Like a chambered nautilus, my growth creates strength. Today more than ever, what I have to give holds remarkable potential.

EMPLOYMENT EXPERIENCE

Adjunct Writing Instructor - Masters Degree Level

Upper Iowa University

Part Time, Remote, May 2022 to Present

Content and Communications Manager

Olympic Regional Development Authority, Lake Placid, NY

February 2022 to Present

Director of Marketing and Communications

Southwest Health, Platteville, WI

November 2011 to September, 2021

A leader whose marketing and communications efforts consistently achieved remarkable results:

• more than doubled net revenue growth the past six years

• increased patient volumes and generated sea changes in market share and out-migration

• led an internal re-branding of our Journey to Excellence to refocus our corporate culture on high reliability. Today our team consistently reaches the top percentiles in the nation in patient satisfaction

• reached and maintained Industry leading employee engagement

• created campaigns for existing services lines as well as brand new service lines all of which exceeded volume targets

I directed a team of three in all aspects of marketing, public relations, corporate and crisis communications, internal communications, marketing planning, strategy, creative production, media placement, events, and community health outreach for this $80+ million health system.

Director of Marketing and Communications — Remote

Southwest Health, Platteville, WI

August 2009 to October 2011

While working as a contract consultant from home in upstate NY, I led the organization through a vital re-branding and brought back inhouse creative services. The latter was a move that drastically reduced costs and increased campaign quality and effectiveness. While solely responsible for all aspects marketing and public relations, I also launched new a new health outreach brand, led a collaborative health advancement project, and initiated several community groups, including a highly popular senior social club I’ve had the privilege of leading since January 2010.

Account Representative

Workshop

October 2007 to July 2009

Advanced each of the organizations whose accounts I managed on behalf of this boutique ad agency in Lake Placid, NY. Expertly performed account planning, strategy, client liaison, and project management roles for ad campaigns across traditional and digital media. My accounts ranged from healthcare to retail banking to scientific research to education.

Marketing Consultant

North Country School & Camp Treetops

June 2006 to October 2007

Led a highly complex strategic re-branding of this private boarding school and summer camp. In addition to standard brand touchpoints, I created a strikingly differentiating portable exhibit for student recruitment events. Also initiated new communications strategies and provided services in creative writing, web development, and photography.

Owner

Swiss Acres Inn & The Chalet Restaurant

Jun 2001 to Jan 2006

Increased hotel revenue 37 percent in five years and doubled the value of the business as partner and fifty percent owner of this 45-unit European-style inn and restaurant. The increases were the result of new pricing strategies, golf and ski package sales, and guest relations. I was responsible for hotel operations, reservations management, hotel maintenance, all aspects of hotel and restaurant marketing, including group sales.

Chief Development Officer and Foundation Executive Director

Southwest Health

May 1999 to June 2001

Directed the start-up of an independent Foundation, recruiting a 10-member board of directors and securing nearly $600,000 in gifts in the first 12 months. Also directed all aspects of marketing, corporate communications, public relations, and health outreach for the hospital. Also led a multi-disciplinary team in the design and implementation of a new urgent care service that exceeded all financial and service goals in the first six months while simultaneously developing an ER marketing campaign that resulted in increased utilization of 40% over just six months.

Marketing Product Manager

Barnstead International

February 1998 to May 1999

Led product rationalization and cost reduction for a $25-million manufacturer acquisition. Facilitated the development of two new high-end products as well as the original equipment manufacture (OEM) of another. Negotiated a five-year, multi-million-dollar, world-wide exclusive distributorship contract for a range of products. Reduced manufacturing and engineering costs and streamlined product offerings.

Fulfilled global marketing and product management for this international manufacturer of laboratory equipment products and was responsible for a broad range of high volume core products accounting for 35% of this company’s $120 million in annual sales.

Director of Marketing and Communications

Southwest Health

September 1990 to January 1998

Innovated patient satisfaction measurement systems used as models in hospitals nationwide, including a ground-breaking digital touch screen ER family and patient survey. Directed highly successful start-up marketing of a new home health joint venture. Led an improvement team that boosted satisfaction and utilization in ER. Responsibilities included all aspects of marketing, public relations, health outreach, and internal communications.

Writer

Institute for Higher Education, Taipei, Taiwan

October 1987 to January 1988

Wrote, and edited a reference book entitled, Higher Education in Taiwan.

Writer, Speaker, Sales Trainer

Potomac International Corporation, Taipei, Taiwan

January 1987 to September 1987

Researched, wrote, and edited sales literature, including a short novel on the origin of the company’s major product. Modernized office operations by bringing computer equipment to all staff. Presented extensive sales training (with an interpreter) in presentations large and small to a diverse international sales force throughout Taiwan, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, and Brunei.

VOLUNTEERISM

Founder and President

Southwest Wisconsin Rainbow Alliance

July 2018 to Present

Building a movement and leading this fledgling not-for-profit to create an effective and enduring organization that will advance equity, justice, and quality of life for the LGBTQIA+ community across southwest Wisconsin. Began with a single support group and recruited a board of directors installed in January, 2020. Launched new programs in a challenging pandemic year, including education for the community at large, local schools, city leadership and police, and two area institutions of higher education (Southwest Wisconsin Technical College and the University of Wisconsin - Platteville).

Public Speaking

October 2018 to Present

Speak often to community groups, organizations, and educational institutions on implicit bias, transgender and LGBTQ experiences, ally building, and building cultural capacity in healthcare organization's to treat LGBTQ people.

Independent Health Research

Compiled and examined data from more than 150 Wisconsin hospitals to report on their consideration of LGBTQIA+ patients in Community Health Needs Assessments. Presented findings widely, including to the Rural Wisconsin Healthcare Cooperative, Wisconsin Public Health Association, Wisconsin Chapter of the International Association of Forensic Nurses. Published an abbreviated version of the study in the Journal of Management Policy and Practice.

Racial Equity Committee Member

Wisconsin Public Health Association

July 2020 to Present

Board of Directors, President, and Community Leader

Platteville Area Chamber of Commerce

January 1994 to December 1999 and January 2010 to December 2013

Served three three-year terms, also serving as President in 1997. In 2015, led a group of area marketing leaders in re-branding the organization, a process that resulted in a new logo, website, monthly publication, and other collateral.

More recently, in November, 2020, at the request of their board of directors, consulted with leaders and authored the organization’s first Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion statement and implementation plan.

Board of Directors

Wisconsin Public Relations and Marketing Society

Served two terms on this board of directors in the mid 1990s. One year took on the responsibility of organizing and presenting the organization’s celebrated “Communications Review” awards program, culminating in a large event at the group’s annual meeting.

EDUCATION

B.S. Business Administration - Marketing

University of Wisconsin - Platteville

Graduated 1990

B.S. Geology

University of Wisconsin - Platteville

Graduated 1987

High School

Platteville High School

Graduated 1982