Communications Manager

• Aug 2022 - Present

Web and Multimedia Content Specialist

• Dec 2018 - Dec 2021

Alternate PIO tasked with content writing and publishing on two City websites and multiple social media accounts, including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Nextdoor. Creates cross-departmental content for City website supporting all departments. Writes and edits content for weekly newsletter, provides internal and external communications and press releases. Writes proclamations and Council memos, scripts and various feature stories. Multifaceted communications professional with a strong emphasis on public safety, including feature writing and photography. Experience with emergency communications in a variety of contexts, including experience working in an activated EOC. Interfaces with Kirkland residents consistently to forge relationships, invite feedback and build community. Crafts and implements comprehensive communications strategies for specific departments, divisions and/or City events. Carries out strategies according to approved plans including writing, research, social media and press releases. Staff liaison to the Tourism Development Committee, helps facilitate grant awards process, conducts research, prepares reports, takes minutes, schedules meetings, coordinates calendars, successfully conducts outreach to attract new events. Staff liaison to the Kirkland Cultural Arts Commission, takes meeting minutes, administers contracts, manages grants, facilitates public art projects throughout City. Show less

Choose Monroe Magazine

• Mar 2018 - Apr 2021

• Provides content for Choose Monroe magazine, a bi-annual, full color, tourism-promotion magazine meant to showcase the Monroe community and the Sky Valley region. The first Choose Monroe magazine was published in May of 2018, the second issue is slated for October 2018. • Contract position. Position includes collaboration with city staff to determine feature content, word count, number of stories and supplementary content to enhance features. • Responsible for all aspects of content production. Work independently to set up and conduct interviews to support main features. Duties include transcribing interviews, photography, research, fact-checking, writing, editing. Meeting deadlines is critical as is the flexibility to produce additional, unplanned content if needed. Show less

Communications Officer/Grant Writer

• Mar 2017 - Dec 2018

• Municipal grant writer tasked with writing, researching and coordinating grants. Seeks grants related to infrastructure improvements, tourism and promotion, streets, street maintenance, parks enhancements and more. Achieved awards totaling over $2.5 million in first year of grant writing. • Public information officer for city, including press releases, news articles, event coverage, mass emails and media interface. Other communications-related tasks include speech-writing, daily website updates including both editing and original content, and management of two social media sites. • Honors community volunteers in semi-monthly “Volunteer Spotlight” presentations, which include an original piece of content, presentation before the Sultan City Council and promotion on city website and social media. Show less

Chief Reporter

• Dec 2012 - Jan 2017

Four-plus years as photojournalist for the Monroe Monitor & Valley News, a print and online weekly newspaper serving east Snohomish County since 1899. Three-time winner of Washington Newspaper Publishers Association (WNPA) awards for quality journalism, winner of the 2016 Monroe Chamber of Commerce Outstanding Community Advocate Award and the first media representative to earn the Washington State Exemplary Substance Abuse Prevention Award as a Community Prevention Leader; honored in 2016. Goal and detail-oriented with a passion for accomplishing quality work. • Chief reporter/writer with a heart for community news serving Sky Valley communities including Monroe, Sultan, Gold Bar, Index and Skykomish. Started as freelance writer, took over as chief reporter in Aug. of 2014. • A prolific writer responsible for producing 10,000-plus words per week, including photos, fact-checking and editing. Engaged in detailed research, including in-person interviews, public records requests, court documents, meetings and events. • Stories span a broad range of topics, including education, city council, health, law enforcement and environment. Known as the hardest working reporter in the valley and have never failed to complete a newspaper. Show less