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Work Background
New York Farm BureauChief Executive Officer
Apr. 2024As chief administrative officer of an 11,000-member organization—the largest agricultural advocacy group in New York State—I have the privilege of leading a dynamic team, serving as the primary liaison to the board, legislators, regulators and stakeholders, and am responsible for strategic planning, financial oversight, and operational efficiency across multiple entities, including a nonprofit foundation and a workers' compensation safety group. Communications and marketing are a major focus in my day to day —I built and integrated a new marketing department, enhancing outreach, crisis management, and stakeholder engagement across all platforms. As the organization’s chief lobbyist, I regularly engage with elected officials at the municipal, state, and federal levels, advocating for policies that support our members and, at times, collaborating with international partners. I relaunched the organization’s dormant nonprofit foundation and restructured it to manage our leadership, young farmers and ranchers and educational activities. I spend nearly 40% of my time in the field, ensuring we maintain strong relationships, recruit new members, and foster a sense of community. At the heart of it all, I focus on building a strong internal culture—mentoring staff, restructuring departments, and creating three- and five-year strategic plans that positioned the organization for long-term success. This role allowed me to blend strategy, advocacy, financial stewardship, and leadership development to drive meaningful impact in the agricultural sector—something I’m passionate about and eager to continue in future endeavors.
PC Public AffairsPartner
May. 2022 - May. 2024Albany, New York, United StatesAs partner and senior communications, public affairs, and marketing strategist, I led cross-functional teams and managed multiple client accounts, overseeing up to 20 staff and stakeholders at a time. I served as the primary point of contact for clients, facilitating strategic planning, execution, and reporting—while also leading key partner meetings to align business goals with communications outcomes. One of my core strengths was securing high-value media placements, regularly generating hundreds of thousands of dollars in earned media each month and enhancing the personal branding of key client executives. I also led several product and project launches that not only exceeded media expectations but also resulted in product sales outperforming projections by over 22%. I developed and executed comprehensive marketing strategies that significantly boosted brand visibility, website traffic, and overall media performance. In one standout campaign, our earned media value doubled compared to pre-strategy efforts. Additionally, I managed ad buys that consistently delivered strong ROI, including a 40% uptick in site traffic and a 10% conversion rate. Internally, I spearheaded the creation of streamlined communications systems and collateral—ensuring consistent messaging across departments, reducing duplication, and increasing efficiency. I also led the integration of marketing and communications functions, cutting project turnaround times by up to two weeks. This role sharpened my ability to blend strategy, creativity, and operational insight—helping organizations tell their stories effectively, drive measurable impact, and achieve sustainable growth.
FOX | Strategic CommunicationsFractional Communications Officer and Consultant
Dec. 2013 - May. 2022Albany, New York, United StatesAs a fractional Chief Communications/Marketing Officer, I partnered with a wide range of organizations—from lean 10-person teams to global corporations with 400+ employees. My client base spanned industries including rural development, agriculture, food and beverage, climate, energy, manufacturing, economic development, transportation, and more. I designed and led comprehensive media and public affairs strategies that consistently delivered results—most clients saw a 300% increase in press release success and an average ROI of 400% on media campaigns. I ensured all messaging and campaigns maintained brand standards and upheld organizational reputation, even during high-stakes moments such as crisis response or major policy shifts. A core part of my work involved incorporating regulatory and policy changes into public-facing strategies—helping clients stay compliant while effectively positioning their perspectives across media, marketing, and stakeholder channels. I also supported grassroots advocacy efforts and drove community and stakeholder engagement to help organizations meet their mission and long-term goals. From executive communications—like talking points, op-eds, and speeches—to full-scale campaign collateral, I managed the creation of compelling, brand-aligned content across websites, newsletters, media kits, advertisements, and publications. Campaigns I led regularly achieved 30% open rates, 18% click-through rates, and up to 48% conversion rates. With a focus on strategy, storytelling, compliance, and connection, I helped mission-driven organizations and forward-thinking companies build trust, navigate complexity, and grow with purpose.
Local FlavorFounder
Nov. 2011 - Jan. 2014Albany, New York AreaLocal Flavor is an online wholesale food brokerage, connecting independent growers and producers with wholesale buyers (like restaurants, grocers, hospitality groups, and specialty shops) that I launched in 2011. In 2014, I sold my interest in the company to devote my time to pursuits of journalism and communications consulting.
