Experience

United States Agency for Global Media

• United States
• Broadcast Media Production and Distribution
• 100 - 200 Employee

• Television Executive Producer, English to Africa Service

  • Jul 2017 - Present

  With proven success in leading organizational change, launching international television programs, and developing culturally diverse production teams, I train and motivate journalists, teams, talent, and producers as they embrace the challenges of a changing work environment and take on new skill sets. Executive producer of joint productions with affiliates across Africa, developing programs on topics ranging from Tech Startups to News. Currently, I lead production of StartUP Africa, an… Show more With proven success in leading organizational change, launching international television programs, and developing culturally diverse production teams, I train and motivate journalists, teams, talent, and producers as they embrace the challenges of a changing work environment and take on new skill sets. Executive producer of joint productions with affiliates across Africa, developing programs on topics ranging from Tech Startups to News. Currently, I lead production of StartUP Africa, an on-demand reality series about bootstrapping in the Pan-African tech sector. Honored as a finalist at the New York Film and TV Festivals, and the London-based AIB Awards, StartUP Africa shows the world what kind of change is possible when people take action based on the needs they see around themselves. StartUP Africa is about the kind of world, and the kind of workplace, people of vision can create. Co-created and launched Our Voices, a TV round-table discussion program with a Pan-African cast of women journalists. Through social media and television, Our Voices hosts a community of empowerment where women discuss current events, politics, law, economics, and social change on the African continent and around the world. Leads and trains an internationally diverse group in television production; on camera skills, electronic news gathering, video production, editing, graphics development and live control room productions. Show less With proven success in leading organizational change, launching international television programs, and developing culturally diverse production teams, I train and motivate journalists, teams, talent, and producers as they embrace the challenges of a changing work environment and take on new skill sets. Executive producer of joint productions with affiliates across Africa, developing programs on topics ranging from Tech Startups to News. Currently, I lead production of StartUP Africa, an… Show more With proven success in leading organizational change, launching international television programs, and developing culturally diverse production teams, I train and motivate journalists, teams, talent, and producers as they embrace the challenges of a changing work environment and take on new skill sets. Executive producer of joint productions with affiliates across Africa, developing programs on topics ranging from Tech Startups to News. Currently, I lead production of StartUP Africa, an on-demand reality series about bootstrapping in the Pan-African tech sector. Honored as a finalist at the New York Film and TV Festivals, and the London-based AIB Awards, StartUP Africa shows the world what kind of change is possible when people take action based on the needs they see around themselves. StartUP Africa is about the kind of world, and the kind of workplace, people of vision can create. Co-created and launched Our Voices, a TV round-table discussion program with a Pan-African cast of women journalists. Through social media and television, Our Voices hosts a community of empowerment where women discuss current events, politics, law, economics, and social change on the African continent and around the world. Leads and trains an internationally diverse group in television production; on camera skills, electronic news gathering, video production, editing, graphics development and live control room productions. Show less



Keel Coaching

• Kensington, MD

• Co-Active Coach

  • Sep 2014 - Present

  Certified Professional Co-Active Coach (CPCC) credentialed through the Coaches Training Institute (CTI), the global leader in coach training. Partnering with clients, I help them create their best lives. Coaching is a collaboration to define what’s fulfilling, enhance skill sets, encourage goals, and inspire. As a team, we examine different perspectives and break through obstacles. I use a model called Co-Active Coaching. "Co" is for collaboration. "Active" is for creating and… Show more Certified Professional Co-Active Coach (CPCC) credentialed through the Coaches Training Institute (CTI), the global leader in coach training. Partnering with clients, I help them create their best lives. Coaching is a collaboration to define what’s fulfilling, enhance skill sets, encourage goals, and inspire. As a team, we examine different perspectives and break through obstacles. I use a model called Co-Active Coaching. "Co" is for collaboration. "Active" is for creating and sustaining momentum. I ask questions to call forth personal truths based on what the client values. They choose what we work on. I help deepen the investigation and forward the action. I also act as an encouraging voice that holds a space for accountability. My role is to shine a light on the pathway home to a life and career based on what is fulfilling. I believe those paths are never lost, they just get hard to see sometimes through the challenges life throws our way. Using a variety of tools and insight techniques I help people define what’s fulfilling and connect their actions to their values. Challenging clients to look at things from different perspectives, to take action, and to break through obstacles, I help them step into their inherent best lives and careers. laura@keelcoaching.com Show less Certified Professional Co-Active Coach (CPCC) credentialed through the Coaches Training Institute (CTI), the global leader in coach training. Partnering with clients, I help them create their best lives. Coaching is a collaboration to define what’s fulfilling, enhance skill sets, encourage goals, and inspire. As a team, we examine different perspectives and break through obstacles. I use a model called Co-Active Coaching. "Co" is for collaboration. "Active" is for creating and… Show more Certified Professional Co-Active Coach (CPCC) credentialed through the Coaches Training Institute (CTI), the global leader in coach training. Partnering with clients, I help them create their best lives. Coaching is a collaboration to define what’s fulfilling, enhance skill sets, encourage goals, and inspire. As a team, we examine different perspectives and break through obstacles. I use a model called Co-Active Coaching. "Co" is for collaboration. "Active" is for creating and sustaining momentum. I ask questions to call forth personal truths based on what the client values. They choose what we work on. I help deepen the investigation and forward the action. I also act as an encouraging voice that holds a space for accountability. My role is to shine a light on the pathway home to a life and career based on what is fulfilling. I believe those paths are never lost, they just get hard to see sometimes through the challenges life throws our way. Using a variety of tools and insight techniques I help people define what’s fulfilling and connect their actions to their values. Challenging clients to look at things from different perspectives, to take action, and to break through obstacles, I help them step into their inherent best lives and careers. laura@keelcoaching.com Show less



