Innovative Nonprofit Communications Leader | Expert in Fundraising, PR & Brand Development | Passionate Advocate for Children's Rights & Equity and the Arts

With a deep-rooted commitment to effecting positive change, I bring extensive experience in spearheading communication, fundraising, and PR strategies for nonprofits. My tenure as Marketing and Communications Director at California Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) saw me driving impactful initiatives to amplify the voices of children in foster care. From managing statewide campaigns to securing $60M in funding and fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts, I've demonstrated a knack for driving meaningful results. With a diverse background spanning e-learning entrepreneurship to international public-private partnerships, I offer a unique blend of creativity, strategic acumen, and a relentless drive for impact. Currently pursuing an MBA, I'm poised to drive transformative growth and innovation in mission-driven organizations.

EXPERIENCE

2022–current
Mission Trails Regional Park Foundation
San Diego, CA
Director of Development & Communications

  • Directed the grant management process from research, to writing proposals, applications, and reports, to implementation and impact measurement.

  • Raised over $2M in grant funding in FY2023–2024.

  • Developed an annual fundraising plan in alignment with the MTRP Foundation’s mission, funding priorities, and long-term goals.

  • Increased individual giving by cultivating, maintaining, and strengthening donor relationships.

  • Managed development programs and initiatives to advance the organization’s strategic priorities, promote collaboration and partnership, and engage supporters, donors, and volunteers.

  • Developed and carried out organization-wide communications strategy, including recurring emails, program news, public relations, and special events management for MTRP art program, venue rental, and community events.

2019–2022
California Court Appointed Special Advocates Association
San Diego, CA
Marketing and Communications Director

  • Managed donor databases (Constant Contact and DonorPerfect CRM), implemented moves management and targeted campaigns in collaboration with the Chief Philanthropy Officer and Director of Grants and Philanthropy.

  • Wrote, edited, and produced clear, concise, accurate, and effective informational materials for public distribution while maintaining design and editorial standards to ensure high promotional literature quality.

  • Led communications for the statewide legislative advocacy committee to create targeted materials for individual districts across California for each of the 44 county CASA programs.

  • Developed and implemented a strategic communication plan to recruit volunteer advocates and increase donor support.

  • Established a strategic and comprehensive plan for organizing and implementing public information that included regular communication with employees, the board of directors, and the community through publications such as newsletters and annual and periodic reports in various print and electronic formats.

  • Led the statewide CASA Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion task force and developed a writing style guide for communication departments that centered the voices and viewpoints of youth and children in foster care and the heterogeneous population served by Court Appointed Special Advocates.

  • Directed and carried out communication and legislative advocacy strategy and campaigns resulting in a $60 million appropriation by Governor Newsom and the California State Legislature to fund future CASA recruitment efforts and programs.

  • Developed and executed comprehensive content strategy across print, digital, radio, and television channels; improved website traffic by 40% and doubled social media followers within 6 months.

  • Wrote and oversaw the design and production of the main California CASA website, CASA web portal for CASA programs, annual impact, grant, and board reports, social media content, recruitment and training videos, and fundraising campaigns.

2014–2018
Flowdreaming Inc.
Encinitas, CA
Director of Communications and Public Relations

  • Represented the company in the media and managed public appearances of the CEO.

  • Launched M.E. School, one of the world’s most highly recommended online coaching programs, while completing full-time studies at UCSD.

  • Developed a communication strategy that resulted in a thriving e-learning community, sustained enrollment growth, and a 25% increase in digital sales and podcast downloads.

2008–2013
ShowTex Amazing Stage Fabrics in Motion
Antwerp, Belgium
Marketing and Business Development Manager

  • Initiated, negotiated, and administrated public/private partnerships between the company, and universities in the U.K. and Europe as well as local government agencies in accordance with regional flame-retardant safety standards and stage technology principles and practices.

  • Established internal and external communication initiatives for college and trade school-level classes in live event production, stage and lighting design, and scenic motion system operation.

  • Directed employee and customer communication efforts by consulting with stakeholders in the Sales, R&D, sewing workshop, and installation departments to encourage recruitment and team building.

  • Served as the Public Information Officer and resource for company leadership, providing guidance regarding sensitive issues that could potentially impact the company or the industry.

  • Managed the system for clear and consistent communication among company headquarters, regional offices around the world, employees at all locations, customers, the public, and the press using a range of strategies that include print, digital, and social media.

EDUCATION

University of California, San Diego
La Jolla, CA
Bachelor of Arts in Visual Arts, cum laude, Studio Honors

University of Kansas, Lawrence
Master of Business Administration (MBA) current candidate (Online), Class of 2025

SKILLS

Bilingual in English and Dutch, Basic knowledge of Spanish, Adobe Creative Cloud (Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, Premier Pro), Canva, Google G-Suite, Google Workspace, Google Analytics, Google for Nonprofits, CMS (Squarespace, WordPress, Wix), Microsoft Office 365 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint), Dropbox, DonorPerfect, Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge, Meltwater, HubSpot, Slack, Asana, Facebook Ads Manager, Microsoft Dynamics, Salesforce, Mailchimp, and Constant Contact.

OTHER EXPERIENCE

  • Member, board of directors, Visionary Dance Theatre/MP Dance, La Mesa, 2023–Current.

  • Special events manager, PR, and grant writing, Mission Trails Regional Park Foundation, 2018–2024.

  • Completed Court Appointed Special Advocate Training at Voices for Children, San Diego, 2022.

  • Completed ACES Aware Training to screen for Adverse Childhood Experiences in 2022.

  • Communications Director, Friends of the Museum School, 2018–2019.

  • Gallery guide, docent, and researcher, San Diego History Center, 2017–2018.

  • Special events volunteer, Design Forward, San Diego Start Up Week, UCSD Design Lab, 2017.

  • Editor and contributor, Circuit, undergraduate research journal, UCSD, 2016–2017.

  • Studio honors chair, Visual Arts Open Studios, UCSD, 2017.

  • K-8 art teacher, Encinitas School District, Santee School District, 2013–2017.

  • Visual artist exhibiting in Belgium and California 2002–2023.