Experience

Coalition for the Homeless of Houston/Harris County

• United States
• Non-profit Organizations
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Director Of Communications

  • Apr 2020 - Present

  Serve as the primary media liaison for the organization and on behalf of the local homeless response system (The Way Home): --> Have deftly fielded hundreds of media requests from local, regional, national, & international publications — & two documentary crews — including The New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, Reuters, the Associated Press, CNN, France TV, & others. --> Have sought to maximize these opportunities to build support for programs & policies that are effective in ending homelessness. --> Help to shape the narrative around homelessness in Houston by proactively pitching news stories to media, e.g., about the results of our annual Point-in-Time Homeless Count & about our partnership with the City to “decommission” homeless encampments --> Help to establish the CFTH & its principals as thought leaders on the issue of homelessness, locally & nationally, including by serving as a reliable & trusted source of information. Serve as a thought partner to the executive team by providing comms guidance for both internal & external matters, incl. leadership transitions, potential crises, & other major announcements. Support & foster partnership & collaboration with public & private partners, including the City of Houston Mayor’s Office, Harris County stakeholders, the Downtown Management District, & many nonprofit service providers. Lead a collaborative comms work group with other nonprofits in order to support mutual learning, draw attention to our collective impact work, & identify people with lived experience to share their stories. Oversee CFTH brand & reputation & prevent, anticipate, & mitigate crises. Secured prominent keynote speakers for State of Homelessness 2022 & 2023 events. Supervise & mentor a comms associate & specialist. Manage the work of various consultants including for public relations support, graphic design, & media training Oversee the organization’s editorial/content calendar, website updates, & social media channels. Show less



Houston Endowment

• United States
• Non-profit Organizations
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Director of Communications

  • May 2017 - Oct 2019

  Helped define the role of communications in advancing the foundation’s mission as the foundation’s only dedicated, in-house communications staff member. Collaborated with the CEO on her remarks for a variety of public speaking engagements, including for audiences of prospective donors, the local nonprofit community, and leaders in philanthropy from across the country. Advised the foundation’s program team and grantees on communications strategies for a variety of issues including maternal health; obtained local media coverage that garnered attention by national media and state-level elected officials. Brought more transparency to the foundation’s grantmaking by working with a web developer to create a new interactive section of the foundation’s website with searchable grants data. Wrote talking points and key messages used in op-eds, press releases, media interviews, blog posts, and emails by the foundation and its grantees. Managed all aspects of the foundation’s e-newsletter and annual reports including maintaining an editorial calendar; researching, writing and editing feature stories; licensing photography; and formatting and distributing/publishing via Mailchimp and/or Wordpress. Supported major foundation announcements — and anticipated media attention — by creating communications plans, preparing and distributing talking points to facilitate consistent messaging, and coaching the CEO in media interviews. Facilitated a smooth transition to a new online grantee portal by employing working knowledge of the foundation’s grantmaking processes to rewrite a substantial portion of the foundation’s website. Served as a spokesperson and point person on media interaction; worked collaboratively with grant partners and other stakeholders on press releases, press conferences, and other media activity. Managed outside consultants, including those for strategic planning, public relations, website development, and photography. Show less



Houston Parks Board

• United States
• Non-profit Organization Management
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Director of Communications

  • Jul 2016 - May 2017

  Established the in-house communications/community outreach team for the nonprofit organization leading Bayou Greenways 2020, a $220 million city-wide parks and trails project. Played a key role in the development and execution of Bayou Greenway Day, HPB’s annual family festival to introduce community members to the bayous as places for recreation, including the inaugural event in 2015; attracted 1,000+ attendees each year through marketing efforts.Oversaw creation and implementation of a new brand identity and wrote key messages for the organization.Hired and managed a community outreach manager and communications coordinator.Planned numerous press conferences (e.g., ground breakings and ribbon cuttings) in communities throughout Houston; coordinated with elected officials and public departments at the city, county, and state level.Wrote speeches and presentations for the CEO.Worked alongside public relations firm to secure ample press coverage of Bayou Greenways 2020 in local and national publications. Served as a spokesperson for the organization via public speaking engagements and in media interviews for print and broadcast. Show less

• Communications Manager

  • Oct 2014 - Jul 2016



The Atlanta 100

• Advertising Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Copy editor

  • Nov 2013 - Jun 2015

  Edit Atlanta-focused newsletter for content and AP style. Edit Atlanta-focused newsletter for content and AP style.



Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids

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

• Communications Manager

  • Dec 2012 - Sep 2014

  Developed and implemented media campaigns to support policy change, to keep the tobacco issue visible and framed as a serious public problem and to expose the tobacco industry’s bad acts. Worked with policy, advocacy and research teams to develop key messages to influence lawmakers, media and public audiences at the federal, state and local levels. Communicated and built relationships with media; successfully pitched news stories. Set and executed communications strategy for “Kick Butts Day,” a nationwide day of youth advocacy activities, resulting in local and national news coverage. Managed audience engagement on organization’s social media platforms, significantly growing presence, influence and following. Wrote press releases, blog posts, letters-to-the-editor, social media posts and other online communications. Coordinated various projects with public relations consultants. Show less



Chlopak, Leonard, Schechter & Associates

• Associate

  • Apr 2011 - Nov 2012

  Developed and implemented comprehensive communication strategies at top-tier public relations firm specializing in legal, political, crisis and international communications. Clients included Fortune 500 companies, trade associations, notable individuals and foreign governments. Drafted press releases, op-eds, talking points, blog posts, tweets and other content. Successfully pitched stories to promote clients’ interests.Employed knowledge of various policy areas including technology, antitrust, healthcare and housing.Applied experience in branding, corporate positioning, website creation and social media strategies.Managed projects including stakeholder list building and opposition research. Spearheaded media monitoring, analysis and response. Show less

• Intern

  • Jan 2011 - Mar 2011



Running Start

• United States
• Professional Training and Coaching

• STAR Fellow

  • Sep 2010 - Dec 2010

  Selected to participate in selective fellowship program that promotes young women’s political involvement. Selected to participate in selective fellowship program that promotes young women’s political involvement.



U.S. House of Representatives

• United States
• Legislative Offices
• 700 & Above Employee

• Intern, Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL-20)

  • Sep 2010 - Dec 2010

  Cultivated knowledge of congressional politics, process and procedure. Gained significant legislative and policy experience. Tracked issue areas (including women’s issues) and assumed various staff duties. Drafted press releases, wrote constituent letters and attended congressional committee hearings. Cultivated knowledge of congressional politics, process and procedure. Gained significant legislative and policy experience. Tracked issue areas (including women’s issues) and assumed various staff duties. Drafted press releases, wrote constituent letters and attended congressional committee hearings.



U.S. Department of State

• United States
• International Affairs
• 700 & Above Employee

• Intern, Bureau of International Information Programs

  • Jun 2009 - Aug 2009

  Expanded reach of CO.NX digital diplomacy program by producing web chats in French. Developed online tools for public diplomacy. Initiated, produced and collaborated on about 15 interactive online Q&A programs for international audiences. Initiated conversations with leading technology and human rights organizations to secure speaking engagements. Designed and operated online seminar rooms and publicized programs using new media tools. Expanded reach of CO.NX digital diplomacy program by producing web chats in French. Developed online tools for public diplomacy. Initiated, produced and collaborated on about 15 interactive online Q&A programs for international audiences. Initiated conversations with leading technology and human rights organizations to secure speaking engagements. Designed and operated online seminar rooms and publicized programs using new media tools.

• Intern, Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY-14)

  • Jul 2008 - Aug 2008

  Gained proficiency in legislative research via Congressional Research Service, THOMAS/Legislative Information Service, etc. Authored preparatory memorandums for the Congresswoman on various issues including first-responder health issues following September 11 attacks. Led policy research regarding various pieces of legislation including the administration of the Access to Books for Children Act. Gained proficiency in legislative research via Congressional Research Service, THOMAS/Legislative Information Service, etc. Authored preparatory memorandums for the Congresswoman on various issues including first-responder health issues following September 11 attacks. Led policy research regarding various pieces of legislation including the administration of the Access to Books for Children Act.