about

I’m an award-winning strategy, reputation management, and thought leadership executive with more than fifteen years of experience across global associations, corporations, agencies, and nonprofits.

I specialize in creating, overseeing, and transforming global communications programs across multiple domains, including foreign investment, economic development, commercial real estate, urban planning, architecture, sustainability, and technology.

Chicago Council on Global Affairs 2024 Emerging Leader / 2024 Graphic Design USA Award / 2024 International Design Award / Association Forum 2023 “Forty Under 40” / PR Daily 2021 Editor of the Year / AVA Digital 2021 Platinum Award for Communications / Real Estate Forum 2020 Top Influencer in Commercial Real Estate Marketing /

Since 2019, I’ve served as managing director for the Association of Foreign Investors in Real Estate (AFIRE), a nonprofit trade association for global institutional investors founded in 1988, with nearly 190 member organizations from 25 countries with approximately $3 trillion AUM in the US.

I’m also the editor-in-chief of AFIRE’s Summit Journal, our flagship thought leadership platform focused on economics, demographics, finance, investment, urbanism, and US commercial real estate. Since I took over the journal in 2019, it has won nearly two dozen awards for design and content.

From 2018 to 2023, I was an adjunct professor of public relations and strategic communications at Northeastern Illinois University, a federally designated Hispanic Serving Institution on Chicago’s northwest side.

I’ve led and/or launched various communications, marketing, and public relations programs for Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), the global architecture, engineering, and urban planning firm; World Business Chicago, the City of Chicago’s economic development agency; Aileron Communications, a boutique public affairs agency focused on energy and technology; Cotter Consulting, an architecture, engineering, and construction consulting firm; and other Chicago-based organizations. I’m also a former business journalist and staff writer for Green Building & Design Magazine, American Builders Quarterly, and other B2B publications.

Outside of my “day job,” I’m also an active writer, editor, designer, and communications consultant with an extensive portfolio of publications and presentations across academia, business, literature, and consumer contexts. From 2011 to 2015, I also served as founder and editor-in-chief of Anobium Publishing, a boutique literary publishing interest focused on outsider and experimental art and writing.

I hold a certificate in editing from the University of Chicago; a master’s degree in communications and media from Northeastern Illinois University; and dual bachelor’s degrees in English and philosophy from North Park University, where I graduated magna cum laude.

I’m also a fourth-generation Chicagoan living in the Avondale neighborhood on Chicago’s northwest side, where I also serve as board secretary for the Avondale Neighborhood Association and as a member of the Community Zoning Committee for Alderwoman Ruth Cruz and the 30th Ward.

awards /

– 2024 Graphic Design USA Award
– 2024 International Design Award
– 2023 Association Forum “Forty Under 40”
– 2021 Ragan’s/PR Daily, Editor of the Year
– 2021 Silver Stevie/American Business Award, Communications Professional of the Year
– 2021 AVA Digital Platinum Award Winner for Communications
– 2020 GlobeSt/Real Estate Forum Top Marketing Influencer in Commercial Real Estate
– 2016 Oxford Bibliographies Cinema and Media Studies Award
– 2016 Eddie & Ozzie Award, “Best Single Article in Technology,” FOLIO
– 2015 Distinguished Student Speaker, Northeastern Illinois University
– 2015 Library Award for Excellence in Research, Northeastern Illinois University
– 2015 IAP Grant, Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs & Special Events
– 2014 IAP Grant, Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs & Special Events
– 2014 Award of Merit, Northeastern Illinois University
– 2013 Satire Award, The NewerYork

work /

– Association of Foreign Investors in Real Estate
– Northeastern Illinois University
– Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP
– World Business Chicago
– Aileron Communications
– Cotter Consulting
– Guerrero Howe Custom Media
+ more

education /

– University of Chicago, Certificate in Editing
– Northeastern Illinois University, MA, Communications and Media
– North Park University, BA, English; BA, Philosophy

fellowships /

– 2025 American Jewish Committee LEAD Fellow
– 2024 Chicago Council on Global Affairs Emerging Leader
– 2015 Artist-in-Residence, Starry Night Retreat, Truth or Consequences, New Mexico

certs /

– Notary Public, Illinois Secretary of State (1019030), 2025–29
– Certified Association Executive (CAE), American Society of Association Executives, 2024–29
– Certified Digital Marketing Professional (IE-DMI55630), Digital Marketing Institute, 2019
– Ordained Minister, Universal Life Church, September 2014–Present

membership /

– American Society of Association Executives, Member, 2019–Present
– American Jewish Committee, Member, 2020–Present
– Urban Land Institute, Member, 2020–Present
– Project Management Institute, 2024–Present