Caitlin Simkovich headshot
 

INTRODUCTION:

Driven by a passion for exploring and sharing the human experience, I help people share their stories so they can express themselves authentically and contribute something meaningful to others. With over 20 years of storytelling experience, including in nearly every facet of the process, I've developed a proven track record of utilizing my creative, technical, and organizational skills to produce exceptional and thoughtful work. I’m an ideal mix of classically trained and self-taught. And pride myself on building community wherever I work by fostering collaborative relationships and creating safe and inclusive cultures based on the open exchange of curiosity, heart, support, and trust.

CREATIVE PROJECTS (at-a-glance): Websites (12), mobile apps (5), publications (41+), written and recorded interviews (10), video (250+ edited), audio (6+ produced), plays (2 written, 3 directed, 10+ produced, many performed), stories and other creative works (10+), presentations, digital marketing assets (email campaigns, social media, websites, print), and national marketing initiatives,.

KEY SKILLS:

CREATIVE: Storytelling, creative, professional, and script writing for various audiences, a keen eye for design, editorial content, and user experience, editing (both print and digital), creative development and adaptation, digital content creation and management, video direction and editing, audio production and editing, sound design and mixing, public speaking and performing (voice over, stage, and on-camera), digital marketing (email, social, and web), and an acute penchant for analysis and attention to detail.

MANAGEMENT: Communication and collaboration with various types of people, (writers, actors, artists, students, copy-editors, designers, photographers, web technicians, technology professionals, marketers, educators, etc.), extensive experience leading cross-team collaboration in deadline driven environments, editorial and digital project management, emotional intelligence, adaptability, excellent verbal and written communication skills, and high standards for organization, process, and end results.

TECHNICAL: Content Management Systems: Access, Constant Contact, Drupal, Dryfta, Google Analytics, iMIS, Informz, Mail Chimp, MyEmma, mobile app interfaces, Spreaker, Wavve, and WordPress; Design: Adobe Creative Cloud (Acrobat, Premier Pro, InDesign, Photoshop), Canva, Google Slides, MS Office (Word, PowerPoint), and Wavve; Recording & Editing: Audacity, Premier Pro, PreSonus AudioBox USB Audio Interface, Ringr, Rode NT1-A Large-Diaphragm Condenser Microphone, Samson Go Mic Portable USB Condenser Microphone, Zoom, and Zoom H5 4-Channel Handy Recorder; Social Media: Facebook, Hootsuite, Instagram, Later, LinkedIn, Twitter, Vimeo, and YouTube; Admin and Team Collaboration: Google applications (Mail, Drive, Docs, Slides, Calendar, Chat), MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), SharePoint (OneDrive, Teams), and Outlook.


EDUCATION:
Bachelor of Arts, Theater, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Graduated Cum Laude, Dean’s List


PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:

DIGITAL CONTENT COORDINATOR; ASSOCIATE EDITOR, PUBLIC GARDEN
American Public Gardens Association (APGA), PA

January 2013 - Present

In my role at APGA, I generate and increase growth, revenue, and meaningful engagement for a $2+ million non-profit Association with a 10,000+ membership base by leading the production of enticing, high-quality creative projects including websites, publications, video, audio, and mobile apps. I also use these assets to help strengthen APGA's position and visibility with lucrative partnerships. And I ensure consistency of its mission, brand, and quality standards by participating in content, strategy, and editorial meetings, developing internal policies, procedures, and content, and by reviewing external content, artwork, RFP's, and contracts.

As Associate Editor of Public Garden (a quarterly magazine with a $60,000+ annual budget and over 9,000+ readership), I work closely with the Editor-In-Chief, Managing Editor, and our Editorial Advisory Group to ensure the content of the magazine meets the overall standards of the Association, represents the full scope of work being done by its membership, and reflects the diversity of expertise in the industry as well as its geography. I do this by participating in editorial meetings, reviewing and selecting submissions, pitching ideas, sourcing authors, tracking ad artwork, copyediting, reviewing designer drafts and proofs, and managing the online presence for each issue.

In 2020, I helped lead the Association in navigating a huge shift in pivoting all of its onsite event programming to a virtual/digital format. My role involved providing leadership and strategy, recording presentations via Zoom, editing video files, creating complimentary creative assets (such as images and websites), managing post-production materials, writing descriptions and credits, developing processes and standards, and creating copyright and attribution policies.

Lastly, I currently sit on several volunteer committees charged with championing organizational excellence including Inclusive Hiring & Retention, I.D.E.A. (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility) based Core Values & Culture, Hybrid Professional Development, and Mental Health Awareness to name a few.

Relevant accomplishments during my time at this organization include:

Professional Development Videos 2021-2022:

  • 250+ edited videos personally (and counting)

  • Created videos for 95+ virtual events

  • Attracted 5,600+ registrations

  • Generated $655,000+ in revenue

  • Approx. 6,000+ views

Association Website 2015-2019:

  • I participated in coordinating full rebrand/redesign in 2015

  • The site attracted 3.5+ million visitors since its launch (avg. 700-800k/year, 60-70k/month) (combined)

  • Contributes to $4+ million in membership revenue (combined)

Annual Conference Websites 2014-2019:

  • This project required 1 full website per event per year

  • Each site included 15+ pages each including sponsor and exhibitor lists, a full schedule of 75+ events, photography, and tourism pages

  • 700,000+ website visitors (combined)

  • Contributed to $2.5+ million in registration sales (combined)

Annual Conference Mobile Apps 2014-2019:

  • 3,000+ combined downloads (event attendance under 1,000)

  • Consistent increase in usage each year

  • Rave reviews on design and usability

Digital E-blasts 2013-2017:

  • I reduced unnecessary emailing, tailored content to specific audiences, adopted easy-to-read and visually appealing designs, and optimized subject lines to maintain:

  • 93% delivery rate

  • 27% open rate (industry avg. 18%)

  • 14% click thru rate (national avg. 3%)

Annual Conference Publications 2015-2019:

  • I oversee the production of one full program book for each event

  • Each book contains 86-124 pages of text, photography, and graphical elements

  • This project also requires overseeing schedules, copy-editors, designers, educators, and printing & shipping professionals over entire process

  • The reach is 700-1000 readers onsite

National Public Gardens Day (2016-2019)

  • I spearheaded a national campaign for National Public Gardens Day, resulting in over 1+ million impressions for #NationalPublicGardensDay hashtag in a single day.

