Experience

Strategic Communications and Brand Journalism

People often ask how I went from newspaper reporting to strategic communications. To me, the answer is simple.

I've always been fascinated by the who, what, where, when, why and how. That's what first drew me to journalism. It continues to shape how I think, solve problems and lead. Understanding people, uncovering what matters and asking one more question have shaped every step of my career. I've always been energized by building something that doesn't yet exist and solving problems others haven't figured out.

My career has taken me from covering crime and local government for the St. Petersburg Times to helping lead strategic communications at Duke University/Duke University Health System. Along the way, I've built award-winning communications programs from scratch and helped organizations navigate change, strengthen trust and tell stories that connect people to a shared purpose.

Whether I'm advising a senior leader, interviewing a source or developing a communications strategy, I start with curiosity. I ask thoughtful questions, listen carefully and look for what others might overlook. That's how I help people and organizations solve problems, build trust and move important work forward.

Career Highlights


  • Lead and shape strategic communications for Duke University/Duke Health, overseeing an integrated employee communications portfolio built from the ground up that reaches nearly 50,000 faculty and staff across digital, print, social media and executive communications.

  • Built an award-winning employee communications program from the ground up, combining entrepreneurial thinking with strategic execution to create an integrated communications portfolio recognized with 13 CASE Circle of Excellence Awards and four Ragan Communications Awards while helping strengthen Duke's employer brand and national workplace recognition by Forbes and Newsweek.

  • Advise senior leaders on communications strategy, reputation, organizational change initiatives, crisis communications and high-profile institutional priorities.

  • Solve complex communications challenges by translating audience research, analytics and employee feedback into strategies that inform leadership decisions, strengthen trust and deliver measurable results.


  • Bring a journalist's and public affairs mindset to every challenge, shaped by a decade covering crime, government and public safety for the St. Petersburg Times.

  • 
Speak nationally on storytelling, strategic communications and employee engagement for organizations including at Facebook during a Ragan Communications conference.

Education

Master of Arts in Liberal Studies, Duke University

Bachelor of Science in News Editorial, Texas Christian University

Certificate in Documentary Studies, Duke University


Awards & Recognition

13 CASE Circle of Excellence Awards

Four Ragan Communications Awards, including a Grand Prize

Jesse Laventhol Prize for Deadline News Reporting

Duke Leadership Academy scholar

Leadership & Board Service

Public Relations Society of America, Member, 2022–present

Florida Public Relations Association, Board VP Student Outreach, Orlando Chapter, 2023–2025

Adjunct News Reporting Instructor, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, 2024

Historical Society of Central Florida, VP of Board, Orlando, FL, 2022–2025

Museum of Durham History, Board member, 2015-19