Nice to Meet You!
Hi there! I am a creative problem-solver and storyteller with a focus in marketing design and solutions. I was born and raised in Columbus, Indiana and moved to Valparaiso, Indiana when I started college in the fall of 2018.
I always think of marketing as the "art of getting people to care" and I am proud to utilize marketing techniques to unite consumers and organizations to accomplish their goals, while making the world a little better in the process. I value organizations that work with their community and operate with people in mind. I'm always happy to meet new people so please don't hesitate to reach out!
Educational Background
What I’ve Learned
BSBA Marketing Focus
Valparaiso University
August 2018 - May 2022
Cum Laude with Christ College (honors college) seal. Lutheran Leader Scholar (full-ride scholarship given to two undergraduate students per year). Head Sacristan of the Chapel of the Resurrection. SALT Chair. President of Valpo Spark.
My Experience
City of Columbus, Indiana: Parks and Recreation Department
December 2022 - Present
I began my current role as Marketing Coordinator in late 2022 at Columbus, Indiana Parks & Recreation. While there were guidelines in place from my predecessors, much of my time at Parks has been spent innovating more efficient pathways both internally and for our consumers. Throughout my tenure, I have been extremely grateful for the opportunity to seek feedback and improve both the marketing procedures we put in place and my own marketing skills in an organization with such diverse offerings. Though I have enjoyed my time behind the desk, my favorite moments are spent with the community, especially the families we serve.
Responsibilities
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Mentored Marketing and Graphic Design interns
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Designed, coordinated, edited, published, and updated the digital Bi-Annual Program Guide
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Collaborated with and presented to community Park Board
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Designed physical and digital collateral
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Coordinated and managed 10+ social media accounts
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Attended community events as a Parks representative
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Maintained digital signage and 3 information kiosks on trail system
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Captured content at Parks programs and events
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Maintained Parks photos in shared archive
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Assisted in the creation of recruitment materials for the City of Columbus.
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Communicated with program managers on upcoming registrations and programs
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Managed 4 Parks & Rec owned websites and assisted in the creation of a 5th
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Ran paid and organic advertising and recruitment campaigns
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Tracked and reported KPIs via HootSuite, Meta Business Suite, GA4, and Bit.ly
Accomplishments
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Coordinated Parks & Rec Website ADA Compatible Re-Design
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Pioneered internal shortlink and QR code management system through Bit.ly
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Doubled email list audience
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Increased email open rate from 20-25% to 35-40%
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Created Sunday Fun Day weekly newsletter
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Assisted in brand redesign and brand kit creation for AEI Fitness Center, NexusPark, and the Parks Department as a whole
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Reached 10k subscribers on Parks and Rec and Farmer's Market Pages
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Re-designed logos for Tour de Trails event series
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Built community relationships and awareness, contributing to a community collaboration award
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Supported launch efforts for the NexusPark Community Center and Circle K Fieldhouse
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Collaborated with multiple county organizations for youth development initiatives
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Managed program advertising and community awareness campaigns
The Multi-Agency Academic Cooperative (MAAC) Foundation:
Marketing Coordinator
January 2022 - November 30
I started my time at the MAAC Foundation, a 501(c)3 nonprofit first responder training and education facility, as a Marketing Intern in January of 2022 and was promoted to full-time upon graduation in May 2022. I was the first marketing professional to serve the MAAC and was therefore responsible for laying the foundations for many practices still in use today. I worked closely with the first responders who trained there so we could be embodying their "why" and the MAAC's mission in all collateral, resulting in more cohesive branding, community outreach, and content creation approaches.
Responsibilities
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Monitored, scheduled, and developed content for social media posts across Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube using platform-specific tools, Meta Business, and Constant Contact
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Designed outgoing collateral for classes and associated apparel using Canva and Photoshop
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Coordinated with a web designer to optimize the website, implement new updates, and insert tagging codes for the setup of Google Analytics, Google Tag Manager, and Google Ads/Ad Grants
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Coordinated with a volunteer committee, artist representation, community partners, and venue management for First Responder Appreciation Day marketing and communications
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Setup a content management system for expanding social media outreach.
