Welcome to Brazen Careerist!

About Me

I was born in Philadelphia, PA and mostly raised in Erie, Pennsylvania. My family moved West and I went to high school in an underground bomb shelter in Roswell, New Mexico. Make no mistake, I'm a Pennsylvanian through and through. I say "pop" when referring to "soda." An appropriate synonym for a sandwich is "hoagie." I've been sent to school on a two hour delay in blizzard conditions. I prefer Hershey's Chocolate to Godiva and the first politician I ever met was a pro-choice Republican. (Tom Ridge of course!)

I had the benefit of great Jesuit education from Gonzaga University (Go ZAGS!) and learned a thing or two about basketball as well. Who knew I would EVER care about the NBA draft!

After graduating, in a personally shocking move, I returned to the desert to start my PR career in Phoenix, Arizona. I must admit, I did it mostly for love, and that has made every single over-one-hundred-fifteen-degree day worth it.

I have worked at Public Relations agencies since launching my career in 2005. I've found my strengths to be in media relations (particularly working with broadcast producers, reporters and multi-media journalists) and helping companies integrate social media into their external communications plans by educating and training senior-level staff.

In my spare time I moonlight as a group fitness instructor with 24Hour Fitness. I teach 24Lift, 24 Strength Endurance Training, Turbo Kickboxing, Everlast Shadowboxing and Yoga. In my classes I promise two things:
1. You'll sweat
2. You'll smile

I love to travel, drink good wine, read good books, indulge in HGTV and TLC TV shows and bake.

In my life right now, I'm a much better baker than I am a cook. It may sound quaint, but it's not good, because one cannot live on cookies and other delicious pastries alone. So I aspire to be a better cook and learn the patience and precision that comes along with the practice.

Work History

• Grand Canyon University
• Social Media Strategist
• October 2009 to Present

• Developing strategies for utilizing social media that serve the initiatives of various departments of Grand Canyon.

• Armstrong Troyky
• Sr. Account Manager
• August 2006 to October 2009

Education

• Gonzaga University
• Bachelor of Arts, Communications -- Public Relations, Political Science, Journalism
• 2001 - 2005