SUMMARY

Multilingual Freelance Writer and Communications Professional with a proven track record in writing, storytelling, network broadcast journalism, video production, public relations and strategic communications. Company spokesperson with expertise in managing issues and directing live TV news production for premier news networks. Tech-savvy communicator adept at leading cross-functional teams. Fluent in English, Spanish, and German with proficiency in French. Core competencies include:

Content Creation | Press Release & Feature Writing | AP Style | Executive Byline Writing | Spokesperson | Strategic Communications | Crisis Communications | Photography & Videography | Adobe Premiere & Final Cut Pro Editing | Social Media | Relationship Management | Team Supervision & Training | Language Translation

 

SEATTLE CHILDREN’S – Seattle, Wash. 

Sr. Public Relations Specialist

Editor-in-Chief for On the Pulse blog: wrote and edited articles using AP Stylebook standards; selected photography; coordinated blog content and delivery with other teams; adhered to SEO best practices for all content.

Created photo and video content for distribution to internal and external channels.

Crafted pitches, press announcements and talking points.

Oversaw proactive and reactive media relations to secure local, regional and national coverage.

Coordinated media coverage of organization’s events.

Collaborated with cross-functional teams on content creation and delivery.

 

UNITED WAY OF KING COUNTY – Seattle, Wash

Associate Director of Public Relations

Served as on-camera spokesperson for news media in Spanish and English.

Successfully pitched and coordinated media coverage of United Way of King County’s efforts to assist people during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Created engaging written and visual content for communications and marketing teams, including press announcements, internal and external talking points, executive communications, white papers.

Wrote op-eds on behalf of the organization’s CEO:

o   People need help more than ever, not a reduction in benefits (Seattle Times)

o   For a better future, approve Best Starts for Kids levy (Seattle Times)

Used journalistic techniques to develop signature profiles of clients to humanize United Way’s programs that help the community.

Developed and oversaw editorial calendar for United Way blog.

Developed and maintained relationships with key news media, influencers and policy makers.

Managed partner organization and agency relationships, including communications coordination.

Oversaw production of video and photographic assets for United Way’s website and social media channels.

Managed publicity for events, including strategic approach, drafting and pitching media advisories.

Proactive distribution of key messaging on the organization’s programs and positions.

 

KING 5 NEWS – Seattle, Wash.

Multimedia Assignment Editor

Regularly exercised high judgement in story selection and assignments.

Researched and pre-produced stories.

Built relationships to develop story sources; Conducted pre-interviews with sources.

Coordinated photojournalists to cover breaking news and events.

Constantly monitored and screened social media channels and incoming viewer tips to assess and develop story leads.

Strategically leveraged social media to distribute news stories.

Field produced news events.

Produced and edited video and photographic content for social media and broadcast news.

 

NORTHSHORE SCHOOL DISTRICT – Bothell, Wash.

Assistant Director of Communications

Produced written, photographic and video content for distribution on all available communications channels.

Maximized social media to distribute alerts and news about the district.

Worked with District leadership on communications to local community about school construction projects.

Wrote articles to highlight student success stories.

Drafted and distributed emergency communications to parents in English and Spanish.

Managed news media requests and coordinated responses.

 

Dallas County Community College District (now Dallas College) – Dallas, Texas 

News Communication Manager

Promoted and increased visibility of brand by creating written, photographic, and video content for all system platforms regarding academic and workforce training programs, highlighting student success stories.

Served as on-camera spokesperson for DCCCD in English and Spanish.

Media trained staff for TV and print interviews and news conferences.

Managed crisis communications, including the fatal shooting of a student at North Lake College in May 2017 and police shootings in Dallas near/inside El Centro College in July 2016.

Wrote articles about economic, workforce development, and feature stories that impacted the colleges. Distributed articles to local and national media, with nearly 100% of articles republished, driving increase in calls from community members seeking program information.

Collaborated with executives, directors, and marketing to develop strategies and messaging to support branding.

Cultivated relationships with local media to pitch stories and promote coverage of DCCCD and its colleges.

