Experience

For a more narrative version of my experience, head over here to meet me! If you prefer the resume-style breakdown, read on: I’m a communications and marketing professional with experience in nonprofit, higher education, media and legal industries. I have proven expertise in writing, media relations, budget and project management, digital marketing, social media strategy, media buying, marketing campaign development, event planning, personnel training and supervision, and crisis communications.

My career began in 2008 in the midst of a recession and following a move from California, where I was born and raised, to Oklahoma, a place I’d visited twice before. It’s been a wild, winding ride with no sign of slowing down!

Science Museum Oklahoma
Communications Director
Aug. 2016 to present

  • Develop, implement and evaluate the annual communications and marketing plan for a hands-on science center serving more than 600,000 people annually.
  • Manage all public relations efforts for the museum and serve as media liaison for local and national media.
  • Serve as communications liaison to museum partners including NASA, the Smithsonian Institution, The Planetary Society, Oklahoma City Thunder, Oklahoma Blood Institute, Boeing and Oklahoma EPSCoR, working with counterparts to coordinate communications for museum and partner events and initiatives.
  • Manage the museum’s communications budget, including the museum’s annual marketing plan and its execution, negotiating contracts to maximize museum funds and reduce overall expenses.
  • Oversee the continued development and use of the Science Museum Oklahoma brand, the development of all print and branded materials, as well as all copy, exhibit text panels and any communications intended for public consumption.
  • Oversee all digital communications, including the museum’s website, e-newsletter and social media.
  • Supervise the museum’s Graphic Designer and Communications & Development Coordinator.

Notable communications and marketing achievements:

  • Directed communications for three days of in-person events with Bill Nye and The Planetary Society to launch the museum’s “One Giant Leap” planetarium capital campaign.
  • Twice recognized in USA Today for “must-see” museum exhibitions, national coverage on NPR and in Alaska Airlines Magazine for museum exhibitions.
  • Contributed to the development of the brand and programming for SMO 21, the museum’s adults-only program launched in spring 2018, resulting in numerous sold out events, email open rates of 40%+, viral earned media and audience development for a previously untapped revenue stream.
  • Recognizing a lack of quality photography to tell the museum’s story, directed the development of a library of images to enhance and modernize the museum’s marketing.

University of Central Oklahoma
Office of University Communications

Communications and Marketing Coordinator
Dec. 2014 – Aug. 2016
Staff Writer
Aug. 2013 – Dec. 2014

  • Aid in the development of marketing strategies for various university colleges, programs and departments.
  • Research, write and fact-check news articles, feature stories, press releases and copy for media outlets, specialty publications and digital spaces to promote awareness of and action on behalf of UCO.
  • Coordinate social media marketing and search engine marketing campaigns. Prepare and present reports on paid digital initiatives. Work with Assistant Vice President to support brand and marketing strategies, particularly in digital media.
  • Liaison to members of local and national media reporting on UCO.
  • Review, edit and prepare for publication news releases produced by university staff writers.
  • Coordinate and conduct of interviews with faculty, staff, students, alumni and other necessary parties, as well as coordination of photo shoots for art to accompany stories.
  • Develop and maintain relationships throughout campus and community to generate story ideas.
  • Develop and distribute numerous monthly reports for the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education and the Regional University System of Oklahoma.
  • Project manager for 2014-15, 2015-16, 2016-17 UCO Visitor Guide magazines; 2015 UCO Edmond Sun special section.
  • University Communications representative for Campus Activities’ Stampede Week, Information Technology Portal Task Force, UCO@125 Gala Committee, UCO Distinguished Speaker Series Committee, UCO Behavioral Assessment Team, UCO Committee on Diversity.

OPUBCO Communications Group
Jan. 2010 – Aug. 2013

III. Digital Marketing Project Manager

  • Coordinated efforts of all department services (Search Engine Optimization, Search Engine Marketing, website development, social media management, conversion tracking) to execute high quality, unified digital marketing solutions for clients across a variety of industries.
  • Managed marketing initiatives to ensure all teams were executing responsibilities and delivering services and results as promised.
  • Served as sole point of contact with customers regarding campaigns.
  • Developed sales proposals and assisted in sales efforts to pitch services and present audits of prospective clients’ existing digital marketing.
  • Performed SEO keyword research for prospective clients.

