Let’s face it – professional biographies can be a bit boring. Please read on to learn more about my employment history, but here is “me” in a nutshell:  I am an extremely passionate individual. Work is play – I believe it is important to love what you do, and as a result, your work is a reflection of yourself. I am what many affectionately call a ” creative branding nerd” and “the red pen” (if you ask me to edit your writing, expect edits!). I enjoy all aspects of establishing a company’s brand internally and externally, and am a stickler for grammatically correct content. In my personal life, my hobbies include reading, writing, singing, hiking, videogames and any activity I can wear a costume to.

I graduated Salisbury University in 2008 with my Bachelor’s in Writing & Rhetoric. My professional journey began at University of Maryland Baltimore Washington Medical Center in Glen Burnie, MD in Community Outreach. My work there included program development and management of over 300 community members annually, grant writing and managing the hospital’s volunteer program. I quickly fell in love with the marketing and public speaking aspect of my job, and as a result, increased awareness and fundraising efforts in Anne Arundel County.

In 2013, I transitioned into a job as a Marketing & Communications Specialist at the Harford County Chamber of Commerce. This position was an excellent opportunity to enhance my communications and graphic design skills, and I learned to network well with professionals of all backgrounds. I also managed the organization’s social media and website.

In 2014, I accepted a position as Marketing & Events Manager at The Arc Northern Chesapeake Region. In early 2016, I assumed interim Director of Development responsibilities, which included team and budget oversight, and donor relations. As this position changed into a business development role, I transitioned into Assistant Director of Marketing & Development. Although I am the AD to our Development Director, I am the organization’s entire marketing department. I also manage our Events & Volunteer Coordinator.

During my time at The Arc NCR thus far, I’ve built our marketing from the ground up. I have significantly improved the company’s brand consistency and overall appearance and reputation in the community.  I wrote and implemented a branding policy and employee training, and re-designed all of The Arc NCR’s marketing materials and publications. I created the company’s first communication plans for multiple efforts within the organization. My projects include planning and campaigning for all company fundraising events, all programs/services, designing and writing the company’s Annual Report and writing and distribution of press releases. I have also planned a variety of events to raise money for targeted needs within our programs. Our previous fundraisers include the Freedom Run, which I created upon arriving at The Arc NCR, the Sprout Film & Art Festival (which started with 12 attendees before I arrived, and has since grown to over 120 attendees), and annual After d’Arc gala. I have planned two galas since I began working for the company, and both have raised the highest net proceeds of all twelve annual galas.