  • In 2017, the highest year for engagement for the campaign, my efforts resulted in:

    o 181 participant organizations

    o 5,000 promotional coupons downloaded

    o 1 million+ impressions for #NationalPublicGardensDay, trended on Friday, May 12

    o 25,000+ website/page visitors (March 20-May 14); 13,000+ website/page visitors (week of event)

COMMUNICATIONS ASSISTANT
Seattle Architecture Foundation, WA

January 2012 - October 2012

While at SAF, I managed and executed all of its marketing and communications campaigns including a monthly e-newsletter, website content, and member and donor correspondences. I increased attendance and revenue for SAF by successfully identifying an untapped audience for its tour and lecture series. Then, developed and implemented a branding and marketing strategy to connect with and promote further programming to this audience.


OFFICE MANAGER
New York Irish Center, NY
January 2008 - October 2011

I managed all day to day operations at the Center including creating and distributing inter-office communications, accounts payable and receivable needs, greeting guests, and answering all phone and email inquiries. I also organized the volunteer staff, including scheduling and supervising daily tasks.


FREELANCE ACTOR & VOICE OVER ARTIST
PA, DE, NJ, NYC
June 2006 - January 2012

I’ve performed numerous lead and supporting roles at reputable theaters in the Delaware, New Jersey, New York City, Philadelphia, and Pittsburgh areas. I’ve also lent my voice to promotional videos, appeared in four independent films, and three commercials including a featured role in a statewide running campaign for iBelong (previously PCUA Credit Union).


FREELANCE COPYEDITOR & WRITER
Strategic Websites, PA, NYC

May 2007 - January 2008

While at Strategic Websites, I improved the accuracy and readability of medical articles for its website by fact-checking, editing, and re-working copy while keeping a focus on word count and quick turnaround.

TEACHING ARTIST & CREATIVE ASSOCIATE
Footlights Players Children’s Theater Camp, PA

Summer of 2006 and Summer 2008

I created curriculum, lesson plans, and taught classes in both acting and playwriting, acted as Assistant Director for two shows, collaborated with other teachers in organizing daily activities, assisted with any additional production needs, and oversaw the general well-being of approx. 50 campers (ages ranging from 6-17) and two interns. Additionally, I worked very closely with a local playwright (Kevin Bean) as both a copyeditor and creative collaborator on his short children’s play Not-So-Grimm-Tales. The piece premiered in 2008 at the camp, and since then, it’s been performed nearly 50 times and in theaters all over the United States, Canada, Australia, and China.


MERCHANDISING ASSISTANT
Taylor Gifts, PA

August 2006 - August 2007

I worked cohesively with the Vice-President, graphic designer, and in-house photographer on acquiring creative and product assets for print catalog production. Coordinated with artistic staff including copywriters, photographers, and web media specialists in maintaining quality, consistency, and strict deadlines.  Preserved new and old vendor contacts, retained and recorded product sample inventory, stood in as product model as needed, and various copywriting, editing, and data entry duties.

RELEVANT EXPERIENCE:

FOUNDER, WRITER, & EDITOR
All Roads Magazine
June 2016-Present

I curate an online space that features storytellers at all levels and aims to inspire community, curiosity, and creativity. I oversee and execute all work needed to build this space including, but not limited to, developing branding and creative strategy, writing original stories and interviews, researching potential collaborators, cultivating relationships with contributors, reviewing and editing submissions, sourcing and/or designing all artwork, photography, and sound, editing audio files, maintaining the website, and managing social media accounts (Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube).


WRITER, PRODUCER, PERFORMER
BareShakespeare, NY

January 2008 - January 2012

I co-founded and managed a nonprofit theater company producing 5 complete productions over 3 years. I also coordinated all casting needs, rehearsals, performances, and fundraiser logistics; as well as developed marketing materials and oversaw production budgets.


COPYEDITOR & AUDIO PRODUCER

Dialect Blog
October 2011 - January 2012

For this project, I collaborated with the creator of Dialect Blog on producing a dynamic learning experience for users of his Standard British Tutorial. The scope of this work included editing and adapting a fifty-page written tutorial as well as producing, editing, and providing voice-over for an accompanying audio program.


FOUNDER & WRITER
The Hungry Femme Blog, WA
May 2012 - February 2013

I wrote a weekly blog detailing my newfound joy of cooking and exploring the food scene of Seattle, my exciting new hometown at the time. The scope of this project involved brainstorming ideas, researching and testing recipes, shopping for ingredients, researching and testing new restaurants, and writing about my experiences.

More Good Stuff

 

“Caitlin is such a critical thinker. In my experiences with her, she thinks before forming an opinion and truly listens to understand others.”

— Julie B., Child Development and Education Coach

“Caitlin has a wonderful creative mind and fights to make what she sees a reality.”

— Angela M., Independent Entertainment Professional

“She has the biggest heart and is an advocate for everyone. There is something about the way she converses with others that has a professional yet personal touch to it.”

— Lauren C., Outreach Manager