I’ll go first…

A published writer for more than 20 years, I’m grateful to have received multiple awards for my work as a marketing, public relations and sales consultant through my agency, DCM Communications. Originally from New Orleans, I moved around quite a bit with stints in Denver, Miami (it’s all about the 🙌🏻) , London, Washington D.C. and Chattanooga, before landing in Chicago in 2023.

After experiencing two heart attacks at age 26, while trying for my first half marathon no less, I became heavily involved with the American Heart Association while living in Washington, including serving as the president of the chapter’s young professionals board, PULSE, for multiple years. If sharing my story, will help save someone from having it as their  story, then I’ll shout it from the rooftop as often as I am I asked.

I’ve continued my work with AHA in Chattanooga as an advocate for heart disease awareness and speaker on behalf of the organization to local groups and news outlets alike. In 2020 I joined the Board of Directors followed by the Go Red for Women Executive Leadership team in 2021.

Overcoming Adversity

Though my heart attacks diverted my fitness goals for a bit, when asked by the doctor in cardiac rehab what I wanted to accomplish, I knew the answer immediately:

I want to run again.

And that’s exactly what I did. It started with a “walk slowly for 2 minutes, ‘jog’ for 30 seconds, walk for another 2 minutes” and be finished after 12 minutes type of approach. That soon progressed to a 5k, then a 5-miler, then a 10k race less than six months after leaving the hospital.

Then in 2019 I cheered on a friend as she crossed the finish line of a half marathon, thought “I think I can do that” and signed up for one two months later. Since then I have completed 14 half marathons and five full marathons, the first of which I did to celebrate my 10-year heart-iversary in 2021.

I have shared my experience training and racing, along with all the life, running and personal growth lessons its taught me on the blog and my Instagram.

Professional Background

Founded in 2014 as a “this freelance work could be a business one day”, DCM Communications became my full time focus in 2017. Since then I’ve worked with event professionals and small business owners to grow and scale their brands with refined marketing strategies and campaigns developed through one-on-one and group consulting, customized programs for THEIR specific business goals/funds/time, and public relations.

Prior taking DCM full time, I served in a top international marketing position for Cision leading marketing projects and initiatives for North America, including the successful redesign of 10 websites in 10 months across seven countries. Before that I led advertising campaign design and execution for more than 300 campaigns simultaneously while at Bisnow Media, and held the position of Miami Bureau Chief for BizBash, the leading media company for the live events industry.

After I said “I’ve had enough of the beach” (silly 2010 Channing) and left Miami for DC, I continued on with BizBash as a Contributing Editor for seven years where I met some of the most amazing event professionals I’ve ever known.

Collectively these roles honed my expertise, tactics, and knowledge across the communications field with a particular focus on  writing engaging content, tying marketing & sales together, and increasing brand awareness effectively.