I am a seasoned marketing communications professional who loves working with creative arts and business professionals of all stripes. A copywriter and marketing consultant, I provide marketing, communications and public relations services to businesses and fine arts organizations, including Chicago marketing agencies, corporations, associations, entrepreneurial businesses, nonprofits and arts organizations.

I also am managing director of The Chicago Ensemble, one of Chicago's oldest and most respected chamber music groups. In this role, I share the perspective of the arts administrators with whom I so enjoy working -- and I understand the challenges.

Before becoming a solo practitioner, I was general manager of Chaffee Group, a niche-marketing agency specializing in real estate and finance clients. In my previous lives, I was a marketing communications manager at Computer Sciences Corporation, a public relations account executive at L.C. Williams, an editor for trade and consumer magazines, a freelance writer and a producer of program books for arts organizations. I have written brochures, advertisements, Web sites, articles, presentations and annual reports on everything from precast concrete parking garages to classical music performance and outdoor adventure.

I have been involved with the arts in capacity or another since high school, when I played viola in youth symphony and tormented my viola teacher by not practicing very hard (but I did play in tune!). As a young adult, I realized that the arts keep us open to transformation and possibilities, and I have been a patron, volunteer and consultant to arts groups ever since.

I became a Business Volunteer for the Arts with the Arts & Business Council of Chicago, and recently received a certificate in nonprofit management from Duke University. I also hold a BA degree from Duke, as well as an MA degree in literature from Northwestern University.