Experience

Forest Home Cemetery & Arboretum Milwaukee

• United States
• Fundraising
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Community Engagement Manager

  • Aug 2022 - Present

  • Design, develop and implement a diverse range of public programs and special events (both free and fee-based) for multicultural and multigenerational audiences. • Organize and execute the FHC’s signature Dia de los Muertos event, the Spirits of the Silent City after-dark tour series, and the Memorial Day program - collectively drawing thousands of visitors a year. • Manage the historical and arboretum public and private tour program. • Build and run the volunteer and docent program. • Develop corporate, community, non-profit, government and cultural partnerships. Show less



Marquette University High School

• Primary and Secondary Education
• 100 - 200 Employee

• Editorial Contractor

  • Jul 2002 - Present

  Provide editorial assistance for the school's alumni magazine, annual report and other marketing and communications materials. Also served as co-moderator of the MUHS Flambeau yearbook and two years as freshman advisor. Provide editorial assistance for the school's alumni magazine, annual report and other marketing and communications materials. Also served as co-moderator of the MUHS Flambeau yearbook and two years as freshman advisor.



Pathways Employment Services of Wisconsin

• Greater Milwaukee Area

• Employment Consultant

  • Mar 2022 - Jun 2022

  Help individuals with diverse abilities find appropriate and fulfilling employment opportunities that are consistent with their goals, abilities and skills. Advocate for clients and educate employers about the impact and importance of creating an inclusive workplace. Help individuals with diverse abilities find appropriate and fulfilling employment opportunities that are consistent with their goals, abilities and skills. Advocate for clients and educate employers about the impact and importance of creating an inclusive workplace.



War Memorial Center

• United States
• Civic and Social Organizations
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Service Experience Day Manager

  • Mar 2022 - Apr 2022

  Managed the War Memorial's signature education program, engaging 500 Milwaukee Public Schools students and educators, 60 veterans, and dozens of exhibitors over two days. Replicated the success of the first SED, which I designed and implemented in 2019.

• Education Program Manager

  • Feb 2018 - Mar 2022

  • Designed, implemented and assessed all on-site and in-school youth, veteran, and community education programs. • Increased on/off-site education impact from 1,614 in 2016 to 9,179 in 2019.• Built and managed a veteran network of more than 200 from every military era since WWII. • Recruited and trained a volunteer network totaling more than 100. • Created the WMC Honor Roll Research Project to compile data for Milwaukee County’s fallen service members since WWII. Recruited and managed a team of seven volunteer researchers. Designed and launched a 3.5k-page searchable website in 2020. • Advocated for women veterans by expanding the federal DVA initiative, I Am Not Invisible, through a new traveling exhibit. Generated exposure for the exhibit through media placements, events and veteran appearances. • Developed and implemented WMC’s signature education event, Service Experience Day, and grew it to four annual programs to increase the visibility of veterans in our community by engaging 100+ veterans annually to help nearly 1,000 local students learn about the military service experience. • Generated ideas and content for 50+ digital lesson plans and worked with contractors to align them with Wisconsin state standards. Edited and formatted 300+ pages of content. • Curated annual exhibits featuring the WMC Honor Roll and in 2021, the Milwaukee and Wisconsin connections to military operations since the Gulf War and 9/11. • Developed and curated a collection of military equipment and uniforms to use for onsite visits. • Developed partnerships with local VFW and American Legion posts, the Milwaukee VA Recreational Therapy department, USO-Wisconsin, Milwaukee Art Museum, Historic Milwaukee, University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, Milwaukee Public Schools, Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts of America, all local military duty and entrance processing stations, and numerous community organizations to develop and promote our programs and recruit volunteers and veterans. Show less

• Education Program Coordinator

  • Aug 2016 - Feb 2018

  Develop programming for Milwaukee County school groups and community organizations. Build War Memorial Center network of veterans and active-duty personnel.



