COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST

Washington, D.C. ▪ January 2019 – present

COMMUNICATIONS ASSOCIATE      

Washington, D.C. ▪ December 2016 – January 2019

Defenders of Wildlife

 

Plan and implement strategic communications campaigns for Defenders of Wildlife nationally, as well as media strategies for the Northwest, Alaska, and Rockies & Plains regional offices, and the national Coexistence program. Develop and enact crisis communications plans when necessary. Design a multimedia editing suite and organization-wide multimedia storybank. Create start-to-finish multimedia, involving capturing and editing photos/video/audio. Write press releases, media advisories, talking points, fact sheets, and articles for the magazine and blog. Conduct media trainings for staff and outside partners. Build relationships with reporters and coalition partners. Organize press and outreach events.

 

SCIENCE AND SOCIAL MEDIA NEWS FELLOW       

PBS NewsHour

Arlington, Va. ▪ June 2016 – December 2016

 

Collaborated with the NewsHour and the National Science Foundation to develop media campaigns for news outlets on the best ways to create science content for wide audiences (digital and broadcast). Currated stories on multiple platforms, including Facebook/Facebook Live, Snapchat, Twitter, Tumblr, Instagram, web, broadcast, and others. Stories included mass extinction from deforestation, a multi-part series on science in the Olympics and videography of coral on the ocean floor. 

 

CONSERVATION MEDIA RELATIONS DIRECTOR 

Saint Joseph's University

Philadelphia, Pa. ▪ January 2012 – May 2015

 

Managed a team of 26 graduate and undergraduate researchers in the care of endangered and extinct-in-the-wild species in five endangered species laboratories. Organized multimedia press packages on initiatives of the scientists in the laboratories, international non-profits, and the local community. Promoted the conservation work through local news outlets and social media. Conducted independent scientific biodiversity research published in a peer-reviewed journal.

 

 

FREELANCE SCIENCE COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST       

WHYY The Pulse

Philadelphia, Pa. ▪ June 2014 – June 2016

 

Worked with a 10-person team to cultivate a national audience for the Philadelphia-area public media show. Optimized the press kit for all content by The Pulse, in particular for promotion on social media platforms. Developed source relations with leaders in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics).  

 

PUBLIC OUTREACH MENTOR

Philadelphia Zoo

Philadelphia, Pa. ▪ August 2013 – January 2014

Norristown, Pa. ▪ September 2008 – August 2011

 

Led teams of over 50 young adult volunteers in the development and execution of conservation events and care of the zoos' collections. Organized press events, promotional programs, and outreach in the local community to broaden and diversify the audience of the zoos' work. Supported the zoos' missions of conservation through development of education campaigns and live presentations. 

 

DIGITAL NEWS ASSOCIATE

NBC Philadelphia

Philadelphia, Pa. ▪ May 2014 – October 2014

 

Developed original content for the online platforms of NBC News national and its local affiliates. Managed the Digital News Desk when the editors were short staffed. Actualized critical information for breaking news events using only social media. Cultivated source relations and currated information for exclusive content, including a multimedia series on a missing soldier in Alaska for online and broadcast.

 

PRODUCER/EDITOR

Keller Communications Inc.

Philadelphia, Pa. ▪ January 2008 – present

 

Produce and edit digital videos for a diverse clientele, ranging from small family businesses to large pharmaceutical companies. Collaborate with production teams ranging from two to twenty people. Assume whatever production roles (director, producer, videographer, editor, writer, narrator, on-air talent, etc.) needed to complete a video with the highest quality in the shortest time possible.