Accomplished journalist and editor with more than 25 years of experience reporting on environmental, science, and health issues.

Strategic communications professional adept in developing effective and creative press materials, strategies, and campaigns.

Skillful editor and science communicator for large and small projects, including helping environmental groups to craft reports and assisting science organizations and scientists to improve their communication capabilities.

EXPERTISE

• Journalism • Writing • Editing • Reporting • Strategic Communications • Science Communication • Environmental, Earth Science, and Energy Issues • Health Issues • Press Strategy / Messaging / Releases • Fact-Checking • Communication Training

EXPERIENCE

INDEPENDENT JOURNALIST, EDITOR, AND COMMUNICATIONS CONSULTANT (2021–current)

• Independent journalist covering environmental and science news and feature stories for publications including Oceanus Magazine (contributing writer), EcoWatch, BioScience Magazine, and other news outlets.
• Communications consultant and editor for clients in the environmental, science, and health sectors, providing strategic communication advice and expertise; writing press releases and other documents, simplifying complex scientific topics for wide public distribution; and editing and fact-checking scientific, environmental, and academic reports. Clients include Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Ocean Conservancy, Commission for Environmental Cooperation, Reckitt Global Hygiene Institute, National Energy Assistance Directors Association, African Wildlife Foundation, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, and other organizations and individuals needing writing, editing, and other communications expertise.

RECKITT GLOBAL HYGIENE INSTITUTE (2023-2024)

Content Editor, Contractor

• Communications manager devising, developing, and  implementing strategic communications efforts and providing oversight for all  communication outputs for RGHI, a private global foundation addressing gaps in research funding and data availability within the hygiene field.
• Wrote and edited reports, articles, press releases, blog posts, social media, and other communication outreach products.
• Part-time contract while also working with other clients as an independent journalist, editor, and communications consultant.

AMERICAN GEOPHYSICAL UNION

Senior Staff Writer–Eos, Science News Service Published by AGU (1997–2020)

Assistant Managing Editor–Eos (2004–2007)

• Wrote more than 1,500 articles on environmental, earth science, and space science issues, producing compelling, timely, and targeted stories on policies, politics, and breaking news, as well as feature stories, that impact the science community and the public.
• Reported on diverse environmental and science issues including climate change, biodiversity, energy, the oceans, and natural hazards. Translated complex information into clear and lively news and feature stories for a broad audience.
• Initiated and carried out challenging assignments, demonstrating strategic thinking, innovation, and tenacity to land interviews, break stories, and deliver high-impact reporting.
• Covered multiple federal agencies, departments, and offices (including NOAA, NASA, NSF, EPA, USGS, OSTP); the White House; Congress; Supreme Court; global institutions; and science, environmental, academic, and nongovernmental organizations.
• Mentored junior staff journalists as well as scientists, by improving journalists’ reporting skills and by sharpening scientists’ effectiveness and clarity for their interactions with the media and the public.
• Conducted field reporting in locations ranging from the summit of the Greenland ice sheet to the Pacific Ocean onboard a marine research vessel drilling for subseafloor core samples.
• Interviewed and profiled national and international officials, U.S. federal agency leadership (including White House science advisors), and other leading scientists such as directors of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences.
• Reported on international climate change and earth science conferences in the United States and Europe.
• As Eos assistant managing editor, oversaw and managed the Eos news service’s daily operations, worked closely with the CEO on news service strategy, directed Eos content and layout, edited scientific and lay articles for broad public dissemination, and guided staff writers to deliver high-quality material that engaged target audiences.

AMERICAN RIVERS (1989-1997)

