Experience

San Diego Convention Center Corporation

• United States
• Events Services
• 100 - 200 Employee

• Executive Director, Marketing & Communications

  • Jul 2021 - Present

  San Diego, CA, United States

• Director, Marketing & Communications

  • Jan 2020 - Jul 2021

  San Diego, California Responsible for internal and external messaging, marketing, and branding activity for the 2.6 million-square-foot destination. Reporting to the CEO and serving as head of the Communications Department, I represent and promote the center, increasing its visibility and supporting its mission, values, and goals. - During the COVID-19 pandemic, served as a spokesperson for SDCC on sensitive and complicated issues. Managed media relations before and during the cancellation of more than 100… Show more Responsible for internal and external messaging, marketing, and branding activity for the 2.6 million-square-foot destination. Reporting to the CEO and serving as head of the Communications Department, I represent and promote the center, increasing its visibility and supporting its mission, values, and goals. - During the COVID-19 pandemic, served as a spokesperson for SDCC on sensitive and complicated issues. Managed media relations before and during the cancellation of more than 100 major conventions and events due to the pandemic. - Developed reopening guides, press releases, presentations, speeches, FAQs, video scripts, social media content, email blasts, and additional corporate materials. - Led social/digital efforts, including campaigns to support virtual events (e.g., Comic-Con@Home) and the launch of a redesigned public website.



Autry Museum of the American West

• United States
• Museums, Historical Sites, and Zoos
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Executive Vice President, Communications and Visitor Experience

  • May 2018 - Jan 2020

  Los Angeles, CA As part of the museum's senior leadership team, I led a division that included communications, marketing, membership, visitor/retail services, government outreach, education, and public events. I oversaw approximately 45 staff members, led teams producing more than 150 events each year, and worked closely with our fundraising team to advance an $80M comprehensive campaign. In my EVP role, I served as acting President and CEO, as needed.

• Vice President of Communications and Visitor Experience

  • Apr 2017 - May 2018

  Los Angeles, CA Led the Autry's Communications and Visitor Experience division. - Met or exceeded annual goals for admissions, membership, and associated revenue. Our team achieved the highest attendance on record for several annual events and series, including our American Indian Arts Marketplace and summer salsa series. - Guided the Autry’s efforts with the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the City of L.A., and community stakeholders to identify a long-term, sustainable future for the… Show more Led the Autry's Communications and Visitor Experience division. - Met or exceeded annual goals for admissions, membership, and associated revenue. Our team achieved the highest attendance on record for several annual events and series, including our American Indian Arts Marketplace and summer salsa series. - Guided the Autry’s efforts with the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the City of L.A., and community stakeholders to identify a long-term, sustainable future for the Autry's historic Southwest Museum site in Northeast Los Angeles. - Advanced media partnerships with outlets such as the Los Angeles Times and Public Media Group of Southern California (PBS SoCal & KCET) to bring museum content to national audiences. - Supported an $80M comprehensive fundraising campaign to preserve the Autry's collections of more than 600,000 objects and enhance all of the museum's educational and public programming activities.

• Senior Director of Communications and Visitor Experience

  • Jan 2017 - Mar 2017

  Greater Los Angeles Area Position expanded to include oversight of Membership and Visitor Services. Dedicated to enhancing the Autry experience for visitors and members; increasing attendance; and working across departments to strengthen the Autry's brand identity.

• Director of Communications and Marketing

  • Jun 2013 - Jan 2017

  Los Angeles, CA Led the Autry's communications, advertising, and social media initiatives. - Supported efforts to develop a refreshed series of print, online, and onsite materials that communicate the museum's distinctive position and value within Southern California. - Oversaw public relations and marketing campaigns for major exhibitions about topics such as Route 66, the Civil War and the West, and Native North American beadwork. - Contributed to increases in the museum's earned revenue… Show more Led the Autry's communications, advertising, and social media initiatives. - Supported efforts to develop a refreshed series of print, online, and onsite materials that communicate the museum's distinctive position and value within Southern California. - Oversaw public relations and marketing campaigns for major exhibitions about topics such as Route 66, the Civil War and the West, and Native North American beadwork. - Contributed to increases in the museum's earned revenue through admissions, membership, store and cafe sales, and venue rentals. - Carried out innovative audience engagement initiatives such as the launch of High Five Art, a new public art contest, and development of event partnerships with entities such as Eat|See|Hear. - Enhanced the Autry's online presence by upgrading to mobile-optimized e-mail templates, transitioning to a more visitor-friendly online ticketing service, and developing highly targeted social media marketing campaigns. - Led two crowdfunding campaigns that raised a total of more than $80,000 for the Autry.



