professional summary

Accomplished communications professional with over 15 years of experience driving strategic communications, media relations, and digital campaigns within government and nonprofit sectors. Adept at overseeing high-impact marketing and communications strategies, team leadership, and cross-departmental collaboration. Proven ability to enhance public awareness, engage community stakeholders, and lead award-winning initiatives. Expertise in graphic design and branding, with a deep understanding of government operations and crisis communications. Looking to leverage skills to further elevate community engagement and city messaging.

CORE COMPETENCIES

  • Strategic Communication & Planning

  • Team Leadership & Staff Development

  • Media Relations & Public Affairs

  • Community Engagement & Stakeholder Outreach

  • Brand Development & Crisis Communications

  • Public Speaking & Event Coordination

  • Digital & Social Media Campaigns

  • Content Creation (Print & Digital)

  • Website Management (WordPress, Drupal, and Elementor)

  • Video Production & Multimedia Content

  • Project Management & Budget Oversight

  • Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Premiere Pro)

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Marketing and events coordinator & VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR |  round rock, tx

City of Round Rock Public Library | October 2022 to Present

  • Leads the design and implementation of digital marketing campaigns, websites, and promotional materials for library events, ensuring alignment with the city's brand and mission.

  • Manages and grows the library’s social media presence, developing engaging content and fostering a direct connection with residents.

  • Oversees library volunteer program recruitment, training, and engagement to support city-wide initiatives, improving operational efficiency and community participation.

  • Creates and manages content for the library’s websites, enhancing user experience and ensuring a consistent and accessible public resource.

  • Fosters strong partnerships with local community organizations, schools, and civic groups to promote city initiatives and engage residents.

  • Collaborates with local media, nonprofits, and government agencies to amplify key messaging and ensure widespread community engagement.

adjunct professor (COLLEGE OF VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS)  |  fairfax, VA

George Mason University |  August 2019 to Present

  • Develops and implements curriculum for graphic design, web design, and digital media courses, equipping students with the skills needed to excel in digital communications and design.

  • Mentors students in the creation of professional-level communication materials, offering guidance on project management, creative strategy, and visual storytelling.

  • Collaborates with interdisciplinary faculty and staff to continuously improve course offerings and align educational content with evolving industry standards.

  • Leads workshops and lectures on communication strategies and the role of design in public messaging, fostering student engagement in critical thinking and problem-solving.

  • Organizes real-world projects, enabling students to create marketing materials, websites, and digital campaigns that aligned with actual business or public sector needs, enhancing their practical skills.

  • Provides career guidance to students, helping them understand industry trends and positioning them for success in the competitive communications and media landscape

digital graphic designer  |  austin, tx

City of Austin Transportation |  March 2022 to October 2022

  • Developed and executed digital marketing strategies that successfully promoted key transportation initiatives, ensuring clear and compelling communication to residents and stakeholders.

  • Led the design and creation of digital and print assets, including graphics, banners, social media posts, and infographics, which increased public engagement with Austin’s transportation services.

  • Collaborated closely with cross-functional teams, including transportation managers and city officials, to align marketing materials with city objectives and project goals.

  • Managed and updated content on the city’s website using Drupal, enhancing UX and improving access to real-time transportation information for residents.

  • Directed social media campaigns across platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, achieving a notable increase in online interaction with city transportation services.

  • Created and maintained a repository of digital assets to streamline the creation of future content and ensure consistency across campaigns.

  • Used analytics tools to measure the effectiveness of digital content, optimizing campaigns to ensure the highest levels of community engagement.

  • Supported city leadership by designing visually impactful presentations and reports, aiding in the communication of complex transportation issues to the public and stakeholders.

communications manager  |  Alexandria, VA

City of Alexandria Libraries  |  January 2015 to September 2021

  • Led communication and outreach efforts for the city’s library system, enhancing community engagement and fostering positive relationships with residents.

  • Directed a team of graphic designers and communication staff, ensuring the effective production and distribution of digital and print content.

  • Spearheaded the rebranding of the Alexandria Library, earning two “Awards of Excellence” from the National Association of Government Communicators.

  • Managed media relations, securing local and national coverage and positioning the library as a key community resource.

  • Developed and executed high-impact campaigns, including the successful “Library Passport Challenge,” raising over $50,000 in donations.

  • Produced and directed video content, increasing community awareness and engagement with library services.

marketing and graphics specialist  |  Alexandria, VA

SBG Technology Solutions  |  August 2014 to February 2015

  • Developed and executed marketing campaigns to promote the TSA Associates Program, including designing logos, taglines, and multimedia content.

