Resume

Professional Summary

• Team-oriented leader: Significant years of experience leading a professional communications staff that includes web developers, designers, project managers, and content specialists. Manage and supervise resources, personnel, projects, budgets, and related activities.
• Visionary strategist: 13+ years developing strategic and tactical direction for the Web and ensuring commitment to related technologies. Recommend innovative solutions based on solid research and industry-standard methodology. Support and advocate for Web standards and accessibility while incorporating cutting-edge technologies.
• Proven collaborator: Provide guidance to a multitude of constituents, including subject matter experts from a variety of disciplines and administrators/executives from a number of business units. Integrate digital projects with more traditional marketing products. Employ a team philosophy of “think beyond ourselves.”
• Excellent communicator: Translate the language of the Web and digital for novices. Use sound Web strategies to convey brand identity and key messages. Experienced public speaker and presenter.
• Talented builder: Successfully built from scratch two digital marketing communications offices at two world-class universities.

Key Accomplishments

• First executive director for digital communications marketing in Public Affairs at Washington University in St. Louis (WUSTL). Hired in 2008 to build a new team.
• Directed the creation of a completely new digital team and philosophy at WUSTL. Managed the office from its beginning, transformed staff, and instituted new operations.
• Led the creation of a new wustl.edu, the homepage for Washington University in St. Louis. Site built entirely in-house by the newly created team at zero outside costs, on-time, and without disruption. Key performance indicators improved significantly. Installed new measurement tools and commissioned routine market research studies.
• Created of several committees and work groups at WUSTL.
• Overhauled WUSTL digital emergency communications. Rebuild and transformation of several key digital assets for crisis management.
• Created the Web Group, the first of its kind at the University of Notre Dame. Implemented a custom accounting system. Surpassed University-established measurement goals each year.
• Managed the creation of ND.edu, the University of Notre Dame’s homepage, including vision, strategy, and execution. Resulted in the selection of ND.edu as an “Official Honoree” for the School/University category in the 12th Annual Webby Awards (top 15% of 10,000 entries).
• Commissioned the acquisition of a CMS for the University of Notre Dame. Resulted in the creation of “Conductor” a website management system built entirely by the Web Group.
• Recipient of the 2007 “Team Impact Award” from the College of Arts and Letters and the 2004 “Spirit Award” from the University of Notre Dame.
• Created and manage LinkedIn.com group, “Web in Higher Education” (1000+ members).

Experience

November 2008—July 2011
Digital Communications Marketing, Washington University in St. Louis, MO
Executive Director

• Responsible for envisioning and executing a digital presence that fits the University culture and places the University at the forefront of all institutions of higher learning.
• Assist the Vice Chancellor for Public Affairs in management of issues related to digital communication of all types.
• Advisor to the Office of the Chancellor and all top-level administrators
• Serve on key committees and planning groups.
• Lead a core group of dedicated staff members with the necessary skills and experience to design, create and populate a complex, world-class digital infrastructure.

December 2003—November 2008
Notre Dame Web Group, University of Notre Dame, IN
Director

• First leader of University marketing communications web strategy and service
• Advisor to the Office of the President, VP of Public Affairs, and all top-level administrators
• Identify and implement web standards; research and adopt new technologies
• Establish and maintain strategic relationships, effective communication
• Hire and supervise staff
• Institute, create, and develop policy and planning
• Manage outside research/marketing firms and technical vendors
• Member of University’s Crisis Communication Team

May 2002—December 2003
Web Administration, University of Notre Dame, IN
Web Developer Support Specialist

• Planned, developed, and executed web projects
• Worked with all aspects of project development, including technical and non-technical
• Prototyped and tested performance, quality, cross-browser compatibility, usability, etc.
• Contributed to creation of guidelines and standards; provided usability review and strategy
• Presented to large, on-campus web professional community gatherings

January 1998—April 2002
Villing & Company, Mishawaka, IN
Internet Project & Development Manager

• Integrated web strategies into technology and marketing objectives
• Planned, constructed, and tested functionality
• Estimated, planned, and executed production schedules
• Managed complex project teams of copywriters, graphic designers, programmers, and marketers
• Discovered and implemented new technologies

Abilities and Interests

• Advanced-level knowledge of mobile and tablet technologies
• Video, social networking, web analytics
• Supporter and advocate of web standards and accessibility
• Macromedia (Adobe) Dreamweaver Certified; advanced knowledge of front-end web development
• In-depth understanding of dynamic web development methods and fundamentals; e.g., Ruby on Rails, PHP, WordPress, Flash
• Content Management
• PhotoShop, Fireworks
• Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Acrobat
• German language and writing

Client/Project Experience

• Bayer Corporation
• Damon Corporation
• Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center, Indiana
• Supreme Corporation
• South Bend/Mishawaka, Indiana Convention & Visitors Bureau
• TTX Company, Chicago
• United Musical Instruments USA, Inc.
• University of Notre Dame (Administration, Development, Admissions, Colleges, Athletics, and countless others)
• Washington University in St. Louis
• Washington University School of Medicine

Awards and Accomplishments

• Webby Awards Official Honoree, 2007 for ND.edu
• Creator/manager of 700+ member LinkedIn.com Group for Web in Higher Education
• Created first department of its kind at Notre Dame; the Web Group
• First at Notre Dame to incorporate Web marketing strategies
• Initiated first top-level website overhaul by communications division
• College of Arts and Letters, 2007 Team Impact Award
• University of Notre Dame 2005 “Spirit Award”
• Macromedia “Site of the Day” in September 2006 and October 2007
• The Ad Club 2001 Gold “Addy”

Education

Indiana University, Bloomington, IN
B.A. Germanic Studies / Minor Sociology