My Passion & Life-long Work

Education Insider

I have devoted my career to supporting the success of school districts and public education. I am a champion for educational equity. I am an insider with the policy knowledge and expertise to help you achieve your goals.

Professional Experience

California State University, Office of the Chancellor, Assistant Vice Chancellor of Public Affairs
California School Boards Association, Director of Communications
Rancho Santiago Community College District, Executive Director, Public Affairs & Governmental Relations
Weidner Communications, CEO
Los Angeles County Office of Education, Director of Communications (interim) & PIO

Credentials

FEMA certified PIO: I have helped more than 200 school districts and colleges navigate crises. I will help your school district plan for and successfully manage reputation-related crises, natural disasters and labor disputes.
Career-best awards in preK-12: I am the only school PR practitioner in the United States to hold TWO national Gold Medallion Awards from the National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA). The Gold Medallion is a career-best award that recognizes exceptional plans and programs based on research and evaluation.
National and state competition winner: I have earned more than 40 awards from school and university professional trade associations for strategic plans, campaigns, public relations, public affairs, governmental affairs, advocacy and marketing communications.

Strengths

Reputation management
Parent/family communication and engagement
Crisis communications planning and response
Strategic communications advisement and planning
Budget advocacy
Partnership cultivation
Communications training

Got 10 minutes to chat?

May I schedule a brief discussion with you to learn more about your needs and how I might help you achieve your goals? My intention is to continue to make a difference in education. In the event I am not well suited for your project, I will refer you to a professional in my network.

Find out more

Sampling of Industry Awards

K-12 Honors

Golden Achievement Award, Exemplary PR Program, National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA)
Honorable Mention, Website, NSPRA
National Gold Medallion, Strategic Plan, NSPRA (career-best honor)
Award of Excellence, Print & Electronic Media, NSPRA
Award of Merit, Electronic Media, NSPRA
Award of Excellence, Marketing & Branding, NSPRA
Golden Achievement Award, Exemplary PR Program, NSPRA
Award of Merit, Print & Electronic Media, NSPRA
Award of Excellence, Print & Electronic Media, NSPRA
National Gold Medallion, Advocacy, NSPRA (career-best honor)
Award of Merit, Publications, NSPRA
Honorable Mention, Publications, NSPRA
Award of Excellence, Marketing & Branding, California School Public Relations Association (CalSPRA)
Award of Excellence, Publication/Writing, CalSPRA
Award of Merit, Website, CalSPRA
Award of Merit, Publication, CalSPRA,
First Place, Website, CalSPRA
Second Place, Op Ed/Speech, CalSPRA
First Place, Publication, CalSPRA
Second Place, Publication, CalSPRA,
Award of Merit, Special Purpose Publication, CalSPRA
Third Place, Publication, CalSPRA
Award of Merit, Special Purpose Publication, CalSRPRA
Second Place, Op Ed Article, CalSPRA
Award of Excellence, Golden Image Award, Exemplary PR Program, Southern California School Public Relations Association (SoCalSPRA)
Award of Merit, Publication, SoCalSPRA

Higher Education Honors

Gold Medal, Alumni Engagement, Council for the Advancement & Support of Education (CASE), (career-best honor)
Circle of Excellent Gold Award, Governmental Relations & Advocacy, District VII, CASE
Circle of Excellence, Gold Award, Marketing & Communications, District VII, CASE
Silver Award, Governmental Relations & Advocacy, District VII, CASE
Silver Award, Marketing & Communications, District VII, CASE
Bronze Award, Marketing & Communications, District VII, CASE
Circle of Excellence Gold Award, Governmental Relations & Advocacy, District VII, CASE
Circle of Excellence Gold Award, Marketing & Communications, District VII, CASE
Award of Merit, Publication, Orange County Chapter, PRSA

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