About me.

I am a non-profit manager and leader with over 15 years of experience in communications, strategic planning, and relationship building. Currently serving as Director of Communications at the American Mental Health Counselors Association (AMHCA), I oversee our publications and marketing efforts that enhance public understanding of clinical mental health counseling issues and elevate AMHCA’s initiatives. My role involves building relationships with stakeholders and subject matter experts, managing comprehensive communication plans, and providing leadership for a team of contractors and volunteers.

My academic achievements underpin my holistic approach to organizational communication, governance, strategic planning, management, and stakeholder relations.

I have contributed as a board member of the National Capital Area Chapter of the American Society of Public Administrators, where I actively engage in promoting best practices in public administration and governance.

I am passionate about cultivating inclusive work environments and helping mission-driven organizations achieve sustainable growth. My experience with national associations and commitment to advocacy makes me a trusted strategic advisor, ethical leader, and seasoned advocate. I am responsive, hard-working, direct, good-humored under stress and have a collaborative spirit.

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Professional Experience

Director, Communications

American Mental Health Counselors Association

Remote

2014 - Present

Execute the mission and vision by thinking strategically and using data from multiple departments to benchmark progress and track the critical success factors of the strategic plan to inform leadership of milestones, achievements, and areas where the organization needs to shift to better focus the energy of the team.
Grow the number of affiliated chapters and engage with leaders across the country by playing a key role in guiding affiliates in business management, communications, and membership initiatives.
By leading and directing an initiative to partner and cultivate relationships with affiliate organizations, press, advertisers and stakeholders, I drove brand awareness more efficiently and successfully resulting in increased media presence (national exposure in publications such as ValuePenguin, MediaPlanet/USA Today, CounselingSchools.com, and LinkedIn News), member engagement, wider social media reach (from 2 channels and 500 followers in 2014 to 5 channels and over 30,000K followers), and website traffic year over year while also bringing in 120K+ in non-dues revenue.
Using data and feedback, redesigned processes and procedures in communications and marketing plans for continuing education, annual conferences, membership acquisition and retention, advocacy, publications, general membership, certifications, and partnership agreements leading to growth that includes adding a second signature publication and providing a platform for member engagement and collaboration.
Work closely with CEO, the Board of Directors, and committees to position the organization as a resource for strategic planning across all departments of the association

Strategic Content Editor, Contractor

Venture Interactive

Remote

January 2014 - March 2014

Worked on applications for mobile and desktop deployments, specializing in education and health programs, multilingual deployment, and games and activities development.
Executed product development with Baker & McKenzie, ranked World's Top International Law Firm, for their eLearning modules in 20+ languages, including custom modules for Fortune 500 clients like Lufthansa, Ralph Lauren, and Shell Oil.

Public Relations and Volunteer Program Director

SouthernCare Hospice, Inc

Harrisonburg, Va.

January 2012 - December 2013

Developed programs to increase donations, volunteers and community awareness through TV interviews, public speaking, community partnerships and events.
Led a team of 46 volunteers (a 91% increase in volunteers from previous years) through activities and programs saving the company $9K annually.
Grew brand awareness and loyalty by planning/hosting community events and being an active participant in raising funds for other partner organizations such as the American Cancer Society and Alzheimer’s Awareness.

Production and Strategic Content Manager

Trae Turner Creative Communications

Harrisonburg, Va.

Managed production, copy-editing, and email delivery for 14 quarterly newsletters for organizations such as the American School Counselors Association, Cat’s Cradle of Harrisonburg, Morgan Stanley Smith Barney's Association of Professional Investment Consultants
Managed office operations and bookkeeping

May 2010 - November 2011

Americorps National Preparedness and Response Corps

American Red Cross, Greater Richmond Chapter

Richmond, Va.

August 2007 - June 2008

Managed a team of 50 staff and volunteers in local disaster responses – listening to clients’ needs and providing accurate assistance.
Worked with businesses in the community to update and expand vendor agreements widening our resources to better meet the needs of victims of disasters.
Led the initiative to amend the Chapter Disaster Action Plan, ensuring the organization itself had an accurate and complete plan with a schedule of revisions.
Spoke at community education trainings and signature donation events about the mission and operations of the organization leading to a great understanding of disaster preparedness, brand awareness and community involvement.
Grew volunteer leadership program by designing a leadership course and manual to help guide leaders to make decisions and handle disaster response as a leader.

Professional Education and Certifications

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Workplace Certificate

University of South Florida, Muma College of Business

July 2023

Certified Association Executive (CAE)

American Society of Association Executives

Awarded: May 2022

Renewal date: 12/31/2027

Master of Public Administration

Virginia Tech

Alexandria Campus

May 2018

Graduate Certificate in Public Administration

University of Virginia

School of Continuing and Professional Studies

Online

December 2016

Certificate in Non-Profit Management

James Madison University

Professional and Continuing Education

Non-Profit Institute

Harrisonburg, Va.

April 2010

Bachelor of Science in Psychology, Minor in Spanish

Virginia Commonwealth University

College of Humanities and Sciences

Richmond, Va.

May 2007

Public Speaking

Maximizing Membership Engagement through Strategic Marketing and Communications – Part 2

Association Leadership Virginia

Thinking of member value, building trust, membership journey, and non-dues revenue through the lens of marketing, branding, communications, and public relations.

Virginia Society of Association Executives

December 2024

Facilitator: Organizational Safety

Drinks and Conversations

Facilitated discussion with a group to talk about what it means to feel safe, ways to ensure safety and get feedback, the consequences of silence and advice for those navigating difficult situations.

National Capital Area Chapter of the American Society of Public Administrators

October 2024

Facilitator: Horrible Bosses: How to Navigate a Toxic Workplace

Drinks and Conversations

Facilitated discussion with a group to share stories, ask questions, and offer each other support and a few strategies to navigate and overcome the obstacles that can make workplaces feel toxic.

National Capital Area Chapter of the American Society of Public Administrators

September 2024

Domain 8: Communications and Marketing

CAE Study Group

Gave a primer on association marketing, branding, communications, and public relations and led study questions.

Virginia Society of Association Executives

Multiple Occasions

Membership and Marketing Engagement