  • Managed outreach efforts through press releases, newsletters, and website content to enhance program visibility.

public information officer |  Austin, TX  

City of Austin Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEM)  |  October 2013 to April 2014

  • Led communications efforts during emergencies, including crafting press releases, speeches, and public information materials.

  • Managed crisis communications, ensuring accurate and timely information was disseminated to the public through various media channels.

  • Delivered public presentations and educational sessions to local school districts on emergency preparedness and public safety.

PREVIOUS PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

design patent examiner  |  ALEXANDRIA, VA

United States Patent and Trademark Office |  September 2021 to March 2022

  • Examined patent applications for US design patents.

  • Evaluated the uniqueness of inventions by researching previous designs and patents.

  • Used visual skills, knowledge of patent laws, and regulations to assess if applications met the requirements for design patents.

marketing communications specialist  |  Woodbridge, VA

Universal Dynamics (Una-Dyn)  |  May 2013 to October 2013

  • Developed a comprehensive branding style guide to establish and maintain a consistent brand identity for both internal and external use.

  • Led a full content overhaul of the company’s outdated website, migrating it to a new platform using Drupal's CMS.

  • Created marketing materials and represented the company at trade shows to drive new business and promote PlasticsToday conferences.

graphic and web designer  |  Austin, TX

SHOP LC |  February 2012 to May 2013

  • Team leader of third-party communication with Groupon for outside sales through the company’s website to promote and highlight jewelry to mass audiences.

  • Featured jewelry spread in SkyMall magazine, displayed in airplanes nationwide, to increase sales.

  • Conceptualized, developed and implemented an interactive tool - Jewelopedia - that served as a gemstone and jewelry reference for customers to expand their knowledge of products.

  • Co-designed and developed front-end graphics for Liquidation Channel iPad application.

corporate graphic designer ii  |  Alexandria, VA

UIC Technical Services  |  March 2011 to February 2012

  • Conceptualized, created, and distributed press releases, memos, fact sheets, organizational charts, and company folders to announce the rebranding of Bowhead Technical Services to UIC Technical Services.

  • Designed custom graphics for seven company presidents and the proposal writing team to support multi-million dollar government contract proposals.

graphic and web designer  |  NORFOLK, VA

Old Dominion University Recreation and Wellness Center  |  October 2009 to May 2010

  • Designed posters, flyers, booklets, and pamphlets to promote campus events related to the Student Recreation Center.

  • Captured, edited, and published event photos across various platforms.

  • Independently managed and regularly updated the website with information on current programs and services.

art and design director |  NORFOLK, VA  

The Mace & Crown (Old Dominion University Newspaper) |  December 2008 to May 2010

  • Designed layouts, incorporated photographs, and created illustrated graphics for the university’s weekly newspaper, distributed to over 30,000 students.

  • Collaborated closely with the Photo Editor, Copy Editor, Ad Director, and Editor-in-Chief to ensure cohesive content.

  • Led bi-weekly Editorial Board meetings to review and discuss content, layout, and design.

  • Finalized newspaper editions and coordinated with the printing contractor for production.

  • Trained, mentored, and supervised three trainees on layout design and content formatting for the newspaper.

  • Attended the National Editorial Board Conference in Austin, Texas, to enhance professional development.

EDUCATION

Master of ArtS (MA) in Graphic Design

George Mason University  |  Fairfax, VA  

BACHELOR OF FINE ARTS (BFA) in Graphic Design

Old Dominion University  |  Norfolk, VA  

TECHNICAL SKILLS

Design & Creative Software: Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, After Effects, Premiere Pro)

Web Design & Development: WordPress, Drupal, HTML, PHP, JQuery

Project Management: Trello, Asana, Slack

Other Tools: Microsoft Office, GitHub, InVision, Sketch

PROFESSIONAL AWARDS

Texas Municipal Library Directors Association (TMLDA) – Achievement of Excellence in Libraries Award (2022–2024)

National Association of Government Communicators – Award of Excellence for Alexandria Library Re-Design & Campaign (2017)

American Library Association’s John Cotton Dana Award – 1939 Alexandria Library Sit-In (2019)

Alexandria Library – 5-Star Program Award for Library Card Sign-Up Month (2017)

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

Round Rock Black History Organization – Board Member (2022–Present)

National Association of Government Communicators (NAGC) – Member (2015–2021)

Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) – Member (2015–2021)

Virginia Public Library Directors Association (VPLDA) – Member (2015–2021)