Services
How can we work together?
From spokesperson and presentation coaching to reports, blog posts, and emails — or from crafting a pitch for the news media to sharing your impact at an event — we’ll work together to make sure your voice carries through each story and every communications method. Here are some sample projects to provide a sense of my capabilities.
Note: Credits below reflect work by me with expert colleagues in data visualization, design, digital advertising, media relations, photography, website development and video production.
Writing
People hire me to help document their impact, issue a call for justice, explain a complex issue, celebrate wins, and more. Recent work includes:
Housing Opportunities and Maintenance for the Elderly asked me to develop a series of storytelling blog posts like this one, highlighting the impact of their work for Giving Tuesday 2019. They were in the top 20 fundraising organizations in the state for the year.
When Mondelez International subsidiary Nabisco sent 600 bakers’ jobs to Mexico, Interfaith Worker Justice hired me to help produce and write Breaking Faith, uplifting voices of Nabisco workers across the country and in Mexico about unjust outsourcing.
Chapin Hall at University of Chicago asked me to interview staff on camera to update public-facing communications framing their work. Insights and quotes from their team plus an outline we created together formed the basis of their 2019 Strategic Plan.
Heartland Health Centers retained me to write a 2019 biennial report, blog, e-newsletter and digital ads, plus facilitate external communications. Our work is supporting patient growth and community connections, making a case to support access to high-quality health care for all. In 2017 we won Golden Trumpet and Jeffrey Bierig Brandbuilder awards from the Publicity Club of Chicago.
Coaching
I help groups and individuals become comfortable and confident presenters and communicators both in group settings and with the news media. Recent projects:
Spokesperson coaching for 15 community and nonprofit leaders to connect their personal story to an advocacy and organizational mission, working with John Capecci, co-author and lead presenter of Living Proof Advocacy. I’m a certified LPA coach. 2018-
On-camera spokesperson training for American Medical Association, ASI Home Care Services, Illinois Commerce Commission and Resilience Force. Working with Alejandra Moran of Si Communications, these workshops can be delivered bilingually in English and Spanish. 2018-
Lead strategy training sessions in person and via webinar for Greater Chatham Initiative, Ixchel, Public Narrative, University of Illinois Institute for Research on Race and Public Policy, 2016-19
Digital
Organizations hire me to help maintain a consistent voice on social media, update or maintain clear and concise websites, and more. Current and recent projects include:
Update Woodstock Institute WordPress website to integrate Constant Contact, overhaul home page, update site and refresh monthly 2021-
Develop social media policy for Heartland Health Centers; keep clients current on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter, and manage digital advertising (with partners including 312Aligned and Green Lightning Marketing), 2018-
Work with WordPress developer to overhaul HealthConnect One website to more closely reflect the organization’s existing work and make research reports easier to find, 2020
Develop acquisition plan with strong focus on online audiences for Lime Red Studio’s client, Alliance for the Great Lakes 2019
Manage Associated Colleges of the Midwest website (Webitects CMS) and social media, 2018-19
Greenlinehomes.com: Greenline Homes’ new website has ranked top on Google search for “Chicago green homes” for two years, after a site redesign and with periodic updates I helped to create, working with Squarespace expert designer Collaborada, 2017-date
Pitching
The news media validate our work. Here are some recent successful pitches:
“Northeastern Illinois University offering 1-year tuition break for incoming fall students,” Chicago Tribune, June 4, 2021
“North Center’s Common Pantry Building New Headquarters On Lincoln Avenue Next Year” Block Club Chicago, May 14, 2021
“Letters: An alternative to opioids,” Chicago Tribune, July 29, 2019
Chicago Renters Facing Eviction Often Do It Alone, WBEZ, May 16, 2019
Renters in black neighborhoods evicted at twice the rate of those citywide, Crain’s Chicago Business, May 16, 2019
Coping with the loss of a family member during the holidays, Adelante Chicago interview with Chicago Psychoanalytic Institute therapist Paula Casas, Dec. 12, 2018
Chicago choir group helps people overcome homelessness, drug addiction, WFLD Fox 32, May 2018
Events
Every event can serve as a platform to tell an organization’s story, from the speakers to the schedule to the thousand and one decisions that insure it runs smoothly and successfully. The most successful events are truly joint efforts; organizations hire me to help with project management and event fundraising. Recent projects:
Woodstock Institute Change the Map Economic Justice Awards 2021
Harmony, Hope & Healing Heart Beat 2018 and 2017 events
Assist Si Communications with day-of and other event planning for clients 2017-19
Plan grand opening for friends of CAN TV at new studio space 2016