Background

I am an award-winning writer of essays, opinion pieces, articles and poetry. In my 25-year career as a communications professional I directed marketing and public relations for the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, Laguna Art Museum and Laguna Canyon Foundation. A layoff inspired me to enroll in a poetry workshop in Ireland and launch my first website, Gold Boat Journeys (Creative Cultural Travel). Since then, I have organized trips around events such as writers' conferences, book and music festivals and literary anniversaries and holidays. I am the author of two poetry chapbooks: "Fire in My Head / Flame in My Heart: Poems for the Pyrocene" (Kelsay Books, 2025) and "Thirty Views of a Changing World' (Finishing Line Press, 2017).

Education

Certification, Amherst Writers & Artists Writing Group Leadership, 2012

M.A., Mass Communications (with distinction), California State University, Northridge, 1995; Thesis: The Role and Practice of Public Relations and Marketing in Museums, California State University, Northridge, 1995

B.A., Literature, University of California, Santa Barbara, College of Creative Studies, 1981

Professional Memberships

Poets & Writers

Poetry Foundation

Academy of American Poets

Amherst Writers & Artists

Third Street Writers

Little Free Library (proud proprietor of two little free libraries, established 2013 and 2018)

Community Involvement

Friends of the Laguna Beach Library Board Member, 2019-present

Usher and Merchandise sales, Laguna Playhouse and South Coast Repertory Theatre, 2002-present

Research Committee, Pageant of the Masters/Festival of Arts, Laguna Beach, 2007-present

Host to artists participating in the Laguna Beach Plein Air Painting Invitational, 1998-present

Mentor to high school girls at Write Girl Los Angeles, 2013

Judge, Alumni Awards, Iceland Writers Retreat, Reykjavik, Iceland, 2016

Boothsitter, Sawdust Art Festival, Laguna Beach, 2015-present

Judging

International Poetry Contest by Bow Seat Ocean Awareness Programs, a nonprofit organization promoting ocean conservation education, 2016-present

Laguna Beach Library Annual Poetry Contest, 2020-Present

Long Beach Aquarium of the Pacific Urban Ocean Poetry Contest, 2019

Iceland Writers Retreat Alumni Award 2017, December 2016

Career Positions

Founder, Gold Boat Journeys (2010-Present): Offer services including tour and travel planning, freelance writing, creativity workshops, editing, social media, marketing, photography and communications.

Director of Communications, Laguna Canyon Foundation (2003-2010): Planned and implemented all public relations and marketing activities, including writing and editing all publications.

Communications Director, Laguna Art Museum (1998-2002): Supported the museum’s overall goals and objectives in fundraising, collections, exhibitions, education and recruitment through strategic communications management.

President, News Muse Communications (1995-1998): As founder of this public relations and marketing consulting company, provided strategic planning, research, editing, writing, media relations, advertising, event planning, sponsorship cultivation and budget management for a wide variety of educational and nonprofit clients.

Manager, Public Relations and Marketing, Santa Barbara Botanic Garden (1994-1995): Directed public relations and marketing efforts to support educational and research activities at this private, nonprofit institution.

Director, Public Relations; Assistant Director, Public Relations; Public Relations Coordinator, Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County (1987-1994)

Consulting

Copyeditor and Writer, Rancho Palos Verdes Land Conservancy quarterly, Open Spaces (2010-Present).

Writer and Editor, UCI 50th Anniversary commencement with President Barak Obama, 2012; Copyeditor, Impressions/Expressions, UCI Office of Student Affairs; Writer and Editor, UCI Parent Guide 2011.

Part-time Faculty, Business Writing, California State University, Fullerton, Department of Marketing and International Business, Fall 1998.

Panelist, American Association of Museums Annual Meeting, Philadelphia, 1995.