Editor, Award-Winning Reporter, Columnist.
I’m the arts editor at Washington City Paper, D.C.’s alt-weekly. As head of the section, I curate—edit, design, assign, and write for—the paper’s arts, culture, and entertainment section with an eye for spotlighting hyper-local creators and breaking arts news.
As a freelance reporter, my work has appeared in the Texas Observer
Smithsonian Magazine, The Counter, Austin Chronicle, Curbed, Thrillist, and more. My feature on the history of lesbian bars in the U.S. has been cited in additional reporting, podcasts, and was the impetus for a piece on Late Night With Seth Meyers.
From Fall of 2013 to Feb. 2020, I was at the Austin Chronicle where I worked as the Associate News and Qmmunity editor.
My reporting influenced change in city and county policy, including increased budget funding to test Austin’s rape kit backlog and provide better monetary support for HIV prevention services. I’ve exposed county-wide loopholes in sexual harassment policies and broke more than a dozen stories regarding the treatment of rape survivors in Austin/Travis County. My coverage has been cited by the New York Times and credited for helping bring about the final case settlements.
In 2018 and 2019, I was awared
Best Journalist by Best of Austin voters twice. In 2018, I was named Best Columnist/Blogger by Austin Alliance for Women in Media.
I’ve mentored young writers who’ve gone on to become reporters in Texas and beyond. I have several years of social media management experience. And, in my spare time, I produced award-winning social events for the queer community in D.C. and Austin.
Reporter/Editor Resume
Arts Editor, Washington City Paper: D.C.’s alt-weekly, June 2021 - Present
Freelance Reporter: Writing for various local and national outlets
March 2020 - June 2021
Connect with and pitch editors of various publications including Smithsonian Magazine, The Counter, Texas Observer, Washington City Paper, and more
Research and report on a wide array of news and magazine stories
Locate and interview topic experts and sources with first-hand experience using internet research and social media connections
Meet overlapping, tight deadlines for publication
Work with editors and copy editors as needed
Austin Chronicle: Austin’s alt-weekly, Austin, TX. Sept. 2013 - Feb. 2020
Associate News Editor, Nov. 2016-Feb. 2020
Authored breaking news posts on local politics, hate crimes, court cases and more
Produced bimonthly investigative features and weekly news analysis
Demonstrated advanced interviewing, researching, editing, and writing skills while meeting tight deadlines
Reported on state legislature; city and statewide elections and protests
Filed, and reported on, public records requests with city and county officials
Established long term relationships with sources including police officers, grassroots organizers, state lawmakers and more
Co-authored long-form stories with colleagues
Coordinated with writers, editors, photographers and design staff to ensure deadlines were met and stories were ready for publication
Attended weekly News and Editorial meetings to develop story lists and assure issue continuity
Collaborated with SEO team to optimize online headlines
Qmmunity Editor, Jan. 2016-Feb. 2020
Authored weekly column and breaking news blogs on LGBTQ+ news, culture and events at the local, state and national levels
Rebranded the section and expanded the editorial calendar, which raised traffic by 80% in six month
Covered press conferences, police trainings, and court hearings on LGBTQ+ issues
Collaborated with section editors for robust LGBTQ+ coverage
Covered LGBTQ+ and women-related tracks at SXSW 2015 –2019
Designed, wrote and edited the vertical’s weekly newsletter
Mentored interns; fostered relationships with writers for diverse coverage
Created and ran Qmmunity’s social media brand on Facebook and Instagram
SharpHeels: Online publication for women in business, Austin, TX. Dec. 2013 - April 2015
Entertainment Editor
Developed contacts at CBS, STARZ, PBS, and more to secure interviews, art for features
Authored over 100 articles on women in entertainment; promoted via social media
Worked with CEO to help hire writers, oversee intern assignments, and edit contributor submissions
Obsessed Magazine: D.C.’s lifestyle and culture publication, Washington D.C. Sept. 2011 - Dec 2014
Features Editor
Collaborated with executive leadership to increase readership
Mentored and trained a team of several reporters
Wrote long-form and short pieces on culture, health, and D.C. life
Where the Girls Go: Queer events calendar and culture blog, Washington D.C. April 2011 - Feb. 2014
Editor-in-Chief
Recruited to provide creative guidance, restructure website, and promote via social media to reach a more targeted audience
Fostered relationships with local businesses through cross promotion
Created, promoted, and executed popular events drawing 100-500 attendees
Social Media Contract Work
LGBTQutie.com, April 2014 - Oct. 2016
- Managed the company's social media accounts
- Established connections for cross-promotion with webseries, fashion lines, artists, and community leaders
- Grew social media followers and app users
- Led online campaigns to promote app and build followers
- Secured company's VIP media sponsorship for one of the largest LGBTQ events in the U.S., Dinah Shore, in 2016
PeakTwo, April 2012 - Jan. 2016
- Ran multiple social media accounts for several clients including tech startups and yoga studios
- Promoted business offers, events, and activities for numerous clients
- Grew followers by tracking site traffic to and from social media
- Utilized Google Analytics, Sprout Social, and Facebook Analytics to create monthly reports
- Handled daily link building on relevant and related news stories
- Ghost-authored blogs for PeakTwo's website