I am the VP of Public Relations at MMI, one of the largest providers of nonprofit financial counseling and education in the United States. I have dedicated my career to using my personal experience and professional expertise to create conversations about money and destigmatize debt. In my current role, I direct MMI’s external communications, including: media relations, social media, thought leadership, speakers bureau, and podcast. I lead a talented team of PR specialists. I have unique perspective as both a former client and former counselor of MMI's Clearpoint division. Following a career in collections and retail financial services, I joined Clearpoint during the Great Recession and counseled thousands of Americans navigating the economic downturn. Having personally experienced many of the same challenges as my clients, I became a natural spokesperson for local media opportunities. In 2011, I joined the marketing team as a media relations coordinator. Since that time, my role has grown to include a variety of public relations responsibilities. I have been extensively sourced by the media as a subject matter expert on a wide range of personal finance matters. I have written for Nerdwallet as a member of its Ask an Advisor network, provided expertise to MSN Money’s Ask a Credit Counselor platform, and am a contributor to the Bankrate Expert Review Board. In 2020, I created the innovative MMI Peer Advocate program, consisting of former debt management clients who destigmatize debt and promote MMI as ambassadors through strategic earned media placements. Since its creation, MMI has outperformed all direct competitors in total media impressions and gained as much as a 10x increase in market-specific referrals for MMI services.In addition to my professional responsibilities, I have advanced workplace culture as a member of the President's Council and leader of LGBTQ visibility at MMI. I am an alumnus of Southwestern Illinois College and Maryville University, hold a certificate in leadership from the University of Missouri, and am an NFCC-Certified Financial Educator. I have served on marketing committees for the STL Regional Unbanked Task Force, the Jefferson County (MO) Housing Task Force, Secure Your ID Day, Money Smart Week, and America Saves. I am an active member of the FINCON community since 2014 and previously served on the board of directors for a local social service agency.
Listed skills include Media Relations, Community Outreach, Nonprofits, Public Relations, and 46 others.