Various

• Independent Contractor: Editor, Proofreader, Writer, Designer, Communicator

  • Jan 2000 - Aug 2018

  Ongoing: Communications, social media, marketing, Irish Currach Club of Milwaukee. Article I pitched to British magazine Water Craft was published in March 2022 and features my photography. Recent: • Editor, My Dog Named Hope My Dog Named Hope: A Special Girl, Her Amazing Dog and One Family's Journey through Childhood Cancer, written by Joe Dean, illustrated by Lauren Curwick. 2018 Independent Book Publishers Association Benjamin Franklin Silver Award winner • Editor, Honor Flight: A Visual Journey, 2016. Assisted with photo selection, packaging, copy editing for this chronicle of the one-day, emotion-filled journey of thousands of World War II veterans who travel to Washington, D.C., to see their national memorial. Through stunning photography, this coffee table book gives readers a glimpse into this remarkable day. • Editor, The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius, written by Rev. Doug Leonhardt, S.J. • Designer/Editorial Assistant, The Bentley Family History, 2019. Assisted in photo selection and editing, laid out pages, designed cover, provided editorial assistance. Past: Origin magazine (assistant editor); Trains magazine and Bead Style magazine (contract editor); Milwaukee Magazine (coordinator/editor, special advertising sections); Greater Milwaukee Foundation (editor/proofreader); Medical College of Wisconsin researchers (grant application editor); MetroParent magazine (editing, fact-checking); International Foundation for Employee Benefits (proofreader); South Shore Family Chiropractic (marketing and communications); Quad Creative Group (proofreader); DCI Marketing (proofreader); Divine Savior Holy Angels (magazine layout/editing); ABC News, Madrid Bureau (intern); Screen International (intern); Variety magazine (freelance writer); FineScale Modeler (translator) Show less



Kalmbach Media

• United States
• Book and Periodical Publishing
• 100 - 200 Employee

• Print and Digital Editor

  • Jun 2014 - Dec 2015

  Managing Editor, Wirework magazine: Managed the production process and workflow for a team of eight editors. Web Editor, Art Jewelry, Bead&Button, and Bead Style: Developed and implemented strategies for Art Jewelry, Bead&Button, and Bead Style digital products, including websites, social media, e-newsletters, and e-commerce products. Led site-wide content and navigation audits and developed SEO strategies for each, and tracked and analyzed metrics to assess effectiveness of marketing and editorial initiatives. Associate Editor, Bead&Button magazine: Coordinated content for print publication, working with freelance writers and in-house editorial and design teams. Show less



Milwaukee Public Schools

• United States
• Primary and Secondary Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• Communications Manager

  • Mar 2013 - Mar 2014

  Managed key marketing and communications initiatives for Wisconsin's largest school district. Ensured brand compliance for MPS and its positioning in the market. Wrote and edited content for marketing and communications materials for MPS schools and administrative departments. Led district efforts to develop varied communications materials targeting parents, students, business partners and the general community. Created content for and managed production of the MPS annual report and the School Selections online and print publications. Helped plan and coordinate district marketing initiatives. Wrote the graduate profiles in the award-winning campaign Start at MPS. Stay at MPS. Succeed at MPS. Took and edited photos for print and digital use. Show less



Stars and Stripes Honor Flight

• Freelance Editor - Honor Flight: A Visual Journey

  • Aug 2013 - Nov 2013

  Served as the principal copy editor for the 344-page coffee-table book Honor Flight: A Visual Journey. Working under a very aggressive three-month timeline, edited and fact-checked all the copy; consolidated and stylized the content from numerous sources; and helped guide photo selections, layouts and preparing pages for print. (all images Visual Image Photography) Served as the principal copy editor for the 344-page coffee-table book Honor Flight: A Visual Journey. Working under a very aggressive three-month timeline, edited and fact-checked all the copy; consolidated and stylized the content from numerous sources; and helped guide photo selections, layouts and preparing pages for print. (all images Visual Image Photography)



University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

• United States
• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• Communications Manager, School of Freshwater Sciences

  • Jul 2012 - Mar 2013

  Oversaw the design, development and execution of comprehensive communications and branding strategies using multiple formats and media to define and increase awareness of the School of Freshwater Sciences among targeted local, national, and international constituents. Developed and created materials including press releases, web and social media content, e-newsletters, recruitment materials, and print and digital advertising. Created and managed outreach opportunities to educate and inform the media and key constituents, businesses, donors, and potential students and faculty. Planned, organized, and promoted an open house that attracted 325 visitors to SFS. Increased the school's social media engagement by 55%. Had a 75% success rate in pitching SFS stories to the national media. Show less



Journal Communications, Inc.

