Summary of Expertise

  • In-depth knowledge of current technology, health and medical topics
  • Used social media and traditional media outlets to drive communications on cutting edge research to a wide range of audiences
  • Managed diverse teams including internal and external staff, consultants and vendors
  • Consulted with government agencies (e.g., DOD, VA, HHS, NIDA), health organizations, and trade associations to implement change
  • Implemented technology solutions to increase effectiveness and save money

Experience

PosiTek.net, Vienna, VA
COO (July 2011 - present)

  • Manage operations
  • Create web content and design for website
  • Develop promotion opportunities using social media

Examiner.com, National Online Newspaper
Independent Contractor (December 2010 - present)

  • Write articles on cycling, health and other sports
  • Target Arlington, VA community
  • Use social media analytics to maxamize readership

American Psychological Association, Washington, D.C.
Public Affairs Manager (1998-2010)

  • Crafted media messages in response to current news events and pitched stories to media outlets, blogs
  • Developed technology solutions in response to shrinking budgets and rising demand
  • Promoted association-published books, scholarly journals and legistative testimony
  • Wrote news releases, podcasts, blogs, brochures, in-house and trade magazine articles
  • Coordinated with outside vendors to produce podcasts and radio news releases
  • Coached staff and members for interviews
  • Presented on various topics for training and education of staff and members
  • Managed experts database
  • Managed staff and teams of up to 20 people

Achievements:

  • High success rate for placements of experts in major media outlets, websites and blogs
  • Extensive news and social media coverage of scientific research from journal releases, conference presentations and features of experts
  • Created and implemented database of experts for media access - built from 30 to 3,000
  • Developed electronic access to research for press operation at annual convention - decreased staff (8 to 3) and moved operation to main location saving thousands of dollars
  • Developed new design and content for online newsroom
  • Developed content for association's online response to 9/11 - recognized by Forbes Magazine as one of the top 10 best websites in 2001

Consulting

Constella Health Group, Rockville, MD
Independent Consultant (2004 - 2007)

Wrote summary statements, reports and edited grant applications for various government agencies, including National Institute of Health (NIH), Institute of Educational Sciences (IES) and National Vaccine Advisory Committee (NVAC)

Johnson, Bassin and Shaw, Silver Spring, MD
Independent Consultant (2000 - 2002)

Researched and wrote book chapters for treatment improvement protocols (TIP) for methadone maintenance patients for a NIH contract

PriceWaterhouseCooper and Society for Training and Development, Rosslyn, VA
Independent Consultant (1998)

Wrote and edited news release and the promotional copy for training book: Building High Performance: Tools and Techniques for Training and Learning

Education

  • Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Minor in English, University of Vermont and Johnson State College, Burlington, VT
  • School for International Training, Oxford, U.K.
  • Master Certificate in Digital Media Skills, American University, Washington, D.C.

Software Applications

Microsoft® Office; Adobe®, Photoshop, Dreamweaver