Linda J. Colangelo Email & Phone Number

Putnam, Ct

The Creative Quill provides high-quality copy and content for a diverse array of private and non-profit industry sectors including public health, healthcare, education, municipalities, business associations, faith-based organizations, media outlets, social service agencies, civic organizations, veteran groups, and commercial businesses.• Creates engaging copy and content for private and non-profit client publications, web and social media, advertising, and presentations.• Wrote, directed, and appeared in a Putnam Italian Festival promotional video that garnered 6,000 views in the first week.• After years of voter rejection, a proposed $81.2 million school building project was approved following a targeted campaign by The Creative Quill.• Scripted and performed in numerous theatrical and concert productions that raised over $750K for local charities.

Brooklyn, Connecticut, United States

• Meticulously planned and implemented community health education programs to prevent illness, promote wellness, and protect the public health of 85,000 constituents served by the local public health district. • Deployed frequently as a trained and trusted risk communicator during public health emergencies. Successfully coordinated all agency communications and fostered exceptional working relationships with media partners. Highly sought-after speaker for events, trainings, workshops, panel discussions, and legislative testimony.• Created and directed the acclaimed Follow the Fifty: Models of Heart Health campaign, a transformative women’s heart health initiative funded by the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health to promote The Heart Truth® Community Action Program. The initiative earned national attention from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Regina Benjamin, was featured at the Heart Truth 2013 Red Dress Collection Fashion Show and in NHLBI program materials.• Developed award-winning COVID-19 educational campaigns and presentations that were utilized on state levels.• Wrote lyrics and directed “Mask It Up” music video by Zack Kindall to promote masking during COVID-19.• Successfully authored numerous grant applications that were approved for over three million dollars in funding. • Improved community health and reduced the risk of chronic disease for district residents as Coalition Coordinator for HealthQuest Northeast Connecticut, a regional health and wellness partnership working to make northeast CT a healthier place to live, work, learn, and play.• Feature articles in newsletters published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Association of Chronic Disease Directors, US Environmental Protection Agency, CT Department of Agriculture, and others.

Brooklyn, Connecticut

HealthQuest Northeast Connecticut is a regional collaborative of health and wellness partners who are working to make northeast Connecticut a healthier place to live, work, learn, and play. HQ partners work together to reduce chronic disease by increasing physical activity, improving access to better nutrition, encouraging tobacco-free lifestyles, and linking providers and patients to community resources to better manage their chronic conditions. Successes include:* Smoke-Free/Tobacco-Free Campuses at a number of work sites, organizations, parks, and outdoor spaces;* Community Gardens in Putnam, Thompson, and Killingly;* The WriteSteps School Walking Initiative - a 10-minute, start-the-school-day-with-a-walk-program;* Worksite Wellness Toolkit - an on-line resource developed by the Northeastern Connecticut Chamber of Commerce.* Putnam Rivertrail Storywalk - an interactive story path for children and families that promotes walking and reading along a one-mile stretch of the Putnam Rivertrail.* Follow the Fifty: Models of Heart Health Campaign - to promote The Heart Truth Community Action Program, HealthQuest launched a community counter-attack against heart disease - the number one killer of women. Over 130 northeastern CT women at risk for heart disease pledged and worked to lower their blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar in an effort to become role models of heart health. Their journey captured the attention of local communities and went on to earn national prominence at The Heart Truth's Red Dress Collection 2013 Fashion Show in New York City. HealthQuest is a former national ACHIEVE community and a Community Transformation Grant awardee, grant funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Association of Chronic Disease Directors.

Woodstock, Connecticut

Owned and operated this award-winning gourmet shop & cafe located in Woodstock, CT. Reviewed and recommended by The New York Times, Boston Globe, Connecticut Magazine and others.