AmyHPetersonJourn2015 .pdf

Amy Peterson
Executive Director at Voluntary Action Center AND E'Ville Amy, Reporter for Estherville News. Life
Force.
amypeterson@fullsail.edu

Summary
Executive Director of Voluntary Action Center, Spirit Lake, Iowa. Creative writer with proven ability for
strategic thinking that leaves the box behind and takes a company or project to a new level. Particular strength
in seeing and creating the big picture. Pursuing Master of Arts in New Media Journalism beginning Fall,
2014. Technical skills to reach audience on video, podcast, SlideShare, Twitter, Facebook, and more. Able
to deeply understand technology and advanced concepts and bring them to life in clear, compelling words and
images. Paralegal background in contracts, human resources, and corporate legal issues. Editorial skills with
focus on bringing the right message to the right people at the right time with the right delivery.

Experience
Staff Writer at Estherville Daily News/Spirit
2015 - Present (less than a year)
Reporter and photographer for twice-weekly paper in north Iowa county seat. Cover courts, features, state
politics, community, and photography, including sports photography. Write weekly column and editorials.
Pagination & layout (Quark XPress), social media, investigation, and more jane-of-all-trades duties.
Executive Director at Voluntary Action Center
August 2014 - Present (1 year)
Bringing people together to do good in our community. Administer local Meals on Wheels. Coordinate
volunteers. Plan events. Envision an amazing future in which we all use our gifts to make the world great.
Project managed new website: http://lakesvolunteers.org/
Writer/Editor/Visionary at Freelance
January 2000 - Present (15 years 7 months)
I partner with individuals as well as nonprofit and business organizations to help them think bigger about
their missions. It's possible to be small and specialized and still change the world for the better. Let's do this
together. PR writing, grant writing, strategic planning, concept development -- we will probably do all of
these at some point. My work transcends these labels. I become a true strategic partner with the amazing
people I get to work with. I'd love for you to become my next partner.
Publicity & Contributing Editor at The New Hollywood of West Palm Beach (telecommute)
May 2014 - November 2014 (7 months)
Press and publicist for Johnny Vega's studio and editorial responsibility for Beauty & Ink Magazine.

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Director of Communications at Briken.net, maker of the mobile broadcast technology Whirld
October 2012 - October 2013 (1 year 1 month)
I narrated the growth of a mobile broadcast technology company. Project manager for all public and investor
relations tasks, internal communications, crisis communications, web site, and other creative projects. Tell
the story of cell broadcast point-to-multi-point and its far-reaching possibilities for emergency notification as
well as information and entertainment applications. TheWhirld.com. The Whirld is iOS and Android apps
allow for broadcasting and viewing, optimized for iPhone and iPad, as well as Android phones and tablets.
Broadcast live from anywhere, sharing moments or catching breaking news events as they happen in real
time. Get alerted when your favorite broadcasters go live and never miss a moment of what's happening on
Ustream. — Stream over 3G, 4G, LTE or WiFi — Broadcast and interact with your audience through the
chat window — Watch live events and chat with your favorite broadcasters — Follow your favorite shows
and track your events
Director of Communications at Worldwide Communications, Inc.
June 2011 - October 2012 (1 year 5 months)
Public relations, investor relations, company image, newsletters, web copy, internal communications,
leadership, conflict management, creative leadership for publicly traded, innovative emergency cell
broadcast, cell network, and consumer app company. Working remotely from base in Okoboji, Iowa area.
Legal Assistant at Various law firms
October 1994 - December 1999 (5 years 3 months)
Litigation support in a high profile employment law practice; corporation, estate, probate and real estate
documents; general litigation pleadings and administration of case files; family and criminal law assistance.

Courses
Independent Coursework
Creativity, Innovation and Change

Penn State (Coursera)

Accountable Talk®: Conversation that Works

U of Pittsburgh (Coursera

Inspiring Leadership through Emotional Intelligence

Case Western (Coursera)

Developing Innovative Ideas for New Companies: The U of Maryland (Coursera)
First Step in Entrepreneurship
Introduction to Public Speaking

U of Washington (EdX)

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Projects
Keep All Students Safe Act
May 2013 to Present
Members:Amy Peterson, Bill Lichtenstein
Assist with community building, branding and advocacy around a vital legislative issue. Partners include
Lichtenstein Creative Media, the Peabody Award and Casey Medal winning media firm. Projects include
development of a documentary video, website and app to raise awareness and support.
Bringing tech company from two guys with technology to public company
September 2011 to Present
Members:Amy Peterson, Phil Sands, Ken Bland
Two partners talented in product development created an innovative technical product with a pending patent.
After a number of experiments in marketing that product, I was brought in to write the narrative of bringing
the product to the public. I've written narrative to diverse audiences: investors, public sector, private sector,
purchasers, and others, over the course of the last year. Recently, I oversaw the communications piece of
acquiring two more companies and identifying two target acquisitions. The combined strengths of this
convergence of companies will finally bring the technology to the underserved public who needs it. I have
written: White papers Press releases Investor presentations Web copy Correspondence I have project
managed: Web site Acquisition communications Vetting and research Coordination of investor relations
Fierce
August 2013 to Present
Members:Amy Peterson
Telling the stories of courageous, amazing individuals I meet in my daily work; exploring how I can become
more courageous and pour into the lives and ventures of the people with whom I'm privileged to work.

Languages
Spanish

Skills & Expertise
Newsletters
Corporate Communications
Public Relations
Editing
Copywriting
Social Networking
Media Relations
Journalism
Strategic Communications
Publications
Publicity
Web Content
Video

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Writing
Blogging
Event Planning
Organizational Development
New Media
Content Development
Team Leadership
Photography
Message Development
Corporate Branding
Brand Development
Business Strategy
Dreamweaver
Graphics
Illustrator
InDesign
Innovation
Mentoring
Photoshop
PowerPoint
Wordpress
YouTube
Film
Government Relations
Life
Strategic Planning
Investor Relations
Community Relations
Reputation Management
Issues Management
Executive Communications
Communications Strategy
Nonprofits

Education
Full Sail University
Master's Degree, New Media Journalism, 2014 - 2015
Full Sail University
Fine Arts, Creative Writing for Entertainment, 2012 - 2014
1 recommendation available upon request
Buena Vista University
BA, Leadership Communications, 2009 - 2010
The University of South Dakota
Bachelor of Arts, English, 1990 - 1994

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North High School, Sioux City, Iowa
High School Diploma, 1986 - 1990

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Amy Peterson
Executive Director at Voluntary Action Center AND E'Ville Amy, Reporter for Estherville News. Life
Force.
amypeterson@fullsail.edu

1 person has recommended Amy
"Amy is a team player and an excellent writer. I recommend her for creative writing."
— Annie Tisdale, Student, Full Sail University, studied with Amy at Full Sail University
Contact Amy on LinkedIn

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