Résumé

Work Experience

Freelance Writer, Multiple Publications

October 2002–November 2017, July 2022–present

Communications and Education Manager, Willamette Valley Wineries Association

July 2021–July 2022
  • Managed education programs for the Willamette Valley Wineries Association (WVWA) including the education components of Oregon Pinot Camp; Willamette: The Pinot Noir Auction; Oregon Wine Month; and other events
  • Presented educational seminars on Willamette Valley wines and created and edited educational materials for the trade, media, and consumers
  • Managed website content; wrote, edited, and curated content for the WVWA website and its associated sites
  • Managed WVWA communications to the public, media, trade, and membership
    Marketing and Communications Coordinator: May 2018–July 2021
  • Coordinated marketing projects and programs to promote and advance the prestige of Willamette Valley wine
  • Created, edited and curated content for the WVWA websites
  • Assisted the organization of master classes and events throughout the year
    Marketing and Content Coordinator: November 2017–May 2018
  • Wrote and edited content for the WVWA’s websites
  • Helped coordinate marketing projects and programs to promote and advance the prestige of Willamette Valley wine

Harvest Crew Member, Alexana Winery

August–November 2017
  • Cellar duties from vineyard sampling to bottling

Sales Educator, Fine Vines

February–August 2017
  • Conducted classes, staff trainings, and tastings at accounts and created educational material for a Chicago wine importer

Wine Buyer, In Fine Spirits

September 2015–February 2017
  • Managed wine selection, inventory, and ordering
  • Led wine education program
  • Purchased products and curated selections for monthly wine club
  • Managed social media; wrote marketing material and product descriptions
  • Assisted customers with wine selection and event planning

Data Specialist, SevenFifty

May 2015–February 2017
  • Cleaned and reviewed raw data from wine producers and distributor portfolios to be entered into SevenFifty’s online platform for the wine industry

Web Editor, The Progressive

November 2014–June 2015
  • Wrote, proofed, managed, published, and promoted daily online content
  • Assigned, wrote, edited, and sourced art for monthly magazine content
  • Supported public relations and development departments using email marketing, social media, and site user management

Assistant/Associate Editor, Buffalo Spree Magazine and Forever Young Magazine

August 2012–August 2013
  • Wrote, proofed, organized, and managed content
  • Assigned stories to writers and communicated with writers and production team throughout issue cycle
  • Organized and published web content and helped manage company’s social media presence

Communications Consultant, The Park School of Buffalo

March 2012–September 2012 (contract position)
  • Wrote press releases, newsletters, and original website and various print media content
  • Communicated to and coordinated with local media
  • Managed school social media presence

Assistant Editor, Free Inquiry Magazine and Skeptical Inquirer Magazine

February 2011–March 2012
  • Managing editor of The American Rationalist
  • Edited and proofread magazines and newsletters according to the Chicago Manual of Style
  • Contributed articles and created original website content and informational and promotional copy
  • Provided input on workflow, design, layout, and content as a member of the Creative Team

Education

B.A. Asian Studies, University at Buffalo

Class of 2009
  • Minor in linguistics
  • Concentration in China Studies
  • Summa cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa
  • Thesis, entitled The Expanding Network of the Uyghurs: The Past and Prospects of the East Turkestan Independence Movement, received the 2009 Marleigh Grayer Ryan College Student Writing Prize from the New York Conference on Asian Studies

Level 3 Award in Wines and Spirits, Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET)

Napa Valley Wine Academy, completed January 2015

Diploma in Wines and Spirits, Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET)

Grape Experience, completed April 2019

Master of Wine student

The Institute of Masters of Wine, in progress

Skills

  • Extensive experience copyediting according to the Chicago Manual of Style and the Associated Press Stylebook
  • Proficiency in photography and photo-enhancement via Adobe Photoshop
  • Proficiency in publication layout and design via Adobe InDesign and Adobe Illustrator
  • Experience in web publishing using standards-compliant markup including HTML5 and Markdown
  • Extensive experience copywriting for a wide variety of audiences
  • Wine-specific skills include sales, staff training, customer service and education, vineyard sampling and picking, sanitation, lab analysis, fermentation monitoring, and other vineyard and cellar tasks
  • Languages: Russian (B1-B2; current focus), French (A2-B1), Mandarin (Previously B2, currently A2), Spanish (A2)