Heidi Basarab Email & Phone Number

United States

Greater Chicago Area

People hire me when they want an experienced, enthusiastic freelancer who doesn't scrimp on quality, miss deadlines, or create drama. I'm particularly well-versed in the e-learning, corporate training, management consulting, nonprofit, ESG, and startup (future of work) sectors.

Chicago, Illinois, United States

When I'm not writing and editing, I'm walking dogs and dangling feathery toys in front of cats. I love caring for animals! Spending time with them fuels my brain and fills my heart.

Greater Chicago Area

Researched and wrote stories illuminating how nonprofits drive positive change in affordable housing, healthcare, early childhood education, and other areas of human services. IFF is a 30-year-old community development financial institution (CDFI) that provides real-estate loans and services to nonprofits across the Midwest.

San Francisco Bay Area

Conceptualized and created how-to articles, newsletters, interactive scenarios, and other digital training materials to help managers better lead their teams. Jhana was an eLearning startup that Franklin Covey (NYSE: FC) acquired in 2017. I joined Jhana in October 2012, when we were a fledgling company of just five employees with $30K in annual recurring revenue (ARR), and played a critical role helping us grow into a 24-person, $2M (ARR) acquisition target with clients like One Acre… Show more Conceptualized and created how-to articles, newsletters, interactive scenarios, and other digital training materials to help managers better lead their teams. Jhana was an eLearning startup that Franklin Covey (NYSE: FC) acquired in 2017. I joined Jhana in October 2012, when we were a fledgling company of just five employees with $30K in annual recurring revenue (ARR), and played a critical role helping us grow into a 24-person, $2M (ARR) acquisition target with clients like One Acre Fund, Glassdoor, Informatica, and Groupon. ► Researched and wrote 200+ articles, 80+ weekly newsletters, and responses to 50+ management-related user queries.► 97% of users who answered our product-embedded survey question (“Was this article helpful?”) said yes.► Conducted user research and tirelessly advocated for a practical, learner-centered approach.► Recruited, trained, and coached contributing writers.► Curated and packaged content to meet HR partners' specific needs, contributing to our service team's renewal and expansion rate of more than 100%. ► Created seminal style and voice guides. Show less

San Francisco Bay Area

Hired by Jhana's co-founders as the company's first writer/researcher to build out and refine our core product.

San Francisco Bay Area

Wore multiple communication hats on a four-person marketing/development team for a nonprofit known in social justice circles as “the small but noisy law firm.” Helped shine a light on the systemic causes of poverty and racism, and raise the voices of people adversely affected by education, housing, and transit inequities. Highlights:► Collaborated with attorneys, plaintiffs, and activists to create 4-5 blog posts per month for our website, as well as 13 op-eds that appeared in… Show more Wore multiple communication hats on a four-person marketing/development team for a nonprofit known in social justice circles as “the small but noisy law firm.” Helped shine a light on the systemic causes of poverty and racism, and raise the voices of people adversely affected by education, housing, and transit inequities. Highlights:► Collaborated with attorneys, plaintiffs, and activists to create 4-5 blog posts per month for our website, as well as 13 op-eds that appeared in Education Week, California Progress Report, Thoughts on Public Education, Huffington Post, and other publications.► Helped write, edit, and proofread grant proposals, winning vital funding from the Akonadi Foundation, Ford Foundation, Mitchell Kapor Foundation, and others.► Wrote and refined the organization’s first-ever monthly e-newsletter series, which showed supporters how their donations were making a difference and helped foster solidarity around our mission.► Championed the value of social media, spearheading the launch of the organization’s Twitter account and, in our first year, gaining 500+ followers, including influential legislators, journalists, funders, and government agencies (e.g., the Federal Transportation Administration). Show less

Marketing and fundraising communicator for a national nonprofit that promotes animal welfare. Highlights:► Promoted in 2010 into a role as the organization’s lead interactive media writer.► Conceptualized and drafted all fundraising emails, helping increase online donations from $304,876 in fiscal year 2007 to $715,838 in fiscal year 2010.► Selected from the writing team to conduct weekly interviews with the CEO and draft her blog posts, helping boost the… Show more Marketing and fundraising communicator for a national nonprofit that promotes animal welfare. Highlights:► Promoted in 2010 into a role as the organization’s lead interactive media writer.► Conceptualized and drafted all fundraising emails, helping increase online donations from $304,876 in fiscal year 2007 to $715,838 in fiscal year 2010.► Selected from the writing team to conduct weekly interviews with the CEO and draft her blog posts, helping boost the organization’s brand and online interaction with donors. Show less

Initially hired as a contractor, then brought on board permanently to help market PSI's track record running child support enforcement, healthcare, and workforce centers across the nation. Highlights:► Created an arsenal of case studies, business line brochures, and other key marketing pieces that helped bring in new contracts while standardizing and improving the company's written voice.► Spearheaded an initiative to develop and use a company style guide, resulting in… Show more Initially hired as a contractor, then brought on board permanently to help market PSI's track record running child support enforcement, healthcare, and workforce centers across the nation. Highlights:► Created an arsenal of case studies, business line brochures, and other key marketing pieces that helped bring in new contracts while standardizing and improving the company's written voice.► Spearheaded an initiative to develop and use a company style guide, resulting in more consistent and polished proposals.► Conceptualized a performance report template and wrote annual updates for 35 government agency clients as a successful retention tool.► Partnered with Director of Marketing on a rebranding effort, serving as lead copywriter for the website. Show less

Part of a global mutual fund company's marketing/communications engine, working to educate individual and institutional investors on financial planning and investment opportunities. Highlights:► Conducted monthly interviews with portfolio managers and wrote SEC-compliant reports for 14 mutual funds, never missing a deadline despite tight turnaround times.► Simplified complex financial topics in marketing materials for both shareholder and advisor audiences, keeping… Show more Part of a global mutual fund company's marketing/communications engine, working to educate individual and institutional investors on financial planning and investment opportunities. Highlights:► Conducted monthly interviews with portfolio managers and wrote SEC-compliant reports for 14 mutual funds, never missing a deadline despite tight turnaround times.► Simplified complex financial topics in marketing materials for both shareholder and advisor audiences, keeping investors informed and providing salespeople with compelling resources to help grow assets under management. Show less

Promoted from a temporary position as a fund manager's administrative assistant into a permanent role on the marketing team.Highlights:► Rapidly learned the basics of the financial services industry, earning Series 6 license within six months on the job.► Wrote copy for website recognized by Kasina, Inc. as one of the top 10 mutual fund company sites in Founders' asset class in 2001.► Received quarterly award for employee excellence (nominated by fund managers… Show more Promoted from a temporary position as a fund manager's administrative assistant into a permanent role on the marketing team.Highlights:► Rapidly learned the basics of the financial services industry, earning Series 6 license within six months on the job.► Wrote copy for website recognized by Kasina, Inc. as one of the top 10 mutual fund company sites in Founders' asset class in 2001.► Received quarterly award for employee excellence (nominated by fund managers and marketing communications peers). Show less

Mfa, Creative Writing

*Received full merit scholarship/teaching assistantship. *Taught introductory composition and creative writing to undergraduates.

Mediation Skills Training

*Completed a 40-hour certificate program in dispute resolution (2018).

Ba, English

*Received the Jean Bratton Award for outstanding achievement in language and literature. *Member of Academy, Simmons' honor society.