[ SUMMARY ]
As a lifetime learner with strengths in understanding people and idea implementation, I possess a strong work ethic, drive and desire to be creative, enthusiasm to learn and infectious energy that creates proven results to teams and businesses.
[ SKILLS ]
~ Strong verbal and written communication skills with an avid interest in finding ways to improve the lives of others and myself
~ Talented self starter adept at leading strategic growth
~ Proficient with evolving social media tools and online marketing
~ More than a decade of public relations, marketing and journalism experience with a passion to understand people and tell great stories while being active in the community
[ EXPERIENCE ]
2011 – Present
~ Creating a camp for survivors of sexual abuse and advocating for policy that protects survivors of all ages
Mud Mile Communications – Sioux Falls, South Dakota
2007 – Present
~ Provide strategic marketing plans, media training, news release writing, social media coaching and public relations consulting
~ Work with local and regional companies, national franchises and political campaigns to implement messages using social networks, earned media and advertising elements
University of South Dakota – Vermillion, South Dakota – Adjunct Professor
2011 – 2012
~ Teaching upper class undergraduate courses for copy & layout and advertising/public relations strategy in the Contemporary Media & Journalism department
DooGooders – Sioux Falls, South Dakota – Chief Doo Officer
2007 – Present
~ Co-found dog waste removal service with a mission to give back to the community and donate 7% of sales to area charities
~ Develop marketing strategy and earned media campaign
~ Business increased 470% second year (averaged 400% annual growth)
Sanford Health – Sioux Falls, South Dakota – Media Relations
2006 – 2010
~ Coordinate interviews and assist with developing internal and external media strategy
~ Receive $11 million annually in earned media, ten times more than other market members
~ Pitch stories and work with local, regional, national and international media and develop strong relationships with journalists
~ Handle media and help plan Sanford Health’s Imagine Festival (June 2008) with 35,000 attendees and performances by Rascal Flatts and Sheryl Crow
~ Create internal writing feature highlighting physician profiles
~ Almost double Facebook followers in six months
KTIV-TV (NBC) – Sioux City, Iowa –Weekend Anchor/Reporter
2005 – 2006
~ Anchor/producer for #1 Saturday and Sunday newscasts increasing ratings and doubling key demographics
~ Oversaw creation and implementation of Sunday 5 p.m. show
~ Manage weekend staff including reporters and photographers
KELO-TV (CBS) – Sioux Falls, South Dakota – Reporter
2001 – 2005
~ Cover health, education & court stories and create contacts at a local, regional & national level
~ National award-winning reporter breaking stories picked up by networks and cable channels
U-Wire (uwire.com) – Chicago, Illinois – Assistant Editor
1998 – 2000
~ Assistant Editor managing staff of six for Internet company distributing stories and news releases to more than 500 college papers
Nebraska Mortgage Monthly – Lincoln, Nebraska – Co-Creator
1999 – 2000
~ Co-found monthly direct mail/fax newsletter for the Nebraska Mortgage Association to update 75 state-wide members about industry trends and state events
[ EDUCATION ]
University of Nebraska – Lincoln
Master of Business Administration, Global Executive Leadership 2009
~ Classroom time in Omaha, Nebraska, Washington, DC and Beijing, China
~ Golden Key Honor Society
~ Coached business leaders using StrengthFinders®
Northwestern University Medill School of Journalism – Evanston, Illinois
Bachelor of Science, Broadcast Journalism
~ Summa Cum Laude
~ Top Broadcast Journalism Student
~ Golden Key Honor Society
University of California San Diego
~ Political science & journalism classes as high school student
~ Attend college two years during high school to study public relations/marketing, journalism and sociology
[ HONORS, AWARDS & AFFILIATIONS ]
~ Sioux Falls State Theatre Social Media Advisory Board (2012)
~ SHE Magazine Woman of the Year Nominee (2012)
~ 605 Magazine Young Leader To Watch (2012)
~ SME Young Woman of Excellence (2012)
~ Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation National Selection Committee (2012)
~ Sioux Falls Municipal Band Emcee (2011-2012)
~ Sioux Falls YWCA Tribute to Women Tomorrow’s Leader Award (2011)
~ Sioux Empire Red Cross Board of Directors (2010-Present)
~ South Dakota Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Media Chair (2010-Present)
~ South Dakota Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Walk for the Cure Media/Public Relations Chair (2010-Present)
~ South Dakota Communicators Network (Board of Directors 2009-2011)
~ South Dakota Advertising Federation ADDY® 2010 Silver Award
~ Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce Member
~ Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce Ambassador (2009-2011)
~ Young Professionals Network
~ Children’s Miracle Network Volunteer
~ Pug Owner Society of the Sioux Empire (POSSE) Co-Founder
~ Bark for Life (American Cancer Society) Organizing Committee (2010-2011)
~ National Day of Service 2010 (Coca-Cola Foundation) South Dakota/North Dakota Regional Coordinator
~ South Dakota Advertising Federation ADDY® 2009 Silver Award
~ Coca-Cola National Scholar (Class of 1997)
~ Coca-Cola Leadership Summit Presenter (Atlanta – October 2008)
~ Wingspan.com Bank/Bank One Board of Directors (1998-2000)
~ South Dakota Association of Healthcare Organizations (SDAHO) 2009 Convention Strengths Revolution Presentation
~ Associated Press Awards Judge
~ National Edward R. Murrow Award (2003)
~ Regional Emmy (2003)
~ Ten Associated Press Awards (South Dakota, Iowa & Nebraska, 2001-2005)
~ Two Northwest Broadcast News Association Awards (2005)
~ Three Iowa Broadcast News Association Awards (2005-2006)