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Wrote, proofed, and sent press releases to relevant media contact for events.
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Responsible for volunteer coordination and outreach
Accomplishments
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Created user and donor personas for efficient audience segmentation
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Developed a system for donor tagging and segmentation through CRM database, Donor Perfect, and created interest-based audiences for outgoing communications (prioritizing Constant Contact email lists)
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Created forms through both Donor Perfect and Qgiv platforms for community classes, events, and donor data collection
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Pioneered children's programming and its associated pricing schedule
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Mentored and coached our marketing intern in graphic design basics in Canva, social media scheduling, and management, as well as best practices for marketing and PR professionals in the nonprofit world
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Designed and implemented monthly specialized email lists according to audience segmentation plan and user personas
Chapel of the Resurrection:
Co-Head Sacristan
The Chapel of the Resurrection in Valparaiso, Indiana is the largest collegiate chapel in the United States, second-largest in the world. I started my journey there as a prayer writer in 2019, then was promoted to the Co-Head of Altar Care in the fall. I served as the Co-Head Sacristan my senior year, leading several community services. Though my role was highly specialized, it taught me how to lead with confidence and respect the diverse skillsets of my team in order to accomplish the multi-faceted challenges posed to us (including but not limited to COVID-19 safety precautions, virtual services, and holiday services for 1500+ attendees).
Responsibilities
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Responsible for service coordination, setup, and implementation
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Recruited and organized volunteers
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Trained and developed staff members for leadership opportunities
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Kept inventory of paraments, vestments, vessels and perishables, reordering items as needed
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Cross-trained and collaborated across three worship teams for Eucharistic practices
Accomplishments
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Created a comprehensive training guide for future staff members
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Established a bulk-ordering schedule for supplies
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Implemented sustainable practices, such as reusable communion cups and leaving decommissioned beeswax candles in pollinator areas for bees to reclaim.
January 2019 - May 2022
Chapel of the Resurrection: Social Action Leadership Team (SALT) Chair
May 2019 - May 2022
I joined the social action arm of the Chapel of the Resurrection, the Social Action Leadership Team (SALT) in the fall of 2018. In the spring of 2019, I assumed the role of Member Engagement Chair, responsible for member events, culture, and outreach. I was honored to serve as SALT Chair (a president equivalent role) starting in April of 2021. I navigated the challenge of building community and exploring passion amid the COVID 19 pandemic and ever-changing regulations. My time as a SALTer taught me to find the passion that fuels every endeavor, how to build a strong, inviting, and supportive community both in person and virtually. I still am involved as an alumnus, and could not be prouder of these continuing generations of SALTers.
Responsibilities
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Hired a team of 8
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Coordinated weekly meetings for staff and members
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Represented SALT at university council functions
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Promoted a culture of accountability and emotional wellness amongst staff and SALTers
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Collaborated with World Relief Campaign Chair to create selection criteria, facilitate the selection process, and led the associated fundraising efforts for a $25,000 grant
Accomplishments
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Fostered individual and staff growth through goal-setting, one-on-one reflection, and empowering staff members to act with agency in respective focus areas
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Doubled member size during tenure as chair
Lakeview Ministries:
Summer Staff (Seasonal)
May 2019 - December 2021
Working at Lakeview Ministries was a childhood dream, fufilled starting in the summer of 2017 as a volunteer Junior Staff member. I was hired to Summer Staff in the summer of 2019 to be a residential camp counselor for weekly groups of 10 girls aged 6-13 (who knew me as Shazam!). In the summer of 2020, our staff was adapted from over 50 seasonal workers to only 10, on which I served as our horse wrangler. In 2021, I returned as a counselor, and even served a week at a sister camp. I finished my time as a regular worker as a Marketing Communications Intern. My time in outdoor ministry taught me to never underestimate the wisdom of children, the necessity of vulnerability in building an effective team, and the good a ramble through the woods can do for the soul.
