Communications and Engagement Director

• Jul 2021 - Present

As Communications and Engagement Director for the International Wolf Center, I lead a staff that touches countless areas of communications. My responsibilities include:• Work with the executive director and board communications committee to plan, implement, andevaluate the organization’s public relations and messaging strategy and effectiveness.• Develop and implement annual and long-range media, promotions and advertising plans thatincrease institutional visibility through web, print, broadcast media, and social networks.• Take photographs and produce video content to be shared on social networks and published in the quarterly magazine.• Prepare the annual communications plan.• Lead the effort to assemble and manage the editorial calendar.• Produce and distribute timely media releases, packages and information to news outlets.• Assist the executive director at speechwriting and presentations.• Develop and implement marketing strategies to promote retail product sales.• Maintain relationships with and serve as liaison to local, national and international media outlets.• Manage the budget, design and production of the quarterly International Wolf magazine, serving asstaff liaison to the editorial advisory committee.• Lead the design, editing and production of institutional publications and communications, includingbrochures and fliers, e-newsletters, annual reports, advertising, resort packs and billboards.• Manage the organization’s visual brand identity, as prescribed by Board policy.• Support development and membership department efforts to communicate with members/donorsand increase financial support through letters, direct mail, and electronic communications.• Supervise and assist with the development of website content using WordPress, and work collaboratively with appropriate Minneapolis and Ely staff to ensure ongoing updates and review of content.• Maintain procedures and policies for effective electronic communications.

Communications Director

• Apr 2017 - Present

• Work with the executive director and board communications committee to plan, implement, and evaluate the organization’s public relations and messaging strategy and effectiveness.• Develop and implement annual and long-range media, promotions and advertising plans that increase institutional visibility through web, print, broadcast media, and social networks.• Take photographs and produce video content to be shared on social networks and published in the quarterly magazine.• Prepare the annual communications plan.• Lead the effort to assemble and manage the editorial calendar.• Produce and distribute timely media releases, packages and information to news outlets.• Assist the executive director at speechwriting and presentations.• Develop and implement marketing strategies to promote retail product sales.• Maintain relationships with and serve as liaison to local, national and international media outlets.• Manage the budget, design and production of the quarterly International Wolf magazine, serving as staff liaison to the editorial advisory committee.• Lead the design, editing and production of institutional publications and communications, including brochures and fliers, e-newsletters, annual reports, advertising, resort packs and billboards.• Manage the organization’s visual brand identity, as prescribed by Board policy.• Support development and membership department efforts to communicate with members/donors and increase financial support through letters, direct mail, and electronic communications.• Supervise and assist with the development of website content, and work collaboratively withappropriate Minneapolis and Ely staff to ensure ongoing updates and review of content within WordPress CMS platform.• Maintain procedures and policies for effective electronic communications.• Develop and manage annual budgets for the communications department and magazine.• Use Raiser's Edge database management software to grow membership base.

Interim Executive Director

• May 2019 - Jan 2020

As the International Wolf Center conducts its search for a new Executive Director, I earned this Administrator/Interim Executive Director role to see the organization through its transition.In this role, I:• Develop departmental budget narratives with staff, carry out plans and policies authorized by the Board and consult on the four-year Strategic Plan. • Allocate resources to employ, promote, discipline and deploy staff to translate Board policies into action and to meet Board goals• Develop, manage and report on organization budget, cash flow, reserve fund commitments, and monthly financials• Lead a talented, diverse and highly collaborative team of staff, Board and volunteers and build on the successes of the past 30 years • Ensure the Center operates in a fiscally responsible manner within the board-approved budget and in accordance with accepted non-profit financial accounting practices• Establish responsible environmental practices within the organization• Inform the Board on the condition of the organization, its programs and progress toward meeting objectives and financial plans• Conduct official correspondence of the organization jointly with the board and execute legal documents with designated officers• Oversee the maintenance of official records and documents, ensure compliance with federal, state and local regulations, and consult with the Center’s legal counsel as necessary on legal matters• Ensure that emergency operating protocols are in place to protect visitors, participants, volunteers and staff and that employees are properly trained to respond to emergencies• Ensure the proper welfare, care and security of live resident wolves at the Center and the safety of all employees and volunteers who work with them• Maintain beneficial relationships with appropriate partners, sponsors, community groups and organizations• Serve as a public face of the organization to members, media, legislators as well as key agencies and organizations

News Director

• Jan 2016 - Mar 2017

As news director, my main task was to oversee the collection and production of content within nine newsrooms and 37 employees within RiverTown Multimedia.During my time as news director, I:Led a total transformation in newsroom structure across nine newspapers;Enacted a new and more efficient workflow used by reporters and editors;Hired 11 new staff members after generating turnover at key positions;Grew social media traffic at each newspaper’s corresponding website;Used Drupal and WordPress CMS to update website content daily;Rebranded our internal communications and editorial strategy;Assisted in the redesign of all nine newspapers to ensure vibrant publications;Managed weekly editorial calendars for each product;Set and adhered to a strict operating budget;Worked closely with the group publisher and other key executives within the company to ensure our values were aligned; andGenerated unique special section content to grow niche publications, including close work with retail businesses.

Publisher

• Apr 2014 - Jan 2016

As the publisher, I led the production and assembly for four suburban weekly newspapers, ensuring fresh and dynamic content for both print and online formats.As publisher, I: Produce relevant and timely news and feature stories on an hourly basis;Write weekly columns and editorials on relevant and current issues for the local communities;Lead a large staff of full-time writers and graphic designers in all aspects of newspaper production;Use a variety of software to publish the weekly newspaper;Edit stories for content and accuracy for publication in print and online;Provide high-quality photographic images for newspapers;Develop and adhere to a strict and aggressive annual operating budget; Manage editorial calendars for four publications;Recruit, hire, train and lead all new employees;Oversee continuous updating of internet products;Analyze website traffic using Google Analytics;Use the Drupal and WordPress content management systems to upload multimedia content; and Use social media tools such as Facebook and Twitter to grow pageviews.

General manager and managing editor

• Jun 2007 - Apr 2014

Lead staff of 11 full-time employees through assembly and production of weekly newspaper.• Write stories for print and for online publication• Publish breaking news content to websites using Drupal and WordPress content management systems• Layout the weekly newspaper.• Edit copy using Associated Press style guidelines for publication• Take photographs for print and for online use• Partner with affiliated newspapers companies to share content when appropriate• Write editorials and weekly columns related to Hastings• Aggressively promote the Hastings Star Gazette brand to grow circulation using a variety of channels from social networking to grocery store kiosks

General manager

• Nov 1999 - Jun 2007