About ME
My Skills
I have enthusiasm for provocative subjects and news issues, and an abundant knowledge of pop culture, television, music, movies and celebrities both past and present plus key political figures. I have an innate ability to understand what's news and a love for those human interest stories about real people, real lives. I can tackle any subject. I have a gift for interviewing and getting people to open up. I am adept at supervising, organizing, strategic planning, multimedia storytelling, data analysis and fact-checking, and I share a strong teamwork mentality with those I work with. My secondary education in the culinary arts has provided me with advanced knowledge in food preparation, style and design, food costing, menu management and food photography. Being a creative home chef, I have technical cooking expertise and flair and an understanding of flavors. There isn't much difference between having kitchen skills and journalism skills - they're both crafted in fast-paced environments and cater to a discerning crowd.
My Experience
I have more than 20 years experience as a Senior Editor and Reporter covering celebrities, the royals and other newsworthy people, movies, TV, streaming, and red carpet events like The Oscars, Golden Globes and Emmys. I have worked for both print and digital media where I gained knowledge in photo layout, page design, CMS programs and the benefits of using SEO to increase website traffic and greater visibility. Most recently I worked for an L.A.-based celebrity news and picture agency developing and pitching leads, reporting, writing and editing copy for major publishing clients in the US, UK and Australia (Star Magazine, OK! Magazine, The National Enquirer, Globe, Examiner, Life & Style, Heat, and New Idea to name a few), and on a remote basis since 2020. (Earlier in my career, I covered the education beat, CHP, and the fire department.) I have managed and mentored teams of reporters both staff and freelance, and I thrive on learning something new. I am proficient at multitasking and I am results driven. I have written about food, diet and fitness, and my hands-on experience in the culinary arts has given me a unique insight to enrich my storytelling. My goal is to keep people informed and entertained with compelling content.
My Education
I have a Bachelor's degree in Journalism with a Collateral Field in History from California State University, Northridge. During my studies, I learned core skills in reporting, writing, researching, and data analysis to find and present information effectively. During a yearlong break from journalism, I satisfied my craving for something totally different and enrolled in culinary school! I earned a Diploma from The International Culinary School at The Art Institute of California, Los Angeles, where I took courses in baking, chocolates and confections, European cakes, artisan breads, Latin cuisine, garde manger, nutrition, culinary arts management and menu management. The business courses were my favorite because I learned practices and insights that can be applied to my work as a journalist.