II. Digital Editor and Producer: The Oklahoman and NewsOK.com

  • Managed daily sports content on Oklahoma’s largest news website, including in-house stories, AP wire feeds, section fronts for University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State University athletics, Oklahoma City Thunder, metro area high schools, NewsOK blogs, and promotion of the same.
  • Provided live digital coverage for OU and OSU football games, Oklahoma City Thunder Playoff and Finals games.
  • Real-time management of in-game and post-game online content for OU and OSU football games and Oklahoma City Thunder basketball games.
  • Managed social media for NewsOK Sports, NewsOK High School Varsity, NewsOK Thunder, NewsOK, and The Oklahoman.
  • Oversaw blogs for OU, OSU, Oklahoma City Thunder, high school sports, and sports columnists.
  • Served on newsroom Social Media Committee, worked to guide the newsroom to 100% participation in social media.
  • Moderated daily live chats between sportswriters and readers as well as live chats with fans during sporting events.
  • Developed NewsOK.com pages for special events and expanded sports coverage and historical content while creating new ways to present content to readers.

I. Digital Marketing and Content Specialist / Event Planner

  • Managed national advertising accounts for print, digital, television and radio media including campaign creation, social media, copywriting, vendor management, and event planning.
  • Marketing and SEO copywriting for clients including traditional advertising, trade publication editorial, websites, brochures, direct mail, and billboard.
  • Implemented management system and managed digital presence for 12 unique social media clients.
  • Generated new clients for Wimgo Daily Deals and created Wimgo Daily Deals content for campaigns.
  • Developed curriculum for “Social Media Boot Camp”; coordinated all event planning functions of Social Media Boot Camp, including media buying, ad scheduling, creative design management, registration, payments, catering, staffing, materials, day-of logistics, day-of receiving of attendees, and vendor relations.
  • Facilitated implementation of social media management tools for internal use.
  • Instrumental in selection and training of account executives for social media management teams.
  • Managed three special sections in The Oklahoman.

Law Offices of Rachel S. Morris, Traci L. Soderstrom
Aug. 2008-Dec. 2010
Office Manager, Legal Assistant

  • Managed daily operations of law firm including drafting and editing court pleadings, scheduling, correspondence, legal research, invoicing, docketing, document management and filing.
  • Created forms and client databases to simplify and streamline operational processes.
  • Implemented billing system to improve billing and time-keeping functions.
  • Reviewed and organized case files for consistency of order and accuracy of information.

Education

Bachelor of Art – English (Writing Emphasis), Spanish minor
Azusa Pacific University, Azusa, California

Recognitions

Oklahoma College Public Relations Association “Randy Talley Rising Star Award”
OCPRA Achievement Award: Featurette Writing
ionOklahoma Magazine “30 under 30”

Volunteer

Camp Heart To Heart • City Rescue Mission • deadCENTER Film Festival • Feed The Children • Harn Homestead • N. Highland Elementary School • OKC Festival of the Arts • OKC Museum of Art • OKC Philharmonic • Orchestra League • Overture • Parent Promise • Plaza District Festival • Prevent Child Abuse Oklahoma • St. Paul’s Episcopal Church • Walton Woods Camp (Director, 2003-06)

Boards

deadCENTER Film Festival Advisory Board: Venue Manager Co-Chair, 2015-18; Filmmaker Travel Coordinator, 2019-20
Associate Board of the Oklahoma City Philharmonic: Member, At-Large Executive Committee; Member, Events Committee; Member, Marketing Committee, 2014-15; Past President, 2013-14; President, 2012-13; Secretary, 2011-12; Events Chair, 2011-12; Board Member, 2010-15
Oklahoma City Philharmonic Board of Directors: Member, 2012-13
Parent Promise Media Advisory Board: Member, 2012-13
Downtown Exchange Club for the Prevention of Child Abuse: Treasurer, 2010-11; Member, 2008-11
Trinity Fellowships/Walton Woods Camp: Board Member, 2004-Present

Committees

City of Oklahoma City Office of Arts and Cultural Affairs: Education and Engagement Committee, 2015-16
WestFest: Inaugural Western Avenue music and street festival, 2015
Boys & Girls Club of Oklahoma County, Champions of Youth Gala Committee, 2011-13
World Neighbors’ LUNA Fest, 2012

Community

Leadership UCO Class XIII, 2015-16
Rotary International Global Study Exchange to India, 2013
Leadership Oklahoma City LOYAL Class VI, 2011
OKC RiverSport Corporate Rowing Team, 2011-13