leah
ann connor
leah dot ann dot connor at gmail dot com
Experience - Education - Volunteering - Creative Writing - Running
OVERVIEW
- Over fifteen years experience in non-profit organizations and small businesses with strengths in website design and management; graphic design and production and internet research.
- Expertise with Adobe Creative Suite CS4, Microsoft Office, FontLab, and QuarkXpress.
- Proficiency in HTML, ColdFusion, Google Analytics, internet browser software, e-mail design and marketing, and social media tools.
- Familiar with several content management systems including Drupal and CMSPlus.
- Strong academic background in creative writing and liberal arts.
- Avid long-distance runner and certified running coach with an interest in athletic training and physiology, injury prevention, and sports nutrition.
WEBSITE
DESIGN and MANAGEMENT
- Designed and/or maintained various websites for nonprofit organizations and small businesses
- Conceptualized, designed and implemented a new look and feel, navigational structure, and content layout for multiple websites.
- Managed websites with as many as 6,000 individual pages ensuring quality and accuracy.
- Wrote, reviewed, edited, proofread and posted materials online using Dreamweaver and content management systems such as Drupal.
- Developed, implemented and managed website guidelines and policies for content and operation.
- Advised staff on issues related to web content. Worked collaboratively with other departments to develop online materials and revenue-generating activities.
- Administered current linkages, negotiating links to the site and recommending links to other sites. Maintained linkages to member organizations, related journals and HSR training programs.
- Responded to e-mail from website visitors and association members including answering concerns and suggestions for the website. Assured that on-line queries and requests are responded to by appropriate staff in a timely fashion.
- Coordinated electronic mailing lists and distributes group e-mail messages to members using various software including ConstantContact.com.
- Monitored website usage and prepared monthly statistical reports documenting the overall number of hits on the website; compiled specialized reports of website statistics for individual departments.
- Took initiative in improving website by conducting on-going assessment and evaluation of overall site content, the effectiveness of web design and graphics, the need for additional information available online and for the use of further web-based technologies.
- Compiled data from website surveys and implements necessary improvements.
- Developed and implemented marketing and promotion plans for the site.
- Negotiated, maintained, and updated cost-effective contracts with web hosting providers and other related vendors.
- Managed online registration database for membership, races, and training programs.
GRAPHIC
DESIGN
- Created a wide range of graphic design projects from concept to completion, including brochures, event invitations and programs, order forms, packaging materials, business cards, presentations, webinars, and marketing collateral and online media.
- Maintained brand integrity in all projects produced. Collaborated on the creation of company-wide style guidelines.
- Coordinated photo shoots for company photo library. Photographed children for use in presentations and webinars.
- Restored and touched-up damaged photos of children for memorial booklets.
- Created original fonts (English print and cursive and Hebrew cursive) with Fontographer/FontLab for use in the creation of handwriting workbooks and other materials.
- Transformed Handwriting Without Tears pre-existing system of creating student workbooks (a labor-intensive, cut-and-paste, handwritten method) into a completely electronic method by using original fonts and scanned images in Quark 5.0 and InDesign CS2. Created five student workbooks in two languages using the new electronic method.
- Strong organizational skills with the ability to handle multiple projects at once while completing quality work on a timely basis and within frequent, tight deadlines.
- Ability to work both independently and with a team.
RESEARCH
- Researched
online college-level business writing courses, related software,
tutorials and hand-outs via the internet.
- Researched
the field of health services research, the hospital industry
(focusing on Catholic/non-Catholic hospital mergers) and women's
health issues on a weekly basis via the Internet, Nexis and
other library resources.
- Compiled
a listing of legislation enacted on women's issues over a
seventeen year period; researched and prepared a report on
the history of the Congressional Women's Caucus.
- Wrote
articles for weekly and monthly newsletters; drafted press
releases and briefing papers on RU486, international population
issues and clinic access.
- Researched
women's role in the human rights movement in Latin America
and women's political activities in Argentina during the transition
to democracy.
- Explored
technology and gender issues in the paper, "Cybersex:
Computer Sex and the Global Community".
- Conducted
photo/art searches in the National Archives for CFFC's publication
Conscience.
