View my complete profile on LinkedIn
Senior communications leader with expertise in executive counsel, crisis response, and media strategy. I partner with C-suite leaders to drive reputation-building initiatives and am recognized for cross-functional leadership and values-driven storytelling.
EXPERIENCE
COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER
Brasfield & Gorrie | Birmingham, Alabama | 2018-Present
- Partner with C-suite leaders and subject matter experts to shape messaging, prepare for media engagements and guide crisis response, including holding statements and media inquiries
- Lead proactive reputation-building strategies in priority markets through targeted pitching and milestone-driven media outreach
- Provide strategic counsel to internal clients and cross-functional partners, ensuring communications align with business priorities and support organizational growth
- Manage and coach a direct report and guide junior team members’ workloads, feedback cycles, and long-term development
- Collaborate with the communications director to set strategy, annual priorities, and team processes for a 12-person department
- Identify and implement best practices for ethical AI use in content development and communications workflows
- Build relationships with key media contacts, resulting in coverage in outlets such as The New York Times and ENR Southeast, strengthening the company’s visibility and credibility
- Lead crisis monitoring and media analysis to inform leadership decision-making and communication planning
- Partner with corporate responsibility teams to develop messaging around values-driven cultural programming
- Led companywide values-driven book studies in partnership with the corporate responsibility team.
- Serve on department steering team and Salesforce committee, providing guidance on communications use cases and workflow
- Hired as communications coordinator; promoted to senior communications coordinator in 2020, to communications manager in 2022
TEACHER
Various Institutions | 2012-Present
- Develop curriculum and teach undergraduate and graduate journalism courses at the University of Alabama and Samford University
- Develop and teach yoga lesson plans for vinyasa and restorative classes, safely accounting for different levels of knowledge
FREELANCE WRITER AND EDITOR
Various Publications | 2004-Present
- Author of “Muscle Shoals Sound Studio” (more than 6,000 copies sold), “Birmingham Beer” (more than 1,000 copies sold) and “Balancing Act: Yoga Essays”
- Magazine clients include BookPage, Lonely Planet, Tailgater Magazine, Paste magazine, Portico Mountain Brook, others
- Panelist on Alabama Public Radio podcast Lights, Bama, Action
- Line and copy edited books by authors Amy Bickers, Tara Leigh Cobble and Melissa Scott; copy edited books by Crane Hill Publishers
EARLIER EXPERIENCE
FEATURES EDITOR
Glenwood Springs Post Independent | Glenwood Springs, Colorado | 2017-2018
- Served as newsroom second-in-command, leading daily meetings, coaching reporters, and managing two employees
- Advanced digital storytelling using timelines, audio, and video; redesigned feature sections and oversaw special publications
- Secured a Solutions Journalism Network grant to fund an in-depth reporting series on affordable housing for creative professionals
FEATURES REPORTER
AL.com | Birmingham, Alabama | 2015-2016
- Co-hosted, produced and edited a cultural podcast; led audience engagement initiatives including a large-scale online book club
- Drove high-visibility coverage of Harper Lee’s Go Set a Watchman, resulting in 500,000 page views and expanded readership
- Represented the newsroom in planning revenue events while safeguarding editorial integrity
MANAGING EDITOR
Birmingham magazine | Birmingham, Alabama | 2006-2015
- Planned and edited all editorial content, managed freelancers and interns, and oversaw production with a $30,000 annual budget
- Led redesigns and special issues; contributed to awards and honors in design, general excellence, and feature storytelling
- Advanced from associate editor to managing editor in 2009, expanding leadership and editorial scope
ADDITIONAL EARLY ROLES
The Birmingham News, The Cullman Times, The Tuscaloosa News | 2005-2006
- Reported on municipal government, community events and beats including health and religion
- Copy edited and designed pages
SKILLS
PEOPLE MANAGEMENT
- 10+ years of experience hiring for various levels, including interns, freelance writers and staff positions
- Developed Birmingham magazine’s intern program, managed day-to-day activities of two interns per semester and evaluated performance
PROJECT LEADERSHIP
- 15+ years of experience establishing content strategy and workflow
- Adept at assigning tasks, gaining project approval and keeping multiple content creators on schedule
OTHER SKILLS
Public relations | Content strategy | Crisis communications | Media monitoring | Line editing | Copy editing | Press releases | Social media | Media appearances | Teaching
TECHNICAL SKILLS
AP Style | Chicago Manual of Style | WordPress | Adobe Creative Suite | Monday.com | Trello | Salesforce
EDUCATION
MASTER OF ARTS, JOURNALISM | University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama 2004
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE, COMMUNICATION STUDIES | Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida 2002
CERTIFICATIONS
ACCREDITED IN PUBLIC RELATIONS | Universal Accreditation Board 2021
CERTIFIED YOGA INSTRUCTOR | Sacred Glow Yoga 2014
AWARDS
Employee Communications, Corporate Video Award | Meet Rafael: Hispanic Heritage Month | Ragan Communications 2025
Diversity and Inclusion Champion | Brasfield & Gorrie 2022
Third Place, Special Series | Sweet Home History | Alabama Media Professionals Communications Contest 2017
Honorable Mention, Podcasts | Triple Take | Alabama Media Professionals Communications Contest 2017
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Sidewalk Film Festival | Sidewrite screenplay competition volunteer judge February 2025-Present
Better Basics | Board of directors, marketing and communications committee (2024-2025); January 2024-Present
strategic planning committee (2024); board development committee (2025-present)
Friends of Avondale Park | board of directors, communications committee June 2025-Present
Public Relations Society of America, Alabama Chapter | Treasurer January 2025-Present
Public Relations Society of America, Alabama Chapter | Member August 2018-Present
United Way of Central Alabama Young Philanthropists Society and Women United | Member 2018-Present
Public Relations Society of America, Alabama Chapter | Accreditation committee chair January 2022-December 2024
Homeowners Association Board | President January 2022-August 2024
Project Corporate Leadership Class of 2024
Panther Partnerships Mentoring Program, Birmingham Southern College | Mentor September 2022-April 2023
Homeowners Association Board | Secretary, vice president January 2020-January 2022
Brasfield & Gorrie United Way of Central Alabama Campaign | Team captain 2021
Redemptive Cycles | Volunteer 2019-2021
Jefferson County Memorial Project | Volunteer 2018-2020
Birmingham’s Academy of Civic Engagement | Graduate 2019
Alabama Alumni Magazine | Advisory board 2012-2014, 2017-2021
Society of Professional Journalists, Colorado Chapter | Member 2017-2018
Society of Professional Journalists, Alabama Chapter | President 2016
Society of Professional Journalists, Alabama Chapter | Member 2014-2016
Better Basics | Volunteer 2006-2012, 2015-2016
Desert Island Supply Co. | Founding board member 2011-2013
Friends of O’Neal Library | Member 2009-2016
Desert Island Supply Co. | Volunteer 2009-2013