The Chicago Lighthouse

Senior Director of Advancement/Communications

April 2021-Present

In addition to continuing Senior Writer responsibilities, led communications strategy and execution for a $50 million nonprofit serving the blind, visually impaired, disabled, and veteran communities. Served as the primary writer and editor for the organization’s annual reports, printed newsletters, e-mail communications, and donor solicitations. Worked closely with Communications Manager to develop social media strategies and tactics. Worked with Chief Executive Officer to author bylined editorials in The New York Times, Chicago Tribune, and Daily Herald advocating for disability rights. Served as editorial director and mentor to producers of “The Disability Minute,” a weekly segment airing on top-rated radio station WBBM that covers topics of importance to the disability community. Managed crisis communications when the organization cut a program serving blind and developmentally disabled adults due to state budget cuts. Secured high-profile media placements for the agency’s social service initiatives in local news outlets, including Crain’s Chicago Business, Chicago Tribune, and network affiliates of NBC, CBS, PBS, and Fox in the country’s third-largest market. 

 

Senior Writer

October 2019-April 2021

Senior member of a four-person development team charged with securing more than $5 million in donated funds annually. Primary copy- and grant-writer for materials targeting high-gift foundations and donors ($100,000+) and for the organization’s $7 million endowment campaign. Personally, led proposals securing more than $500,000 in annual grant funding. Served as lead writer and editor for internal and external communications, including executive memos, newsletters, annual reports, and donor solicitations.

 

Deloitte Services LLP

Manager, Client Experience Journalist, Deloitte Insights for CMOs

March 2018-October 2019

Adapted firm’s thought leadership pieces, interviewed internal and external thought leaders and created analysis pieces to support firm’s sponsorship of theWall Street Journal’s daily CMO Today section in support of its Chief Marketing Officer Program. Work consistently received praise from internal and external stakeholders, including C-suite members.

 

Mediapost.com

Contributing Writer/Editor, Marketing Daily

November 2007-March 2018
Writer and fill-in editor for leading Web site (with 160,000 active subscribers, and 512,000 unique monthly users) providing news and information to marketers throughout the world. Covered news and trends for beats such as consumer electronics, telecommunications, entertainment, financial services and pharmaceuticals for “Marketing Daily” e-newsletter, delivered to 38,000 subscribers via e-mail every day.

 

Editor, Search Insider

March 2016-May 2017

Managed and created content for weekly e-mail newsletter targeted at search industry professionals. Conducted interviews with industry leaders, wrote analysis pieces exploring relevant topics supplementing Mediapost's Search Daily e-newsletter.

 

Freelance Writer/Content Creator/Communications Consultant

November 2007 - March 2018
Wrote speeches for C-suite-level executives on media and marketing trends; researched teen and twenty- something behavioral trends; developed media preparation plans and press releases; authored internal communications and articles for top executives for publication in trade magazines. Clients included top international marketing communications agencies, including Starcom MediaVest Group, DDB Worldwide, Leo Burnett and VivaKi.

Adweek Magazine

Senior Reporter/Midwest Web Editor

October 1997-November 2007
Broke news for weekly trade publication covering some of the world’s best-known advertising agencies, such as Leo Burnett, Fallon Worldwide and DDB, and Fortune 500 companies, such as McDonald’s, Kellogg and Procter & Gamble. Authored and contributed analyses following the impact of news on those advertising agencies and clients for weekly publication. Wrote numerous pieces for other sections of the magazine, including features and profiles, career and occasional commentary. Produced and edited daily content for regional section of the magazine’s Web site. Led annual regional “Report Card” development and coverage, 2004-2007.