I am an award-winning communications professional with 25 years of experience in writing, editing, photography, and public relations.  My career includes more than a decade of professional work as a newspaper writer, editor, and photographer for daily, weekly and specialty publications in Washington state and California.  I have managed and consulted on several political campaigns, and I have eight years of experience in government public relations, including five years as communications director for the City of Bellingham (Wash.). My public relations experience includes emergency communications, policy development, political consulting, marketing, and community organizing. I have a masters degree in Communications and Leadership Studies from Gonzaga University and a bachelors degree in journalism from Western Washington University. I currently teach journalism and public relations at Western.

I live in Bellingham in a 120-year-old house with my husband, two children and a cat named Kit.