EDUCATION
Bachelor of Arts, English, magna cum laude, May 2003
Saint Anselm College, Manchester, NH
Certificate of Fine Arts in Music
Master of Arts, Cinema Studies, summa cum laude, March 2012
Savannah College of Art and Design, Savannah, Ga.
Achieved 4.0 in coursework and on thesis.
Course Highlights: Assistant Teaching: Reading Films, Film Theory, History of Cinema, Creative Writing: Fiction and Poetry, Photography, German, Russian, Paris and NY in the 1920s & 30s.
Academic Writing: Independently conducted major research projects including literature review and analysis, leading to written and verbal presentations. Papers available here.
Continuing Education: Cognitive Poetics from University of Nottingham; Introduction to Forensic Science from University Strathclyde; Literature of the English Country House from University of Sheffield; 50 Years of Alfred Hitchcock, Ball State University.
EXPERIENCE
COMMUNICATIONS AND ADMINISTRATIVE DIRECTOR – (2020 – Present)
Ogeechee Riverkeeper, Savannah, GA
Develop and implement annual communications plans and goals; create and execute strategies to enhance visibility, increase media coverage and expand awareness and support; develop content for and oversee production and distribution of all external communications (paper and e-newsletters, brochures, flyers, postcards, press releases, etc.); oversee development of content for and regularly updating website and social media channels; develop and execute strategies to increase traffic and engagements on ORK’s website and social media; creating in-house marketing and outreach materials and work with vendors on outsourced communications/materials; develop and maintain current media database, media kits and article archives; cultivate relationships with the press; purchase and promote sales of ORK merchandise, keep track of inventory; assist with tabling at community events to increase awareness about ORK issues and recruit new members and volunteers; assist with event coordination and execution; maintain a database of volunteer information and involvement; manage and maintain donor and contact database and prepare reports as required; bookkeeping of accounts payable and receivable and preparing information for accountants; assist with fundraising.
STAFF WRITER – (2014 – 2020)
Savannah State University, Savannah, GA
As part of the marketing and communications team, create content to promote Savannah State University. Craft press releases, search out news items, interview subjects and produce in-depth articles for publications and curate internal communications. Coordinate and produce collateral material, prepare speeches, and assist with award-winning, major marketing and branding campaigns. Produce video and photography content. Manage website and web content. Maintain multiple social media streams for the university’s four colleges.
BRANCH MANAGER – (2014)
Live Oak Public Libraries, Savannah, GA
Responsible for all aspects of Islands Library facility, including the management of the circulation department and the supervision and training of assigned personnel and pages. Oversaw money and transactions, shipment and delivery of materials, and development and programming of events. Assisted customers in locating items and research resources, with basic computer usage, and with matching young readers with materials. Created dynamic displays to increase circulation. Managed collection by tracking damaged items, requesting new acquisitions and transferring duplicate materials. Created publicity/public relations calendars and flyers and kept essential statistics and records. Prepared and completed high-profile move to new branch library location.
MANAGING DIRECTOR – (2003 – 2014)
Lucas Theatre for the Arts, Savannah, GA
Oversaw and managed all aspects of a non-profit performing arts venue in Savannah’s historic downtown including: handled rental inquiries, quotes, contracts and invoices; calendar coordination with SCAD, outside promoters and community renters; oversaw accounts payable, payroll and budgets; administration of staff schedules; created distinctive season offerings within budget parameters; created and implemented marketing strategies; collaborated with other organizations, to enhance exhibits and offerings; oversaw and maintained a detailed database; house managed special events, premieres, touring shows, theatricals, operas, locally-presented arts performances, conferences, festivals and other high-profile events. Also assisted with management of summer restoration projects. Since November of 2010 also served as the Interim Executive Director.
WRITING/PUBLICATION
DVD NETFLIX CONTRIBUTOR – (2018 – 2023) Netflix’s DVD Nation is a group of red envelope enthusiasts who share a love of cinema and help others discover great recommendations in movies and TV shows. Members complete activities to earn points, level up to the next membership level, and unlock benefits.
REVIEWER / CRITIC – (2009 – Present) Maintain a well-researched and thoughtfully written blog of book reviews. Books provided for review by such publishers as Penguin, HarperCollins, Hachette, Pegasus Books, British Library, HMH Books, Simon & Schuster, Other Press, Viking, Random House, Picador USA and others.
