RESUME
I'm an organizational leader with executive-level experience as an expert communicator, public policy advisor and strategic planner. My unique qualifications are driven by strategy, experienced multimedia storytelling, data and effective management to amplify and elevate people, initiatives, and organizations.
DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS & MARKETING
GREATER YELLOWSTONE COALITION
As the Greater Yellowstone Coalition's Director of Communications & Marketing I lead external public relations, multimedia content development, marketing, campaign development, and oversee the annual budget and planning process for our team. GYC is a Bozeman, Mont.-based nonprofit, with offices in Idaho and Wyoming, working to protect the land, waters, and wildlife of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.
DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS & DEVELOPMENT
NATIONAL CENTER FOR APPROPRIATE TECHNOLOGY
As NCAT’s Director of Communications & Development, I directed external public relations, publications, multimedia content, a network of websites, and foundation/corporate/individual giving, and the eight staff who spent most of their hours supporting its communications and development office. In two short years, I developed NCAT’s message frame and brand guidelines, redesigned four of its primary websites, established streamlined processes for producing more than 250 pieces of content each year, and was directly responsible for earning 596 media mentions worth an estimated $8.4 million in add value equivalent (Meltwater). At the same time, I oversaw a 7 percent increase in NCAT’s social media following and its newsletter open rate has nearly doubled.
DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS & PUBLIC AFFAIRS, ACTING DEPUTY DIRECTOR
MONTANA DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
I direct strategic communications and public affairs for the Montana Department of Commerce, which includes economic development, tourism marketing, film promotion, affordable housing, and community development programs. I created and lead a team of professionals as we amplify the mission of Commerce through strategic public policy implementation, robust earned media (press releases, press conferences, press briefings, opinion-editorial placement), multimedia storytelling, paid marketing, owned digital and social media channels, and stakeholder communications. In addition, for much of 2020, I was named Acting Deputy Director to lead the 200-person Department through challenges related to the pandemic, the development and execution of nearly $300 million in CARES Act relief programs, and to provide continuity of leadership for executive-level staff.
COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR
MONTANA OFFICE OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION
As part of the Office of Public Instruction’s executive leadership team, I directed strategic communications at the state agency that oversees all K-12 public schools. I managed and implemented external communications strategies for the agency, which included developing earned media opportunities (press releases, press conferences, press briefings, opinion-editorial placement), social media content, and owned digital content. In addition, I managed all social media channels for the agency and created a new website for the superintendent. I managed all media relations, was the Superintendent’s speech writer and I developed multimedia communications tools for Superintendent Denise Juneau’s signature initiatives such as Graduation Matters Montana, Schools of Promise, and Attendance Matters. I was honored with a Governor’s Award for Excellence for my part in this effort.
DIGITAL CONTENT COORDINATOR
BOISE STATE PUBLIC RADIO
I managed Boise State Public Radio's digital content, shaping the job into a mix of journalism, editing, marketing and strategy. I worked across radio, digital and print platforms with a focus on creating data-driven, shareable stories. I created, and implemented, the station's social media strategy to recruit a whole new generation of public radio fans. I built a new website for the station using a proprietary Drupal platform and in just one year, I lead an 84 percent increase in the station's web traffic. I produced the station's monthly newsletter, wrote and edited external press releases, and trained staff on multimedia best practices. I also reported in-depth enterprising radio and web features, and hosted shows like Morning Edition and All Things Considered. My work was frequently aired nationally on NPR.
MULTIMEDIA JOURNALIST
NPR STATE IMPACT IDAHO
StateImpact Idaho was a data-driven reporting collaboration between National Public Radio and Boise State Public Radio. Our focus was on telling personal stories about how government policy and the economy affect real lives. Idaho was one of eight pilot states in the StateImpact network. In less than two years, I built a brand, a website and an audience at the same time I was reporting daily stories and long-term in-depth radio pieces. As a newsroom leader, I taught my peers new media skills and became a mentor in data-driven journalism and social media best practices. My in-depth and investigative reporting was honored by the Edward R. Murrow awards, PRNDI, and Idaho Press Club. My work can be found on NPR, Reuters, The Wall Street Journal, Canadian Broadcast Corporation, BBC, and others.
CAPITOL BUREAU CHIEF
MONTANA PUBLIC RADIO
Based at the State Capitol, I filed daily stories on Montana politics, government, education and the economy. I reported, wrote, edited and produced a three-to-four-minute news story every day. I frequently traveled around central and western Montana to provide in-depth coverage for our listeners. I often freelanced for National Public Radio, National Native News and Reuters. I also created and implemented MTPR’s social media strategy and was responsible for maintaining our various social sites. My in-depth and investigative reporting was honored by the Edward R. Murrow awards, PRNDI, Montana Broadcasters Association, and Associated Press of Montana. My work can be found on NPR, Reuters, The Wall Street Journal, Canadian Broadcast Corporation, BBC, and others.
SKILLS
Project management, organizational leadership, policy/program development and implementation, strategic communications planning, rapid-response/crisis communications, messaging development, earned/owned/paid communications and marketing, stakeholder communications, advocacy building, writer, editor, media relations manager and spokesperson, media tracking, media training, multimedia content creator, website development, social media management, Adobe Creative Suite proficiency.
EDUCATION
University of Montana |Â Missoula, MontanaÂ
Graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism with a minor in Political Science