When I reflect on my journey as a communications professional—spanning more than three decades—I’m filled with deep gratitude. I think of the dynamic organizations I’ve served, the brilliant and passionate people I’ve met, the opportunities that shaped me, and the endless lessons learned along the way. How lucky I am (and how lucky you are!) to be in a field that never sits still—constantly evolving, challenging, and fulfilling. Communications is the perfect blend of strategy and storytelling, logic and creativity, pressure and purpose.

It all began after graduating from the University of Maryland with a BA in English. I was interning at a small daily newspaper on Maryland’s Eastern Shore when they offered me my first real job as a general assignment reporter. My beats? Crime, local government, and the Sunday feature story—my favorite, because it allowed me to spotlight the people and moments that truly made the community special.

From there, I took a leap into politics, joining the Pennsylvania House of Representatives to support the communication needs of 10 state representatives. Let’s just say I got a crash course in the workings of government—the good, the bad, and yes… plenty of the ugly. But I also learned how to write under pressure, manage complex messaging, and navigate high-stakes environments.