Health and wellness have been themes throughout my career.
My first full time job was that of a medical reporter. This happened when an editor threw a pile of medical textbooks on my desk and told me “Go ahead and learn,” sending me off to cover the robust medical industry in Birmingham.
Later, I spent seven years at The UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center, where I edited their publications and ultimately became the Director of Community Affiars.
I was recruited to Southern Living from The UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center.
I was originally tasked with bringing energy and innovative thinking to launching the Health and Beauty Section, among the first in Southern Living’s history. Later I worked in Travel & Culture, progressing from Associate to Senior Editor before becoming Deputy Editor.
I also launched one of the first blogs in the company’s history, collaborated with executives on issues involving digital strategy and social media, and served as a brand ambassador.
As Deputy Editor of Southern Living, I managed travel and culture content, including assigning and editing stories to staff and freelance writers. I also served as a contributing writer, traveling throughout the South to report and write stories.
During this time, I managed 11 state-specific sections covering 17 states, contributed to strategic development for SouthernLiving.com, and contributed to brand social media and strategy and the development of socially relevant content and campaigns.
The stories I care about the most are stories about humans making a difference, stories that surprise and delight.
At my core, I’m a reporter and traveler, with a sense of curiosity that guides all of my work.
Additionally, one of my super powers is being able to see the narrative thread across stories. This, along with my experience in editorial and busisness communications, helps me plan content strategy, editorial calendars, and manage programs at the highest level. Also, I’m still pretty good at finding the best restaurants on road trips. Once a travel editor, always a travel editor (even when you’re on a totally different road in life.)
The joy and exploration of travel still infuse a lof of my work.
This story, for AAA, Alabama, is about the World’s Longest Yard Sale (which starts in the state where I live.) I started “garage sailing” at age 12 and am always on the hunt for the quirky, vintage, and repurposable item. I believe the quirky, humourous, and hidden items we find on life’s journey are part of the fun (whether I’m writing about it or not.)
These days my work focuses on mental health.
It’s a gigantic topic. One of my superpowers is bringing my experiences as a writer, editor, and communicator to my work as a mental health professional in training. You can read more about that here.
I also bring lived experience to my writing.
This Washington Post story “How sobriety strategies can help anxious people reenter society after the pandemic” is an example of how I use my lived experience + writing.