Resume

Award-winning journalist published in The Los Angeles Times, Westways Magazine, Arroyo Monthly, Edible San Fernando Valley, Pomona College Magazine, The Eastsider LA, and more. Skilled at managing all phases of publication, simplifying complex academic information for lay audiences, and inspiring others to love flora and fauna, especially through The Griffith Observer, a publication of Friends of Griffith Park.

STRENGTHS:

  • Creative writer, concise editor, effective publisher
  • Able to communicate effectively in lay and academic publications
  • Organized and efficient at managing multiple deadlines
  • Collaborate with creatives and production teams
  • Avid gardener transforming home turf to habitat

EXPERIENCE:

Writer, Freelance Journalist
BRENDA REES, SELF-EMPLOYED, Los Angeles, CA | www.brendarees.com
Nov. 1993 – present
Freelance journalist for daily, weekly and monthly publications, including The Los Angeles Times.

  • Conceptualize and propose local, regional and national story ideas, creating features and posts including in: Los Angeles Times’ Calendar Weekend, Calendar Live, and SoCal Living; Westways Magazine; Pomona Monthly; Edible San Fernando Valley; Arroyo Monthly Magazine; L.A. Parent Magazine; Pasadena Magazine; and more. Created the Southern California Wildlife blog highlighting wildlife issues in the Greater Los Angeles area.

Staff Writer/Editor, Good Reads Columnist
The EASTSIDER LA, Los Angeles, CA | www.theeastsiderla.com
Sept. 2014 – present
Write news, features and sponsored-content as well as edits a bi-monthly column Good Reads that showcases first-person articles, local businesses, personalities and historical aspects in Los Angeles’ Eastside.

  • Explore, conceptualize and propose story ideas
  • Plan photo opportunities , often taking photos
  • Post editorial and images using BLOX CMS

Newsletter Editor/Board member
FRIENDS OF GRIFFITH PARK, Los Angeles, CA | www.friendsofgriffithpark.org
June 2017 – present
Define and address challenges facing Los Angeles’ largest public park/wilderness area to advance the mission of supporting local plants, wildlife and habitat. Oversaw transformation of newsletter from a traditional house organ to a biannual, glossy, magazine.

  • As editor of The Griffith Reporter, establish tone, write, edit and assign articles to outside writers, scientists, and historians, for 24-page newsletter published twice a year
  • Coordinate the production team for layout, design, printing schedule and delivery
  • Provide ongoing POV, insight and manages relevant social media posts
  • Lead special projects, including: scientific hikes, P-22 Day (with the National Wildlife Federation), camera trapping (with the National Park Service), and tree/plant planting
  • Wrote the bi-lingual P-22, The Mountain Lion of Griffith Park booklet and coordinated with designer, translator and printer
  • Created website page devoted to history of P-22 collaborating with web designer, photographers and scientists

Case Study Writer
ARTCENTER COLLEGE OF DESIGN, Pasadena, CA, | www.designmattersatartcenter.org
Sept. 2014 – present
Chronicle how ArtCenter students in the Designmatters program tackle real-life challenges to learn effective design techniques and skills to spark and amplify positive social change.  Simplify complicated topics for the general public and to engage potential sponsors. Reported and wrote more than 60 case studies to date.

  • Observe classroom instruction and critique feedback sessions, accompany students on field trips; interviews students, teachers and sponsor partners about the creative process and final project outcomes
  • Case study projects/partners have included: Mattel Inc., the Tongva Community, Cedars-Sinai Research Center for Health Equity, Aquarium of the Pacific, Wild Bee Conservationists, Long Beach Health and Human Services, Coaniquem Pediatric Burn Facility in Chile, JPL/Caltech and others

Copy Editor
OPM Design Group, Burbank, CA | www.opmdesign.com
Jan. 2018 – present
Edit and rewrite text for clarity, readability and accuracy for a variety of the design firm’s clients. Projects include: art books, medical and educational brochures, website copy, written proposals and more.

  • Conceptualize thematic messaging options
  • Propose design elements to engage specific audiences

Public Relations/Social Media Consultant
2003 – present
Manage public relations/social media campaigns for local organizations/events including the popular Museums of the Arroyo (MOTA) Day (since 2004). Other clients: Frogtown Artwalk, Galco’s Soda Pop Stop, Gamble House Lecture Series, Heritage Square Museum and Fire Family Foundation.

  • Create public relations strategy, draft press releases, pitch media outlets, create timely and eye-catching social media posts
  • Design brochures, graphics and flyers

Other professional experience

  • Editor, What’s the Big Idea? Santa Ana, CA
  • Communications Manager, Descanso Gardens, La Canada, CA
  • Calendar Editor, L.A. Parent Magazine, Burbank, CA
  • Staff Writer, The Tidings Newspaper, Los Angeles, CA
  • Manager of Creative Affairs, MGM ANIMATION, Santa Monica, CA
  • Creative Executive, WALT DISNEY TV ANIMATION, North Hollywood, CA
  • Creative Affairs Director, UNIVERSAL CARTOON STUDIOS, Los Angeles, CA
  • Creative Executive Assistant, HANNA-BARBARA, Hollywood, CA

Subject matter expertise:

  • Strong knowledge of all elements of editorial and publication processes
  • Avid gardener of California native plants since 1999

Skills: Microsoft Word, Google Docs, Otter, WordPress, BLOX CMS, Mailchimp, Hootsuite, Dropbox, WeTransfer, Facebook, Instagram, Outlook, Gmail, GQueues, Miro Visual Workspace, Zoom, Zoner, Photoshop, basic HTML and photography (digital/film).

Abilities: Effective researcher, quick learner, thoughtful interviewer

EDUCATION: Journalism BA, Minor in Public Relations, College of St. Thomas, St. Paul, MN.