Get to know me
Who am I?
writer, editor, & animal rescuer.
avid word nerd.
Communicating + Community are my passions.
If I’m being honest, I’m still this Loony Tunes lovin’ little skeptic.
It’s why I started my career in journalism. And every career move since has been guided not only by a desire to connect with others, but to facilitate lasting + meaningful community connections.
As a child, my favorite game was always the "why" game. (My saint of a mother swore she would never utter the words "Because I said so" ... which was probably well-deserved a time or two.) Instead, questions seeking understanding were encouraged.
And in my roles now, they are critical. Effective communication requires intentionality.
My career path began as an intern journalist for a news website and writing copy for Unum Insurance's Creative Services department, but really, my passion for words began the second I was big enough to pick up a book …
Prior to my consulting career, I served as Director of Communications for The Enterprise Center, a Chattanooga-based statewide nonprofit dedicated to digital inclusion and access for all.
Through a wide range of programs, the organization reaches individuals across Tennessee. I was fortunate enough to have a hand in guiding that storytelling for nearly 3 years.
You can see more about that role here.
Following a stint in France writing and translating after college, I became a writer and editor for the Chattanooga Times Free Press newspaper. While there, I also:
wrote for & helped manage the company’s lifestyle, outdoors, pet, and health magazines
wrote for and managed multiple advertorial projects
(from conceptualizing publications to assigning and editing for print)ran my department's intern program.
Thanks to a combination of agency experience and other work, my subsequent communications client base has encompassed everything from:
event + special project creation, scaling, & management
communications | media strategy showcasing the best of Chattanooga for visiting event guests
social media | marketing for a national television show
voice + content creation ( web & print) | social media | blogging for local & national organizations
long and short-form writing for a variety of print and online publications
& much more...
Outside of work, I’ve had the privilege of serving in a variety of community roles across Chattanooga as well. For several years, I served as the Ridgedale Community Association’s Vice President.
I now work in a specialty role for the community cultivating park, roadway, & other infrastructure projects that focus on community safety + expanded access.
Notably, throughout my time on the board we have:
worked with the City of Chattanooga Parks Department to improve the Watkins Street Park playground, provide more shade, and host regular community activities
achieved an agreement between TDOT and CDOT for the Bailey Avenue crosswalk + traffic calming project and subsequent art activation to improve connectivity between Highland Park and Ridgedale
forged partnerships with neighborhood institutions like McCallie School as well as local businesses + nonprofits like CNE
navigated widespread re-zoning in our community and participated in many regulatory conversations with City Council
engaged East Side Elementary + Trust for Public Land alongside Chatt Parks on the upcoming East Side Schoolyard Project.
How can my experience help you?
Well, for starters, I’ll always share my mattifying powder if you’re nervous about looking shiny before an interview. (For proof, look right.)
Beyond that, it’s about asking the right questions + paying attention to the little details that make all the difference.
It's never just about the words, it's about what they mean to your audience. I always aim to facilitate more authentic ways to engage.
It’s about connecting with community to better understand how to inspire others to care.
Curiosity + passion are driving forces in both my work and life.
I truly believe the best writing starts with active listening.