning, oversight, and implementation for Sierra Club communications. Leads communications work in Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, and Michigan. Builds plans to position the Sierra Club and promote its national and regional campaigns.Oversees editorial production process for media communications, ensuring timely and accurate materials with a consistent and strategic message. Develops relationships with regional and national reporters/producers, pitching stories, providing Sierra Club’s viewpoints, and serving as a Sierra Club spokesperson. Show less

• Associate Press Secretary, Beyond Coal

  • May 2016 - Apr 2018

  Building and executing communications and media strategy for state Beyond Coal teams in Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, and Wisconsin in an effort to advance clean energy and transition workers to good sustainable jobs. In this role I craft messages that break down complicated policy into understandable language focused on values that move our campaign forward. Much of this work happens in rural midwestern regions while our organizing power is based in urban centers like Chicago and St. Louis. Our narratives must balance the “resist” messaging that our urban supporters want while still building a movement in rural red counties. Learning to connect with people about values and framing our issues in a hyper-local personal way is key to building stories that resonate. In Illinois my work is centered on transitioning coal plants in Waukegan, Pekin/Peoria, Springfield, and Alton while also leading communications for a 100% clean energy commitment in Chicago and statewide priorities like coal ash cleanup, renewable infrastructure development, and the Future Energy Jobs Act implementation. Show less



CAIR-Chicago

• United States
• Civic and Social Organizations
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Communications Director

  • Jan 2016 - Apr 2016

  Through content marketing on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube, I grew our social media influence by 20% with viral content that has been featured on CNN, Buzzfeed, MSNBC, and other major networks. I represented CAIR in live broadcast interviews both in Chicago and downstate while managing rapid response to quickly developing media crises. For CAIR’s annual banquet, which typically attracts over 1,200 guests, I led publicity efforts, produced the annual report and documentaries, and managed volunteers and contractors to ensure a successful event. Show less

• Communications Coordinator

  • Oct 2014 - Dec 2015

  While running communications for CAIR-Chicago I oversaw messaging, media relations, brand and web development, social media, and content creation (video/digital/print) to foster dialog and engage Muslim and non-Muslim communities across Illinois.



ThirdSide

• United States
• Design
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Design Lead

  • Nov 2013 - Oct 2014

  ThirdSide is a graphic & web design firm working primarily to help grow small businesses and foster entrepreneurship in my native central Illinois. As Design Lead, I was the primary brand strategist and designer serving a wide range of clients producing websites, branding guides, and printed materials. There are few things more personal to people than their small business: a family's business is like a member of the family itself. Understanding the values of those clients and delivering them in a brand was deeply moving and a skill that has been essential to success in the wider communications field. Show less



Froeter Design

• Graphic Design
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Intern

  • May 2012 - Sep 2012

  Interning at Froeter Design Company, I helped develop ideas in their early stages. I utilized my research skills to gather visual references. Working closely with creative director Chris Froeter, I concepted logos, websites, and emblems which he presented to clients. Listening skills and self motivation were important in understanding my objectives with little direction. Interning at Froeter Design Company, I helped develop ideas in their early stages. I utilized my research skills to gather visual references. Working closely with creative director Chris Froeter, I concepted logos, websites, and emblems which he presented to clients. Listening skills and self motivation were important in understanding my objectives with little direction.



Up with People

• United States
• Non-profit Organization Management
• 100 - 200 Employee

• Education Intern

  • Oct 2011 - Dec 2011

  Up With People is a global education organization which aims to bring the world together through service and music. The unique combination of international travel, service learning, leadership development, and performing arts, gave me an unparalleled experience and a pathway to make a difference in the world, one community at a time. As an Education Intern I developed and taught workshops for our cast of 120 international students, helped organize and manage events for hundreds people, and frequently used creative problem solving to address the setbacks that come when leading groups in unpredictable environments. Show less



Gallery 400

• Design Intern

  • Feb 2011 - Jun 2011

  As an Intern at the University of Illinois at Chicago’s Gallery 400, I fulfilled the gallery’s need for timely and quality graphic design. Conforming to their pre-established visual identity I worked in Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign to provide posters, invitations, newsletters, stationery, and other design with a fresh professional look, but still well within their brand. As a member of the team I also had the responsibility in turn to open and close the gallery, watch the door, and answer the phone. Show less