PROFESSIONAL AND ACADEMIC BACKGROUND
In search of interesting problems.
PRINCIPAL
ORSO CREATIVE + STRATEGIC
2021 – PRESENT
ORSO is a strategic public affairs and government relations consultancy focused on the intersection of the SF Bay Area and Washington DC. ORSO fuses a strong media relations acumen and political savvy with elements of creative advertising, journalistic practice and public policy expertise.
2016 – 2021
2008 – 2013
Directed public affairs, marketing and communications activities for five organizational divisions (media, commercial real estate, event production + hospitality, nonprofit) encompassing 175 employees and four separate industry verticals across a $500M portfolio. Established benchmarks, conceptualized and executed advertising campaigns and contributed to overarching business strategy, including acquisitions, organic expansion and brand transformation initiatives. Primary media spokesperson. Concurrently, served as executive editor of the firm’s publishing media portfolio, exercising full creative, operational and budgetary control.
COMMUNITY & MEDIA RELATIONS OFFICER
CITY OF HAYWARD
2013 – 2016
Served as the key strategist for the city’s overall brand and public image, utilizing a variety of innovative tools to execute marketing, public affairs and media relations activities for a Bay Area city of 150,000 residents. Played a key role in implementing the city's economic development strategy and supporting activities. Established core strategy for public information program, including crisis communications and regional awareness efforts. Led the city's team to develop and implement a dynamic, interactive digital outreach program.
MANAGING EDITOR
POLICY TODAY MAGAZINE
2005 – 2008
Launched and operated a new, bi-weekly digital public policy journal focused on state governance.
ONLINE EDITOR
QUALITY DIGEST MAGAZINE
2003 – 2004
Edited and published all online content for this best-in-class print B2B title as it began its digital transformation.
PROGRAM COORDINATOR
ASSOCIAZIONE CULTURALE LINGUISTICA EDUCATIONAL
2001 – 2002
Spearheaded new and existing programs throughout Italy for a leading educational nonprofit. Conducted methodology workshops and seminars for Italian teachers. Recruited, trained and supported corps of international instructors.
EDUCATION
West Coast. East Coast. Europe.
MASTER'S DEGREE – POLITICAL SCIENCE | TRANSATLANTIC RELATIONS
Established in 1998, this interdisciplinary, two-year MA program focuses on contemporary Europe and the transatlantic relationship. Students learn about EU institutions, European integration, and comparative welfare states. They focus on the pressing issues Europe faces today such as security, immigration and economic disparity. TAM educates students by way of classroom and experiential learning environments. We train individuals in the methods of social-science critical inquiry and cultural adaptability. We remain committed to and engaged with the alumni community as our graduates pursue many different types of goals in international diplomacy, business, education, politics, law, and research.
BACHELOR'S DEGREE – RHETORIC
The UC Berkeley Department of Rhetoric is a leading center for interdisciplinary research and teaching in the humanities and social sciences, committed to the study of rhetorical traditions from the classical to the contemporary eras.
MORE STUFF
Fluent Italian, Basic Spanish
FLAS Fellowship Winner, UNC, 2004
Certificate, User Acquisition Marketing, General Assembly San Francisco, 2013
Certificate, Crisis Communications, CSTI
Campaign experience:
Janet Reilly for D2 Supervisor 2010 (policy & communications),
Repair California 2010 (deputy campaign manager),
Dennis Herrera for Mayor 2011 (policy advisor),
Hayward Measure C 2013 (public engagement/education),
San Francisco FiDi community benefit district formation campaign 2019 (lead)