EDUCATION
University of British Columbia Vancouver, BC — Master of Journalism Degree, Class of 2010
University of Alberta Edmonton, AB — Bachelor of Arts, English Honours Degree, Class of 2008
WORK EXPERIENCE
Digital Media Specialist, EPCOR Edmonton, AB, November 2013 – Present
I handle social media, digital strategy and media relations for EPCOR Utilities in Canada and the U.S.
Features writer and reporter, Edmonton Journal Edmonton, AB, September 2011 – November 2013
I wrote lifestyle, arts, entertainment and general news stories as for Edmonton’s largest daily newspaper with an emphasis on digital media and social media.
Freelance writer, OpenFile.ca Vancouver, BC, June 2011 – September 2011
I contributed community news and features to the website.
Freelance writer, Demand Media Vancouver, BC, March 2011 – September 2011
I produced feature-length articles for eHow, eHow Food, eHow Home and Garden, and for Tyra Banks’ fashion and beauty website, TypeF.com.
Freelance writer, Us Weekly Vancouver, BC, July 2009 – September 2011
I was the Vancouver correspondent covering celebrity news for the magazine.
Freelance writer, The Block Magazine Vancouver, BC, July 2009 – September 2011
I wrote music and fashion articles for the magazine.
Freelance writer, Vancouver Sun Vancouver, BC, October 2008 – September 2011
I wrote news, lifestyle and entertainment articles for the newspaper.
Freelance writer, Exclaim! Magazine Vancouver, ON, 2007 – September 2011
I wrote music-related articles for the magazine.
Juror, Polaris Music Prize 2007–Present
To nominate Canada’s top ten music artists regardless of genre, affiliation or sales history.
Music Editor, Suite101.com Vancouver, BC, March 2011–July 1, 2011
I edited and managed the Suite101 music writers.
Freelance writer, Edmonton Journal Edmonton, AB, 2007–2009
I wrote arts, news and feature stories for the paper.
Tastemaker, CBC Radio 3 Vancouver, BC, October 2008–March 2009
I had a monthly on-air segment about new Canadian independent music.
Online Content Editor, NIGHTLIFE News Edmonton, AB, October 2007–February 2009
I wrote, edited and compiled upcoming entertainment events into a biweekly newsletter distributed via e-mail to subscribers.
Arts & Entertainment Editor, The Gateway Edmonton, AB, May 2006–May 2007
I interacted with publicists and promoters, researched assignments, edited copy, wrote copy, laid out and designed the section, and taught volunteers about the basics of journalism.
INTERNSHIPS
CBC Radio 3 Vancouver, BC, September 1, 2009–May 31, 2010
I developed a wiki of Canadian music in conjunction with CBC Radio 3. I was awarded two $10,000 MITACS Accelerate grants ($20,000 for eight months) to work on the project, which also served as my Master’s thesis.
NBC Sports Whistler, BC, February 9–28, 2010
I worked in production, covering and logging the Alpine Ski Events during the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics.
Victoria Times Colonist Victoria, BC, May 20–September 7, 2009
I worked as the arts and life intern. I wrote articles, completed multimedia projects and pitched original story ideas.
CBC Radio 3 Vancouver, BC, May 4–15, 2009
I blogged, tweeted and reported news on-air. I also completed a radio documentary on women in independent music. Listen here: http://tinyurl.com/qrfynk
AWARDS
- Finalist in the Society for Features Journalism Excellence in Feature Writing contest. The Edmonton Journal features department was nominated in the “Best Features Sections” category for Division 2 for our Arts and Life, Style and Insight sections from 2012.
- Third place the INMA Awards (the world’s top newsmedia marketing campaigns) alongside the Edmonton Journal team responsible for the Paul Brandt / World Juniors 2012 project and subsequent coverage.
- Nominated for a Society for New Communications Research (SNCR) Award in 2010 for the Canadian Music Wiki.
- Nominated for a Canadian Online Publishing Award in 2010 for the Canadian Music Wiki.
- MITACS Accelerate research grant in 2010 ($10,000)
- Gwyn and Aileen Gunn Bursary in Journalism in 2010 ($1,000)
- MITACS Accelerate research grant in 2009 ($10,000)
- The Aiken Prize in English Language and Literature in 2005 ($1000)
- Jason Lang Memorial Scholarship in 2004, 2005 and 2006 ($1000 each year)
- Alexander Rutherford Scholarship in 2003 ($2500)
- University of Alberta Academic Excellence Scholarship in 2003 ($1250)
CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS
- I presented a paper on “Wikifying the CBC: Social software at CBC Radio 3” at Northern Voice alongside UBC Journalism School Professor Alfred Hermida in Vancouver, BC on May 7, 2010.
- I presented a paper on “Wikifying the CBC” alongside UBC Journalism School Professor Alfred Hermida at the International Symposium On Online Journalism in Austin, Texas from April 23–24, 2010.
- I was chosen to attend the ONA (Online News Association) Conference as part of the Student Newsroom in San Francisco from October 1–3, 2009.
SKILLS
Multimedia journalist. Knowledge of Audacity, Audition, Soundslides, InDesign, WordPress and Final Cut Pro. Able to shoot publishable digital photos and video.
SPECIAL INTERESTS
Music, blogging, reading, writing creative nonfiction.
REFERENCES
Available upon request.
