Freelance writing and editing

Provide a wide range of writing and editing services to help nonprofits and institutions of higher educations communicate and fundraise more effectively. 

Writer, Comma – Write marketing and fundraising pieces and blog posts for a marketing firm that offers corporate social responsibility consulting.

Writer, moss + ross – Consult with clients and draft campaign case statements, proposals, and other materials for strategic consulting firm.

Editor and Writer, Institute for Public Health, the University of North Carolina Gillings School of International Public Health – Reworked and edited CD-ROM and online guide to accreditation preparation for state health departments; served as contributing writer for Methods in Field Epidemiology (Bartlett and Jones Learning, 2011).

Editor, Seton Hall Law School  –  Edit and proofread publications for Seton Hall Law’s admissions, centers of excellence, and study abroad programs.

UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health, Chapel Hill, N.C. — 2013 to 2014

Development Director

Key member of advancement team that raises more than $20 million annually for the nation’s leading public school of public health

Solicited and closed gifts of up to $50,000 for departments of health policy and management, maternal and child health, and public health leadership program. 

Conceived, scripted and staffed events in several cities to connect and engage alumni as part of School’s 75th Anniversary celebration and campaign, with comprehensive follow-up to cultivate immediate use and endowment giving. Events drew between 30 and 200 alumni apiece.

Contributed writing and editing skills to strengthen the School’s comprehensive stewardship program, segmented annual fund materials, major gift proposals and development marketing materials.

Used Blackbaud-based proprietary database program to manage major gift pipeline.

Duke Student Publishing Company (DSPC), Durham, N.C. — 2010 to 2013

Director of External Relations

Founding alumni relations and development director for the publisher of The Chronicle, the independent daily student newspaper at Duke University.

Planned and carried out The Chronicle’s first comprehensive alumni relations and development program.

Created a new annual fund, the Chronicle Experience Fund; established goals, themes, and materials; solicited prospects for gifts of $1,000 and up. Giving increased by 16 percent in each of the fund’s second and third years. 

Raised $100,000 in collaboration with Duke’s Sanford School of Public Policy to create a visiting lectureship in digital journalism; established opportunities for donors to make gifts as part of the University’s $3.25 billion Duke Forward campaign.  

Designed and implemented development communications outreach strategy to support fundraising efforts and strengthen alumni’s current ties to The Chronicle. Conceived, drafted, and produced print and electronic outreach materials, including a new alumni portal, quarterly newsletter, and social media pages. 

Designed and implemented regional event series to engage alumni. Recruited alumni to help plan events in Durham, New York, and Washington D.C. Speakers included journalists from The New York Times, The Daily Show, The New Republic, and PBS, with events drawing 50 to 150 attendees. 

Installed appropriate fundraising operations systems including mailing databases and maintenance processes, and stewardship program comprising acknowledgment letters, reports, follow-up visits, and other consistent contact to sustain strong relationships with donors and demonstrate accountability. Recruited volunteers for Chronicle staff trainings and development activities, and trained board members and other volunteers to solicit gifts. Served as liaison between DSPC and Duke’s Office of University Development.

Terry Sanford Institute of Public Policy, Duke University, Durham, N.C. — 2006 to 2008

Director of Development Communications and Donor Relations

Founding communications director for development office established to lead $65 million endowment effort and transform institute into new school of public policy.

Designed and implemented integrated communications strategy for endowment effort that raised $29.9 million during my tenure. Conceived, drafted, and produced case materials, video, Web content, brochures, and other promotional materials.

Developed successful grant applications and proposals ranging from $50,000 to $4.5 million to individuals and foundations. 

Developed and implemented annual fund goals, themes, and materials. Designed and implemented effective stewardship program. 

Managed relationships with board of visitors to increase volunteer involvement and cultivate the institute’s most significant group of donors. 

Represented institute on university-wide committees designed to increase fundraising from foundations and corporations and improve communications within Duke and with external constituencies. 

National Humanities Center, Research Triangle Park, N.C. — 1998 to 2006

Associate Director for Communications, then Director of Communications (January 1998 to April 2006)
Acting Director of Development (July 2004 to January 2005)

Communications leader of institutional advancement team for international organization promoting advanced scholarship and education in the humanities. 

Developed annual communications strategies and budgets. Conceived, drafted, edited, and supervised design and printing of all institutional advancement materials. 

Built and sustained relationships with foundations and corporations. Drafted multi-million dollar proposals to institutions and individuals during a $22 million endowment campaign that ended two years early and 10 percent over goal. 

Managed endowment drives raising $150,000 to honor retiring board chair and $2.3 million to endow the center’s education programs. 

Designed and implemented successful $500,000 annual fund campaign. 

Planned and produced five-year Richard W. Lyman Award event that recognized the innovative use of technology in the humanities through events in Chicago, New York, and Washington, D.C.; a Web presence; publications; and media placements. 

Served as staff liaison to communications committee of trustees and public relations professionals. 

Duke Comprehensive Cancer Center, Durham, N.C. — 1994 to 1997

Staff Writer, Office of Development and Communications

Key member of communications and development teams charged with raising funds and awareness for a nationally recognized cancer research and treatment program.

Researched and wrote proposals to individual donors, local and national corporations, and foundations for gifts up to $1.25 million. 

Wrote news releases, worked with media, and facilitated expert interviews to publicize research advances, prevention and awareness events, and significant gifts. 

Coordinated stewardship efforts for endowment programs and gift recognition for major donors. 

Prepared speeches and statements for Cancer Center and Medical Center officials. 

Wrote and produced direct-mail pieces and brochures. Contributed feature articles and donor profiles to Cancer Center and Duke University Medical Center publications. 

Freelance Writer and Editor; Various Editorial and Administrative Posts – 1984 to 1994

Education

M.A. in English Literature, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Va., 1983. 

B.A., magna cum laude with honors in English, Drew University, Madison, N.J., 1981. Elected to Phi Beta Kappa. 

Volunteer Associations

Drew University: Member of Executive Committee, College Alumni Board.