Freelance Writer and Communications Consultant, 2018 - Present

PlayArts

• Consulted on advertising, communications and social media strategy for progressive play environment and child-centered community specializing in arts education, parenting workshops, free play and events.

• Created content for monthly event newsletters, class registration newsletters and special event blasts.

• Created, directed and scheduled social media advertising.

University of Pennsylvania

• Interviewed graduate alumni on current career trajectory and accomplishments.

• Created persuasive, targeted informational profiles for use in marketing of graduate programs.

• Researched, attended and covered PENN events for online content for staff and alumni

 

Philadelphia School District, Philadelphia, PA

Volunteer, September 2011 – Present

• Act as an involved and eager parent volunteer at Albert M. Greenfield School and Julia R. Masterman Laboratory School: Volunteered as event (auctions, spring fairs, book fairs) organizer and staffer, writer and editor of HSA newsletters and social media, teacher-parent liaison, perennial field trip chaperone and in class volunteer for parties, read-alouds and one-on-one student tutoring.

• Regularly staff the Julia R. Masterman Laboratory School Library: Assist School Librarian with student library use, organization, grading, cataloging and shelving on a weekly basis

 

Greenfield Home and School Association, Philadelphia, PA

VP Communications, April 2016 – June 2018

• Informed Greenfield community: Created copy, graphics and layout of weekly newsletter communicating school fundraisers, announcements, events, after school activities and news.

• Remained engaged and informed: communicated with board members, faculty, staff, parents and area businesses to identify needs, write and prioritize content.

• Lead fundraising initiatives: Crafted Annual Fund copy for newsletters and handouts that raised over 160K in monetary donations from Greenfield and extended community. Created fundraising pleas for Greenfield Annual Auction that raises 100K annually.

• Engaged parent community: Updated HSA Facebook page for social media outreach.

• Created communication standards for future board members: Established guidelines for which information is to be communicated via which medium and the extent to which we allow outside communication by area businesses.

• Participated as an active member of the Executive Board: Attended meetings, participate in votes and contribute to idea formulation and execution.

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Elsevier, Philadelphia, PA

Society Coordinator, 2003 – November 2004

• Supported Elsevier Society Journals Management with in-depth customer service: Anticipated and accommodated society needs as a liaison between subscription customer service departmental management, journals publishing group, and marketing/advertising professionals to ensure continued society satisfaction in the handling of all subscription service matters - membership lists, online journal access, billing and payment.

 

Sheridan Elementary School, Philadelphia, PA

Literacy Intern Teacher, September 2001 – June 2002

• Encourage and support independent literacy learning: Create, organize and manage urban classroom environment.

• Assess achievement and strategize improvement: Observe and assess reading levels, design appropriate curriculum and implement procedures to measure outcomes.

 

CDNOW, Fort Washington, PA, January 1998 – April 2001

Copywriter, 2001

• Increased revenue, quality and marketability for Internet music retailer: Created audience- and product-specific promotional copy selling music, movies, electronics and accessories.

• Supported successful marketing campaigns: Wrote compelling and creative text for banner advertisements, direct mailings, site features and sweepstakes.

• Collaborated on sales-focused promotions: Worked with marketing, merchandising and design departments, meeting strict deadlines.

Quality Communications Specialist, 1999 – 2001

• Enabled quality customer service company-wide: Wrote clear, concise and customer-focused response templates.

• Measured and improved effectiveness and consistency in customer service: Created and implemented departmental quality program.

• Raised performance levels of Customer Service Representatives: Conducted training classes and one-on-one coaching.

Training Specialist, Customer Service, 1998 – 1999

• Instilled skillful practices in new customer service staff: Developed and presented training covering the policies, procedures and expectations of the company.

• Increased customer satisfaction: Exercised creative problem solving and provided detailed answers to email and telephone inquiries.

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