This photo was taken by my friend and fellow writer Kaley Ann. Check out her inspiring photography at www.kaleyann.com
I've lived and worked in eight cities in five countries on two continents (well, three continents if you count the Asian side of Istanbul).
In London, England, I had a post-grad internship with international public relations firm Raitt Orr & Associates, where I wrote press releases for Kenya Airways, produced a four-color glossy brochure for Malta, and attended meetings at Parliament. I also ate way too many chips from the wagon.
In Baltimore, Maryland, I was newspaper reporter on the crime and education beat. My piece on a school for special-needs children won the Best of Show Award from the Maryland-Delaware-D.C. Press Association for the best education story in the region that year (besting the reporter from the Washington Post). I wrote a regular humor column for which I received exactly three pieces of hand-written fan mail. I also wrote the cover story for Baltimore Magazine's Top Singles issue -- with a sidebar in which I went out with one of the nominees. We didn't have a second date.
In Chicago, Illinois, I worked for a public relations agency and travelled the U.S. for clients like Sears and Gatorade. I served as head of tour sponsor publicity for the Backstreet Boys, Christina Aguilera, and Brian McKnight. I headed media campaigns for Cindy Crawford, Christy Brinkley and Miss America. I wrote talking points for Colin Powell. I've been an editor for both the NFL and MLB Athletic Trainers' Societies. I had an all-access pass to the Shedd Aquarium and arranged for press interviews with sharks. For real.
In Istanbul, Turkey, I was a contributing writer and editor at Time Out Istanbul magazine while also producing and editing a 40-page glossy brochure for a third-generation rug dealer in the Grand Bazaar. I was editor of the American Consulate in Istanbul newsletter where my most popular article was where to find New York-style bagels. Spoiler alert: you don't.
In Cleveland, Ohio, I worked with the communications and marketing team at Western Reserve Academy -- one of the top-ranked boarding schools in the country -- on building a multi-year public relations platform, as well as communicating effectively with their alumni, increasing online outreach and social media utilization. I was a contributing writer to Reserve, the alumni magazine, including the cover story on their beloved outgoing headmaster.
In Richmond, Virginia, where in 1996 I had been commissioned for my first piece in Richmond Magazine, I helped clients Organic Blueprints and Ignite Speed Networking with marketing communications. On the side, I completed the most demanding, most detail-oriented project I've undertaken: volunteer co-coordinator of an elementary school after-school program. We hosted 13 simultaneous classes for 220 students over a six-week period; it was a thrilling, sticky-handed, exhausting, rewarding experience.
In Vienna, Austria, I worked at The American International School Vienna. My primary position -- and the most fun a person can have in any language -- was as an elementary school library assistant (under the world's most dynamic librarian), where I learned the school inside-and-out, informing and inspiring my work for the school's marketing department. I also produced pieces for Metropole magazine.
A return to the Washington D.C. area -- where years ago I studied Turkish full-time at the Inlingua School of Languages -- allowed me to create a new mentoring program for new and globally nomadic families at the local elementary school -- to include writing and publishing the Welcome To Our Nest website, virtual coffees, and a veteran-to-newcomer parent network.
Today, you can find me living on the Rhône river in the fabulous city of Lyon, France. I am writing a book about the misadventures of renting and rehabbing a 200-year-old apartment in the The Other City of Light(s).
In London, England, I had a post-grad internship with international public relations firm Raitt Orr & Associates, where I wrote press releases for Kenya Airways, produced a four-color glossy brochure for Malta, and attended meetings at Parliament. I also ate way too many chips from the wagon.
In Baltimore, Maryland, I was newspaper reporter on the crime and education beat. My piece on a school for special-needs children won the Best of Show Award from the Maryland-Delaware-D.C. Press Association for the best education story in the region that year (besting the reporter from the Washington Post). I wrote a regular humor column for which I received exactly three pieces of hand-written fan mail. I also wrote the cover story for Baltimore Magazine's Top Singles issue -- with a sidebar in which I went out with one of the nominees. We didn't have a second date.
In Chicago, Illinois, I worked for a public relations agency and travelled the U.S. for clients like Sears and Gatorade. I served as head of tour sponsor publicity for the Backstreet Boys, Christina Aguilera, and Brian McKnight. I headed media campaigns for Cindy Crawford, Christy Brinkley and Miss America. I wrote talking points for Colin Powell. I've been an editor for both the NFL and MLB Athletic Trainers' Societies. I had an all-access pass to the Shedd Aquarium and arranged for press interviews with sharks. For real.
In Istanbul, Turkey, I was a contributing writer and editor at Time Out Istanbul magazine while also producing and editing a 40-page glossy brochure for a third-generation rug dealer in the Grand Bazaar. I was editor of the American Consulate in Istanbul newsletter where my most popular article was where to find New York-style bagels. Spoiler alert: you don't.
In Cleveland, Ohio, I worked with the communications and marketing team at Western Reserve Academy -- one of the top-ranked boarding schools in the country -- on building a multi-year public relations platform, as well as communicating effectively with their alumni, increasing online outreach and social media utilization. I was a contributing writer to Reserve, the alumni magazine, including the cover story on their beloved outgoing headmaster.
In Richmond, Virginia, where in 1996 I had been commissioned for my first piece in Richmond Magazine, I helped clients Organic Blueprints and Ignite Speed Networking with marketing communications. On the side, I completed the most demanding, most detail-oriented project I've undertaken: volunteer co-coordinator of an elementary school after-school program. We hosted 13 simultaneous classes for 220 students over a six-week period; it was a thrilling, sticky-handed, exhausting, rewarding experience.
In Vienna, Austria, I worked at The American International School Vienna. My primary position -- and the most fun a person can have in any language -- was as an elementary school library assistant (under the world's most dynamic librarian), where I learned the school inside-and-out, informing and inspiring my work for the school's marketing department. I also produced pieces for Metropole magazine.
A return to the Washington D.C. area -- where years ago I studied Turkish full-time at the Inlingua School of Languages -- allowed me to create a new mentoring program for new and globally nomadic families at the local elementary school -- to include writing and publishing the Welcome To Our Nest website, virtual coffees, and a veteran-to-newcomer parent network.
Today, you can find me living on the Rhône river in the fabulous city of Lyon, France. I am writing a book about the misadventures of renting and rehabbing a 200-year-old apartment in the The Other City of Light(s).
Recognitions & Awards
Public Relations Society of America, Chicago Skyline Award
Public Relations Society of America, Chicago Skyline Award Publicity Club of Chicago, Silver Trumpet Award National SABRE Award, Holmes Group Society of Professional Journalists, First Place in Feature Reporting Maryland-Delaware-Washington D.C. (MDDC) Press Association, Best of Show MDDC Press Association, First Place Feature MDDC Press Association, First Place Education MDDC Press Association, Second Place News MDDC Press Association, Second Place Feature Baltimore County Community Achievement Award |
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