Federal Internal Coach Training Program (FITCP)

• 1900 E Street, NW, Washington, DC 20415

• Mentor Coach

  • Oct 2017 - May 2018

  Mentors new coaches through a curriculum approved by the International Coach Federation (ICF). The ICF defines coaching as “Partnering with someone in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential.” Run by the federal Office of Personnel Management, the FICTP defines itself as "a government wide program to develop and maintain a cadre of qualified and certified coaches to support professional development and leadership… Show more Mentors new coaches through a curriculum approved by the International Coach Federation (ICF). The ICF defines coaching as “Partnering with someone in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential.” Run by the federal Office of Personnel Management, the FICTP defines itself as "a government wide program to develop and maintain a cadre of qualified and certified coaches to support professional development and leadership development". Coaches are trained to provide personalized coaching within the Federal Coaching Network (FCN), an inter-agency network of coaches. Awarded the Best Leadership Development Program Human Capital Award in 2014, the FCN's mission is to foster leadership development and continuous learning at all levels by leveraging resources to advance coaching across all agencies. I am dedicated to promoting a coaching culture within the federal workplace. Participation in the Federal Internal Coach Training Program is performed on top of regular duties for the Voice of America. Show less Mentors new coaches through a curriculum approved by the International Coach Federation (ICF). The ICF defines coaching as “Partnering with someone in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential.” Run by the federal Office of Personnel Management, the FICTP defines itself as "a government wide program to develop and maintain a cadre of qualified and certified coaches to support professional development and leadership… Show more Mentors new coaches through a curriculum approved by the International Coach Federation (ICF). The ICF defines coaching as “Partnering with someone in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential.” Run by the federal Office of Personnel Management, the FICTP defines itself as "a government wide program to develop and maintain a cadre of qualified and certified coaches to support professional development and leadership development". Coaches are trained to provide personalized coaching within the Federal Coaching Network (FCN), an inter-agency network of coaches. Awarded the Best Leadership Development Program Human Capital Award in 2014, the FCN's mission is to foster leadership development and continuous learning at all levels by leveraging resources to advance coaching across all agencies. I am dedicated to promoting a coaching culture within the federal workplace. Participation in the Federal Internal Coach Training Program is performed on top of regular duties for the Voice of America. Show less



Voice of America

• United States
• Broadcast Media Production and Distribution
• 700 & Above Employee

• Television Executive Producer, TV Enhancement Team

  • Mar 2012 - Jul 2017

  In launching new television programs, often with seasoned journalists seeking growth as TV producers, I was named "Employee of the Year" and played a pivotal role in advancing VOA from a radio only agency to a multimedia broadcasting network. The work involved motivating people to take on new skills, training, designing alliances, conceptualizing programs, and bringing broadcasters together as a production unit. I share expertise in TV production and I function as a sounding board and… Show more In launching new television programs, often with seasoned journalists seeking growth as TV producers, I was named "Employee of the Year" and played a pivotal role in advancing VOA from a radio only agency to a multimedia broadcasting network. The work involved motivating people to take on new skills, training, designing alliances, conceptualizing programs, and bringing broadcasters together as a production unit. I share expertise in TV production and I function as a sounding board and offer support, encouragement, feedback, and direction for people stepping beyond their current situation. Helping people rise to the challenges of an evolving workplace and relate to the world around them in demanding situations is what I am known for. For this work, I won employee of the year and have been described by senior management as a change agent in VOA. Coaching is a way to continue those successes and further refine those skills.