PUBLIC
RELATIONS/OUTREACH
- Designed
and implemented an outreach project aimed at students and
women's studies programs.
- Coordinated
national mass mailings to collegial organizations; increased
distribution by 100%.
- Maintained
contact with state activists for CFFC's national grassroots
program.
- Wrote
columns with a byline biweekly on social awareness topics
for university newspaper.
DEVELOPMENT
- Drafted
appropriate donor correspondence with attention to accuracy,
personalization, and timely distribution.
- Prepared
and distributed grant requests and reports.
- Trained
in FundMaster; performed data input and output including gift
processing.
- Handled
extremely confidential documents relating to possible donations.
- Proofread
and edited publications, invitations, and other fundraising
materials.
COUNSELING
- Provided
support, guidance and counseling on personal and academic
concerns for fifty high school students during a six-week
program; monitored and evaluated students' progress.
- Tutored
English and algebra; developed a daily calendar of educational
and entertaining activities.
- Served
as a role model and held responsible for seventy residents
(ages 18 - 21).
- Counseled
residents on career/educational issues and personal affairs.
- Coordinated
and facilitated educational programs on issues such as safer
sex and diversity.
ADMINISTRATION/OFFICE
MANAGEMENT
- Managed
an office with a staff of six professionals; supervised the
work of interns.
- Organized
staff briefings and meetings by serving as a liaison with
other organizations.
- Prepared
synthesized analyses of educational conferences by compiling
data from surveys.
- Wrote
biographies and introductory scripts for faculty members.
- Coordinated
the financial and logistical planning of trips by tracking/managing
the budget.
- Provided
overall support to the Product Manager and Senior Vice President
in helping them successfully carry out priorities as they
related to operations, marketing, and membership.
- Proficiency
in Windows NT/98/2000, WordPerfect, Microsoft Word, Excel, HTML and E-mail.
PROFESSIONAL
EXPERIENCE
A
Good Group, Website Designer, Arlington, VA, 1998-present
Hadley
Associates, Reading, PA, 1997 - present
Internet Researcher
George Mason University's Graduate
Creative Writing Program, Fairfax, VA, 1998 - 2000
Webmaster
George
Mason University's English Department, Fairfax, VA,
1998 - 1999
Research Assistant
Help
Unlimited, Washington, DC, 1997
Various temporary assignments with non-profit organizations
such as:
Centre for Development and Population
Activities (CEDPA)
Basic Support for Institutionalizing Child Survival (BASICS)
The
Healthcare Forum, San Francisco, CA, 1997
Education/Operations Assistant (Temporary)
Jewish
Family and Children's Services, San Francisco, CA, 1996-97
Administrative Assistant for Development and Marketing
Catholics
for a Free Choice, Washington, DC, 1995-96
Public Policy Program Assistant
Congressional
Caucus for Women's Issues, Washington, DC, 1993-95
Legislative Assistant/Office Manager
Upward
Bound, State College, PA, 1993
Tutor/Counselor
Pennsylvania
State University, University Park, PA, 1992-93
Resident Assistant
The
Daily Collegian, University Park, PA, 1991
Columnist
— Viewing
society through the choice of footwear
— Parenthood
vs. profession, why should women do it all?
— Trees
and clean air give Penn State edge over rival Pitt
— Life
as a twin rewarding, despite the occasional confusion
— The
death penalty: causing the United States to go blind?
— Surviving
'Turkey Day' as a vegetarian: Pass the tofu
— Women's
studies not a lesson in homemaking, child-rearing
EDUCATION & CREATIVE WRITING
The
George Washington University, Washington, DC, May
1996
Pennsylvania
State University, State College, PA, May 1993
VOLUNTEERING
Mt.
Penn High School Class of '89 Ten Year Reunion, 1999
Volunteer Website Developer
National
Campaign for Freedom of Expression, Washington, DC,
1997
Volunteer Website Developer
Voters
for Choice, Washington, DC, 1995-96
Assisted with information tables and condom distribution at
benefit concerts
American
Red Cross, Arlington, VA , 1993-96
Maintained weekly correspondence with nursing home resident
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