I’m good at what I do.

There isn’t a job in marketing and communications that I haven’t done.

Resumes are boring, so here’s my story.

EDUCATION & PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
I had a non-traditional education journey, graduating in 2008 with a B.A. in English with a focus on professional writing and journalism at the age of 25. I spent my 20s working a lot, traveling with my new husband, and taking classes part-time. I started my professional career (in the depths of the recession, ugh) as an editor at a regional magazine and didn’t like the way my articles were laid out.

So I went back to school and earned a M.A. in Publications Design. Then I bought myself a decent camera (with prize money from the Ampersand Award, which honors the graduate student whose work best exemplifies the spirit of the M.A. in Publications Design program: exceptional achievement in both writing & design) and started to learn everything I could about how to make my images tell a story.

The year I decided to go back to school (2010), I started a new job at a maritime museum as a Marketing Technician and was soon promoted to Communications Manager, and finally became the Art & Communications Director. I created content (So. Much. Content.) I taught myself basic web design and information architecture and teamed up with a coder to make a new website when there was no budget.

I worked with one other person. That was the entirety of our marketing and communications department and we increased annual attendance to 72,000 per year (from a low of 58,000), promoted six major festivals a year (reviving one from near extinction to become one of the most well-attended festivals on the Eastern Shore.) We made ground rentals for weddings and corporate events a substantial income generator. Our social media presence exploded and gained us fans (and donors) from all around the world.

I managed budgets — budgets for days — down to the dollar and I was never over. My spreadsheets were (and continue to be) a work of art. I pride myself on boiling down complex information in a visually pleasing powerpoint (read: easy to understand for board members who aren’t paying attention.)

After working to increase donations to our Annual Fund by 35%, I was asked to put together the creative bones of a $15M capital campaign. I came up with a name, a mission statement, and a plan. I created personalized and segmented case statements for donors; scripted, and directed videos; and trained board members on how to pitch the campaign. When I left, about a year after the campaign started, they’d blown by every goal they set for the first year and decided to more than double their overall original goal from $15M to $35M.

After six years, I started itching for a new challenge. I interviewed for a job in higher education when I was eight months pregnant, and joined Washington College as the Director of Visual Arts ten weeks after my identical twin boys were born. I wish I could tell you about my first year there, but I don’t remember much. I must have done well in my new-mom haze because I was promoted after one year to the Director of Creative Services.

I didn’t know anything about undergraduate recruitment when I joined, but I knew how to tell a compelling story. Together with a great team of people, we won awards, and launched energetic and fresh marketing campaigns to attract students and donors and engage our alumni base. (Oh, and I designed my first-ever book as my main freelance hustle.)

After returning home from a trip abroad in December 2019, I applied for the role of Communications Director at The Gunston School in Centreville, Md. I was offered the job and started on January 15, 2020. Then, as you all know, all hell broke loose and I had to work from home with two 3 year-olds, (husband is an essential worker so he had to go), and received quite the ‘trial by fire’ crash course in crisis communications. That is a skill I can safely add to my toolbox now. Fast forward to today, and I’ve been promoted to the Director of External Relations and run the school’s marketing, communications, advancement, and alumni relations with a team of three people (myself included).

I just finished designing a second book, and maintain a roster of freelance clients. When I’m not working, I’m playing with my boys or likely watching TikToks, er, I mean doing something constructive and creative.

WORK PHILOSOPHY
I manage up, and down, and across. I encourage my employees to draw boundaries and find balance in their work/home lives. I recognize the importance of cultivating skill and hope to prepare people I supervise for the next level of their career. I care about their morale and never forget a birthday.

I do not like to be micro-managed, and frankly don’t need it. I would out manage a micro-manager any day. I work hard. And I take a deep sense of pride in my work. But I also know that sometimes done is better than perfect.

Print is my jam and it is what I do the most of. But I have done web design, exhibitions, signage, and more. I love building my skillset and I’m not afraid to try something new. I don’t know how to do everything (don’t ask me to code), but I know how to work well with people that do.

IF YOU’RE STILL READING THE WORLD’S LONGEST RESUME, HERE’S SOME PERSONAL BACKGROUND

I have lived on Maryland’s Eastern Shore since age of five and consider the Chesapeake Bay my home. My creative side emerged young, with the production of a “Family Newsletter” that I cobbled together on a word processor with glued photos I’d taken using my mother’s 35mm Cannon.

I am the oldest girl, with two younger sisters and an older brother. My older brother is intellectually disabled and my parents were very much engaged in disability advocacy, which I’m happy to say, shaped my life in an extremely positive way, mainly through the strong development of a great sense of humor and an incredible capacity for empathy. 

(What I used to have time for before I had kids)
I enjoy taking photos, reading voraciously, riding my bike, watching other people cook while I eat, and spending time with my family.

(What I attempt to make time for now)
Still a huge reader. But as a lifelong multitasker, I like to listen to books on audible while I try out new crafts; puzzles, painting, journaling, putting together silly little time-lapse videos of my kids, and lots more.) I like taking my kids on adventures—the messier the better.

*I’m sure this needs to be edited, but sometimes done is better than perfect.