Work Experience
Communications and Marketing Director / Co-Owner
COPA Restaurant
2018-2024
- Directed comprehensive print and digital marketing campaigns to elevate brand awareness, successfully building an engaged audience of 25,000 followers and subscribers. Achieved newsletter open rates exceeding twice the national average, demonstrating exceptional audience engagement.
- Spearheaded strategic publicity campaigns, engaging with national and local media to secure coverage from prominent outlets such as PBS, ESPN, Wine Enthusiast, The News and Observer, and Durham Magazine, significantly enhancing brand visibility.
- Planned and executed high-impact events and educational programs, leading to sold-out successes that boosted brand reputation and strengthened community engagement.
- Developed and marketed a lucrative private events program, generating an additional $180,000 in revenue within one year, showcasing strong business acumen and strategic planning.
- Advocated for local businesses during the pandemic, driving a policy change that established expanded outdoor dining as a permanent feature in Downtown Durham, thereby enhancing cityscape aesthetics and walkability, and demonstrating effective public relations and community advocacy.
Senior Editor / Partner
Light Messages Publishing
2011-2023
- Directed strategic company growth and digital marketing strategies, achieving a 300% increase in total revenue and demonstrating exceptional leadership and market insight.
- Oversaw title acquisition, editing, and creative direction for over 230 titles, with over 60% winning awards and 90% achieving bestseller status, showcasing strong editorial acumen and strategic planning.
- Cultivated and maintained robust relationships with diverse stakeholders, including media and community partners, resulting in significant online, print, and radio coverage for authors, enhancing brand visibility and engagement.
Principal
Turnbull Marketing Group
2006-2011
- Specialized in assisting nonprofits with data-driven fundraising strategies, successfully raising millions of dollars, demonstrating expertise in leveraging donor data for impactful results.
- Created and executed effective multi-channel campaigns, combining direct mail and digital strategies to achieve record-breaking fundraising outcomes, showcasing innovative marketing techniques.
- Developed strategic initiatives to enhance financial commitment from mid-level and major gift donors, significantly increasing revenue and ensuring payment continuity for client organizations, highlighting strong relationship management and strategic planning skills.
Copywriter
Food For The Poor
2003-2005
- Wrote high-performing newsletters and direct mail packages, showcasing writing and persuasive communication skills.
- Conducted field research in Latin America and the Caribbean, using strong investigative and reporting abilities to collect impactful stories that would move donors to increase their gifts.
Education
Executive MBA
Quantic School of Business and Technology
Class of 2026
MA Latin American and Caribbean Studies
Florida International University
2004-2006
Graduated Magna Cum Laude
BA Spanish, Minor in Journalism
Wake Forest University
1999-2003
Graduated Magna Cum Laude with Honors
Skills
- Strategic Communications and Media Relations
- Digital Marketing and Social Media Management
- Event Planning and Execution
- Creative Problem Solving and Innovation
- Strong Interpersonal and Leadership Skills
- Trilingual in English, Spanish, and Haitian Creole
- Proficient in Adobe Creative Suite, Canva, Asana, Podio, Microsoft Office, and Google Workspace
- Community Engagement and Advocacy
- DEI Certification
Awards and Achievements
- Named Durham Magazine ‘Woman of Achievement’ (2022)
- Won the IBPA Benjamin Franklin Awards Gold Medal in Religious Nonfiction for my biography Say To These Mountains
- Named a Publisher’s Weekly Star Watch Honoree (2016)
Interests
- Reading
- Writing
- Mixology
- Recipe Development
- Horseback Riding
- Travel