Experience

San Diego County Office of Education

• United States
• Education Administration Programs
• 700 & Above Employee

• Communications Strategist

  • Nov 2015 - Present

  Lead a team devoted to digital marketing and strategy, integrating web, social media, email marketing, and design. Manage page optimization, web governance, and web accessibility with a focus on ensuring information and assets on the website include plain language, alt text, headings, and descriptive link language so every user can access what they need. In one year, we had significant increase in time on page, fewer searches resulting in bounces, and increase page views. Manage social media strategy, including graphic design and professional photography, with an overall following of nearly 30,000 across Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Developed a consistent voice and tone for SDCOE internally and across social platforms, adapting and evolving as needed during the pandemic, election, or current events or trends impacting our audience. Increased targeted marketing and relationship-building efforts through the design and management of more than 20 e-newsletters, including creation, distribution, contacts, and analytics with contact list of more than 20,000. Increased visibility of the County Office in the community through working with the media to promote programs and services, writing and distributing media advisories and press releases, responding to media requests, and placing written op-eds. Other experience includes speech writing for the organization head and board members, internal communication and engagement strategies, developing the content and leading design of the organization’s annual report and other high level documents, such as presentations, materials for the state Board of Education, and talking points for organization wide efforts. Show less



Texas Public Charter Schools Association

• United States
• Public Policy Offices
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Director of Communications

  • Oct 2014 - Oct 2015

  Increased recognition of TCSA mission, brand and messaging to a variety of stakeholders, including association members, legislators, school communities, the public, and the media. Conducted outreach and coordinated advocating efforts with the 180 charters and diverse educational stakeholders to further legislative efforts across the state resulting in record numbers of parent advocates at Capitol events and the passage of four bills. Created, edited, and managed content for redesigned website and new blog, and coordinated original content for weekly newsletter, print, and digital member communications and social media. Designed and delivered training for members on branding, marketing, and messaging, utilizing social media and working with the media, including crisis communications. Wrote speeches for the executive director and legislative rally speakers, developed messaging for association leaders and advocates, and created talking points for legislators. Show less



Harmony Public Schools

• United States
• Education Administration Programs
• 700 & Above Employee

• District Public Relations Director

  • Oct 2013 - Nov 2014

  Media relations, event planning, community outreach, government relations, social media updates, marketing, internal communications, writing for newsletters and press releases, data reporting Media relations, event planning, community outreach, government relations, social media updates, marketing, internal communications, writing for newsletters and press releases, data reporting



Austin American-Statesman

• United States
• Newspaper Publishing
• 100 - 200 Employee

• Reporter

  • Apr 2013 - Oct 2013

  Researched, pitched, wrote, and edited news stories for online and print. Met deadlines on feature and enterprise stories using meticulous and organized notes with sources, facts, and quotes. Produced multimedia to enhance storytelling, such as videos, social media and blog posts; effectively translated complex topics into accessible articles; and managed news websites and push notifications. Researched, pitched, wrote, and edited news stories for online and print. Met deadlines on feature and enterprise stories using meticulous and organized notes with sources, facts, and quotes. Produced multimedia to enhance storytelling, such as videos, social media and blog posts; effectively translated complex topics into accessible articles; and managed news websites and push notifications.



Omaha World-Herald

• United States
• Newspaper Publishing
• 200 - 300 Employee

• Crime and Courts Reporter

  • Dec 2010 - Oct 2012

  Covered Omaha-area homicides, robberies, fires, breaking news, arrests, jail, crime trends, courts, weather. Managed website content and newspaper social media sites. Covered Omaha-area homicides, robberies, fires, breaking news, arrests, jail, crime trends, courts, weather. Managed website content and newspaper social media sites.



Santa Maria Times

• Newspaper Publishing
• 1 - 100 Employee

• County Government Reporter

  • Mar 2008 - Oct 2010

  Researched, pitched, wrote, and edited news stories for online and print. Met deadlines on feature and enterprise stories using meticulous and organized notes with sources, facts, and quotes. Researched, pitched, wrote, and edited news stories for online and print. Met deadlines on feature and enterprise stories using meticulous and organized notes with sources, facts, and quotes.