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A lifetime in comms ...
I am a story teller through ideas, words, designs and images.
Throughout my professional career, I have helped organizations effectively tell their stories and advance their missions to successfully achieve goals in public relations, promotions, fund raising, student recruitment, regulatory approvals and sales.
I have worked in both the corporate and nonprofit sectors, in settings large and small.
My most notable work in the nonprofit sector has included service as communications and public relations director at two large, historic churches in downtown Minneapolis (St. Mark's Episcopal Cathedral and Central Lutheran Church; communications manager for the Episcopal Diocese of Minnesota (now known as the Episcopal Church in Minnesota ; and as an award-winning journalist for the Episcopal News Service, the national news agency of the denomination.
On the for-profit side, I managed all aspects of communication (including regulatory approvals, marketing and sales) for a multi-million dollar commercial real estate development in Wisconsin, and served as chief of staff in the marketing department at a subsidiary of General Motors Corporation.
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I returned to independent practice in 2015.
That flexibility allowed me to take a summer sabbatical and step away from sitting in front of a computer screen all day. I worked an outdoor nursery of a large Minneapolis garden center, where I walked many miles each day and came into contact with a lot of people. It was transformational! While that work came to a planned conclusion after four months, I never returned to solely sitting at my desk all day long.
And so, I engaged in a limited communications practice and had some fun doing a couple of jobs that I always wanted to do. See below. Think lots of food, espresso, and meatballs.
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Today, I am working with a limited number of clients on a variety of projects. Need some help? Contact me below.
Writing has always been at the core of my work. Whether it was a simple promotional brochure, a press release, a feature news story, or a speech for a bishop delivered in the rotunda of the Minnesota State Capitol, I've written it all.
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Here's a favorite sample and something personal. If you're a fan of "The Sound of Music," I think you'll enjoy this piece I wrote for the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts some years ago. Click on the cover image to read "My Travels with the Baroness."
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​More writing samples available upon request.​
I have been a photographer all of my career ... from the days when we used film and, to be able to turn around photos in a hurry for my publications, always had my own darkroom. Thankfully, we have evolved from that, although I can still smell the aroma of the stop bath chemical.
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I have described my photographic work over the years as "from every angle" (covering an event literally from every possible position) and "being in the moment" (having my camera at hand to cover the very moment some major or historic event takes place).
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The photo below was a prime example of "being in the moment." This picture, of the destruction of the rare 2009 downtown Minneapolis tornado to the North Plaza of Central Lutheran Church, was published worldwide by the Associated Press with my byline. Thankfully, no one was hurt or we would not be sharing this here.
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But wait, there's more ...
I'm a professional chef ...
I stepped away from a lengthy full-time professional career early to do a couple of things that were on my bucket list. Having planned and executed large-scale event at the Minneapolis Convention Center over the years (including the gigantic 2003 General Convention of the Episcopal Church), I wanted to work on the back end ... in catering. So I joined the team at Kelber Catering, the exclusive caterer at the Convention Center, where, in several roles, I worked on large events, such as banquets for thousands. I was also the lead trade show barista. It was all great fun!
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Then, I did one more thing on my list (don't chuckle): I had always wanted to make the famous Swedish meatballs at IKEA, where I have had a long relationahip as a customer. (I purchased my first pieces of IKEA furniture before there was a store on this continent by importing directly from Sweden!) So, I became a professionally-trained chef and worked with a small team that cooked and served 1,000 people a day at the IKEA Restaurant in Bloomington, Minnesota. Also great, great fun and wonderful co-workers!
... and an Ordained Minister
I am ordained in the Universal Life Church and am licensed by the State of Minnesota to officiate at marriage ceremonies. For more information about that, reach out to me through the contact from below.