Professional Experience
May 1, 2001 to present.
Senior marketing and public relations copy writer and Web site manager.
January 18, 1999 to April 30, 2001. Marketing and public relations copy writer.
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- Develop strategy and write copy for marketing and public relations materials, including ads, freestanding inserts, direct mail, testimonials, and brochures.
- Responsible for quality control of all marketing pieces, including copy, design, and regulatory compliance.
- Assist with strategy development for corporate, employee, and resident communications.
- Manage Connections (bimonthly employee newsletter).
- Develop and implement Web site strategies and budgets and serve as Web site manager.
- Manage copywriting function.
Accomplishments
- Worked with Web site consultant to develop and implement redesigned Classic Residence by Hyatt Web site, which was honored with a 2001 PRSA Chicago Skyline Tactics Award in the category of Internal Communications: Web Site (Marketing/External).
- Developed Classic Residence by Hyatt press kit, including fact sheets, backgrounders, and corporate biographies.
- Managed development of Classic Living and Money Matters (marketing publications).
- Wrote and reviewed departmental policies.Work honored with numerous Mature Media Awards.
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July 1, 1995 to July 31, 1998. Communications consultant.
February 1994 to June 30, 1995. Communications associate.
Human Resource Advisory Group (Organizational Effectiveness and Development Sector), Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P./PricewaterhouseCoopers
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- Worked with clients and senior consultants to develop strategic employee communications proposals, plans, and budgets.
- Developed and wrote employee benefits communications, including summary plan descriptions, highlights brochures, newsletters, open enrollment materials, survey feedback reports, benefit statements, video scripts, and posters.
- Worked with clients and graphic designers to develop consistent creative look for communications campaigns.
- Managed communications process, including initial drafting, design, printing, and distribution.
- Wrote proposals for employee communications projects, including 401(k) communications and personal investment planning.
- Performed peer and technical reviews.
Click here for client assignments.
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September 1983 to February 1994. Editor, Human Resource Advisory Group, Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P.
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- Wrote and edited newsletters and marketing group publications.
- Edited documents for grammar, clarity, consistency, technical accuracy, and style.
- Tallied results from a Coopers & Lybrand/Mental Health Association of Greater Chicago survey of local employers and cowrote presentation and article.
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Volunteer Experience
January 1990 to present. Docent, Lincoln Park Zoo.
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- Lead tours for general public and special groups, and behind-the-scenes V.I.P. tours of the large mammal area and zoo hospital; present informal talks on and off zoo grounds. Interview docent candidates and act as mentor for trainees. Write feature articles for the docent newsletter, The Ark.
- From April 1, 1993 to March 31, 1995, served as docent executive board secretary.
- Past member of the continuing education committee, docent executive board.
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April 1, 1991 to March 31, 1993. Day captain, Lincoln Park Zoo.
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- Scheduled docents for activities. Reported docent hours, activities covered, and number of visitors reached to the education department. Ensured that Sunday docents complied with zoo policies. Supervised on-the-job training and monitored progress of about 20 provisional docents (trainees). Acted as liaison between Sunday docents and executive board. Board member.
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April 1, 1995 to present. The Ark editor.
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- The Ark is Lincoln Park Zoo’s docent newsletter, distributed to volunteers, staff, and reciprocating zoos and institutions. The Ark has been praised by many zoo professionals, including former LPZ director Lester Fisher, D.V.M.
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Chair, Association of Zoo and Aquarium Docents (AZAD) 1993 Conference transportation committee.
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- Arranged bus transportation for 750 people to Shedd Aquarium, Lincoln Park Zoo, and Field Museum; 600 to Brookfield Zoo; and 500 to Milwaukee County Zoo. Total budget for all trips was $15,000. Transportation received outstanding ratings on conference evaluation.
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Education
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Bachelor of arts, English language and literature, University of Chicago. Honors: Dean’s list, three quarters.
Completed training in:
- Basic and Advanced Manuscript Editing (University of Chicago Office of Continuing Studies)
- Advanced Design for Desktop Publishing (Lawrence Ragan Communications, Inc.)
- Fundamentals of Employee Benefits Management (International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans)
- Business Strategy for Human Resource Consultants (University of Chicago Graduate School of Business)
- How to Do Corporate Communications, PR, and Marketing on the Internet (International Association of Business Communicators and Lawrence Ragan Communications, Inc.)
Attended 2002 International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) Conference (Chicago, Illinois); served as speaker introducer. Member of IABC.
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