Resume

Summary

I am a communications professional with experience in the automotive, software, healthcare and education industries. My specialties include user experience design, digital signage, graphic design, copywriting, web design, public relations and photography. With over 20 years of experience, I am a problem solver who can collaborate across teams to design, develop and deliver exceptional work. By asking the right questions, I know how to outline clear requirements for projects and gather feedback to refine a finished product.

Professional Experience

VCU College of Engineering, Senior Communications Specialist, 1/2022 – PRESENT

Social Media Manager

  • Develop and manage faculty social media influencer network
  • Train faculty on social media best practices
  • Create content plan for website and social media, writing articles and posts as needed

Senior Communications Specialist

  • Manage and copy edit annual report and other print publications
  • Manage editorial calendar and conduct interviews to promote research and student success
  • Meet with department chairs and senior leaders to set marketing and communication goals
  • Coordinate public relations opportunities, including interviews and crisis communications
  • Produce quarterly email newsletters, writing articles as needed
  • Write and execute communications for senior leadership
  • Manage and produce content for digital signage
Top of Mind Public Relations, Freelance Communications Specialist, 9/2021 – 1/2022
  • Write copy for redesign of law firm website and collaborate with outside web agency
  • Build relevant media lists to increase likelihood of press release publication
  • Write pitches and manage media relations for legal and real estate clients
  • Conduct competitive analysis for website rebrand
JM Family Enterprises, Senior Communications Specialist, 1/2008 – 9/2021

Web/Graphic Design and Content Creation

  • Collaborated with Southeast Toyota’s digital team, collecting requirements to design and write content for a Toyota dealership retail portal
  • Coordinated writers for corporate website redesign, making edits to align with content strategy
  • Partnered with Human Resources to leverage data from usability testing to enhance career portal
  • Wrote content for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion space on corporate website
  • Built communication campaigns to strengthen associate commitment to internal programs
  • Developed websites for clients using WordPress and built style guidelines for users
  • Designed logos, print pieces and digital assets to support the graphic design team

Photography

  • Managed $20,000 annual budget used for event photography and corporate photoshoots
  • Coordinated with Human Resources and department leadership to identify models and direct multi-day photoshoots with hired photographers at business locations in the Southeast U.S.
  • Served as lead photographer at events and for corporate stock image photoshoots

Digital Signage Strategy and Design

  • Created marketing strategy for programs on internal TV network across offices in Florida, Georgia, Missouri and Alabama
  • Collaborated with IT and vendors to support network of 88 screens in 10 locations
  • Empowered departments to manage content by developing custom templates and training users to create engaging messaging for localized information

Social Media Management

  • Facilitated influencer events by connecting popular content creators with the PR team
  • Encouraged development of external communication strategies involving social media

Internal Communications

  • Developed email campaigns to communicate program information to associates
  • Created an innovative live news site to replace the monthly email newsletter

External Communications

  • Secured publicity for corporate events, like Scion Exposed, from local media outlets
IronCAD, Mechanical Design Software, Marketing Specialist, 4/2006 – 2/2008
  • Followed industry trends to identify marketing opportunities in trade publications
  • Developed training videos and literature for new and existing product features
  • Built media strategy to promote software features through customer case studies
  • Reviewed customer feedback with marketing director to define future product features
  • Wrote and designed marketing content for corporate and reseller websites
  • Interviewed customers to solicit feedback and user experiences
  • Managed trade show booth at industry events to generate leads
  • Tested product features for developers prior to release
  • Wrote press releases and pitched trade media publications
Florida International University, Marketing Coordinator, 1/2006 – 4/2006
  • Coordinated with program managers to market educational products based on trends
  • Wrote compelling marketing materials to translate program benefits to future customers
  • Wrote press releases and managed media relations for continuing education program to promote degree and certification offerings through local newspapers and community events
Zimmerman & Partners Advertising, Copywriter, 1/2004 – 1/2006
  • Wrote and directed the creation of print, radio and TV advertisements
  • Collected requirements from clients and made creative pitches
Miami-Dade County Health Department, Newsletter Editor, 8/2002 – 1/2004
  • Engaged employees and clients with news of initiatives, interviews and featured events within the Miami-Dade County Health Department through a monthly print newsletter
  • Designed layout, wrote articles and copy-edited submissions for newsletter
  • Managed relationship with print production company
  • Photographed community events

Education

Florida International University, Honors College
(1999 – 2003)

  • Bachelor of Science, Public Relations and Mass Communication
  • Bachelor of Arts, Information Technology

Skills

  • Adobe suite: After Effects, Audition, InDesign, Illustrator, Lightroom, Photoshop, Xd
  • Bilingual, fluent in Spanish
  • Client communication and client management
  • Coding languages: HTML, JavaScript, PHP
  • Content management and development
  • Digital signage platforms: Scala, Symon
  • Microsoft Office suite, Google Docs suite, Google Analytics
  • Interdepartmental communication and collaboration
  • Mentorship and development
  • Cision PR Newswire and Muck Rack public relations platforms
  • Photography proficiency with understanding of natural and studio lighting techniques
  • Project management
  • Public speaking
  • Social media strategy
  • Understanding of design thinking and agile methodology
  • User experience design
  • Web content management systems: Drupal, Sitecore, WordPress
  • Working knowledge of search engine optimization