Content to connect real people in the real world

Once upon a time, a client called because, “I know I’m going to need you; I just don’t know what for, yet” and then called me a unicorn, who “people have to work with to get it.” I’m still working with that company, 10 years on, now partnering with her successor. Here’s why.

• Strategic Thinking. I find the hole before it ruins the tapestry, the path forward in the fog, and the high ground on the battlefield, increasing effectiveness and efficiency across multiple teams.

• Clarity. I challenge clients to say what they mean and mean what they say to build real connections and earn trust. And I teach them what that looks like, either by writing myself or coaching their staff.

• Collaboration. I get deep into my clients’ business goals, systems, strengths, and budgets to find opportunities and limitations. Then I help build cross-team unity to drive lasting change, inside and out.

So often, I see organizational values like creativity, integrity, or innovation. They always strike me as basic requirements of the job. Values should define our approach to the work, instead. These are mine.

• Truth
  “Truthfulness is the foundation of all human virtues. Without truthfulness, progress and success … are impossible …”
  —ʻAbdu'l-Bahá

• Hope
  “Hope is a state of mind, not of the world. Hope … is not the same as joy that things are going well, or willingness to invest in enterprises that are obviously heading for success, but rather an ability to work for something because it is good.” —Václav Havel

• Adventure
  “Attitude is the difference between an ordeal and an adventure.”
  —Bob Bitchin

• Courage
  “Have the courage to say no. Have the courage to face the truth. Do the right thing because it is right. These are the magic keys to living your life with integrity.” —W. Clement Stone

• Wonder
  “Once we believe in ourselves, we can risk curiosity, wonder, spontaneous delight, or any experience that reveals the
  human spirit.” —E.E. Cummings

Call this a combined mission and vision statement, if you wish. I’ve run a solo business for a dozen years, so my purpose has evolved to reflect both the benefits my clients receive and the life I’m building for myself.

My long game is to elevate genuine conversation around issues of collective well-being in a way that encourages diverse people to recognize their inherent unity so that I am living a coherent life in which meaning and purpose, financial stability, health and leisure exist in harmony.

• Solo strategist, writer, and editor since 2015

• Previously:

  • Fingerpaint: National health, pharma, tech marketing agency
    Digital Strategy

  • McMurry/now Manifest: National content marketing pioneer
    Strategic Communications: Senior Editor, Managing Editor

  • WMHT: Public broadcasting TV and radio station
    Communications Writer/Editor

  • Mount Ida Press: Historical preservation publishing consultant
    Project Manager

• MFA, Creative Nonfiction
  University of King’s College (Halifax) + Dalhousie University

• BA, English/Writing
  Fairfield University