12
page-template,page-template-full_width,page-template-full_width-php,page,page-id-12,eltd-core-1.1.3,borderland-theme-ver-2.5,smooth_scroll,paspartu_enabled, vertical_menu_with_scroll,wpb-js-composer js-comp-ver-7.3,vc_responsive
 

Resume

Strategic
Communicator
and Storyteller
for Social Impact

Tackling environmental and social issues calls for innovative messaging that reaches both hearts and minds. I aspire to contribute my 20 years of experience as a communicator, digital media creator, agile project manager, entrepreneur, and quixotic lover of life to projects that seek to make a massive positive impact on the world.

EDUCATION & training

University of Wisconsin-Madison
MS Environmental Conservation
Concentration in Communication
Nelson Student Representative
2015 – 2016

Aldo Leopold Center
Land Ethic Leadership Training
2015

Climate Reality Project
Climate Reality Leadership Corps
2013

University of Florida
BS Psychology;
Minors in Spanish, Business Admin.
Study Abroad: London, Sevilla
1994 – 2000

RECOGNITION & awards

University of Pennsylvania, School for Social Impact Strategy
Global Social Impact House Fellow
Vieques, Puerto Rico

Selected as a 2014 fellow for the GSIH social entrepreneurship program, for supporting early-stage entrepreneurs from around the world to develop ventures with socially beneficial missions.

EMPLOYMENT history

Rainforest Alliance
Washington, DC

Communications Team Manager, Accountability Framework initiative
2018 to present

  • Lead editorial content development team. Wrote, edited, or otherwise supported publication of over 20 blog posts, technical pieces, webinars, case examples, podcasts, and a short animated explainer video. Wrote and delivered speech at Global Forest Watch annual summit to over 100 audience members.
  • Lead design and development of the Framework’s online platform, delivering complex technical content in interactive format in four languages. Conducted four rounds of usability & UX tests to optimize user experience.
  • Directed and produced a series of over 50 stakeholder videos featuring clips from interviews with representatives of key audience segments, including private sector, NGOs, government, and indigenous communities.
  • Co-led planning and execution of two launch events in Utrecht, Netherlands and Washington, DC, with over 250 attendees. Coordinated speakers including high-level executives from multinational companies, NGOs, and government agencies.
  • Oversaw rebranding of initiative and development of branding guidelines, including logo usage, color scheme, typography, usage of terminology, and brand archetype.
  • Supported media outreach for launch of Framework, leading to piece in Fast Company’s “World Changing Ideas” column.
  • Socialized and implemented agile project management; supervise full-time comms associate; recruit and manage a rotating cast of supporting vendors for visual design, web development, content management, usability testing, and others as needed.

Environmental Incentives
Washington, DC

Synthesis and Outreach Specialist, USAID Measuring Impact
2016 to 2018

  • Managed the planning and production of a visual storytelling series for a retrospective analysis of conservation enterprises in Philippines, Nepal, Uganda, and Guatemala.

  • Led an initiative to incorporate human-centered design and communication practices into the company’s communication strategy, including the development of user personas for key audiences in USAID, targeted messaging, and usability testing.

  • Planned, designed, and developed two online modules for biodiversity conservation programming at USAID. Modules included video presentations, video testimonial interviews, interactive graphics and quizzes, and other media.

Amazon Conservation Association
Madre de Dios, Peru

Visual Storytelling Consultant
2016

  • Planned, directed, shot, and edited a series of storytelling videos about a sustainable livelihoods initiative in the Amazon rainforest, as part of the communication strategy for ACA’s Manu-Tambopata conservation corridor.

  • Produced four videos of roughly four minutes in length, featuring the stories of participants in agroforestry/cacao farming, fish farming, ecotourism, and sustainable logging initiatives.

  • Supported the coordination and event logistics for a screening of the videos with over 50 local community members, participants in the sustainable livelihoods initiatives, and local government representatives.

Central Africa Initiative
Madison, WI

Communications Manager
2015 to 2016

  • Managed organization’s WordPress website and created regular blog posts related to CAI and partner activities. Developed content marketing plan to optimize site for search engines and generate traffic to the site. Developed framework for a five-year strategic plan for the organization, clarifying specific goals, objectives, and desired outcomes.

  • Co-launched student organization on UW-Madison campus to connect students with interest in Central Africa with opportunities to engage with professors, researchers, and activists. Organized speaking events and other networking events.

