As a CM at Thread, I help empower, mobilize and coach a community of 200+ volunteers and young people at Mergenthaler Vocational-Technical High School (MERVO) to facilitate strong relationships and their personal, professional and academic outcomes, working through the Thread Community Model to improve access to programming, resources and other tools they need in order to thrive.

As a start-up founder, I wore a lot of hats: writer, editor, sales, community outreach, trainer, marketer, digital and social media manager, events planner, grant writer and delivery boy. Using a human-centered, asset-based and data-driven approach, we built a brand that served 50,000 monthly readers, 33,500 social media followers, 6,200 newsletter subscribers and more than 1000 paying members in a medium-sized city. Over the course of seven years, I raised more than $500,000 to hire and manage 12 employees while overseeing operations for a platform that featured stories about the people and issues that legacy media often overlooked or misunderstood. We recruited, equipped, mentored and empowered more than 250 freelance community contributors, most of whom had no prior journalism experience but had everything they needed to shape the narrative about themselves, our neighbors and our city. Our team was chosen to join NYU’s Membership Puzzle Project, the Facebook News Membership Accelerator and the Center for Investigative Reporting’s Reveal Local Labs. I was selected for the JSK Journalism Fellowship, a year-long residential research program for a small global cohort at Stanford University, and for the National Arts Strategies Creative Community Fellowship with an interdisciplinary group of community organizers, artists, government officials and nonprofit leaders.

Initially founded as Unbox Akron, a subscription box-style civic engagement product, I pivoted with a new partner to reform as Unbox Advantage, providing an innovative marketing service that converted leads and increased customer loyalty for universities, nonprofits and businesses. As creative director, I led the design process to tailor each product to our clients needs while adhering to their brand standards, from the exterior look and messaging to programming and sourcing the materials inside. In addition to managing our clients' brands and marketing needs, I hired and supervised freelance designers, writers, illustrators and photographers.

The lone digital producer on News 5's morning and midday broadcasts responsible for content creation, editing and posting digital content, monitoring social media for news leads, managing the website homepage, and sending newsletters and push alerts during breaking news and severe weather events. Reported insights on digital audience development to management. Covered the fan experience at Cleveland Browns games and appeared on the Monday morning recap livestream.

A newsroom manager, I was responsible for WMAZ's digital media strategy and directing the digital content team to execute it through managing the station’s website, social media and a collection of hyperlocal sites for user generated content. Routinely worked under pressure during breaking news events, including severe weather warnings. Partnered with and offered feedback to on-air talent to enhance their online presence. Compiled weekly, monthly and quarterly audience data to report with insights to station and corporate management. Produced original reporting for digital channels and assisted in the field with digital coverage of breaking news, like a massive factory fire, and on the local filming of “42” starring Chadwick Boseman and Harrison Ford.

Covered the city hall beat, cultivating relationships and sources within the mayor's office and among city council members, city staff and law enforcement. Met strict deadlines by distilling complex topics into digestible and compelling articles, often producing multiple pieces a day. Displayed versatility in writing style and subject matter with profiles and features covering local arts, food, culture and community.

Promoted to managing editor and primary staff writer after beginning my career in ad sales. Recruited, hired and managed freelancers and interns. Maintained the editorial calendar, proofing and editing the publication for print deadlines. Wrote several dozen cover stories, investigative reports, features, columns and departments. Established the paper’s use of social media, co-managed our Drupal website and co-produced and hosted podcasts. Served as emcee for events that I also co-planned and co-produced. Wrote for and appeared on the magazine’s monthly TV show. Maintained existing community partnerships and initiated new ones.

For several years, I've written for news organizations, arts and culture magazines, trade publications and private clients in the nonprofit sector. My freelance work also includes event planning, management and promotion, from local music concerts to film screenings to festivals and conferences, as well as marketing services, grant writing and illustration.