About meHaving recently earned master's degrees in public relations and business administration with extensive experience as a journalist, I continue to work as a communicator who wants to meet people where they are.
I consider myself an accomplished collaborator who is a fair, curious, respectful and enthusiastic storyteller, no matter the format or style — social media, multimedia or print — focused on both strategic and tactical goals. Find out more about my skills in writing, social media and event planning and promotion. |
Megan Harris of WESA-FM's The Confluence interviews me on Feb. 8, 2019, about a story in The Incline on the closing of an LGBT bar and its effect on the community.
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Professional experience
Senior Account Executive for Red Havas from June 2021 – present
- Contribute strategic and critical thinking to business-to-business, technical and/or health accounts as well as mentor, supervise and develop PR skills for junior staff, fellows and interns.
Communications Intern for Mindful Kreative from May 2020 – November 2020
- Worked remotely with agency team to serve multiple clients such as Gateway Health, Guardian Storage and Mainstay Life Services on various projects including:
- Developing social media content and calendars
- Writing, editing, designing and contributing to content and concepts for internal and external communications
- Pitching story ideas for media placements
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For more about my experience creating engaging content, visit my social media page.
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Public Relations Intern for Tepper School of Business at Carnegie Mellon from May 2019 – August 2019
- Developed story ideas for PR pitches, prepared briefing books for faculty speaking with media, compiled competitor analyses
- Drafted and wrote social posts, recorded social media KPIs, acted as production assistant on video shoot; planned, shot and edited video about entrepreneurship for social media
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Freelance Writer and Editor for various publications from August 2018 – present
- Work with clients like Pittsburgh International's Blue Sky News, Edinboro University, Pittsburgh magazine, WQED, Trib Total Media, The Incline, Pittsburgh Business Times
- Pitch and report stories on a variety of topics, including one picked up by Associated Press that ran on 23 outlets' websites
- Edit and proofread copy; contribute design, content and strategy ideas to long-term contracted projects
- Promote work through social media and traditional media channels, representing client outlets
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Graduate Assistant for Point Park Center for Media Innovation in Pittsburgh, Pa., from August 2018 – May 2021
- Manage, write, design and publish social media and other marketing collateral for the Center, leading to a 14 percent increase in Facebook followers
- Conceptualize, design and compile monthly email newsletter with average 32 percent open rate in first five months.
- Manage brand guidelines and graphic design projects for social media voice, developed with management of undergraduate practicum students.
- Teach educational hour-long workshops for high-school and college students on the basics of journalism and media literacy; 20 completed so far.
- Plan and promote events for professionals, current and potential Point Park students, including biannual high-school conference with 250 attendees.
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Want me to teach your group media literacy basics ("What is news?", facts vs. opinions and "fake news")? Contact me.
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Digital Producer for Pittsburgh Business Times in Pittsburgh, Pa., from September 2017 – August 2018
- Edited copy and published reporters’ content; designed engaging slideshows using data; used news judgment to write stories, aggregated others and ranked twice daily email working closely with managing editor.
- Lead daily pitch meeting when necessary, worked with reporters to meet daily digital deadlines.
- Monitored analytics and developed strategies to hit monthly goals, post and schedule social media, and engage with readers.
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For more about my Facebook Live videos for the Pittsburgh Business Times, visit my social media page. |
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Production Desk Editor for Beaver County Times in Beaver, Pa., from November 2015 – September 2017
- Published content and designed graphics for social media platforms using metrics, best practices and strategies.
- Pitched, planned and wrote stories, and produced or worked collaboratively on additional multimedia elements.
- Worked with management and staff to ensure consistent workflow between day and evening shifts.
- Edited copy for print and online elements, proofread pages and aided in page design to meet publishing deadlines and ensure accuracy, timeliness and completeness.
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For more about my #ThrowbackThursday Instagram posts for the Beaver County Times, visit my social media page.
For more about my reporting, visit my writing page. |
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Staff Reporter for Trib Total Media in Greensburg, Pa., from January 2010 – November 2015
- Created content spanning several topics and timeframes for Tribune-Review, developed source relationships.
- Collaborated with editors to plan two weekly sections, often pitching and revising stories from concept to publication.
- Managed production of weekly editions as acting editor at various times, interacting with staff and leadership.
other related experience
Contributor for LGBTQ-focused monthly Equal Magazine in Pittsburgh, Pa., from January 2013 – November 2014
Reporting Intern for The Chautauquan Daily in Chautauqua, N.Y., from June 2009 – August 2009
Editorial Staff Intern for Gateway Newspapers, Monroeville, Pa., from June 2008 – August 2008
Reporter and Copy Editor for The Daily Collegian, State College, Pa., from July 2006 – December 2008
Reporting Intern for The Chautauquan Daily in Chautauqua, N.Y., from June 2009 – August 2009
Editorial Staff Intern for Gateway Newspapers, Monroeville, Pa., from June 2008 – August 2008
Reporter and Copy Editor for The Daily Collegian, State College, Pa., from July 2006 – December 2008
Awards• Renaissance Rising Star Award in January 2020 — Selected as a young professional with outstanding potential in public relations field through nomination process by PRSA Pittsburgh chapter. Watch the award acceptance video.
• Community Partner Award in October 2019 for West Newton Avenue of Flags — Recognized for efforts in community service through Downtown West Newton Inc. and the Mon Valley Initiative. Read event coverage from the Washington Observer-Reporter and see the Facebook post about my accepting the award. • Beaver County Times Employee of the Month in June 2017 — Recognized for creating initiatives and promoting Beaver County Times, willingness to volunteer for new projects, application of training knowledge, and positive attitude. • Pennsylvania Women's Press Association awards — First place rookie reporter (2012), first place general news (2012), first place religion (2016), second place profile (2017) |
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...When I'm not busy with public relations & Journalism
Apart from all this cool public relations, social media and journalism work that I've done, I love vinyl records and rock climbing. Because of my love for Halloween, I'm also a haunt actor at the ScareHouse, including one season as the Zombie Pickle!
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