A Passion for Excellence in Editing, Digital Content & team leadership

Summary

"Excellence is never an accident; it is the result of high intention, sincere effort, intelligent direction, skillful execution and the vision to see obstacles as opportunities."    ~Anonymous
Five countries, 13 schools and two years backpacking after graduating from college. These are just a few life experiences that equipped me with the ability to adapt quickly, be resourceful and creative, not settle for mediocrity and to work independently in a variety of work settings.

Growing up in a home rich with reading, together with my own love of the written word, provided a natural segue to studying Communications and Public Relations. Journalism, fund-raising publications and a role as a publicist provided me with the opportunity to write, organize special events and promote one of South Africa's greatest competitive sailors.

More recently I volunteered as Lead of the Content & Editing Team for #ImStaying, a South African Facebook group of 1.2 million members (the largest in Africa). I drove content for 10 contributing writers and acted as the final editor before uploading content and images to the website.

As a program director, I led a team of volunteers, managed special events, monitored budget spending and drove efforts to give back to the community. 

In roles where I provided administrative support in team settings and for individuals, my focus was ensuring they were presented in the best possible light and could focus on the task at hand. 

My love of travel prompted me to launch a Facebook networking group while I was caught in severe lockdown in South Africa early in 2020. The travel and tourism industry is the 2nd largest contributor to the national GDP and the group offered an opportunity for providers to come to the table to exchange ideas and advice on how they could not only survive the prolonged lockdown but thrive once the borders were reopened. 

First impressions are a one-time event. 
My passion is to ensure your best possible representation is shown to the world.

Timeline

  1. -
    Administrative Support, South African Foreign Trade Organization (SAFTO)
  2. -
    Journalist, Muizenberg News
  3. -
    Publicist, SportsMark

    As publicist to one of South Africa's premier professional yacht racers, Bertie Reed, I promoted the Grinaker Campaign and was charged with handling all media communications, special event planning and execution, and coordinating all print publicity. I acted as the bridge and point-of-contact between the client and all major and minor corporate sponsors, ensuring the campaign gained maximum public awareness.

  4. -
    Assistant Director of Development, Sunny Ridge Family Center

    Supported Director of Development of a not-for-profit social service agency facilitating the care of pregnant teens, local and international adoption services, and post-adoption services.

    Composed monthly fund-raising letters and quarterly newsletters, coordinated fund-raising jamborees, banquets, and fashion shows, tracked all donations and responded to donors, recruited and supervised volunteers to assist with events.

     

  5. -
    Support Coordinator, Financial Strategies

    Responsible to Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) for liaising with clients, ensuring paperwork met Federal and State requirements, processing insurance, annuity, and investment applications, and managing RIA’s calendar.

  6. -
    Director, Women's Ministry, Spring Creek Church

    Established and chaired Women’s Ministry Team of a large area congregation, overseeing leaders of specific women’s ministries. Ensured excellent planning and execution of each ministry area, within budget constraints.

    • Planned, promoted and executed all women’s retreats, annual special events attended by over 300 women, 2 semesters of classes attended by over 200 women, Mothers of Preschoolers program, community service projects, and a mentoring program with an average of 20 women per year.
    • Responsible for allocated budget and worked closely with Bookkeeper to track all donations and expenses, utilizing excess budget to replenish supplies and equipment used by department.
    • Worked with Graphic Designer to create ministry logo and formulate mission statement for the department.
    • Recruited volunteers to assist in promotion, planning and implementation of all programs and events.
  7. -
    Team Lead - Content & Editing / Volunteer, #ImStaying

    #ImStaying, is the largest Facebook group on the African continent, with 1.2 million members. What began as a movement to unite South Africans and motivate social cohesion and unity, quickly grew to become a platform whose ethos embraced the creed "GOOD THOUGHTS, GOOD WORDS, GOOD DEEDS".  

     

    When #ImStaying media grew to include podcasts, YouTube and a website, I was asked to lead a team of 10 writers, driving content, acting as the final set of eyes for editing and uploading articles and images as scheduled to the website.

  8. -
    Program Support and Project Management, LAK Group

    Project manager of the executive coaching program.

    Tracked progress of coaching engagements, communicating with client companies and Executive Coaches to record pacing of engagement.

    Provided editing and proofreading support for marketing materials, white papers, blogs, proposals and web content.

    Supported outplacement clients, both on-site and remotely.

    Assisted in drafting resumes utilizing information provided by client and consultant.

    Edited and proofed resumes and cover letters.

     

Location

Location not specified