Skilled in writing research-based policy briefings, manuals, newsletters, brochures, web copy, feature articles, press releases and grant proposals.
Adept at designing and creating web pages, presentations, and poster displays.
Experienced in developing communications strategies for organizations and individual projects.
Well-versed in water management research, water and development issues, and the latest thinking on how to introduce research into policymaking and planning processes.
Education
M.A., English Literature with a focus in colonial and post-colonial discourse theory, Stanford University, Palo Alto, California, USA 1994 - 96
B.A., English Literature, Stanford University, Palo Alto, California, USA 1990 - 94
Professional Experience
Science Writer/Communications Consultant, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, June 2004 – Present
Wrote manual “Catalyzing change: A handbook for developing integrated water resources management (IWRM) and water efficiency strategies” and accompanying policy brief for the Global Water Partnership (for release at International Conference on Integrated Water Resources Management, Tokyo, Japan, December 2004).
Wrote “The Blue Paper: Investing in Water for Food, Ecosystems and Improved Livelihoods”, a policy document informing governments and donors about the latest research-based thinking on investing in water for agriculture, for the Comprehensive Assessment of Water Management in Agriculture (CA).
Wrote policy briefings, “Reducing poverty through integrated management of groundwater and surface water” and “Integrating fisheries into irrigation planning and management” for the IWMI Water Policy Briefing Series.
Head Writer/Editor, International Water Management Institute (IWMI), Colombo, Sri Lanka, January 2002 – June 2004
Served as Editor and primary writer for Water Policy Briefing, a new series created to translate peer-reviewed research into useful information for policymakers and planners.
Developed communications strategies for IWMI, the CA, the Challenge Program on Water and Food (CP), and the Dialogue on Water, Food and Environment (DWFE).
Designed CA and CGIAR displays and public awareness material for the WaterDome, a side event to the World Summit on Sustainable Development 2002.
Managed production of some 70 communications products, including newsletters, brochures, annual reports, press releases, op-ed pieces, presentations and posters for IWMI, the CA, the CP and the DWFE.
Writer/Coordinator, IWMI, Colombo, Sri Lanka, January 2001 – December 2002
Managed revamp of the IWMI website—doubling the number of hits per month over the course of one year. Responsibilities included establishing information architecture and design with web developer, writing copy, creating pages using Dreamweaver, developing promotion strategy, and establishing protocols for updating.
Wrote/managed Tools & Concepts series—brochures introducing tools such as water accounting, remote sensing techniques, and irrigation performance indicators.
Communications Consultant, IWMI, Colombo, Sri Lanka, August 1999 – January 2001
Assisted in developing grant proposals to EU, ADB, BMZ, USAID and Ford Foundation.
Worked directly with researchers to produce IWMI contributions for World Water Vision for Food and Rural Development, “From Bucket to Basin: Managing River Basins to Alleviate Water Deprivation” and “Increasing the Productivity of Water through Improved Water Management.”
Produced press releases and general communications material and edited technical documents.
Freelance Web Copy Writer, San Francisco, California, USA, October 1997 – August 1999
Wrote creative web copy for a variety of clients: businesses, web- based retailers and non-profit organizations.
Grant Writer, Griffin Consulting, Mill Valley, California, USA, October 1996 – October 1997
Identified potential sources of funding for clients and wrote grant proposals.
Computer Skills
Microsoft Word • PowerPoint • Dreamweaver • Adobe Illustrator • Excel
Qualifications
Communicating research-based knowledge on water issues to policymakers, NGOs, water professionals, and the general public.
