The Grace Group is an independent, full-service development team with more than 50 years of fundraising experience, specializing in helping small- to medium-sized nonprofit organizations with their fundraising needs. As a member of the Grace Group team I have spearheaded its new digital marketing department, working with clients to develop everything from full-scale digital marketing campaigns to website content calendars and effective email communications. Since I started as digital project manager, we’ve raised more than $130,000 for our clients through online fundraising initiatives.I’m also a member of the Grace Group's grant writing team, researching potential funders and writing compelling applications for large-scale healthcare and government organizations.

As digital marketing specialist for Destination DC, I managed Washington.org, the official website for the nation's capital, and its new sister site, DCCool.com - the official website for the flip side of the District. To ensure that we remained the top source for information as well as a beloved companion for users in and outside of DC, I managed daily web content and the creation of new pages, articles, slideshows, etc. From brainstorming new campaign ideas, batching editorial jobs, managing content calendars, sourcing and editing photos to uploading, tagging and promoting via social media and email marketing to various audiences, I lived and breathed Washington.org and DCCool.com. And because I am first and foremost a writer, I also contributed my hand to writing content for both sites and editing existing and new copy before pushing it live on either site. Along with website operations, I handled Destination DC's email marketing program, creating and overseeing every large-scale email communication that went out from our office to ensure brand consistency and correct editorial copy. Using CVENT software, I created event invitations, reminders and post-event emails for the marketing, tourism, convention sales and convention services departments. With Informz software, I developed e-newsletters and industry updates that were sent on a monthly basis to all members, stakeholders and corporate clients.

As marketing and communications assistant, I was the go-to-gal for everything my team needed. From press releases to email marketing to website content, this role helped to refine my passions and led me into my next role on the digital marketing team.On the communications side, I assisted with press releases, media distribution, press kits and presentations. I was the gatekeeper to all journalistic needs, handling all media press and TV clippings, b-roll and promotional videos as well as online image gallery. I also contributed marketing and communications pieces for DDC’s monthly Board Communique and assisted in communications events, including NYC Media Mission, Monthly PR Luncheon, DC Travel Rally, Taxi Appreciation Day and quarterly marketing committee meetings.I wrote and created our bi-weekly Member eNews email newsletter, crafting everything from the President & CEO’s letter to editing department copy and formatting images before sending to more than 2,500 contacts. I also was the lead on all event management emails, using CVENT and Informz email software to create invitations, cooperative opportunities, event reminders and post-event emails for DDC’s marketing, tourism, convention sales and services departments. On the marketing side, I jumped into our digital efforts, assisting the Digital Marketing Manager with Washington.org, including updating content, creating new articles (most notably for DCEats.org), posting press releases, adding featured events as well as reviewing content for the upcoming website migration. (I would later be a member on the two-member digital team that managed the entire migration.)Along with my duties as M&C assistant, I also served as interim production manager from Nov. 2011-Jan. 2012, overseeing the compilation and completion of the January-July 2012 Official Visitors Guide as well as coordinating all job requests.

As tourism and partnerships assistant, I served as the primary contact for all Destination DC members and tourism clients. I maintained and updated our D3000 database on a daily basis, inputting new members, contacts, tourism leads and operators. On the partnerships side, I prepared, collected and edited information for the Official Visitor Guide, Destination and Meeting Planner Guide, Unique Spaces Guide and Official Visitor Map, following DDC and AP style guide. I also coordinated our company's Dining Power and Driving Power programs, handling reservations for DDC staff and communicating and maintaining relationships with program partners. For our Monthly Mailer to all members, I wrote partnerships and tourism department copy as well as handled the distribution of 2,800 mailings to all of our members throughout the District. In addition, I assisted in the management of member events and meetings and was responsible for preparing all promotional material, sales kits and new member orientation guides.For tourism and visitor services departments, I created the quarterly Tourism eNewsletter using Informz email software and wrote copy for various DDC mailings. I assisted in bulk order management of DDC’s Official Visitor Guides and Official Visitor Maps as well as promotional DVD requests. I handled all billing information for the department, preparing invoices, billing requests and expense reports for processing. For tourism clients and groups visiting DC from around the world, I created promotional material and packaged information to welcome them into the nation’s capital.

As admissions counselor for my beloved alma mater, I directly recruited and communicated with prospective students from Utica, Westchester, Long Island, Albany and New England. I organized and coordinated admissions travel in the Fall and Spring semesters, and attended high school appointments, college fairs and off-campus recruitment events.When I wasn't on the road, I reviewed, documented and made admission decisions for all applicants from recruitment regions. I also was head of our Overnight Visit program, coordinating recruitment and training of Overnight Hosts, communication with prospective Overnight Visitors as well as the planning and scheduling of Overnight Visitor agendas with professors and program directors on campus.

As advertising director for The Bona Venture, I managed advertising material and accounts for the weekly campus publication.

As secretary of our university's American Advertising Federation chapter, I led a strategic marketing team of 40+ students. In the course of two semesters, we conducted marketing research and created strategies for advertising campaigns for the Coca-Cola Company and AOL Instant Messenger.Along with the brilliant minds of my classmates, I worked on design, writing content and editing of campaign plans books. And as a two-time member of our presentation team, I helped to develop and deliver our campaign presentations at AAF's National Student Advertising Competition in New York City, which we won third place for our AOL presentation in 2008!

As promotions intern for the Buffalo-based country music station 106.5 WYRK, I collaborated with team members in the planning, coordinating and operation of large-scale WYRK events including: The Taste of Country, The Taste of Buffalo, America's Fair as well as numerous concerts. In addition, I served as office assistant to both the promotions and broadcasting department, contributing art skills and ideas to company projects, as well as manage company database.