What I've done

From the time I interviewed Dr. Norman Vincent Peale in my 20s to the eulogy I wrote more recently for the much-admired mother of a friend, I’ve felt there was more “story” to be told than a snapshot or painting could reveal, and that my leadership and writing skills could bring hope to a world in sore need of it.

I’ve dedicated most of my career to corporate communications – developing strategies and messages to move employees, business partners and customers in a particular direction and bring perspective and new insight back to company leaders.

After receiving my journalism degree from Bradley University, I joined a magazine publishing firm, where I served on the staff of a helicopter trade publication. A few auto-rotations later, I headed for the altar with my college sweetheart, and we moved to St. Paul, Minnesota.

Since that time, I’ve served in a number of corporate communications roles with an airline, chemical manufacturer and Fortune 500 insurance company – from staff writer to editor to marketing communications manager to director.

After Hurricane Andrew devastated Homestead, Florida, I was on site to cover the victims’ situations and my insurance company’s response. I flew to fishing villages on the Alaskan peninsula for a chemical manufacturer to capture the sales secrets of its top distributors. I developed and implemented acquisition and merger communications plans that affected thousands of lives.

Sometimes, it was scary. Often, fun. But always, invigorating.

However, my favorite roles are those of wife and mother – the two best reasons I could come up with to start my own consulting and writing business in 2000.

The additional flexibility has enabled me to expand my experience and style repertoire – for example, to write for executives, people who throw dinner parties and those who need encouragement – and do what matters most, whether on the home front or in volunteer arenas.

I’m a writer at heart with a strategist’s mindset, which makes me the ideal planner and “thinking partner” for leaders with sticky business issues or individuals who just want to do and say the right thing.

I tackle a wide range of writing and communications consulting assignments, and I like it that way, because I love variety and it keeps me sharp. I’m at my best, however, when there’s a strong people connection.

In the past, I’ve won a number of awards for my communications work, but that’s not my goal. The best acknowledgment I’ve ever received was a Post-It note with a heartfelt “thank you” for just doing my job.

I can honestly say, “I love my work!” and it shows.