Portfolio
Writer
In the age of social media and self publication, we’re all writers. But a good writer takes work. It takes practice and reading other’s words. It takes accepting criticism and altering your voice. With a BFA in Creative Writing from UNC Wilmington and an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Idaho, I’ve put in the education. With over ten years of experience writing for local magazines, global companies and easily thousands of skus of product copy, I’ve also put in the work. I don’t write for myself as much these days. I once made a joke that the only thing I had written not for work was my grandmother’s obituary—it was a damn good one. But I find a lot of joy in writing—for anything.
Editor
As much as I love to write and share my own words, I equally enjoy making someone else’s words great. I’ve worked in the paddlesports industry for almost a decade, and in that time, as the managing editor for Duct Tape Diaries, I’ve turned countless kayakers and raft guides into writers. Additionally, I increased the blog’s output by 58% over four years while simultaneously enhancing the overall narrative quality and value. I’ve also scoured hundreds of catalog pages, packaging proofs and marketing materials for typos and discrepancies. As any good editor says, I have a keen eye for detail. In my spare time, I’ve edited fishing guides, cookbooks, dating site profiles and over a hundred articles lobbying for small-business tax law changes.
Executive Producer
I’ve been fortunate to work for a brand that sees value in storytelling. Working for one of the first paddlesports companies to embrace brand-funded films, I’ve had the opportunity to watch the evolution—and be an integral part of some really amazing films. As Executive Producer, I’ve not only funded films, I’ve helped the creators find additional funding, established a collaborative grant with 5Point Adventure Film Festival, and molded rough cuts into beautiful works of storytelling. But the best part is seeing a filmmaker step on stage to introduce their film and hearing the theater’s reaction when the credits roll.
Executive Producer | Filmography
Unique to Idaho’s Middle Fork of the Salmon River, the sweep boat, or scow, is a flat-bottomed gear boat that’s not propelled by oars but maneuvered by sweeps positioned at the bow and stern. Driving Sweep explores the trials and tribulations of the river guides who drive the sweep boat, following one guide in particular, Katie Veteto. She’s learned the rapids and the river. But can she drive 4,000lbs down steep rocky rapids. (Unreleased)
Light Beams for Helena is a stunning visual representation of Helena Bourdillon’s mental health journey that takes viewers to the depths of her depression and how freediving set her free.
A completely free program, led by an all-female instructor team, Chicas al Agua teaches the young women of Futaleufú to kayak and to care for the river. Instead of being told, “you can’t” or “you’re not strong enough,” the girls are given the opportunity to find out what they are capable of themselves.
Behind her Pit Vipers, Brooke Hess hides an ongoing battle that few people know about. Between the still undiagnosed illness she contracted in Uganda and Post-Concussive Syndrome, depression constantly challenges Brooke’s fun-loving spirit.
From shouldering the responsibility to do what it takes to survive, to shouldering the burden of then surviving, a soldier’s re-entry to the world they left behind is a lot to endure. Some can’t bear it. The lucky ones, like Josiah, find ways to cope. After the war, Josiah started fly fishing for bonefish and it saved his life.
One hundred and fifty years after John Wesley Powell’s historic descent of the Green and Colorado rivers, an unlikely crew of scientists, artists, educators, and river lovers repeated his journey on a trip that was simultaneously a celebration of modern river life and a critical look at how we interpret the Colorado River’s history and use its waters.
In 2018, four paddlers started the first all-female rafting company in Nepal. Changing the Flow chronicles their story. At least, part of it.
The Mystery offers a rare glimpse into the obscure sport of squirt boating and the dedicated few who continue to keep the tradition alive.
Writing Samples | Creative Stories
Writing Samples | Copywriting
Digital Manager | Omnichannel Campaigns
I love seeing the culmination of all marketing aspects come together to promote a single product or value. From go-to-market launches to collaborative brand campaigns, as a digital manager and writer, I’ve owned the brand messaging strategy for numerous campaigns. I enjoy the challenge of taking a concept and turning it into tangible assets and actions, from POP signage to e-newsletters, event messaging to social media. One of the most fun campaigns I was a part of was 5,000 Miles of Wild, a campaign in 2018 to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Wild & Scenic Rivers Act. This campaign included a product collaboration with Chaco, a film with Jimmy Carter, a blog and social series, and physical activations at events as we gathered 5,000 river stories to send to Congress to push for 5,000 new miles of Wild & Scenic designation.
Case Study: 5,000 Miles of Wild
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Partnerships & Collabs
The primary partner for this campaign was American Rivers. With American Rivers, we presented a film featuring former President Jimmy Carter, who was an early advocate for Wild & Scenic Rivers. I oversaw the distribution strategy of The Wild President. In addition, we created a limited-edition sandal with Chaco. For that collab, I was responsible for crafting the product copy for the website and e-newsletter promotion as well as creative for the social media launch.
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Event Activation
Part of the goal of the 5,000 Miles of Wild campaign was to gather rivers stories from around the country to send to congress. My team designed and printed large-format postcards for people to address and write their river stories on. We then mailed the postcards to D.C. From major events like Outdoor Retailer to film festivals and regional events like the North Fork Championship, our event activation throughout the year invited people to come to our booth and share their river stories. For many of those events, I represented the brand and campaign.
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Digital & Social Media
To keep momentum strong throughout the year, I created, #wildandscenicwednesdays, a social media series that both celebrated Wild & Scenic Rivers and educated our audiences on what it means to have that designation. I worked with freelance writers and brand partners to gather five fun facts about different Wild & Scenic rivers, which we posted on social media each Wednesday. At the end of the month, I combined those social posts into a blog for e-newsletter inclusion.
Digital Manager | Social Media
I have a robust background in social media management having owned the strategy, launch and day-to-day activities of corporate social media accounts for eight years. In that time, I established a consistent presence across multiple channels that integrated with the larger editorial plan, leveraging best practices and creating a unique brand voice for each channel. In five years, I increased the main Instagram channel’s following by 600%.