Experience

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  Pickup Truck + SUV Talk

  • Managing Editor

    • Jun 2020 - Present

    Write reviews, features and news for the Pickup Truck + SUV Talk website with an eye toward implementing SEO best practices and increasing traffic. Co-host weekly Livestream and podcast. Contribute video reviews for weekly test vehicles and launch vehicle previews.

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  North American Car, Utility & Truck of The Year Awards

  • Motor Vehicle Manufacturing
  • 1 - 100 Employee

  • Secretary

    • Jan 2024 - Present

    Serve on the North American Car, Truck and Utility of the Year Board of Directors as secretary, compile the list of new vehicles to be considered for the award each year, approve logo and trademark usage for award winners.

  • Juror

    • Jun 2022 - Present

    Judged by a jury of 50 professional automotive journalists from the United States and Canada who work for and contribute to independent magazines, newspapers, websites, television and radio stations, the North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year (NACTOY) Awards honor excellence in innovation, design, safety, performance, technology, driver satisfaction and value.

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  Consumer Guide Automotive

  • United States
  • Automotive
  • 1 - 100 Employee

  • Contributing Editor

    • Dec 2022 - Present

    Write first-spin and test-drive car reviews for the Consumer Guide Automotive website.

  • Co Host

    • Nov 2019 - Present

    Co-host and help plan an hour-long radio show and podcast covering the automotive industry.

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  Rebelle Rally

  • Navigator

    • Oct 2022 - Present

    Compete in the Rebelle Rally as both navigator and driver, using only a map and compass to traverse 1,600 miles through the deserts of Nevada and California.

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  Women's World Car Of The Year (WWCOTY)

  • Juror

    • Jun 2023 - Present

    Women’s World Car of the Year is the only car awards group in the world comprised exclusively of women motoring journalists. The objective of the awards is to highlight the role of women in the car world and also to choose the best cars of the year. Voting criteria is based on the same principles that guide any driver when choosing a car. Aspects such as safety, quality, price, design, ease of driving, benefits and environmental footprint, among others, are taken into account when casting the votes.

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  Ciminillo Ink, LLC

  • Freelance Writer

    • Aug 2020 - Present

    Write reviews and other automotive content for websites that include Capital One, Consumer Guide, A Girls Guide to Cars and Drive Chicago.

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  Rodan + Fields

  • Consultant

    • Apr 2019 - Present

    Provide insight and information about the entire R + F skincare lineup and help people find the right skincare products.

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  ChicagoNow

  • Automotive Blogger

    • Nov 2009 - Jun 2020

    Blog from a woman's point of view about cars. Blog posts include car reviews, female-specific issues and video car reviews.First automotive blogger for the site; helped ChicagoNow build an automotive umbrella and recommended additional auto bloggers.

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  Auto Exotica Magazine

  • Editor In Chief

    • Jan 2020 - Apr 2020

    Managed a team of staff and freelance writers for both the Auto Exotica print publication as well as The Median online-only review site. Maintained an editorial calendar for print, digital and social posts.Edited and oversaw the production of all company editorial materials.

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  Sinclair Broadcast Group

  • Automotive Editor

    • Mar 2014 - Dec 2019

    Content creator and editor for the Auto Matters automotive section that appears on websites for NBC, CBS, ABC and FOX affiliates across more than 80 markets throughout the United States.Automotive critic with new car reviews appearing weekly. Managed the social media for Auto Matters (@automatters on Twitter and @sbgautomatters on FB and Instagram).

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  VroomGirls, LLC

  • Social Media Manager

    • Nov 2011 - May 2015

    Posted engaging content to social media platforms, paying particular attention to Facebook and Twitter.Responded to comments and questions received via social media.

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  Chicago Tribune Media Group

  • Freelance Auto Writer

    • Feb 2013 - Mar 2014

    Create and maintain content for the Chicago Tribune's online Fuel Efficient Cars guide.Contribute blog posts that center around green-car culture in and around Chicago.Hosted video previews and reviews during the 2013 Chicago Auto Show.

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  Barrington Broadcasting Group

  • Social Media Director

    • Mar 2011 - Mar 2014

    Direct and define a social media strategy for 14 local TV affiliates; stay current on social media best practices, rules and regulations and disseminate information to the managing editors and news directors at our stations.Monitor social media usage by stations and offer best practices and tips for enhancing interaction and social media usage.Maintain and refine my own social media reputation within the automotive realm.Help to develop a "Beyond Newsroom 2.0" plan to implement in newsrooms that begins with social media distribution.

  • Interactive Content Manager

    • Nov 2010 - Feb 2011

    Helped devise and implement content strategies for 14 local TV stations throughout the nation with an eye toward greater user interaction. Managed and maintained national and world news for all local stations.

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  The North Star National January 2010

  • Auto Writer

    • Jan 2010 - Nov 2011

    Exclusive automotive content provider for new website that launched in September 2009.North Star National features news, commentary and video from leading media figures; contributors have appeared during the past year on Fox News Channel, MSNBC and Sirius XM Radio.

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  Make It Better, LLC

  • Editor in Chief

    • May 2009 - Jan 2010

    Worked as a part of small start-up team to help launch new website and monthly magazine; participated in planning meetings with outside design firm to come up with website wireframes and magazine templates.Managed staff writer and designer as well as a team of more than 10 freelancers; organized and prioritized story ideas and reader submissions; created editorial calendars for print and online; prepared on-the-spot special e-newsletters and deadline-oriented online content.Wrote articles, took photos for magazine and website; provided advertising leads and contacts for business development.

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  Sun-Times News Group

  • Editor, SearchChicago - Autos

    • Jul 2006 - May 2009

    Helped to launch SearchChicago – Autos website and the entire suite of SearchChicago products.Project manager for automotive website post launch; edited and wrote weekly columns for automotive website; assigned freelancers, organized editorial content for website and daily print automotive section with circulation of 450,000.Scripted video car reviews and conducted on-camera interviews.

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  Pioneer Press Newspapers

  • AutoMotive Editor, Senior Special Sections Editor

    • Aug 2001 - Jul 2006

    Turned 8-page, in-paper auto section into 32-page, 3-zone stand-alone section with a circulation of more than 200,000.Wrote weekly car reviews; edited, designed and assigned stories for weekly AutoMotive section and yearly lifestyle special sections; managed, supervised and coordinated interns.

  • Marketing Coordinator

    • Jun 2001 - Aug 2001

    Worked with chambers of commerce and local governments to edit and design community guides.

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  Crain Communications

  • Editorial Assistant at BtoB Magazine

    • Nov 2000 - May 2001

    Provided content, proofed pages and performed administrative duties for biweekly magazine; managed website, answered online questions, posted daily content and distributed e-newsletters.

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  Zeta Tau Alpha Fraternity

  • Assistant Director of Communications

    • Oct 1999 - Oct 2000

    Editor in chief for Themis, the Fraternity's quarterly publication; helped design, edit and write all public relations items that came through the Department of Communications.