Tech-savvy journalist, with 20-plus years of experience at the Los Angeles Times and a master's in social work, understands the difference between reaching readers online and in print.
Current editing spans from food/politics websites to a health advocacy brochure to sports books. Experience includes managing the startup of an online Latina news magazine and supervising Olympic coverage for the Pasadena Star-News. Social work background includes internships at Children and Youth Services in Orange County, Calif., and Pathways Hospice in Lakewood, Calif.
Well versed in the Chicago Manual of Style, The Associated Press and APA style manuals, she has been cited for her fact-checking, content editing and project collaboration skills.
Early in her career, she covered small-town government in the Midwest and became the first female sportswriter granted equal reporting access to the Chicago White Sox locker room.
Professional Experience
EDITOR, WRITER, PROOFREADER
Independent Journalist (1995-Present)
EDITOR
Los Angeles Times (1985-1995, 1998-2009, 2010-2012)
- As copy editor, served as slot in Sports and Calendar sections, became a leader in the desk's contribution to the website product and presented ideas for alternative storytelling.
- As sports executive news editor, directed a series on African American prep athletes’ expectations of pro sports careers and a series on the impact of social/sexual dynamics on female athletes and coaches.
- As San Diego edition’s assistant sports editor, guided writing staff, designed pages and edited copy.
CONSULTING EDITOR
TheLatinaVoz.com (2005-2009)
- Edited and wrote for startup online magazine focusing on current events affecting Latinas.
- Coordinated with web designer and art director on projects.
- Recruited writing staff during startup.
- Projects included Claudia Kolker’s series on Latinas and suicide, Margarita Martin-Hildago’s report on Guatemala's anti-lynching effort and Kemila Velan’s report on Latinas’ high rate of HPV.
WRITER
Roddan Paolucci Roddan Public Relations (1995-1998)
- Wrote profile that resulted in a feature on a home builder in the Wall Street Journal.
- Wrote press releases for new-home communities, golf products and the Los Angeles Marathon.
ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE
- Served as executive sports editor for the Pasadena Star-News’ national All Sports and daily sports editions, supervising staff of 17.
- Copy-edited America West and Ambassador in-flight magazines.
- Spent early career covering police beat and city government and writing lifestyle features and sports columns for newspapers in suburban Chicago area.
Skills and Specialties
SOCIAL WORK
- Mental health counselor for HIV-affected children’s support group at AIDS Services Foundation Orange County (1993-2005) in Irvine, Calif. Wrote grant for website for HIV-affected children.
- Internships at Orange County Health Care Agency’s Children and Youth Services at Santa Ana, Calif., and at Pathways Hospice in Lakewood, Calif.
TECHNOLOGY
- Fluent in Microsoft Office Suite; Adobe CS Web Premium software, including Adobe Flash Design; Google Docs; and Typepad. Experienced using many Content Management Systems.
- Knowledgeable of HTML, XHTML, CSS and JavaScript.
- Trained in search-engine optimization for media websites.