Managing Editor of The Journal, The Kansas Leadership Center, January 2013 to present
- Began work January 2013, overseeing the publication of The Journal magazine in the role of managing editor.
Independent writer, editor, researcher, April 2009 to December 2012
- Served in the role of managing editor for the fall 2012 edition of The Journal, a KLC-publication designed to provide inspiration for civic leadership in Kansas.
- Developed case studies on civic leadership for the Kansas Leadership Center.
- Completed more than 15 in-depth, factual narratives modeled after materials used by the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.
- Created a catalog of short-format case studies adapted from full-length KLC cases.
- Materials provide in-depth depictions of actual Kansas situations for educational use in Kansas Leadership Center programs and in other classroom settings across the state.
- Graduate of The Art and Practice of Civic Leadership Development, a master’s level-type program designed to further develop the KLC’s faculty pool.
- Created materials for the KLC that aid instructors using the case studies and the experiential Case-in-Point method to help increase the leadership capacity of individuals. Materials included a Case-in-Point guidebook and a CIP pocket guidebook.
- Developed KLC’s first-ever discussion brief, which focused on the issue of access and consumption of healthy foods for the Kansas Health Foundation Fellows program.
- Regularly contributed blog posts and newspaper columns on civic leadership issues through the KLC’s Web site and commentary service.
- Completed various other freelance writing assignments focused on health and public policy issues.
Statehouse Correspondent, Harris News Service, November 2005 to April 2009
- Provided extensive coverage of politics and legislative issues for five Kansas newspapers while based in the Statehouse.
- Demonstrated strong writing, editing and analytical skills while working in an extremely competitive media environment.
- Regularly broke important stories and reports that provided depth and context to news events affecting the group’s readership.
- Communicated successfully with a diverse network of sources in local, state and national government and politics.
Investigative/Government Reporter, The Hutchinson News, October 2003 to November 2005
- Honed reporting and communication skills to work with sources and deliver accurate information to the public through newspaper reports.
- Used analytical skills to contribute in-depth analyses of government spending and procedures.
- Won top honors in state press competitions and furthered reputation for accuracy, fairness and excellence in reporting.
Education Reporter, The Hutchinson News, June 2000 to September 2002
- Built on six years of part-time experience and internships in journalism.
Education:
Master of Science, International Politics, University of Edinburgh, September 2003
- Earned degree from internationally recognized Scottish university while traveling extensively.
- Developed working relationships with students from around the world and academics within the United Kingdom.
Bachelor of Arts, Mass Communication, Baker University, May 2000
- Graduated Summa Cum Laude, 3.94 GPA.
- Served with distinction as campus newspaper editor and fraternity vice president.