About Amy

The shore was just 100 yards away. I plunged my face back into the icy lake, my arms cutting through the water at a rapid pace. I just needed to hang on a bit longer. Fifty yards away. Soon, my feet would touch the muddy bottom and my swim stroke would be exchanged for quick run.

I tore my goggles and swim cap off my head as my foot hit the shore. Before I could reach back to grab the zipper and release my wetsuit, a race official yelled into a megaphone:

“The last swimmer is out of the water!”

Yep. I was dead last.

My first sprint triathlon was a doozy. My swim consisted mostly of floating on my back and making conversation with the college lifeguard named Ashley who followed me on her surfboard and kindly held my hand during each of my many panic-filled moments.

But onward I went with a smile, cycling and running my way to the finish line. I was last in my age group, but instead of defeating, the experience was uplifting. I had gone outside my comfort zone. I had challenged myself. And I was ready for more.

I believe in stretching your imagination and pushing the boundaries of your comfort zone.

I believe in authenticity, resiliency, and respect.

I believe in the power of connecting people through storytelling an dam passionate about creating narratives that bring communities together.

As a writer, teacher and athlete, I will help small businesses and non-profits connect to their community at events, through social media and websites,  and through direct appeal campaigns. Crafting stories with wisdom and wit, I will create that connection between your brand and your customers and supporters which will motivate and inspire them.

 Overview of my experience:

Sports reporting: A journalist for more than 20 years, I have experience in crafting in-depth stories, entertaining features and deadline sports news stories. I have been a voter in the Associated Press Women’s Basketball Top 25 poll, am a past president of the Association for Women in Sports Media, and won a national Associated Press Sports Editors writing award.

Non-profits: I had the honor of being the first full-time Communications Director for the Stained Glass Association of America  where I managed all aspects of the quarterly magazine “Stained Glass,” directed social media content, created and implemented media and community outreach strategy. In this role, I also worked on member management and cultivated relationships with donors and sponsors. As the Senior Associate Development Director at Kevin Guest House, I oversaw all aspects of major fundraising events and expanded existing community outreach programs, including annual flower sales in conjunction with area hospitals. In this role, I cultivated relationships with donors and was responsible for the annual campaign. I also served as a communications manager, taking charge of social media sites, updating the organization’s website, and building relationships with the local media.

Certifications: Certified Wellness Coach through the Spencer Institute. Licensed New York State Outdoor Guide for hiking and camping.

Education: Master of Arts in humanities from the University at Buffalo. Bachelor’s of Arts in journalism/mass communication from St. Bonaventure University.