About Me

Experience Highlights

Freelance Communications Professional (2009-Present)
Provides comprehensive communication services for clients, including project management, events coverage, news writing, copy writing, web writing, editing, social media management and other work. Examples of client services:

  • Social media strategy and implementation both ongoing and for specific campaigns such as #GivingTuesday.
  • Brochure and promotional material development alongside subject matter experts for events and continuing programs.
  • Substantive editing for educational texts and three to five studies each year.
  • Developed web content in coordination with subject matter experts for a global relief and development organization to provide information and engage users in the work of the organization.
  • Provided comprehensive writing, copy editing and project management services to prepare a suite of materials for an organization’s 2010 quadrennial conference attended by more than 5,000 people.
  • Developed concepts and wrote print and online materials for an annual fundraising campaign of a global faith-based organization that raises approximately $3 million annually.
  • Coordinated exhibit, press events and covered UN events in New York for a Geneva-based advocacy organization during the 2009 Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Communications Director, 2007-2009; Staff Writer, 2005-2007
United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR), General Board of Global Ministries, the international humanitarian aid agency of The United Methodist Church, New York, NY

  • Directed the organization’s marketing, public relations, social networking and fund raising initiatives. Managed a combined communications and fund raising budget of $1.6 million.
  • Led the UMCOR communications team of four staff members as well as freelance writers, photographers and graphic designers.
  • Traveled to humanitarian hot spots such as post-Katrina Louisiana, Sri Lanka and Sudan to accompany donors and gather program success stories.
  • Managed the organization’s direct mail and email campaigns for a donor pool of 70,000 people that netted more than $1 million annually in undesignated funds.
  • Directed and planned print, online and video resource production as part of a cohesive communications plan for UMCOR’s six divisions.
  • Wrote press releases, feature articles, appeals, and promotional materials such as the UMCOR calendar (distribution 8,000).
  • Oversaw website content (www.umcor.org) and structure, ensuring that site content is current, reflects UMCOR’s identity and work, and is user-friendly.

Program Director, 2004-2005
Chinese Methodist Center Corporation (CMCC), a community center founded by the Chinese United Methodist Church, New York, NY

  • Wrote grants and sought funding sources for CMCC’s daycare, after school program and summer day camp.
  • Wrote promotional materials for CMCC’s programs.
  • Oversaw and planned summer and after school programs.

Special Assistant to the Executive Director 2003-2004
PRIME-ECR, Ecumenical Commitment to Refugees, Clifton Heights, PA

  • Researched human rights abuse claims by asylum applicants to support their testimonies.
  • Attended social work visits to refugee homes.
  • Networked with local churches for funding and other resources.

Mission Education Project Coordinator, 2002; Mission Education Specialist, 1999-2001; Editorial Assistant, 1997-1999
Board of International Ministries, the international mission agency for the American Baptist Churches, Valley Forge, PA

  • Edited missionary newsletters, biographical information, which totaled more than 200 print pieces a year in addition to other publications.
  • Represented International Ministries as a speaker in churches, at workshops and conferences.
  • Organized three educational tours to introduce constituents to American Baptist work in Costa Rica, Cuba, Mexico, and South Africa.
  • Participated in the leadership of two national conferences a year: the National Women’s Conference and the World Mission Conference.

Education

Master of Divinity, May 2004
Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary, Wynnewood, PA
(Now called Palmer Theological Seminary)

Bachelor of Arts, Communications, May 1995
Concentration: Journalism
Messiah College, Grantham, PA
Temple University Enrichment Program, 1994, 1995