Experience

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  MIT Brain and Cognitive Sciences

  • United States
  • Research Services
  • 1 - 100 Employee

  • Director, Administration and Finance

    • May 2022 - Present

    I am the senior administrator for the department, managing a team of 12 whose work encompasses academic programs (two undergraduate majors, a post-baccalaureate program, a master's program, and a doctoral program), finance, human resources, development, communications, and DEI. Our department includes 40 faculty with primary appointments; my office also manages research administration for about a third of them. I work very closely with the faculty Department Head.

  • Interim Administrative Officer

    • Feb 2022 - May 2022

    The Administrative Officer (AO) is the senior administrator for the department. I assumed this role as an interim and was then offered the role permanently.

  • Communications Officer and Scientific Writer

    • Nov 2019 - May 2022

    I interpreted and disseminated news on research and academic programs within this large department. The department also includes two research institutes and multiple research centers and I collaborate on communications strategy and content with them as well as with school and institutional offices.

• 

  University of Rhode Island

  • George and Anne Ryan Institute for Neuroscience

  • Assistant Director, Administration and Communications, George & Anne Ryan Inst. for Neuroscience

    • May 2016 - Nov 2019
    • George and Anne Ryan Institute for Neuroscience

    In what was essentially an administrative director role, I most frequently worked in the areas of communications, strategic planning, day-to-day operations, hiring, and facility management. I oversaw business and communications staff.Accomplishments:>Lead development of communications strategy and tactics>Launch Institute website and newsletter>Manage search and hiring of multiple administrative staff and faculty>Liaison to University planning office to develop and coordinate Institute infrastructure>Liaison to University communications and marketing office>Provide financial modeling and forecasting for strategic plans

• 

  Commonwealth School

  • Greater Boston Area

  • Director of Communications

    • Jul 2008 - Apr 2016
    • Greater Boston Area

    As the sole communications and marketing professional at Commonwealth School, one of Boston’s most prestigious independent schools, I initiated and led the development of improved admissions and alumni publications, website redesign and improvement, and the use of social media. CM, the alumni magazine which I created and edited, received a Gold Medal in the 2016 CASE District 1 competition, in the category of Independent School Magazines.

• 

  Harvard University

  • Greater Boston Area

  • Associate Director of Communications for Science, AA&D

    • Jan 2007 - Jun 2008
    • Greater Boston Area

    I specialized in science communications for donors and fundraisers, drawing upon my training as a cell biologist and neuroscientist. Key successes included developing a science wiki to keep development staff updated on priority research and outcomes. I also produced, shot, and edited videos on researchers and their work.

• 

  Drury University

  • Springfield, Missouri Area

  • Director of University Communications

    • 2000 - 2006
    • Springfield, Missouri Area

    I built a smart, nimble, effective team to support a growing marketing and communications effort. Together we led the university through its first-ever strategic integrated communications planning process, which resulted in improved messaging and audience targeting as well as visual rebranding of the entire institution.

• 

  KYTV

  • Springfield, Missouri Area

  • Reporter/Producer

    • 1997 - 2000
    • Springfield, Missouri Area

    General assignment reporter also responsible for the technology beat.

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  ABC11 Eyewitness News - WTVD

  • Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina Area

  • Associate Producer

    • 1995 - 1997
    • Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina Area