Responsibilities​
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Developed and led engaging group activities
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Maintained an environment suitable for individual and group growth and development
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Ensured the safety of over 100 children weekly as well as the safety and care of horses
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Supported counseling staff
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Assisted in the provision of first aid
Accomplishments
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Updated church outreach databases
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Created operating procedures for 2020 online camp store ordering and fulfillment processes
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Coordinated annual dinner auction fundraiser donations
Skills
Professional Competencies
Leadership
I have always been called to servant leadership. In college, I was responsible for 3 top leadership positions. For my role as SALT Chair, I wrote job descriptions for, recruited, hired, coordinated, and mentored my own staff of eight. I believe true leaders take ownership of their team's mistakes but celebrate the work of their team in the victories. My leadership style is focused on openness, community, vulnerability, and perseverance. I am skilled in conflict resolution and intervention, as well as team-building.
Graphic Design
Physical and digital collateral, social graphics, logos, and basic web design using Adobe Suite, Canva, Veed.io, Wordpress, and Wix.
Certified Google Ads Advanced
Google Ads and Google Ad Grants for NPOS
Certified Google Analytics Advanced
Google Analytics and GA4
Google Tag Manager
Setup for tracking, tag installation and integration, and tag and trigger creation
Indeed Certified: Proficiency in Social Media
Skilled in paid and organic content creation and management. Knowledgeable about audience targeting and relevant platform usage. Experienced in Meta Business Suite, and Hootsuite CMSs.
Content Creation
Working with audiences and staff to create branded, relatable content
Volunteer Coordination
Previously coordinating worship teams and external volunteers for service,and coordinating internal and external volunteers for work projects and events. Utilizing direct outreach and collaborating through United Way volunteer portals.
Professional Communication
Formerly conducting tours with potential clients and donors. Currently in charge of press releases and collaborative communication with event partners. Presenting outcomes and upcoming projects to team members. Performing customer service tasks in-person, over-the-phone, via email, and via social media comments and DMs.
Creative Problem Solving
I enjoy new challenges and often see them as puzzles to be solved and conquered! The most direct path is not always the best one, and I take pride in identifying several paths toward desired outcomes in order to select the most efficient and effective option.
Storytelling
Regularly interacting with interest groups and target audiences to pinpoint their passions and visionss. Conveying how they can ally themselves with our mission in order to achieve it together. Storytelling has the unique ability to create empathic links with consumers, making for clarified communication and improved overall satisfaction.
Content Management
Conducted an audit on several CMS services to select an in-budget option that will suit all of our needs utilizing the Delphi method. Familiar with Hootsuite, Meta Business, Constant Contact, MailChimp and SocialBee CMSs.
CRM Coordination and Organization
Familiar with DonorPerfect, Qgiv, ConstantContact, SurveyMonkey, and Meta Business Manager. Innovated and implemented tagging process for donor identification and characterization to enable segmentation in communications and marketing strategies. Trained and supervised intern in data entry, as well as list creation and management.
Basic Web Design
Designed a website for potential employees to explore different outdoor ministry and summer camp organizations. Utilized platform to organize a camp job fair with over 50 camps. Currently launching freelance services to local businesses
Social Media Management
Currently managing 6 platforms: YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok and LinkedIn. Well-versed in paid and organic content generation, engagement and overall KPI reporting, social graphic design, and post copywriting.
Adobe Suite
Utilized InDesign to create online interactive pdf publications. Created educational materials and graphics in Illustrator, alongside logo management. Familiar with basic Photoshop and Premier.
Microsoft Suite
Proficient in Teams, PowerPoint, Word, Excel, and Outlook.
SEO
Familiar with structurally efficient keywords, audience specialization, and strategic exclusions.
Form Design
Experienced in both research and feedback-focused form design. Also assisted in digitizing roster forms for Parks & Rec Sports