PROFILE

Communication strategist with 15 years experience encompassing communications planning, analysis, implementation, management, counsel and instruction

Specialties in media relations, market research and data analytics, project management, content development, nonprofit and educational organizations, and public speaking

Track record of working collaboratively and individually to create, execute and assess solutions that enhance understanding of complex information and inform decision-making

EXPERIENCE

Media Relations Manager, American Society for Radiation Oncology, October 2015 – Present

  • Oversee external media efforts for the Society, including strategy, materials and relationships
  • Secure coverage of ASTRO science and initiatives in trade and mainstream press, including placements in MedPage Today, Medscape Medical News, Oncology Times, eCancer and U.S. News and World Report
  • Plan and manage press programs for scientific meetings, including coordinating multiple news briefings, facilitating interviews, managing on-site and remote press, organizing logistics and abstract selection, and writing scientific news releases and other media materials

 

Assistant Professor of Public Relations, Texas Tech University, College of Media & Communication, August 2010 – May 2015

  • Designed, implemented and evaluated evidence-based projects that informed strategic planning and outreach initiatives, such as an internal branding campaign for a high-volume emergency department that fostered understanding and acceptance of training principles among employees
  • Managed multiple, often simultaneous, projects, including supervising assistants, overseeing budgets and media channels, setting priorities, and meeting deadlines; Developed and produced content including promotional and educational materials targeted to different types of stakeholders; Created, analyzed and reported program performance metrics
  • Developed and taught courses in public relations, campaigns, audience research, integrated communications, media relations, advertising, and writing for organizational, web-based and news media
  • Created the university’s first nonprofit public relations course; Advanced the missions of nonprofit and government organizations through multiple service-learning courses
  • Presented original research findings to international, national and regional audiences of professionals and scholars; Represented the College at recruiting fairs and events; Developed and distributed outreach materials such as website copy, a promotional video, and signage as a member of the PR department's recruitment and retention committee

 

Instructor & Graduate Research Assistant, University of Missouri, School of Journalism, August 2007 – August 2010

  • Conceptualized, secured funding for, managed, and presented a project that charted innovative ways to share diet and exercise information with diabetics; Awarded the health communication dissertation of the year honor by the International and National Communication Associations
  • Presented research to state legislators and nonprofit executives that guided policy decisions and the creation of a health information database sponsored by the state’s largest health foundation
  • Trained lab team members, recruited community participants, led data analysis, and wrote and presented the findings of a project that spurred breast cancer screening and prevention behavior among African-American women
  • Developed and taught courses in public relations, strategic campaigns, and applied research; Supervised teaching assistants; Counseled professionals from local nonprofits in content development and media relations; Co-founded and coordinated the School’s Doctoral Symposia

 

Graduate Research Assistant, University of Texas, College of Communication, January 2006 – August 2007

  • Led, wrote for, and contributed to projects assessing news coverage of health issues, approaches to visual communication, and reporting of issues such as terrorism and sexual assault on college campuses
  • Mentored and supervised undergraduate research assistants in a project examining content on YouTube; Presented findings to scholars at a regional digital communication colloquium

 

Marketing Associate & Technical Writer, PowerPlan Consultants, June 2003 – July 2005

  • Developed research-based marketing strategy and print and web-based materials to manage and grow relationships with current and potential clients from asset management industries
  • Planned and managed internal and external events, including overseeing logistics and proactive client outreach for bi-annual forums for clients; Oversaw on- and off-site client training
  • Coordinated and authored ongoing updates to electronic and print help documentation that was provided to all clients
  • Wrote, designed and edited educational and marketing materials for client training events
  • Conducted screening and pre-selection of job applicants; Represented the company and networked with potential employees at recruiting fairs and similar events

 

Senior Health Care Intern, Porter Novelli Public Relations (Atlanta), June – November 2002

  • Secured coverage in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution for an Arthritis Foundation wellness campaign and placements in local print media outlets for the American Cancer Society’s Avon Three-Day Walk
  • Created media lists, compiled news audits, pitched local and national media, coordinated press conferences and on-site media at events, and wrote press materials including news releases, feature releases, backgrounders, expert bios, and FAQs for clients including the Tampax Total You Tour, the Atlanta Women’s Foundation, and Emory Crawford Long Hospital, as well as the America Cancer Society and the Arthritis Foundation
  • Spearheaded research and development of a digital consumer and health care provider database utilized for a national education campaign by the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention
  • Performed issues management by monitoring client, competitor and industry coverage in print and digital trade media and contributing to twice-daily reports sent to PeopleSoft executives

 

Communications Intern, North Carolina Museum of Life and Science, August - December 2001

  • Authored and contributed to press materials including news releases, radio spots and pitch points and secured coverage about upcoming exhibits at the museum in local news outlets
  • Monitored regional news coverage and compiled clip reports of client coverage sent to management
  • Updated and streamlined a database of 800 media contacts to aid efforts to build media partnerships

 

Public Relations Assistant, Duke Raleigh Hospital (formerly Raleigh Community Hospital), May 2000 – May 2001

  • Wrote, designed and edited media and marketing materials tailored to internal and external audiences, including press releases, hospital newsletter copy, print and radio advertisements, and brochures for internal and external audiences
  • Led redesign of internal newsletter, which subsequently increased interest among and contributions from hospital employees; Wrote, edited and solicited newsletter content
  • Planned and helped coordinate internal and external events for 50 to 1,500 participants, including fundraising and team-building events for the hospital’s Race for the Cure volunteer team

EDUCATION

Ph.D., Journalism (Strategic Communication emphasis), University of Missouri at Columbia, 2010

M.A., Journalism, University of Texas at Austin, 2007

B.A., Journalism & Mass Communication (Public Relations emphasis), University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 2002

Contact me for a copy of this resume, a list of references, or samples of my work.

Last updated March 29, 2016