About Alina
By day, I'm a writer, idea generator, and problem solver. A hunter of good stories and a gatherer of the right people. I love sharing inspiring stories, from mostly regular folks (and occasionally famous); ideas for happier living; uplifting destinations. I’ve interviewed celebrities from country singers to former presidents and regular folks who found the courage to change careers, or help others, or to survive against the odds. On the editor end, I love generating story ideas tailored to the time and audience.
By nights and weekends, supporting progressive causes and candidates is my passion - including being a PTA leader since my son began public school.
I grew up and college-d in Ohio, and then explored life in Athens, Greece, San Francisco, and Los Angeles, before staying put in New York City. Dabbles in teaching English, advertising and public relations led to journalism. Marriage to an ad guy, a son, and a travel addiction filled in the picture, along with a slow then quick fall into activism and politics. Hobbies include photography via iPhone, my daily IG post, PTA, podcasts, dogs, biking my neon Brompton, torturing travel companions with eccentric stops, and all of NYC’s amazing culture, especially theater.
RESUME
CAREER PROFILE
Versatile journalist, editor and social media strategist with extensive experience generating print and online content in a wide array of forms: profiles, product reviews, how-tos, round-ups, ghost writing - on a broad range of topics: from pets to parenting and everything in between, consistently increasing readership/viewers/listeners. Experience producing both video and podcasts from conception to edit to on-air talent. Recognized for big picture thinking, idea churning, creating on-tone, on-trend stories pre-deadline with a refined understanding of audience perspectives.
AREAS OF EXPERTISE
Writing, editing, social media, SEO, CMS, web content, blogging, e-newsletters, video and podcast production, photography
WORK EXPERIENCE
Guideposts (media company)
New York, New York
2005-2022
Contributing Editor, All Creatures magazine
Pitched and wrote several stories per issue including profiles, how-tos and ghost writing, raising awareness of animal therapy and industrial farming
Frequent collaboration with Instagram and other high profile animal advocates to drive traffic
Created topical videos for Facebook page
Senior Online Web Producer, Guideposts.com
Supervised original content and tie-ins for site supporting Guideposts magazine, a readership of 1M+
Wrote weekly e-newsletter blasts; increased site traffic utilizing SEO, Google analytics and social media campaigns
Developed, produced and hosted several video series, including inspiring profiles, travel and authors
Associate Editor, Positive Thinking magazine
Helped launch high-circulation lifestyle magazine, from conception of departments to writing several features per issue, including profiles, how-tos, travel, product round-ups, ghost writing and quizzes
Recruited freelancers, assigned and edited freelance stories
Developed website tie-in campaigns for audience engagement
Bar Crawl Radio podcast
New York, New York
2018-present
Producer
Coordinated shows recorded in bars, on the street, and via zoom; created social media campaigns driving traffic
Concepted shows, secured guests, provided research and questions to hosts, ranging from topical themes including NY politics, Hong Kong protests and gun control to general interest including mead makers, green roof advocates and mutual aid
Freelance writer
New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles
2003-2019
Clients included Los Angeles Daily News, Glamour, Star, Manhattan Media, New York Family Magazine, ParentSociety.com, and NYC Grand Bazaar
San Mateo County Times
San Mateo, California
2001-2004
Features Editor
Oversaw all features and arts coverage for a 20-city county
Hired, assigned and edited an editorial assistant, interns and 12 freelancers, collaborating with features staff across a six-county newspaper group
Wrote several arts and features stories each week between 500 to 1,500-words
COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP
PTA Executive Board, 2012-2022, roles including president, fundraising, communications and school leadership team
Co-launched new PTA as co-president, increasing funds by 5,000% within six months, launched Green Team to support climate curriculum
Spearheaded a school garden, wrote and won three grants, fundraised with school community, coordinated with school staff, parents and outside agencies
Recruited local politicians to lead undocumented families rights forum
Spearheaded inclement weather indoor recess program, fundraising, working with outside agency and school administration
Grand Bazaar board member, 2017-2020
Collaborated with eight-parent board, school administration and Grand Bazaar director overseeing non-profit weekly market, successfully increasing profits each year
Solidarity Sundays NYC, 2017-current, founded NYC chapter
Founded bi-monthly meetings drawing speakers on political issues and organizing activist events; maintaining Facebook page
Advocacy for education and income equity
Completed Alliance for Quality Education’s Education Warrior program and helped win Campaign for Fiscal Equity by coordinating zoom community teach-ins
Collaborated with activists and legislators supporting local and federal progressive causes and candidate campaigns. Experience lobbying, canvassing, social media protest promotion, phone banking, postcards, Get Out the Vote, election protection and coordinating zoom community teach-ins
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Arts in English/Global Studies, Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio
Independent coursework in Final Cut Pro, Hindenburg, Reaper, Photoshop, HTML, Wordpress, photography and video production