Presented workshops at Texas Association of Community College Marketers and National Council for Marketing & Public Relations in the aftermath of the Dallas police shooting.

Utilized media tracking service to produce daily newsletter with earned media mentions, workforce trends, and state and higher education news, training colleagues on workflow.

Used external tools such as Help A Reporter Out and ProfNet to pitch expert commentary from staff, responding to requests from reporters to increase school visibility.

Wrote, shot, and edited video using Final Cut Pro.

 

Fox News Channel (FNC)/Fox Business Network (FBN) – Dallas, Texas; Washington, D.C.; London, UK

Producer

Produced correspondent packages for FNC Special Report and breaking news live shots under tight deadlines.

Supervised field staff, including satellite truck operators, field producers, photographers, audio technicians, and editors.

Worked with New York assignment desk to determine/coordinate coverage in Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Arkansas.

Coordinated coverage of May 2013 tornadoes in Oklahoma, supervising multiple crews and staff from other bureaus.

Managed multi-camera shots and collected editorial and video elements for reporter live shots.

Researched, wrote, and pitched stories; proofread and edited reporter scripts; and conducted interviews

Covered White House, Capitol Hill, Treasury Department, Federal Reserve, and other agencies in Washington, DC, producing special events and coordinating pool coverage for financial networks.

Produced coverage of President Barack Obama’s travel to Latin America and G8 meetings in France and Mexico.

Field-produced and coordinated special events for FBN, including 2012 election primaries, political debates, RNC Convention, election-day coverage, and presidential inauguration.

Contributed to launch of FBN in October 2007, helping establish workflow for digital environment and procedures for coordinating coverage of DC events.

 

NBC NewsChannel (NBC Network Affiliate Service) – Washington, D.C.

Producer & Assignment Editor

Wrote advisories about upcoming stories for NBC affiliates and NBC cable networks, such as MSNBC and CNBC.

Produced reporter packages and voiceover-to-sound (VO/SOT), writing voiceovers and anchor introductions. 

Managed on-air coverage in the aftermath of the 9/11/2001 terrorist attacks on the Pentagon.

Covered Hurricanes Katrina and Ivan; Virginia Tech shootings; and Amish school shooting in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

Researched and pitched story ideas and arranged and conducted interviews.

Conducted site surveys to determine best locations for event coverage and reporter stand-ups.

Coordinated large-scale political events, such as presidential inaugurals, elections, and campaigns.

Booked, downlinked, and uplinked satellite and fiber feeds.

Handled studio lighting and audio adjustments and operated robotic studio cameras for live shots.

Worked extensively with NBC News and its international partners, including ZDF, NTV, ITN, and Al Jazeera (English).

 

RELATED WORK EXPERIENCE 

Worldwide Television News (Now part of ABC News) – Washington, D.C.                                                                                                         

Producer/Writer

Wrote, produced and edited news packages and vo/sots for international clients

Shot and edited video

Image Television/OUTDOOR LIFE NETWORK – Washington, D.C.                                                                                                                    

Producer/Writer

Researched, field produced and wrote documentaries about bears

Production was contracted to Image Television by Outdoor Life Network

Televisa – Washington, D.C. Bureau for Televisa                                                                                                                                                              

Producer

Produced daily correspondent package about politics and policy for Mexican-owned news network.

On-air reporter as needed

EDUCATION

Bachelor of Arts in Broadcast Journalism, Minor in German, University of Maryland – College Park, MD

 

AWARDS AND RECOGNITION

Silver Distinction in the Council for Advancement and Support of Education District IV "Writing - News" category Annual Award Competition in 2017 for the article, "Skills Gap in Cybersecurity Creates Job Opportunities for DCCCD Students."

Honorable Mention in the Council for Advancement and Support of Education District IV "Writing - News" category Annual Award Competition in 2016 for the article, "Nationwide Shortage of Chefs Creates Opportunities for Students at El Centro College’s Food and Hospitality Institute." 

TECHNICAL SKILLS

Adobe Premiere Pro | Adobe Encoder | Adobe Lightroom | Final Cut Pro | PC & Mac | Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint) | Viz Ardome | iNEWS | ScheduALL