I’m a certified secondary educator, a media specialist, web and graphic designer, blogger,  and hybrid-scrapper/artist.  My interests are creating art, reading, and helping others achieve their goals.  I love traveling and have been an expatriate.  I love learning about other cultures.  I speak English, German and French.

I graduated from Millikin University with a B.A. in English Literature.  While obtaining my degree I was exposed to web design as a summer course.  It really struck a chord with me and I loved working on the projects.  I decided then that I would explore technology as an avenue after graduation.  During my college years I took jobs that would lend me experience in the IT area.  I worked in the alumni office updating alumni information on their systems and started working at night at The Herald & Review newspaper. There I edited and updated news stories, designed online magazines and gained experience in online marketing.

After graduation I worked for marketing firms and for myself creating websites and print media such as business cards, postcards and newsletters.  I then branched out to IT help desk and programming.  I organized help desk processes, wrote white pages, developed curriculum for Java, TUF and WebSphere training.  I then took a position in the e-commerce and marketing are for a fortune 500 company.  There I helped developed a marketing website using CMS for employees and dealers worldwide.  I created training for users on this platform and provided instruction across a multi-platforms including traditional and internet classroom settings.

I realized how much I loved teaching and went Bradley University and gained certification to teach high school English.  After I was certified, my husband and I were transferred with his job to Geneva, Switzerland.  There, I used my skills to teach Cambridge University’s ESL program for “Young Learners”.  Then, I becoming a mother and since I was living overseas blogging was a great way to keep family updated. I learned a lot and started applying previous web design, writing and graphic design skills to my personal blog.  I also created a website and newsletter for ISE or expats living overseas in Geneva.  During this time I gained a lot of knowledge on mothering and traveling, so I created a blog called MotherTrekker.com.that dealt with these topics plus technology for moms and travelers and organic products.

We moved to Miami where I became President of the International MOMS Club and President of Meetup Club for moms in my area. There I learned how to organize and manage a group of women on a multitude of projects. We conducted seminars on a variety of topics, developmental activities for young children, and held charity and fundraising events.  BabySpot.com approached me and asked me to be their executive director for their Fort Lauderdale . I learned a lot about social and B2B marketing. I gained sponsors for their site and increased membership on Ning powered social network.  While in Florida I created marketing materials and e-commerce templates for clients including: t-shirts, magnetic door signs, websites, postcards, business cards and online ordering systems.

I have recently relocated to Illinois and have taken on some graphic design projects where I have been created logos and and designing wedding save-the-dates and invitations.  I’m currently looking for my next project!  Contact me if you would like to work together.