I’m Shauna.
I am a copywriter, content strategist, and speechwriter with rotations on Madison Avenue, Capitol Hill, K Street, the 28th Parallel…and also in an indigenous school outside of Milwaukee.
What stands me apart is that I’m a writer with skills in design, customer service, event planning, and speechwriting. I can make the words look better with the power of aesthetics, or layout design. Two of my favorite type of assignments are newsletter design / newsletter layout and short-form bio writing.
Another trait that is unique to me is that I have experience working closely with senior management / C-Suite as well as employees on the shop floor.
I’ve also been the “official photographer” in two previous roles.
Strengths:
I am skilled at relationship building. My CliftonStrengths are Adaptability, Connectedness, Empathy, Includer and Positivity. That is one explanation of why I love working on teams, whether remote or in-person. I have connected with people throughout the world with my thoughtful, compassionate words. My service in government prepared me to navigate politically charged and molasses-speed environments with savvy and awareness.
Work Ethic:
“Cautious” should be my middle name (after all, I grew up during the AIDS epidemic). I don’t overpromise and I put my nose to the grindstone to perform the work in front of me. Usually no one has to ask me to do something, and I like to take initiative and as the Nike saying goes, “just do it.” However, I do tend to seek permission over begging for forgiveness, because people pleasing is hard-wired into my DNA. Similarly, I take pride in my work, which benefits YOU.
My Talents:
I am self-taught in Adobe Illustrator, InDesign and Photoshop. Similarly, I craft and mold copy, like a throwing clay on a spinning potter’s wheel, to fit into creative elements.
What Is It Like Working with Me?
I’m very laid back, but at the same time energetic. I like to read the room before I respond with awareness and empathy. I’m like a Florida gecko – I can adapt and succeed in all types of work cultures. I thrive in deadline-driven environments with the demeanor as cool as a cucumber.
Core Competencies / Areas of Knowledge /
Menu of Services:
- Trade Show Planning (Ask me about that one time I planned not one, but two back-to-back trade shows as the pandemic was beginning in Atlanta & Philadelphia while based in Milwaukee)
- Convention Planning
- Annual/Quarterly Reports
- AP Style
- Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, InDesign, and PhotoShop)
- Canva
- Chicago Manual of Style
- Communications Planning / Content Planning
- Content Marketing
- Content Strategy
- Crisis Communications
- Editing
- Email Marketing (Constant Contact, MailChimp)
- Employee Newsletters / Internal Communications
- External Communications
- FEMA G290 Basic PIO Training
- Graphic Design
- HTML
- Layout Design
- iMovie
- Marketing
- Media Advisories / Alerts
- Media Relations
- Media Statements
- Microsoft Office Suite
- NIMS IS-700 (Intro to Incident Management System)
- Press Releases
- Prepared Remarks / Speeches
- Publication Design
- Public Relations Counsel
- Q&As
- Social Media Strategy
- Strategy
- Video Streaming & Packaging
- Website CMS
- WordPress
More Keywords:
- Communications & Marketing Professional
- Content Writer with design skills
- Content Strategist & Creator
- Editor
- Internal Communications
- Web Content Manager
- Public Information Officer
Passions:
- Creative Writing
- Deconstructing the lasting impacts of colonialism on my Substack
- DEI / JEDI (if you use the word “woke” regularly in your vocabulary or use DEI as an adjective, we’re probably not going to be aligned in values)
- Food preparation / cooking
- Journaling (I’ve been journaling since 1989)
- Meditation
- Music Theory
- Photography
- Reading
- Self-care / mindfulness practices
- Skin care (one of my side hustles is Mary Kay)
- Spending quality time with my two rambunctious Yorkies.
- Traveling
DISC style(s):
“Influence” and “Steadiness” are tied for first place. Following closely behind is “Conscientiousness.” Ranked last is “Dominance.”