HearstJournalist
Jan. 2011 - Jun. 2022Albany, NYAs a journalist-at-large, I contributed to a broad range of respected media outlets—including regular contracts with Hearst News Corp., Gannett, NBC Universal, Dotdash Meredith, Lee Enterprises, NPR, PBS, and more. With a focus on food, agriculture, and the systems that shape them—political, economic, and social—I specialized in multi-channel storytelling. My work spanned in-depth articles, photography, videography, podcasts, and documentaries. Notable highlights included being named a “Top 10 Suggestion” by NPR and continuing to contribute to NPR affiliates and appear regularly on-camera. I developed, pitched, and placed stories under tight deadlines, often managing multiple pieces simultaneously while maintaining strong editorial relationships. My storytelling extended to multimedia production—developing television shows, podcasts, and documentaries, and taking on everything from scriptwriting and on-site producing to narration and live remote hosting. In addition to editorial work, I built a newsletter list of over 20,000 subscribers to promote my writing and events. I also organized media trips for journalists and influencers to enhance storytelling opportunities and industry exposure. Outside of the newsroom, I founded and managed a successful cooking school inspired by my reporting. Over eight years, the school generated steady growth, reaching $450,000 in annual revenue before I divested to focus fully on strategic communications and media work. This experience gave me a unique foundation in narrative strategy, stakeholder engagement, and audience building—skills I continue to bring to mission-driven communications, especially in the food and agriculture sectors.
Science Teachers Association of New York StateDirector of Development And Communications
Jan. 2011 - Dec. 2013Albany, New York, United StatesAs communications, marketing and development lead for a statewide science education association, I created and executed a comprehensive strategy to revitalize the organization and expand its reach beyond the well-known annual conference. My work focused on engaging science educators across New York State, increasing membership, and positioning the association for long-term growth. I launched new media and marketing initiatives—including a refreshed website, targeted social media campaigns, a regular newsletter, recruitment outreach, and strategic media placements—to boost visibility and drive engagement. These efforts played a key role in growing both membership and participation across programs. To support financial sustainability, I crafted external communications to attract corporate sponsors and promote grant opportunities, helping to significantly expand funding streams. I also led the planning and execution of the organization’s annual statewide conference and produced the annual report to highlight impact and transparency. This role allowed me to blend creative strategy with mission-driven outreach—connecting educators, partners, and supporters in meaningful ways that advanced science education throughout the state.
Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New YorkBoard Member
Dec. 2009 - May. 2012Albany, New York, United StatesI served on the Board of Catholic Charities Caregiver Support Services, an agency of the Catholic Diocese of Albany, and was a leader on the Fundraising committee for several years. I used my knowledge in fundraising and public relations to spread the word in the Albany area about the mission of CCCSS while using my extensive network of contacts to garner fundraising items for our annual gala and silent auction. These efforts more than doubled fundraising totals for the organization and allowed for the continuation of services in a difficult financial climate. While my board tenure is over, I continue to advocate for an assist CCCSS in its fundraising and public relations efforts.
JUNIOR LEAGUE OF THE CITY OF SCHENECTADY INCBoard Member
Aug. 2008 - Jun. 2012Schenectady County, New York, United StatesI was a general and board member of The Junior League of Schenectady and Saratoga Counties, overseeing communications efforts and our bi-monthly newsletter, "Schenexus." In this position, I digitized our communications efforts and files, creating an online archive of past and current newsletters, and launching social media accounts. I was also a main point of contact for the media and other organizations to connect with and learn about JLSS.
Baker Public RelationsSenior Account Executive
Aug. 2008 - Apr. 2010Albany, New York, United StatesI began as an Account Executive and was quickly promoted to Senior Account Director, ultimately stepping in to lead day-to-day operations during a several-month medical leave of the company president. In this role, I managed teams, oversaw client accounts, and led business development efforts that doubled the firm’s client roster. My work spanned a variety of industries—including nonprofit, med-tech, engineering, hospitality, state agencies, and nanotechnology—where I delivered strategic public relations services and helped clients elevate their visibility and messaging. From media relations to campaign strategy, I ensured consistent, high-quality service that supported client goals and positioned the agency for long-term growth. This experience sharpened my leadership, client management, and business growth skills, while deepening my expertise across diverse and complex sectors.
Care Support of AmericaExecutive Assistant to the CEO and Junior Communications Officer
Dec. 2007 - May. 2008Albany, New York, United StatesIn a dynamic start-up environment, I served as a key advisor and operations lead for the Founder/CEO, managing executive affairs and acting as a primary liaison with investors and funding partners. I oversaw consumer education initiatives, brand outreach, and event planning to build visibility and trust in a fast-evolving health and telehealth space. A significant part of my role included monitoring federal and state regulations related to healthcare and telehealth, ensuring compliance and guiding strategic decisions in a highly regulated industry. This experience sharpened my ability to navigate complex stakeholder environments, support investor relations, and drive mission-aligned growth in emerging markets.
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