After more than 20 years as a daily newspaper reporter and editor, I launched a career in marketing communications in 2012. I have become adept at integrated marketing communications planning and tactics, including brand journalism, website content, social media, email marketing, and media relations.

Let me tell your story.

Experience

Freelance Writer and Editor: present
Work as an independent journalist and as a marketing communications consultant. Marketing communications planning and tactics provided to clients include brand journalism, media relations, blogging, social media, website content, and email marketing.

Communications Director at Hospital Council of Northwest Ohio, Toledo, Ohio: 2021 to 2024
Planned and executed marketing communications for the Hospital Council of Northwest Ohio,  a regional hospital association that coordinates community health improvement efforts and regional programs. This included the Healthy Lucas County community health improvement coalition, for which I also served as the Project Manager. Managed websites, social media, email marketing, newsletters, media relations, graphic design, analytics, collateral materials, advertising, annual reports, presentations, vendor contracts, and photography. Also wrote grant and award applications; managed grant projects; researched and composed industry white papers; and managed events and fundraising efforts. Started at the Hospital Council in 2015 as the Communications Coordinator before becoming the Communications & Grants Manager in 2020 and Communications Director in 2021.

Senior Writer/Senior Specialist at ProMedica, Toledo, Ohio: 2012 to 2014
Marketing communications representative for advocacy – in addition to the Come to the Table initiative to address hunger as a health issue nationwide – as well as human resources, safety, and other operations/initiatives.

Health Reporter at The Blade, Toledo, Ohio: 2007 to 2012
Covered healthcare issues, rotated weekends as an Assistant City Editor supervising reporters, and worked several months on the newspaper’s investigative team. Had second, additional beat of covering Toledo’s eastern suburbs for about 2.5 years.

Business Reporter at The Blade, Toledo, Ohio: 1998 to 2007
Primarily covered the auto industry, manufacturing and labor relations. Responsible for covering the former Dana Corp., Cooper Tire & Rubber Co., Libbey Inc., and other companies, as well as Jeep factories and various auto parts plants.

Business Reporter at The Journal Gazette, Fort Wayne, Indiana: 1996 to 1998
Covered labor, workplace issues, the auto industry and transportation.

Health and Social Services Reporter at Times-News, Twin Falls, Idaho: 1994 to 1996
Covered healthcare issues, homelessness and other poverty topics.

Bureau Reporter at The Daily Item, Sunbury, Pennsylvania: 1990 to 1992
Covered health in the region and general news in a county.

Education

Master of Arts in Philosophy, University of Toledo

Bachelor of Science in Journalism, Ohio University

Volunteerism

Mobile Meals of Toledo, Inc. (2014 through 2022): Board Secretary, Executive Committee, Chair of 2015 Wine Gala, Marketing Committee

Toledo Streets Workforce Development Corp. (2018 through 2019): Board Member

Metroparks of the Toledo Area (2010 to 2021): Volunteer Trail Patrol

Susan G. Komen Northwest Ohio (2017): Toledo Race for the Cure Survivor Activities Chair