COLUMNIST – (2017) Wrote “The Dogeared Corner,” a regular column about books and literary events for Savannah Magazine’s website, until magazine was sold and publisher reduced web offerings.
WEB CONTENT AND SOCIAL MEDIA ASSISTANT – (2012 – 2013)
Temporary, Freelance
Live Oak Public Libraries, Savannah, GA.
Worked closely with Public Relations Manager and Development Director to create and post web content for Live Oak Public Libraries website. This includes events, author information, branch calendars and more.
Also assisted with LOPL’s Twitter and Pinterest accounts.
WRITER — (various) Various publications.
Savannah Magazine, The South Magazine, Connect Savannah, G – The Magazine of Greenville, TOWN Magazine, The Cine-Files Journal
Featured writer including articles on Flannery O’Connor’s childhood home, pet-friendly Savannah, wedding vendors, local artists and events; researched, interviewed and prepared articles for biweekly real estate publication; wrote periodic features on local interest stories, including architectural restorations. Article on library fundraiser was recognized by the national “Geek the Library” campaign.
PHOTOGRAPHER – (various) Lulu’s Chocolate Bar, Savannah, GA. Solo exhibition. Savannah Music Festival, Savannah, GA. Work appeared on cover of competition materials. Deep Magazine, Savannah, GA. Work appeared in conjunction with feature article. Chapel Arts Center, Saint Anselm College, Manchester NH. Eight works chosen by an artist jury from a pool of 200+ entries to be shown in the student art show featuring 80 selected works. One work won the Honorable Mention award.
PUBLIC LEADERSHIP
FOUNDATION BOARD MEMBER – (2018 – Present)
Flannery O’Connor Childhood Home, Savannah, Ga.
Visitors to O’Connor’s Childhood Home, one of the few museum houses in the country that is restored to the Depression-era, receive a guided tour that reveals the quiet domestic life of the young Mary Flannery and her family. The organization also offers a variety of free events throughout the year, including a wacky Flannery birthday party and a free author lectures. Served as president of the board 2021-22.
COMMUNITY OUTREACH ADVOCATE – (2012 – 2016)
Crossroads Writers Conference, Macon, Ga.
Worked with founder and board member to identify potential speakers, authors, attendees, and sponsors for annual Crossroads Writers Conference. Assisted with occasional website content and social media outreach.
GALA COMMITTEE & AUCTION PROCUREMENT – (2013 – 2014)
Live Oak Public Libraries, Savannah, Ga.
Assist with various aspects of annual gala planning, request and fulfill silent auction items. Attend year-round planning meetings. Additional volunteer hours and book donations during the year.
WRITING FELLOW & Volunteer – (2013)
Deep, Savannah, Ga.
Assigned to a workshop of 12-14 middle grades (6-8) students at a Savannah public school; Plan, prep, and lead 11 weekly 75-minute workshops; help Savannah’s young people write and share their stories.
INSTRUCTOR – (2013)
The Learning Center at Senior Citizens, Inc., Savannah, Ga.
Taught an 8-week course on the American expatriate literary figures in Paris during the 1920s.
ADVISORY POSITIONS – (various), Savannah, Ga.
Acted as a volunteer judge for the Live Oak Libraries Poetry Contest. Offered advice to the Savannah Choral Society during their search for a new artistic director. Assisted the fledgling Tybee Post Theater with concerns about operating a historic venue, as well as producing fundraising events. Worked as part of the Visibility Team for the Savannah Book Festival.
PICNIC IN THE PARK COORDINATOR – (2005 – 2009 inclusive), Savannah, Ga.
Worked closely with the City of Savannah’s Department of Cultural Affairs as well as local music organizations to produce a perennial outdoor event, free and open to the public. Collected donated prizes, arranged judges, and managed all aspects of the picnic decoration contest.
OTHER
Computer Skills: Microsoft Word and Works, Excel, Outlook, Publisher, Power Point, File Maker Pro, Adobe Creative Suite, WordPress and Cascade management system. Proficient in both Windows and Mac operating systems.
Worked as a news intern for WMUR-TV (ABC) during the summer of 2000. Founding member and on-air host of RadioFlyers, an on-campus radio station at Saint Anselm College. Volunteered in the gardens of the Canterbury Shaker Village.
You can view my profile on LinkedIn.
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Download a .pdf version of my resume.
Download a .pdf version of my recommendations.
More references and recommendations available on LinkedIn.