20+ Years Creating

 Feel free to mix and match from the list below, or ask me if there’s something you don’t see here.

Writing and Messaging

Storytelling – I love discovering and crafting stories. Since my first gig freelancing for the Honolulu Weekly in 1999, I’ve written all kinds of them: long and short form, magazine, newspaper, web, investigative, features, profiles, briefs, and editorials. As a journalist, I ground my work in solid research and interviews. As an artist, I’m always seeking new ways to make a story emotionally or intellectually captivating for my readers.

Marketing – I’ve composed copy and strategic messages for websites, brochures, books, ads, social media, and more. Whether it’s a product, a service, an idea, or a cause, my writing has helped convince and convert audiences.

Public Relations – I’ve produced scores of press releases and media advisories, worked with print, online and broadcast media, prepared institutional talking points and media briefings, and organized press conferences to generate publicity for my clients.

Editing

Serial Publications – I served as chief editor for three award-winning publications: a bilingual monthly community newspaper (with a U.S. metropolitan weekly format), a bilingual quarterly cultural magazine, and a quarterly magazine for the largest private K-12 school in the U.S. In all three, I was responsible for assigning and overseeing story development (including photography/artwork), as well as editing all content and creating a coherent and compelling identity for every issue. I also copyedit with ease within AP and Chicago Manual styles.

Books – I’ve edited three books: a 95-page full color coffee table book celebrating the cultural heritage of Buenos Aires’ historic district (under the auspices of the municipal government), a collection of essays on sustainable agriculture in Hawai‘i, and an 88-page full color coffee table book celebrating the educational innovations of Punahou School in Honolulu. In all three, I also wrote some or all of the written content.

Video Production

I’m a big believer in the power of video storytelling. Whether it’s long or short formats that can be deployed at events, on websites, and in social media, I’ve worked closely with video producers on: concept, scriptwriting, interviews, and overall editing to achieve a broader messaging goal.

Fundraising Communications

While serving as Director of Campaign Communications for a multi-year, $175 million dollar fundraising campaign, I learned that philanthropy is a unique world of its own, where helping potential donors support a worthy cause requires persuasion, authenticity, and the ability to inspire. With so many great organizations doing much-needed work, how can yours stand above the rest to capture the heart and imagination of your audiences? Whether designing a comprehensive campaign or writing a targeted donor ask, I understand the nuances of aspirational messaging, relationship cultivation, and powerful storytelling that support successful fundraising.

Content and Communications Strategy

My first role as communications director was for Pacific News Service in San Francisco in 2004. Since then, I’ve developed and implemented the communications strategy for a number of other companies and organizations, including: public and media relations, marketing and branding, and content design and deployment. I love the challenge of combining multiple channels and diverse formats to support an overarching message, story, or brand.

Website Design and Management

I fell into website design by accident in 2008, when I had to maintain a news site for my community newspaper in Argentina. Luckily, it had been created in WordPress (the most popular website content management system in the world today), so I learned how this complex and ever-changing open source ecosystem works. Since then, I’ve built over a dozen websites for small- to medium-sized businesses and organizations and, while I don’t do custom coding or enterprise-scale projects, I do bring a holistic, 360-degree perspective that includes visual design, written content and functionality.

You can also download my CV.