Experience

NAAFA - National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance
• United States
• Civic and Social Organizations
• Board Member

  • Sep 2020 - Present


LightBox Collaborative

• United States
• Public Relations and Communications Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Senior Partner

  • Aug 2010 - Present

  After 15 years of in-house strategic communications and media relations work I am now supporting change makers through consulting. I am lucky to be collaborating with an incredible group of strategists and tacticians at LightBox Collaborative so I can take on projects big and small. Clients include the Ella Baker Center, the Transgender Law Center, Demos, Forward Together, the Ms. Foundation for Women and more. Services range from organizational strategy, strategic communications planning… Show more After 15 years of in-house strategic communications and media relations work I am now supporting change makers through consulting. I am lucky to be collaborating with an incredible group of strategists and tacticians at LightBox Collaborative so I can take on projects big and small. Clients include the Ella Baker Center, the Transgender Law Center, Demos, Forward Together, the Ms. Foundation for Women and more. Services range from organizational strategy, strategic communications planning, branding and messaging, campaign strategy and execution, and media relations strategy and support. Show less After 15 years of in-house strategic communications and media relations work I am now supporting change makers through consulting. I am lucky to be collaborating with an incredible group of strategists and tacticians at LightBox Collaborative so I can take on projects big and small. Clients include the Ella Baker Center, the Transgender Law Center, Demos, Forward Together, the Ms. Foundation for Women and more. Services range from organizational strategy, strategic communications planning… Show more After 15 years of in-house strategic communications and media relations work I am now supporting change makers through consulting. I am lucky to be collaborating with an incredible group of strategists and tacticians at LightBox Collaborative so I can take on projects big and small. Clients include the Ella Baker Center, the Transgender Law Center, Demos, Forward Together, the Ms. Foundation for Women and more. Services range from organizational strategy, strategic communications planning, branding and messaging, campaign strategy and execution, and media relations strategy and support. Show less



Progressive PR Professionals

• Founder

  • Oct 2002 - Present

  Developed a network for communications professionals promoting progressive ideas through the media with more than 200 active members. Participants develop skills and support systems through bimonthly meetings and a listserv. Group is now led by a volunteer steering committee, and is a model for networks under development in other cities.

• Steering Committee

  • 2002 - Oct 2008


Guttmacher Institute
• United States
• Non-profit Organizations
• 100 - 200 Employee
• Board Member

  • Oct 2014 - Nov 2020


SEIU-UHW

• United States
• Civic and Social Organizations
• 200 - 300 Employee

• Deputy Director, Communications

  • Dec 2009 - Jul 2010

  Manage Oakland communications operation for statewide union representing 150,000 health care workers. Lead campaign communications for successful union election campaigns. Supervise five full time staff specialists. Manage Oakland communications operation for statewide union representing 150,000 health care workers. Lead campaign communications for successful union election campaigns. Supervise five full time staff specialists.


Workers United/SEIU
• United States
• Civic and Social Organizations
• 1 - 100 Employee
• Communications Director

  • Apr 2009 - Nov 2009


UNITE HERE

• Communications Director

  • Feb 2007 - Apr 2009

  Lead staff of 10 communicators, new media strategists, graphic designers and media specialists for international labor union representing workers in the hospitality and apparel/textile industries. Team provided critical strategic and tactical support to dozens of successful organizing, contract and political campaigns each year. Managed consultants and a mutli-million dollar budget to support half a million workers in the U.S. and Canada. Built a communications infrastructure for the… Show more Lead staff of 10 communicators, new media strategists, graphic designers and media specialists for international labor union representing workers in the hospitality and apparel/textile industries. Team provided critical strategic and tactical support to dozens of successful organizing, contract and political campaigns each year. Managed consultants and a mutli-million dollar budget to support half a million workers in the U.S. and Canada. Built a communications infrastructure for the international union as well as throughout our affiliates that allowed us to collaborate in new ways and reach new audiences.

• Press Secretary

  • Jan 2004 - Jan 2007

  Promoted after serving for 3 years as the primary media strategist and spokesperson for the union where I generated hundreds of local, regional and national media stories in every type of outlet. Created worker centered campaigns that moved target audiences and developed new spokesperson training techniques.