• United States
• Broadcast Media Production and Distribution
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Editor, Wisconsin Trails Magazine

  • Aug 2008 - Jul 2012

  Oversaw the editorial department and all its functions. Managed the editorial vision, mission, integrity, standards, and policy. Set schedules and editorial content for 60-page bimonthly magazine. Established and monitored productivity goals for a staff of four; hired and managed more than two dozen freelancers. Supervised the creative process and managed the production process through printing. Planned and directed content creation and production schedules for all digital media including website and biweekly e-newsletters. Managed budget. Provided and coordinated content and design for marketing, circulation, and advertising teams. Pitched and coordinated media appearances. Implemented and oversaw various digital marketing strategies including social media accounts, staff blog, video, and photo galleries. Show less



United States Bowling Congress

• United States
• Spectator Sports
• 100 - 200 Employee

• Editor, bowl.com

  • 2004 - 2008

  Planned and managed all online editorial and marketing initiatives. Increased bowl.com news activity sevenfold within one month of assuming role. Traffic increased 20% in one year. Implemented these bowl.com firsts: video (shot and edited first video; oversaw production of more than 100 videos in first six months), social media, v-logs, blogs, polls, online contests, slideshows, entertainment section, online pressroom. Prior to being promoted to this position, I was managing editor of the Women's International Bowling Congress' website. During that time, I edited and managed the production process of the final WIBC tournament program. Show less



Marquette University

• United States
• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• Editor, Marquette Magazine

  • Nov 2002 - May 2004

  Planned, assigned, wrote and edited content and managed production schedule and budget for quarterly alumni magazine, sent to more than 125,000 households. Led the creative team in developing concepts. Oversaw all freelance photographers and writers. My story on MU nursing faculty working to combat AIDS in Africa was entered into the Congressional Record. Created content and oversaw design for award-winning annual report. Planned, assigned, wrote and edited content and managed production schedule and budget for quarterly alumni magazine, sent to more than 125,000 households. Led the creative team in developing concepts. Oversaw all freelance photographers and writers. My story on MU nursing faculty working to combat AIDS in Africa was entered into the Congressional Record. Created content and oversaw design for award-winning annual report.



Kalmbach Media

• United States
• Book and Periodical Publishing
• 100 - 200 Employee

• Associate Editor

  • Jan 1999 - Nov 2002

  Researched, wrote, edited departments and features for Dollhouse Miniatures magazine. Planned content. Generated story ideas. Assigned stories to freelancers and negotiated contracts. Conducted interviews. Coordinated photography shoots. Represented magazine at trade and consumer shows. Updated Website. Contributed content to company newsletter. Translated Spanish documents and stories. Researched, wrote, edited departments and features for Dollhouse Miniatures magazine. Planned content. Generated story ideas. Assigned stories to freelancers and negotiated contracts. Conducted interviews. Coordinated photography shoots. Represented magazine at trade and consumer shows. Updated Website. Contributed content to company newsletter. Translated Spanish documents and stories.



Guidepost Magazine

• Madrid Area, Spain

• Senior Staff Writer/Photographer

  • 1995 - 1998

  Conducted interviews, took photos and wrote features about Spanish arts, culture, history and food for this monthly magazine, Spain's oldest English-language publication. Conducted interviews, took photos and wrote features about Spanish arts, culture, history and food for this monthly magazine, Spain's oldest English-language publication.



Various English language academies in Spain

• Madrid Area, Spain

• ESL Teacher

  • 1992 - 1998

  Taught business and general English grammar, composition and conversation to Spanish professionals, teens and children. Taught business and general English grammar, composition and conversation to Spanish professionals, teens and children.