I got my start in newspapers interning for Willamette Week, where I left my mark by exposing misleading Tillamook Cheese advertising that ultimately led to the company changing its packaging to be more transparent about the source of its ingredients. From there I moved to the Corvallis Gazette-Times, where I covered Oregon State University and authored an arts and entertainment column. Next, I took a position as a features writer for The Columbian, earning awards for my consumer and lifestyle reporting. When I left journalism for corporate storytelling, I continued to freelance for The Oregonian and The Columbian for several years.

Society of Professional Journalists Northwest Excellence in Journalism Competition
• 3rd Place for Lifestyles Reporting – 2011
• 3rd Place for Consumer Reporting – 2007
• 2nd Place for Minorities Reporting – 2005