As the VP of Strategy and Operations at YDM, I play a lot of different roles, from developing strategic marketing plans for clients to overseeing human resources and accounting to occasional copywriting and PR. As a former editor and English teacher, I am also the designated proofreader on the team. In fact, my fellow team members often cite me as the expert when they correct someone, particularly the grammatical horror of “sneak peak.”

Originally from snowy Minnesota, I graduated from the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire with a degree in English Education and headed to Charlotte, where I taught high school for four years while also earning a master’s degree in English from UNC Charlotte. I spent eight years at The Charlotte Observer as Executive Editor of Targeted Publications, overseeing publications including SouthPark Magazine, Carolina Bride and Lake Norman Magazine. Following the Observer, I served as Director of Communications at AAA Carolinas, managing its PR and social media strategy as well as Go Magazine, the highest-circulation publication in the Carolinas, and then Digital Content Editor at Lowe’s Corporate Headquarters.

All of my past experience – from teaching to writing and editing to organizing to budgeting to social media to UX – brought me to YDM, where I started in 2015 as its fifth employee. I’ve enjoyed watching the agency grow and learning about the industries and unique needs of each of our clients, the variety and creativity of every day and the supportive nature of my teammates. My favorite projects are strategic marketing plans and naming new communities.

When I’m not crunching numbers or knee-deep in strategy, you can find me kayaking the peaceful waters of Mountain Island Lake, hiking, reading or playing piano. I also feel passionately about volunteering – advocating in court for abused and neglected children as a Guardian ad Litem, serving on the Simmons YMCA board for the past 11 years including two as board chair, supporting my sons’ high school on the PTSO board and guiding kids in the outdoors as a Boy Scout leader.