My first year of college was an eye-opening one. I had every intention of studying anatomy and physical therapy, but my English professor encouraged me to pursue writing. After one journalism class, I knew I wanted to be a creative writer. I interned at Texas Monthly shadowing the art director and learning the ins & outs of publishing, including writing, photography and design. It was the perfect scenario because at the same time, I was designing my honors thesis, a magazine for college students called Aspire.

My master's in journalism, bachelor's in mass communication & minor in fashion merchandising have carried me on a journey from the media to the nonprofit sector to retail. Now, as a Creative Copy Manager for JCPenney, I contribute copy to jcp.com, emails, text messages, store signs, and social media channels. Last year, I wrote the script for this Shaquille O'Neal XLG social video: 'Twas the Night Before SHAQmas.

Prior to working at JCPenney, I was a copywriter for Tandem Theory and their client Sally Beauty. I wrote headlines and product copy for emails, videos and store signs, pushing the latest beauty trends. I also organized a style guide for Sally Beauty's 400+ brands to ensure consistent communication.

A pivotal point in my career was when I became the Managing Editor at Plano Profile, a lifestyle magazine in Collin County that has since rebranded itself as Local Profile. Prior to taking the helm, I was the Assistant Editor, covering community events & learning HTML to manage the company's website. I worked with a dynamic team to publish a well-respected community publication, interviewing more than 100 nonprofit leaders, published authors and local celebrities. (I see you Pete Delkus).  

Another milestone in my career was in 2012 when I became the Director of Communications for Every Orphan's Hope, a ministry that builds homes for orphans and widows in Africa. One widow becomes a "mama" to nine orphans and together, they form a family. I traveled to Zambia to hear their stories of overcoming poverty and finding strength in God. I photographed their beautiful smiles and recorded their voices and designed audio greeting cards for their sponsors in the U.S. The audio cards were a reminder to sponsors that their monthly investment was far more than a monetary transaction. A lightbulb moment, for sure.

Before Every Orphan's Hope, I took a position at Hilton Worldwide as a Content Editor. I wrote copy and edited photos for Hilton's elite family of brands. Mostly, I worked on Hampton Inn, Hilton's largest brand.

I truly love both digital and print media. From 2009–2017, I was a freelancer, and eventually Managing Editor, for Richardson Living magazine where I worked under the pseudonym Joy Rhodes. I have worked with several clients as a freelance writer or graphic designer, including Pizzeria Testa,  Sci-Tech Discovery Center and Destination Imagination.

I am passionate about creative storytelling, and I live for those lightbulb moments that turn passion into purpose.