So blessed..

Entrepreneur/Writer/Artist 

• UN Women USA National Board Secretary
• UN Women USA Gulf Coast Communications Director: Developing foundational marketing and media plan for GC chapter, its events, and Through Women’s Eyes International Film Festival. Establishing consistent branding and messaging through visuals (logos, collateral, websites) and language. Growing press coverage of our events. Bridging local interests and timely topics with global work of UN Women. Produced relevant news stories that ran in local press, driving increased interest in our events. (Current, since 2015)

• Spirit on Fire, LLC: Founded jobs skills training program to guide women survivors of human trafficking from SELAH Freedom’s Residential Program into the larger workforce. Survivors are not free unless they are socially and economically independent and self-sustaining. Modelling hard and soft job skills and readiness, product planning and production, perseverance and healthy conflict resolution. (2016-2018)

• Women Contemporary Artists: Inducted into group of established and emerging female artists in Southwest Florida. (Current)

• Writing Books: Partnering with a detective on a book about personal safety in the home and out in public. Addresses Active Shooter situations and Internet Identity Theft, as well as how to secure your home and perimeter. My first book: “Building Bridges: A Story of Love, Dyslexia and Faith.” (2017) 

Journalist/Advocate 

• Co-chair Programming for Power of Love, Sarasota’s V-Day event inspiring conversations and education about violence against women. (2015) 

• Writing Teacher with Selah Freedom in Sarasota working with survivors of human trafficking. (2016) GED tutor in residential for three years. Teaching survivors of human trafficking how to organize their emotions and arguments using writing as a healthy tool. 

• Out of Door Academy, Sarasota: Writing Advisor for High School Journalism Class. Enjoyed helping students find their voice in their writing, teaching them about awareness of their larger world, and developing stories for publication. (2011-2016)

• Community Involvement: Salvation Army Board Member, United Way Allocations Panel Member. (Former, Indiana)

• Daily Newspaper Reporter, The Elkhart Truth, Indiana     1993-2009 Reported breaking news and feature stories for the Metro Desk of mid-size daily. Covered community health, social services and juvenile court system, with focus on juvenile crime, women’s issues, welfare department and child abuse. Developed compelling print pieces for local newspapers, including a series revealing the challenges of the increasing numbers of homeless families during the housing crisis, and the crisis’ devastating effects on homeowners and their neighborhoods.

Recognitions Received:

• Dedication and Commitment Award from Child Abuse Prevention Services
• "Woman of the Year" Nominee from Salute to Women of Elkhart County.
• Only journalist invited to speak to 120 juvenile justices in Indianapolis about a change in state law opening to the Press previously sealed juvenile court documents. Topic: The value of public reporting on crimes against children. 
• Elkhart Leadership Academy Graduate
• ADEC Benefactor Award for coverage of persons with disabilities.
• Hoosier Heartbeat Award for series on Heart Attacks and Heart Health; Indiana statewide award, large market newspaper category

Additional Business Experience

Leo Burnett Company Advertising, Chicago: Media Negotiator/Planner for large accounts ($14mm plus); Pier One Imports, Chicago: Managed largest store in International Chain; Kurt Kuker Associates, Merchandise Mart, Chicago: Sales Representative, Territory of Illinois. (Prior 1993)

EDUCATION

University of Illinois, Champaign, IL

Masters of Science in Print Journalism, 1993  GPA 4.8/5.0

Full Tuition Merit Waiver/Interned with EPA

Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 

Bachelor of Arts, 1987 Major: History  GPA 3.5/4.0

Concentrations in Economics and Political Science