A Bit About Kelsey
My career began with a degree in journalism from Penn State and a desire to be the managing editor at a daily newspaper. Well, graduating in 2007, working as a copy editor/page designer at a newspaper, and then stumbling through the the Great Recession quickly made me realize that I needed a career pivot! Luckily, my foundation in journalism made me well-suited for a career in content, communications, and marketing. Since then, I've discovered my passion with working with nonprofits and associations that are changing our world for the better.
I am a member of the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE), for which I am on the Communications Professionals Advisory Council; the American Marketing Association (AMA), for which I serve as a career mentor for the AMA-Washington, D.C., Mentor Network program, and the International Foodservice Editorial Council (IFEC).
Some proud achievements including serving as project manager for the redesign of SchoolNutrition.org, which won the 2023 Gold Circle Award for best website from ASAE, and the 2021 TerrIFECer Award from IFEC for my contributions to the organization.
OK, enough about me. Let's work together!
30-Second Bio
Hometown: Odenton, Md., by way of Scottsdale, Ariz.
School & Certs: B.A. Journalism, The Pennsylvania State University (We are!); Certified Marketing Professional (AMA); Certified Digital Marketing Professional (DMI)
The Fam: Husband David, son Alexander, two crazy dogs Sushi and Shimi, one fluffy cat Crouton
Fave Food: Spaghetti & snow crab legs (not together, but don't make me choose!)
Things I Do for Fun: Read voraciously (check out my GoodReads page!), play piano, try new recipes, go to musicals
A Quick Look at My Career So Far
September 2017-Current
March 2022-November 2023
April 2016-September 2017
December 2012-April 2016
July 2010-December 2012
May 2007-July 2010
Content & Design Consultant | KC Content + Design
What's going on right now? Happy you asked! I'm currently serving as a content, design (graphic and web), and communications strategy consultant for a wide variety of association, editorial, and marketing agency clients, an endeavor I first jumped into in September 2017. Take a gander at some of the orgs I've worked with, and what clients have had to say about my work.
Content Director | School Nutrition Association
I'm lucky to have a long history with the School Nutrition Association (See additional staff positions below), the national organization representing K-12 foodservice professionals. As content director, I led the strategy, development and implementation of the association’s print and digital marketing, communications, and editorial content, including a bimonthly print magazine, twice-yearly academic journal, social media, video, emails, newsletters, and conference and event campaigns. I oversaw a team of three, as well as a number of freelance contributors.
(What was I doing from September 2017 to March 2022?!? I was consulting full-time as owner of KC Content + Design!)
Communications Specialist | Association of Professors of Gynecology & Obstetrics
At APGO, an association representing doctors who teach ob-gyn to medical students, I served as a communications generalist, working on everything from a website redesign to conference projects and programs, to designing the majority of the association's visual content. I also managed APGO's social media account and used Google Analytics to benchmark the new website's success and potential growth.
Communications Specialist -> Managing Editor | School Nutrition Association
Here's where I started with SNA! I was originally hired as a communications specialist, where I managed the production of event publications and worked as associate editor for School Nutrition magazine. After 2.5 years, I was promoted to managing editor of the magazine, where I managed the day-to-day production process for the 55,000-circulation monthly publication.
Food & Weddings Editor | What's Up? Media
As a staff editor for three monthly magazines and two websites, I helmed the food section and served as managing editor for the twice-year weddings publication. Additionally, I launched a food newsletter sent to 10,000 subscribers—which earned a CRMA nomination—as well as a food blog and brand-new weddings website.
Copy Editor/Page Designer | The Daily Times (Gannett, Inc.)
This is where I cut my teeth in journalism! At The Daily Times, I edited and designed two weekly print entertainment publications and every section of the daily newspaper.