Resume
Writing and Editing
Freelance Writer (1997–2004 and 2006–Present)
Feature writer for lifestyle magazines and custom publications. Frequent contributor to Oakland Magazine and The East Bay Monthly, producing features on health and wellness, business trends, parenting, and profiles of local personalities. Past contributor to Diablo Magazine, an East Bay Area news and lifestyle monthly; topics covered included outdoor adventures, home remodeling, local business, and wine and food. Other clients include Trail Runner, Ultrarunning, UC Berkeley’s Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research, and the former San Francisco Examiner Sunday Magazine.
Freelance Developmental Editor (2003–present)
Collaborate with authors on manuscripts and book proposals to improve their content, organization, and style. Highly skilled at helping authors develop and fulfill an editorial vision that reflects and respects the book’s audience, marketplace, series format, and other publishing parameters.
Associate Editor, Guilford Press (2004–2006)
Supported the Senior Acquisitions Editor and Developmental Editor to acquire and develop manuscripts for Guilford’s trade list in self-help and its professional list in child psychology. Worked closely with authors to offer editorial guidance, update content for new editions, troubleshoot problems, and prepare their final manuscript for transmittal to production. Tracked 100-plus book projects through every stage of the editorial process from acquisition through production, and prepared monthly status report. Evaluated proposals to recommend acquisition or rejection. Developed acquisition leads by attending conferences of professional associations and conducting research to spot up-and-coming authors and trends in the field. Identified potential endorsers and obtained endorsement quotes for marketing. Reviewed titles, jackets, and other promotional copy. Researched competing titles for content and price comparisons. Provided full administrative support to maintain Guilford’s West Coast office.
Editor, Neighborhood Parents Network newsletter (2001–2002)
Edited thirty-two-page monthly newsletter for this Bay Area nonprofit organization. Assigned and edited freelance articles, managed production schedule, developed style sheet, reviewed proofs for accuracy and design consistency, and served on the organization’s board of directors.
Staff Writer, Valley Times/Contra Costa Newspapers (1996–1997)
Wrote articles daily and covered several different beats, including city government, community affairs, business, and crime.
Staff Writer, San Francisco Daily Journal (1995–1996)
Wrote articles daily and covered East Bay courts, California law schools, and Bay Area law firms for this legal affairs newspaper.
Stringer, The New York Times (1993–1994)
Interviewed sources, conducted research, and assisted Times staff writers; wrote short articles.
Assistant Editor, Sacramento News & Review (1990–1993)
Copyedited all text for this 90,000-circulation weekly newspaper. Edited articles for accuracy, clarity, consistency, and length; wrote pullquotes and headlines; coordinated copy flow between newsroom and production staff; reviewed freelance submissions and assigned articles to freelancers.
Documentary Filmmaking
Researcher and Second Unit Producer, Paper or Plastic? (2006–2007)
Conducted extensive research and interviewed sources about the U.S. food retailing industry and the role of the independent grocer for this documentary about the 2007 National Grocery Bagging Competition. Managed a camera unit for covering the “Best Bagger” competition in Las Vegas, and assisted the director/producer with story development and transcription. The film premiered at the 2008 Los Angeles International Film Festival.
Production Assistant and Writer, Runners High (2003–2004)
Assisted the film’s director/producer with story development, cultivated and interviewed sources, transcribed footage, wrote content for grant applications and promotional material, and hosted fundraising events. The film, about teenagers from tough Oakland neighborhoods who face the challenge of running a marathon, premiered at the 2006 San Francisco International Film Festival.
Nonprofit Work
Member, Board of Trustees, The Thacher School (2008–present)
Serve on the board of a private coeducational secondary school that is widely regarded as the premier boarding school in the Western United States and among the best nationwide. The board oversees all aspects of the school’s leadership and management to fulfill the school’s mission, strategic goals, and financial duties.
Member, Montclair Presbyterian Church Capital Campaign Committee (2008–present)
Help develop and carry out a campaign to retire debt on the church’s $2.27 million seismic retrofit.
Volunteer, Students Run Oakland (2003–2008)
Managed public relations, published electronic newsletter, served on the fundraising committee, and mentored teenagers during training runs. The group’s mission is to help high school students from Oakland’s inner city improve their health and academic achievement by training for the Los Angeles Marathon.
Education
University of California, Berkeley, Graduate School of Journalism
Master’s degree. Awarded scholarships from The Freedom Forum and Scripps Howard Foundation; won the school’s Trezevant scholarship for excellence in print reporting.
University of California, Santa Cruz
Bachelor of Arts degree with honors. Journalism major.
UC Berkeley Extension
Completed courses in developmental editing, copyediting, and creative nonfiction.