Professional Summary ____________________________________________________________________________
Results-driven strategic communicator and audiovisual production professional, specializing in producing and creating multimedia assets geared toward raising awareness of the company's mission and increasing employee engagement. Highly detail-oriented with a record of effective leadership and project management abilities as well as demonstrated ability to work remotely.
Effective use of Microsoft Teams and Microsoft Office Suite in team collaboration
Content creation and management via Google Suite
AP style writing and copy editing
Career Highlights ____________________________________________________________________________
Project managed and executed Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey — agency-wide communications plan — with reach of approx. 7,000 employees, resulting in 15% increase in employee participation from previous year (DISA)
Directed and produced independent documentary film, titled “Thoughts and Prayers,” featured in eight film festivals and recipient of international recognition (Jonathan B. Murray Center)
Created curriculum and led instruction for drone journalism class, approx. 100 students over five semesters, resulting in average of 50 percent from each class pursuing FAA certification (University of Missouri Drone Journalism Program)
Led reporting for Mexico Ledger, produced average of 20-25 stories per week, expanded social media presence with 4.5% increase in Facebook followers over 3 months, and earned industry peer award for reporting
Work Experience ____________________________________________________________________________
Audiovisual Production Specialist - Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) Fort Meade, Maryland | Aug. 2020 — present Rank: GG12
Direct in-studio and live event shoots and hybrid/virtual MS Teams productions, often with average attendance of 50-100 military/civilians
Produce and edit video projects from storyboard to final product, using Adobe Creative Suite
Collaborate with variety of internal customers, senior leaders and external mission partners across the military branches
Operate and maintain recording equipment (DSLR and ENG cameras, microphones, lights, mobile teleprompter, etc.), both in studio and in the field, with estimated total value of $500,000
Plan and execute agency-wide communications plans, including DISA's Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey communications campaign resulting in 15 percent participation increase from previous year
Completed 2-year “Next Level Leaders” program, including approx. 100 hours intensive training in ethics, records management, and agency mission, as well as 3-month job rotation
President of agency-wide Toastmasters club with 90 regular members and guests, leadership committee for Women's Employee Resource Group with 129 active members agency-wide
Documentary Filmmaker - Jonathan B. Murray Center for Documentary Journalism Columbia, Missouri | July 2018 — Aug. 2022
Directed “Thoughts and Prayers,” a documentary chronicling 20th anniversary of the Columbine shooting and the experience of journalists who covered the event
Produced, filmed and edited the documentary over 3.5 year period using Sony A7iii, DJI drone and editing systems (Adobe Creative Suite/Final Cut Pro)
Selected for 8 film festivals, award winner in two international short doc festivals, semi-finalist in 2020 Student Academy Awards
FAA Licensed Drone Pilot and Instructor - Missouri School of Journalism Drone Journalism Program Columbia, Missouri | July 2017 — June 2020
Instructed drone journalism class of 20+ MU students per semester, teaching skills required to become FAA-certified pilots
Managed and maintained drone fleet worth approx. $25,000
Conducted drone photography and videography for clients around Missouri
Work was featured on KBIA, Columbia Missourian, Paul Pepper Show, Missouri athletics promotions, WomenWhoDrone.co
2020 video story on “Radio Friends with Paul Pepper” show awarded National Telly Award
Featured as panelist for 2022 “Drone Safety Day” event hosted by Federal Aviation Administration
Assisted in creating curriculum and filmed 10 hours of instructional content for 2022 digital drone certification program in Seattle, WA
Content Producer - MU School of Journalism Global Programs Columbia, Missouri | July 2018 — May 2020
Conducted interviews with participants in 21 study abroad and internship programs
Developed monthly content calendars and produced multimedia content (including long-form and short social videos) to promote MU Journalism Abroad programs
Technical Assistant - Missouri School of Journalism Equipment Lab Columbia, Missouri | Aug. 2017 — Feb. 2020
Supervised checkout process of camera gear to 500+ journalism students across 10 different courses
Ensured that each piece of equipment was accounted for in digital management system
Maintained equipment in working order (including DSLRs, cinematic cameras, audio gear, tripods, etc.), worth total of approx. $500,000
Managed student concerns regarding equipment operation and gear repairs
Reporter and Photographer - MU Division of Student Affairs Columbia, Missouri | April 2016 — June 2020
Produced strategic communication materials aligned with department's mission of student recruitment and engagement for university of 31,000+ students
Pitched, edited and produced stories for Student Affairs website and relevant social media channels with Facebook following of 200,000+
Conducted interviews with students and staff for online stories and department's annual report
Photographed campus events and individual portraits for publication across campus
Project managed using content management systems (WordPress, Asana, Trello and MS Teams)
Staff Reporter - Mexico Ledger/Gatehouse Media Mexico, Missouri | April — Sept. 2018
Sole reporter for Mexico Ledger, providing coverage for county of approx. 25,000 residents
Responsible for filling first three pages of local newspaper with news and features, 5 days/week
Grew Mexico Ledger Facebook following by 4.5 percent in three months and established paper’s YouTube and Instagram presence
Reported and produced weekly features, both written and multimedia pieces (micro-documentaries, photo stories)
Multimedia story on a local student was picked up nationwide by The Associated Press and received award in 2019 Missouri Press Association's Better Newspaper Contest (award voted on by industry peers in a partnering state)
Editorial Writer - Alliance Magazine London, United Kingdom | May — Aug. 2017
20 hours/week internship while attending study abroad program
Pitched, wrote and edited 8 long-form, data-led stories and several shorter pieces for digital and print editions of Alliance Magazine, leading global philanthropy magazine, attracting approx. 20,000 unique visitors to website per month
Produced graphics and assisted in pioneering of Alliance Audio podcast
Assisted with design process of magazine including content layout, image selection, and magazine redesign
Multimedia Collegiate Correspondent - USA Today College Columbia, Missouri | Dec. 2015 — June 2016
Independently pitched and produced 14 in-depth features and multimedia stories for publication on USA Today channels during 6-month internship
Collaborated with USA Today editors and contributor team of 15 reporters nationwide, resulting in enhanced production value and effectiveness of engagement strategies
Reporter and News Executive - MUTV 23 News Columbia, Missouri | Aug. 2014 — Jan. 2016
Managed staff of 30+ at MUTV, University of Missouri's student-run television station
Led weekly training sessions on broadcast camera gear, including ENG cameras, audio equipment, television studio equipment and editing software
Curated and posted all news department content on digital/social channels, reaching approx. 20,000 students weekly in addition to the general public
Education & Professional Development ____________________________________________________________________________
Master of Arts, Documentary Journalism — University of Missouri-Columbia Professional Project: “Thoughts and Prayers” documentary film Thesis Research: “A content analysis of word choice in social media news coverage of mass shootings”
Bachelor of Journalism — University of Missouri-Columbia Major: Convergence Journalism-Multimedia Reporting and Producing Minor: Peace Studies Certificates: Multicultural Certificate, MU Digital Global Studies Certificate
Adult Space Academy — U.S. Space and Rocket Center; Huntsville, Alabama Intensive adult camp experience based on astronaut training, including multi-axis trainer, scientific experiments and mock missions on space shuttle, capsule and ISS modules built for training purposes
Google Certificate — Coursera [In Progress] Continuing education certificate in UX Design through Google 6-month intensive course
Toastmasters — Fort Meade, Maryland President (2021-2023), Secretary (2021-2022) and active Level 4 member of Toastmasters public speaking organization (club #3784 — Global Transformers), club geared towards professional development and public speaking skills