Driftless Area Land Conservancy
Madison, WI

Project Manager
2015

  • Co-authored conservation management plan using the CMP Open Standards to support the development of sustainable management practices and ensure protection of the natural resources of Lowery Creek Watershed in Southwest Wisconsin.
  • Communicated with stakeholders to identify threats to conservation targets and specific management practices being currently implemented in the watershed.
  • Co-developed action plan, work plan, and monitoring plan using Miradi software for ensuring the successful implementation of the project vision and conservation goals.
  • Designed and delivered regular presentations on the status of developing the conservation plan, strategic vision, and technical challenges in clarifying or monitoring data for conservation targets.

Sustnrs
Chicago, IL

Director / Founder
2012 – 2015

  • Launched a social enterprise to produce multimedia educational content about sustainable lifestyles, urban agriculture, and climate change; created over 20 instructional webpages, videos, and infographics geared towards 18-30 year-old demographic.
  • Built partnerships with local organizations; wrote and pitched collaborative proposals to prospective partners for co-developing educational projects.
  • Wrote sustainability-related web content, blog posts, and instructional materials that contributed to generating over 1000 visits per month; directed and shot instructional videos with small production crew.
  • Recruited and supervised interdisciplinary teams of between six to eight interns and volunteers in researching, designing, and producing green living educational content.
  • Published Seed Starting Outdoors, a multimedia ebook about square foot gardening.

Helix River Media, L3C
Madison, Chicago, Orlando, Barcelona

Creative Director / Founder
2008 – PRESENT

  • Designed and developed over 50 websites, including both hand-coded and WordPress sites, for clients ranging from non-profits and agencies, to restaurants and other small businesses.
  • Communicated and distilled technical information for a diverse audience of clients, vendors, and students. Wrote and produced a series of online instructional resources on technical and creative skills for web design, leading to over 35K views on YouTube.
  • Recruited and managed contractors in the execution of multifaceted projects involving the planning and implementation of graphic design, marketing, videography, and content development for client projects.
  • Regularly devised solutions to complex design and technical problems that inevitably arose through the course of creating websites.

Computer Training Source, Inc.
Chicago, IL

Computer Instructor
2010 – 2015

  • Led adult learners in hands-on training sessions for a range of computer skills, including Adobe Creative Suite and Microsoft Office applications, with class sizes from 5 to 20 students.
  • Wrote lesson plans, designed custom activities for application-specific skills, created handout materials to supplement coursebooks, and produced PowerPoint presentations.

Martorell Language School
Martorell (Barcelona), Spain

English Teacher
2007 – 2008

  • Designed curriculum plans to meet specific learning objectives for a range of learners and skill levels.
  • Taught in-company English classes, including private lessons for executives, business English lessons for adults, and Cambridge FCE preparation for teens.

Costa Crociere (Cruises)
The Mediterranean Sea

English Program Designer and Teacher
2005 – 2006

  • Installed and managed English Language Program on two different cruise ships.
  • Designed curriculum, class exercises, and other learning materials.
  • Taught general and ESP classes with multi-national adult learners in hospitality departments; assisted learners with asynchronous computer-based learning activities.

TheFarCorner.com
New York, NY

Web Designer / Writer / Taxi Driver
2002 – 2004

  • Wrote a series of short stories based on my experiences as a taxi driver for Yellow Cab in New York City.
  • Created website with interactive, multimedia versions of those stories.

Argonaut Productions
New York, NY

Associate Producer / Web Designer
2000 – 2001

  • Planned and shot a documentary called “Sounds beneath the Street”, a look into the lives of New York’s subway musicians. Maintained digital video logs, sketched storyboards for various scenes, interviewed musicians, and designed promo materials.
  • Designed promotional webpages: “The Search for the Argonauts”, part of website for the “1000 Days Non-Stop at Sea” mission. Maintained digital video logs for a documentary based on a sailing voyage of Captain Reid Stowe and the Schooner Anne.

VOLUNTEERING & causes

The Climate Reality Project
Climate Leader

Participated in training with former vice president Al Gore in 2013. Deliver presentations about climate change impacts, science, and solutions to local community groups and schools.

Tergar Meditation Community
Practice Leader

Co-lead a local secular meditation group, and guide mindfulness meditation practices.

COMPUTER SKILLS & languages

Photoshop…………….expert………………..18 years

Premiere……………….advanced……………6 years

InDesign………………advanced……………6 years

Illustrator……………..basic………………….3 years

Acrobat………………..intermediate……….6 years

UI design……………..expert………………..18 years

HTML & CSS………expert………………..18 years

WordPress…………….advanced……………8 years

Microsoft Office…….expert………………..20 years

Miradi………………….intermediate……….2 years

Spanish.………full professional proficiency…………20 years

Italian.……….elementary……………………………..1 year

Next Up: Portfolio