• Television Executive Producer, Urdu Service

  • Apr 2008 - Mar 2012

  During this period, Urdu TV raised the bar for production values throughout Voice of America. We created dynamic programming that engaged audiences and made an impact and were considered flagship programs for VOA. Supervisory responsibility for Urdu television programming. Conceptualizes and designs complex television programs using innovative and creative approaches; utilizes various formats appropriate for live and pre-recorded programming; oversees production of documentary style… Show more During this period, Urdu TV raised the bar for production values throughout Voice of America. We created dynamic programming that engaged audiences and made an impact and were considered flagship programs for VOA. Supervisory responsibility for Urdu television programming. Conceptualizes and designs complex television programs using innovative and creative approaches; utilizes various formats appropriate for live and pre-recorded programming; oversees production of documentary style productions and international co-productions. Responsible for the production values and aesthetic qualities of all television programs and implementation of artistic and creative techniques. Discusses story themes with correspondents and stringers. Assures coverage needed is provided in a professional and timely fashion. Exercises sound editorial judgment in producing polished, airworthy products. Recruits freelance journalists, and establishes fair market rates. Writes job descriptions, sets performance standards and serves as rating officer for Urdu TV team.

• Television Executive Producer, Spanish Branch (Acting)

  • Feb 2008 - Mar 2008

  Supervisory responsibility for Spanish Branch television programming. Decide the daily line-up for each newscast. Provide editorial direction, and exercise editorial responsibility for selection and approval of subject matter. Conceptualize and design complex television programs using innovative and creative approaches; utilize various formats appropriate for both live and pre-recorded programming; produce specials on breaking news stories, and remote television coverage. Responsible… Show more Supervisory responsibility for Spanish Branch television programming. Decide the daily line-up for each newscast. Provide editorial direction, and exercise editorial responsibility for selection and approval of subject matter. Conceptualize and design complex television programs using innovative and creative approaches; utilize various formats appropriate for both live and pre-recorded programming; produce specials on breaking news stories, and remote television coverage. Responsible for the production values and aesthetic qualities of all television programs, including artistic and creative techniques and journalistic values. Coordinate travel for, and discuss story themes with, correspondents and stringers. Assure coverage is provided in a professional and timely fashion. Exercise sound editorial judgment in producing polished, airworthy products. Co¬ Manage a network of freelance reporters. Recruit freelance journalists, and establish fair market rates and supervises payment of freelancers.

• Senior Television Producer / Project Manager / Trainer, TV Enhancement Team

  • Jan 2003 - Feb 2008

  Key Player in the merger of Worldnet Television and Voice of America; launching new VOA television initiatives. Trains VOA Language Services to become fully capable TV production teams. Team leader within VOA language services for months at a time. Establishes house-wide standards, production values and aesthetic qualities of VOA TV programming including artistic and creative aspects. Conceptualizes and designs complex television programs expanding VOA's Worldwide reach. Brings together… Show more Key Player in the merger of Worldnet Television and Voice of America; launching new VOA television initiatives. Trains VOA Language Services to become fully capable TV production teams. Team leader within VOA language services for months at a time. Establishes house-wide standards, production values and aesthetic qualities of VOA TV programming including artistic and creative aspects. Conceptualizes and designs complex television programs expanding VOA's Worldwide reach. Brings together VOA Radio and TV news gathering elements to produce innovative, creative and competitive programming in response to breaking international and national events. Guides the decision making process in designing the program, set selection, anchor presentation, story selection, original production and post-production. Trains talent, producers and management to create pilots for successful placement in target markets. Lead various international newsrooms: Project Manager, Desde Washington, Spanish. Co-Project Manager, Chas Time, Ukrainian. Project Manager, Focus, Russian. Launched Bangla News Capsule and European Division News Capsules in Macedonian, Bosnian, Ukrainian and Russian. From anchor training, teaching control room protocol, organizing assignments to coordinating with management, is responsible for all aspects of launching professional broadcast programs and building efficient TV production teams.

• Line Producer

  • Sep 2001 - May 2004

  The day after the terrorist attacks of 9/11/2001, I was called upon to begin producing a live daily newscast, called "America Recovers". The program later became know as "Campaign Against Terrorism", a live newscast covering the U.S. war on terrorism. From there it evolved into "Newsline", a live daily news program covering national and international news and events. I was also producer of "This Week", a post-produced weekly news and Americana magazine program.

• Video Journalist

  • Feb 1999 - Sep 2001

  Reporter, producer and camera woman. Wrote, and video-edited projects from original idea through completion. Developed and maintained cooperation of leading public figures and ordinary people as subjects of long-term projects. Prepared radio and internet material from video and sound elements acquired in the field.



Worldnet Television, U.S. Information Agency

• Voice-Over Producer

  • 1992 - 1999

  Language Versions Division. Produced foreign language voice-over translations of U.S. programming, primarily acquired from PBS stations. Language Versions Division. Produced foreign language voice-over translations of U.S. programming, primarily acquired from PBS stations.