Curriculum Vitae

• Strengths and experiences include public relations, strategic writing and copy editing, cultural affairs, community relations, project coordination, and non-profit administration;
• Long term international experiences, including residencies in the Netherlands, England and Austria;
• Fluent in Dutch, English and German; studied advanced French and Latin; studied intermediate Spanish and basic Ancient Greek; and great understanding of linguistics and cultural subtleties;
• Graphic and Web site design; extensive computer skills and expertise in new media: MS Office, Adobe CS 2 Creative Suite, QuarkXPress, Macromedia Flash and Dreamweaver, WordPress, and CSS and HTML programming.

• Pursue publicity opportunities in the scope of strategic initiatives and strengthen media relations; write and pitch news releases, stories and interviews with acclaimed artists for Chicago print and broadcast media; and support national and international media outreach;
• Support marketing efforts with public relations, resulting in a measurable increase of ticket sales; support education, community relations, and volunteer endeavors with internal and external communication; and increasing awareness, involvement and advocacy of the Women’s Association and programs such as Symphonython, CSO Youth Auditions, and Youth Concerts for young students;
• Coordinate public relations and marketing efforts for citywide Silk Road Chicago celebration, including Web site content, brochure copy, news releases and press events, partnering with the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Office of Tourism, The Art Institute of Chicago, and Yo-Yo Ma’s Silk Road Project;
• Media coverage includes Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times, Time Out Chicago, Chicago Magazine, WFMT-FM, WBEZ-FM, ABC 7, NBC 5, The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and Financial Times.

• Part of public relations agency that won the Publicity Club of Chicago’s prestigious 2006 Golden Trumpet award in the special events and observances category for the “Kohl Children’s Museum Reborn” campaign;
• Created and pitched news and photo releases for clients including Third Coast International Audio Festival, Governors State University, Arts & Business Council of Americans for the Arts, and Dance Chicago;
• Assisted in coordination of national and local press during red carpet events for the 41st Chicago International Film Festival with high profile guests including Susan Sarandon, Nicolas Cage and Terrence Howard.

• Part of public relations department that won the Publicity Club of Chicago’s prestigious 2006 Golden Trumpet award in the community relations category for the organization’s “Seeing what’s Possible” campaign;
• Merchandised Wall Street Journal front page article to media, clients and patrons, experiencing coverage including ABC World News; a record attendance and proceeds of $360,000 at annual fundraiser; and support for the Javits-Wagner-O'Day Act by Senator Barack Obama and Congressman Danny Davis;
• Contributed copy and photography to annual reports, newsletters, Web site and other publications and created and pitched news and photo releases. Media coverage includes Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times, Pioneer Press, Gazette, Lawndale News, and trade publications such as Advancing Philanthropy.

• Developed, maintained and promoted company web site, resulting in 40,000 hits over a three month period;
• Advised Board of Directors on public relations strategies and fundraising, resulting in coverage in Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times, and Chicago Reader; and a sold-out production run, extended three times;
• Wrote grant proposals, sponsorship letters and Web site copy and volunteered at several fundraisers.

• Winner of the Columbia College Chicago 2004/05 Academic Excellence Award Scholarship;
• Executive Vice President, Collegiate Chapter of the American Marketing Association;
• Produced, coordinated and promoted an event, raising over 200 toys for children from underserved communities surrounding Saint Anthony Hospital. Media coverage included local Gazette and Lawndale News.