PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Freelance writer and editor, 2008-present
- Rotate as acting editor at digital news organization Patch.com for sites in Belmont, Berkeley, Menlo Park, Redwood City, San Bruno, San Mateo, and South San Francisco. Manage CMS; made assignments, provide direction to freelance staff, and edit copy; promote content using social media.
- Blog and report on faith, culture, education, and government for various publications, primarily online.
Chief officer, writer and webmaster, Pacific Media Guild, 2008-present
Promote the value of journalism in the media, the marketplace, and the legislature and develop supports and benefits for freelance journalists working in all media.
- Write articles, blog posts and materials.
- Maintain the GuildFreelancers.org website and Facebook page.
- Organize conferences and workshops for journalists.
- Speak to groups; moderate panels of nationally respected writers and journalists.
- Connect membership and promote goals using social media.
- Secured grants.
Editor-in-Chief, Bay News Rising, summer 2012, 2013
Oversee group of journalism interns in a Media Guild summer program; teach weekly seminars, provide direction, edit all copy.
Reporter, Contra Costa Times, 2001 – 2008
Covered faith and cultural issues. Writing covered a wide span, from light features to hard news, profiles and book reviews.
- Developed highly-placed sources in faith groups and ecumenical organizations.
- Covered regional, national, international issues.
- Stories catalogued and recommended by Harvard Divinity School, other respected institutions.
Covered the city of Richmond, CA. Nominated for Pulitzer Prize for beat reporting.
- In-depth series on financial abuse of elders led to changes in state law.
- Coverage of substandard conditions at residential hotels resulted in civil, criminal charges and closure of facility.
- Reporting on questionable disappearance of grant funds for literacy program triggered investigation of two city departments.
Reporter, Marin Independent Journal 1998-2001
Covered demographics, social and cultural issues; conceived and generated several in-depth reports; work routinely featured on page one. Won John Swett Award for work on depression and acute stress among fast-track teens. Won CNPA award for coverage of breaking news.
PREVIOUS JOURNALISM JOBS
Staff writer, Jewish Bulletin 1998 – 1999
County reporter, Independent News Group 1996 — 1998
Reporter/copy editor/acting managing editor, Argus-Courier 1993 – 1996
Center for Investigative Reporting 1989 — 1990
AWARDS
International Labor Communications Association, second place (best analysis)
National Association of Consumer Advocates Excellence in Media Award
East Bay Press Club Award for best short feature
Pulitzer Prize nominee for beat reporting
John Swett Education Award
California Newspaper Publishers Award (breaking news)
John Swett honorable mention
California Newspaper Publishers Award (public service reporting)
Sonoma County Area IV Award for contributing to awareness of issues affecting people with disabilities.
EDUCATION
B.A. journalism, San Francisco State University 1989
Tech coursework at Bay Area Video Coalition, Pacific Media Workers Guild, City College of San Francisco
COMMUNITY WORK
Chair scholarship program, East Bay Press Club. Promoted the press club, wrote press releases, recruited students and participants.
Co-chaired Project Ready-to-Learn, a drive to provide school supplies for needy East Bay students.
Taught English and civics to newly arrived Americans through the Chinese Progressive Association.