Balboa Park Online Collaborative

• United States
• Museums, Historical Sites, and Zoos
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Director of External Affairs

  • Jun 2010 - Jun 2013

  San Diego, CA Led public relations, marketing, and fundraising efforts for a collaborative of 27 museums and performing arts organizations in San Diego's Balboa Park, the nation's largest urban cultural park. Communications & Marketing - Coordinated with a broad spectrum of organizations to manage Balboa Park’s online marketing and communications initiatives, including the redesign and development of a new Balboapark.org. - Publicized Balboa Park programs through social media, a park blog, and… Show more Led public relations, marketing, and fundraising efforts for a collaborative of 27 museums and performing arts organizations in San Diego's Balboa Park, the nation's largest urban cultural park. Communications & Marketing - Coordinated with a broad spectrum of organizations to manage Balboa Park’s online marketing and communications initiatives, including the redesign and development of a new Balboapark.org. - Publicized Balboa Park programs through social media, a park blog, and partnerships with media outlets such as the San Diego Union-Tribune. Represented Balboa Park in TV segments on CNN, NBC San Diego, CW, FOX5 San Diego, and 10NEWS. - Provided guidance to museums and other cultural institutions regarding online, social, and mobile communications and advertising. - Oversaw online outreach to San Diego’s Spanish-speaking population. - Led an innovative marketing campaign for which a coworker and I slept in Balboa Park's cultural institutions for 26 days to showcase the range of activities available to visitors. Fund Development - Directed BPOC’s fund development efforts, including identification of needs; cultivation of individual, corporate, and foundation donors; and oversight of grant-related proposals, correspondence, and reports. - Secured corporate and nonprofit advertisers for online campaigns on Balboapark.org. - Developed new business opportunities and media partnerships to exceed yearly revenue goals. Public Affairs - Raised the profile of BPOC’s work through presentations at national conferences; communications with the media and elected officials; and management of the BPOC website and printed materials. Show less



Penguin Random House

• United States
• Book Publishing
• 700 & Above Employee

• Writer, Fodor's Travel Guides

  • Nov 2009 - Feb 2013

  Researched and wrote hotel and restaurant chapters for several editions of "Fodor's San Diego," including the 2011, 2012, and 2013/14 books.



Citysearch.com

• United States
• Technology, Information and Internet
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Writer

  • May 2006 - Jun 2010

  Responsible for social media marketing, production of the weekly e-newsletter, and editorial coverage of restaurants, bars, spas, and hotels throughout San Diego County. Public appearances for Citysearch included live segments on KUSI (TV) and Channel 93.3 (radio).



SURVIVORS

• Public Affairs Director

  • Aug 2006 - May 2010

  Developed and led fundraising, communications, outreach, and public policy initiatives for a nonprofit organization serving refugees and asylum-seekers. Specific tasks include supervising the Government Affairs Director, Special Initiatives Manager, and interns; coordinating events such as film screenings, plays, and fundraisers; writing and designing newsletters, annual reports, fact sheets, e-newsletters, and year-end appeal letters; speaking to students and professionals; pitching story… Show more Developed and led fundraising, communications, outreach, and public policy initiatives for a nonprofit organization serving refugees and asylum-seekers. Specific tasks include supervising the Government Affairs Director, Special Initiatives Manager, and interns; coordinating events such as film screenings, plays, and fundraisers; writing and designing newsletters, annual reports, fact sheets, e-newsletters, and year-end appeal letters; speaking to students and professionals; pitching story ideas to reporters; updating the web site and managing social media pages. Key contributions: - Wrote successful proposals for grants from private foundations, corporate giving programs, and the United Nations. - Placed feature stories and/or editorials in the San Diego Union-Tribune, Voice of San Diego, El Latino, North County Times, Sacramento Bee, Sacramento Business Journal, Los Angeles Daily Journal, KPBS (radio and TV), and KGTV10. - Coordinated an advocacy campaign that included screenings of the film “The Visitor” across San Diego County. The series concluded with a screening in Washington, D.C. attended by legislators, government employees, and leaders of international human rights organizations. - Created and maintained social media pages on Twitter, Facebook, and Youtube. - Wrote and designed SURVIVORS’ first-ever annual report in 2007. - Won San Diego American Marketing Association’s “Fast Pitch Competition.” Show less



North County Times

• Freelance Writer

  • Mar 2006 - Oct 2007



Survivors of Torture, International

• Non-profit Organization Management
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Americorps Volunteer

  • Aug 2005 - Aug 2006

  San Diego, CA



New York Magazine

• United States
• Online Audio and Video Media
• 200 - 300 Employee

• Public Relations Intern

  • Jun 2004 - Sep 2004



National Geographic Adventure

• Editorial Intern

  • Apr 2004 - Jun 2004



Chicago magazine

• Book and Periodical Publishing
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Marketing Intern

  • Jan 2003 - Mar 2003



Teen People

• Book and Periodical Publishing
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Public Affairs Intern

  • Jun 2002 - Sep 2002



Bucks County Courier Times

• United States
• Newspaper Publishing
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Features Writer

  • Sep 1998 - Jun 2002

  - Wrote editorials and feature stories for teens in Bucks County. - Interviewed residents, elected officials, and well-known figures such as ‘N Sync, Alex Trebek, and Good Charlotte.