Monica Prelle Email & Phone Number

Winthrop, Wa, Us

United States

I lead the editorial strategy for Co-op News, an employee communications platform. We operate like a daily online newspaper covering business strategy and updates, executive communications, employee stories, human resources and policy. We also publish feature narratives focused on Co-op Brands product launches, and co-op priorities, including climate, inclusion, and product and activities. I assign and edit stories, manage internal contributors, freelance writers, and editors (9), and manage the editorial budget. In 2022-2023, I led the editorial development and launch of Co-op News, a new internal communications platform to improve employee engagement and access to critical information. With 16,000 employees across the country, we faced challenges with fragmented communication, inconsistent messaging, and technology barriers, particularly for employees who do not have regular access to computers. We implemented a Teams-based solution accessible on REI-issued mobile devices and desktops, enabling employees to easily access key updates and company priorities in one place, with one login. We increased content relevance and engagement by simplifying the system and introducing smart notifications and a customizable newsfeed. Since the launch, we’ve seen a 75% adoption rate (far exceeding our baseline goal) and a 95% open rate, providing employees with a more effective communication experience.

My writing has appeared in Adventure Journal, Backpacker, Climbing, High Country News, Outside, Runner’s World, The Guardian, Vice and others. Most recently, I reported on COVID-19 in Mono County, California. This reporting was cited in The New Yorker and won Best Newsletter from the Outdoor Writers Association of California.My writing has been supported by fellowships from the Economic Hardship Reporting Project to look at how the pandemic has impacted ski communities (2020), and the Banff Centre’s Mountain Wilderness Writing program to work on a memoir about running through grief (2017). In 2018 I was a visiting journalism professor at Northern Michigan University.In addition to journalism, I am a copywriter for brands targeting an active outdoor audience. I have written travel guides, social media copy, advertorials, and brand journalism for clients including Destination Canada, Hipcamp, Mammoth Lakes Tourism, New Belgium Brewing Company, Patagonia, and REI.My portfolio: monicaprelle.com

Reporting showed the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on local public health, economy, housing, tourism, and public lands in Mono County, California.This reporting was cited in The New Yorker, republished in High Country News and Adventure Journal and won Best Newsletter from the Outdoor Writers Association of California.

Marquette, Michigan

I was a visiting Journalism professor, sabbatical replacement, on a one-year term at Northern Michigan University. IN addition to introductory journalism courses, I taught non fiction books and a seminar on professional writing. Teaching and Assigned Responsibilities in the English Department included: EN 110: Good Books, EN 205: Introduction to Professional Writing, EN 206: Survey of Journalism, EN 217: News Writing and Reporting, EN 407 Magazine and Feature Writing, EN 480: Practicum in Journalism, EN 498: Directed Study.

Mammoth Lakes, California

I contribute weekly adventure narrative and travel service pieces to the Mammoth Lakes Tourism website, Visit Mammoth.com, which was named Best Website by the US Travel Association. Topics include: snowboarding and skiing, running, climbing, mountain biking, cycling, hiking, camping, backpacking, and sightseeing.

Mammoth Lakes, California

I started as a volunteer for the Mammoth Track Club in 2014 and was hired on as the Race Director in 2015. We host 5 races each year to engage the community in health and fitness and raise funds for the non-profit Mammoth Track Project. For the build-up to the US Olympic Trials Marathon, I assisted Coach Andrew Kastor with the training for the ASICS Mammoth Track Club elite team. I mostly served as a bike pacer, but also helped with training logistics like mapping training routes, measuring the course, hydration, and other team support. Race Director Responsibilities include:Manage budget for each event; obtain insurance and permits for each race through the Town of Mammoth Lakes and the US Forest Service; obtain race sponsorships from local and corporate businesses; create and manage online registration; order bib numbers, race t-shirts, and awards; develop marketing for each event including online event listings, social media promotions, advertising, and flyers at local businesses; recruit and manage volunteers; manage all aspects of race day event including event set-up, road closures, timing, aid stations, registration, awards, and post-race festivities.

Http://Camping.About.Com

• Manage all aspects of high-traffic camping website.• Write and edit 2-6 long form articles each month about camping and the great outdoors.• Blog 4-6 times per month about camping and outdoor news.• Use content management system to update website content.• Social media management, SEO, marketing and communications.

Mammoth Lakes, California

• Manage all aspects of food and wine service for a 3 meal a day resort hotel restaurant, bar and lounge, in room dining, and banquets and catering.• Manage staff of 50-75 people. Responsible for hiring, training, scheduling, and payroll.• Created and implemented service training and wine education program.• Responsible for wine cellar, wine list, wine inventory, ordering and buying.• Oversee budget and maintain annual wine sales goals.

Mammoth Lakes, California

• Wine sales representative in the Eastern Sierra Region for a California wine distributor with an international portfolio.• Responsible for client communication, ongoing wine tasting and sales.• Coordinated wine events with winemakers including dinners, tasting and wine, food and music festivals.

Master Of Literary Arts, Journalism

Coursework included: news reporting, feature writing, science journalism, digital media, social media and marketing, digital photography.

Bachelor Of Arts, Public Relations

My undergraduate journalism program focused on news reporting, editing, and feature writing with an emphasis on public relations.

Postgraduate Certificate, Editing