Sidney Hillman Foundation

• United States

• Executive Director

  • Nov 2004 - Dec 2008

  Manage all aspects of program and administration for this small foundation, including producing annual awards program recognizing journalists in all mediums and other public figures. Manage all aspects of program and administration for this small foundation, including producing annual awards program recognizing journalists in all mediums and other public figures.



Brennan Center for Justice

• United States
• Think Tanks
• 100 - 200 Employee

• Media Relations Manager, Brennan Center for Justice

  • Jan 2000 - Dec 2003

  Generated hundreds of national stories (multiple stories in New York Times, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, NPR, etc.) through aggressive outreach for this pubic interest law firm and think tank. Developed media contacts for organization's key issue areas. Created media strategies that made impact litigation and research accessible for target audiences. Directed the creation of four interactive, database-driven web sites. Managed relationships with consultants for communications and graphic… Show more Generated hundreds of national stories (multiple stories in New York Times, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, NPR, etc.) through aggressive outreach for this pubic interest law firm and think tank. Developed media contacts for organization's key issue areas. Created media strategies that made impact litigation and research accessible for target audiences. Directed the creation of four interactive, database-driven web sites. Managed relationships with consultants for communications and graphic design. Show less Generated hundreds of national stories (multiple stories in New York Times, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, NPR, etc.) through aggressive outreach for this pubic interest law firm and think tank. Developed media contacts for organization's key issue areas. Created media strategies that made impact litigation and research accessible for target audiences. Directed the creation of four interactive, database-driven web sites. Managed relationships with consultants for communications and graphic… Show more Generated hundreds of national stories (multiple stories in New York Times, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, NPR, etc.) through aggressive outreach for this pubic interest law firm and think tank. Developed media contacts for organization's key issue areas. Created media strategies that made impact litigation and research accessible for target audiences. Directed the creation of four interactive, database-driven web sites. Managed relationships with consultants for communications and graphic design. Show less



The Children's Village

• United States
• Individual and Family Services
• 400 - 500 Employee

• Public Information Officer

  • Jul 1998 - Jan 2000

  Performed media relations and alumni relations for this internationally recognized children's services organization and residential treatment center. Improved relations with local media and generated coverage by Fox News, The New York Times, Life Magazine and others. Coordinated legislative activities and activities of alumni volunteer group. Redesigned and updated newsletter and information pieces. Taught residents writing, layout and design through work on a client newsletter. Performed media relations and alumni relations for this internationally recognized children's services organization and residential treatment center. Improved relations with local media and generated coverage by Fox News, The New York Times, Life Magazine and others. Coordinated legislative activities and activities of alumni volunteer group. Redesigned and updated newsletter and information pieces. Taught residents writing, layout and design through work on a client newsletter.



Los Angeles Regional Foodbank

• United States
• Non-profit Organizations
• 100 - 200 Employee

• Public Relations Manager

  • Oct 1996 - May 1998

  Directed media relations and publications for one of the largest food banks in the nation. Final press conference generated coverage by 3 television stations (KABC, KNBC, CNN), 10 radio stations and Los Angeles Times. Created and updated newsletters and annual reports. Launched web site. Produced PSAs for radio and television. Supervised creation of new organization identification, including new logo and tag line. Worked closely with other departments to support promotions, cause related… Show more Directed media relations and publications for one of the largest food banks in the nation. Final press conference generated coverage by 3 television stations (KABC, KNBC, CNN), 10 radio stations and Los Angeles Times. Created and updated newsletters and annual reports. Launched web site. Produced PSAs for radio and television. Supervised creation of new organization identification, including new logo and tag line. Worked closely with other departments to support promotions, cause related marketing and strategic planning. Represented organization as public speaker and media contact.

• Development Specialist

  • Feb 1996 - Oct 1996

  Conducted all aspects of grants program: research, cultivation of donor and prospect foundations and corporations, creation of budgets and writing of proposals. Increased funds received through foundation and corporations by 100%. Administered donor database and acknowledgment letters. Coordinated direct mail, special events and promotions. Supervised support staff and volunteers.