Since I was a child, I've been passionate about storytelling through the magical combination of images and words. This love has grown and flourished throughout my life, both personally and professionally. As a visual artist specializing in comics and illustration, I wholeheartedly embrace the incredible power of visual storytelling to convey emotions and ideas in a way that truly captivates the audience. At the same time, as a PR practitioner, I've developed a knack for crafting compelling narratives that genuinely engage and inspire people.

I also bring a wealth of advanced skills in strategic thinking and communication planning as an accredited PR professional. With my keen eye for design and my understanding of how fellow creatives think, I thrive in collaborating with talented designers, photographers, videographers, and illustrators to create visually captivating communications that perfectly align with the unique identity of a brand.

Ensuring consistency and cohesion in brand communication is something I take to heart. I've had the pleasure of creating and upholding brand and style guides, ensuring that everyone on the team is on the same page and working together to showcase a brand that's both unified and captivating. But it's not just about visuals and logos—what truly matters is how the brand represents an organization's culture and how they connect with their audience. That's why I place great importance on exceptional customer service, which I honed through my training at the Disney Institute. By keeping a customer-centric approach, I've made a positive impact on how my organization serves our students and stakeholders, always striving to meet their needs with care and dedication.

During the course of my career, I've also gained valuable knowledge in ADA compliance, ensuring that digital and print media materials are accessible to everyone. I'm passionate about making sure that design elements  are used thoughtfully to optimize accessibility, and I follow best practices to ensure that written content is clear and easy to understand. I wholeheartedly embrace the principles of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility and strive to transform these principles into tangible realities within my sphere of influence. Currently, I hold the position of DEI committee chair on the board of Richmond  chapter of the Public Relations Society of America. 

I am strongly attracted to work that is motivated by a mission, which is why I’ve found a professional home in higher education. Additionally, starting in my 20s, I have been engaged in volunteer activities within my community, starting with my role as a founding board member of a local Habitat for Humanity chapter. I've volunteered with various organizations, lending my creative skills to support their efforts.  From coordinating volunteers for youth soccer leagues and high school band competitions to organizing community arts events, I've been involved in projects that bring joy and enrichment to individuals and communities. I'm also proud to have co-founded and co-administered two online creative communities, providing a platform for over 1700 like-minded individuals to connect and support each other. Fostering a sense of belonging and encouraging artistic growth has been incredibly fulfilling for me.  

In 2021, a pivotal change started to take shape for me when I successfully raised over $5000 to support a  friend in need of emergency healthcare funds, and in 2022 when I quickly raised $1000 to assist a friend who left Ukraine to resettle elsewhere in Europe. These  experiences solidified my  desire to work as a communicator within the nonprofit sector. 

Recognizing the crucial role of effective communication in the nonprofit field, I eagerly embarked on a journey to deepen my understanding of how nonprofits operate. To reach my goal, I am currently pursuing a graduate certificate in Nonprofit Management. This valuable knowledge equips me to be a proficient communication leader, enabling me to tell the stories of mission-driven organizations. The prospect of making a genuine impact and helping such organizations establish meaningful connections with their communities, stakeholders and funders  fills me with excitement and passion.

At the core of everything I do is a deep passion for storytelling and a desire to utilize my creative skills for positive change. I am genuinely thrilled to keep making a difference and amplifying the voices of those who are tirelessly striving to create a better world.