Director of Communications

• Devised, developed, and implemented award-winning communications strategies and media plans
• Obtained consistent and extensive global coverage, including all of the major news networks, the New York Times, the cover of Time magazine, a spread in People magazine, and even some comic strips.
• Successfully promoted river conservation and environmental protection, which led to the implementation of significant initiatives and programs to protect the environment.
• Built and established the “Most Endangered Rivers” initiative into one of the world’s biggest annual environmental announcements.
• Served as organization spokesperson; developed and delivered targeted messaging that supported and amplified environmental, political, and organizational priorities; wrote and distributed hundreds of news releases, developed and wrote annual reports; and played a key role in crisis management and rapid response. 
• Organized widely covered national press conferences and briefings that featured renowned speakers such as Vice President Al Gore, actor Michael Keaton, journalist Charles Kuralt, and New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson (who commented to his staff, “That’s how you do a press conference!”)
• Directed major media campaigns, including initiatives to stop a gold mine near Yellowstone National Park, publicize environmental causes of Midwest flooding, promote a retracing of the Lewis and Clark expedition to highlight environmental concerns, and protect wilderness and urban rivers across North America.
• Provided media relations training for dozens of local environmental organizations, resulting in increased public support and visibility for conservation initiatives.
• Years later, a May 2024 blog post on the American Rivers website refers to me as a “media master” (see: https://www.americanrivers.org/2024/05/flooding-and-river-conservation/).

ENVIRONMENT NEWS SERVICE (1996-1997)

Correspondent

• Reported on biodiversity, climate change, and other environmental issues as Washington, D.C. correspondent.

NASHUA RIVER WATERSHED ASSOCIATION (1986–1989)

Public Information and Education Director

• Devised, developed, and implemented the Nashua River Watershed Association’s highly effective communications plans and media outreach, resulting in extensive local, national, and global coverage for this multi-state conservation organization in New England.
• Developed and nurtured consistent, regular contact with numerous key media outlets. The resulting positive media coverage of NRWA’s success in restoring the Nashua River strengthened the organization’s profile as a global environmental leader, its political clout in bringing about environmental protection, and its fundraising efforts.
• Conducted media training for staff and community volunteers, which boosted their ability to more effectively engage with the media and to protect the river and watershed.
• Wrote a widely-circulated weekly column for regional newspapers; wrote annual reports and newsletters and scores of press releases; and served as the organization’s spokesperson, motivating environmental progress through strategic communications initiatives.

EDUCATION 

• Master of Science in Journalism, Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism, New York, NY
• Bachelor of Science in Journalism, Boston University College of Communication, Boston, MA

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS

• Landsat 9 Satellite Continues Half-Century of Earth Observations: Eyes in the sky serve as a valuable tool for stewardship,  BioScience Magazine.
• A rare mission north: America’s sole heavy icebreaker returns to the Arctic for the first time in 40 years, Oceanus.
• Ensuring that Science Has a Seat at the Table: Scientists key to decision-making in critical times, BioScience Magazine.
• Accessible Oceans: Making ocean science accessible to the visually impaired, Oceanus.
• Science Moms Look to Enlist Other Moms to Tackle Climate Change, EcoWatch.
• Can bold U.S. federal climate legislation be enacted now? Eos.
• Congress hears biodiversity warning during a charged hearing, Eos.
• Dive into ocean issues with Sherman’s Lagoon,  Eos.

PORTFOLIOS

• News articles I have written
• Press releases I have written

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

• Society of Professional Journalists, Washington, D.C. Pro Chapter: President, 2019–2022; Board Member, 2017-present
• Sigma Delta Chi Foundation of Washington, D.C., supporting journalism education programs: Board Member, 2019–2022.
• WETA Community Advisory Council: Council Member, 2021-present.
• D.C. Science Writers Association: Former Board Member.
• Society of Environmental Journalists: Member.
• National Association of Science Writers: Member.
• Editorial Freelancers Association: Member.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• Volunteer:
  • Judge, Society of Professional Journalists’ Dateline Awards, U.S. Geological Survey’s Shoemaker Awards for Communications Excellence, EnvironMentors Program, and other competitions.
  • Speaker, National Academies of Sciences’ Board on Earth Sciences and Resources, and the Academies’ Committee on Offshore Science and Assessment; North American Carbon Program Science Meeting; American Institute of Biological Sciences Communications Boot Camp for Scientists; and more.
  • School Without Walls High School, Washington, D.C., Local School Advisory Team, Former Elected Representative.

• Honors:
  • National recognition as the awardee for “Outstanding Achievement in Media Relations/Education,” from the Natural Resources Council of America.
  • Metcalf Institute for Marine and Environmental Reporting at the University of Rhode Island, Fellow.
  • Journalist selected by U.S. National Science Foundation for a reporting tour in Greenland.s