Patricia Edmonds :: patricia.edmonds1@gmail.com
Strong, versatile editor and writer who excels at conceiving, shaping, and executing storytelling projects across platforms. Experienced, collaborative team leader who has worked with professionals at every level, from coaching interns to speechwriting for CEOs. Adept at fashioning compelling content for a specific target audience, and generally for modern audiences that expect inventive graphics, interactives, and visuals as well as text. Accustomed to working on deadline with poise and good humor, and achieving excellent results.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
WRITING/EDITING
- During 9½ years at National Geographic, in roles including executive editor for short form editorial content, oversaw the creation of a broad variety of storytelling for National Geographic print and digital platforms. Helped implement a redesign of National Geographic magazine’s front section, and led the development of new features including a monthly signature essay. Highlights include writing an essay for the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, on artifacts found in the rubble; and writing installments of Basic Instincts, a cheeky essay on animal reproduction.
- As a consulting writer and editor, has created content for national and international publications and organizations including the World Bank, AARP, the National Partnership for Women & Families, and the National September 11 Memorial & Museum.
- At NPR, improved wordcraft, presentation and accuracy in news content on www.npr.org site, and orchestrated the web component of NPR’s 9/11 coverage that won Peabody, Dupont and other journalism awards.
- As a consultant, wrote, co-wrote and ghostwrote white papers, newsletters, web content, articles, op-eds and speeches for clients in fields including business, medicine, leadership, technology, entertainment and advocacy.
- As a contractor, reported and wrote an online story project recounting seniors’ struggles in the health care system, for the National Partnership for Women & Families’ Campaign for Better Care.
- As editorial director of techies.com — a job search and information site that PCWeek named “the best technology career site online” — responsible for content strategy, development and editing.
- As executive editor of the news/information site womenconnect.com, developed and edited content that Business Week Online called “some of the best small business content on the Web.”
- As associate editor at USA WEEKEND Magazine (when its circulation was 33 million), created new beats (science/technology and home), recruited and supervised contributing editors and freelancers, and reported cover stories and projects.
- On the national staff of USA TODAY, wrote cover stories and special projects, served as lead writer on breaking-news roundups, and coached colleagues through in-house writing program.
PROJECT MANAGEMENT/PROCESS IMPROVEMENT
- In newly-created position, transformed the way NPR News radio content was translated online at www.npr.org. Responsibilities included conceiving and executing web programming, hiring and supervising writers and editors, writing and editing site content, conducting in-house training, and participating in the creation of a proprietary content management system for the website.
- At the (Annie E. Casey) Journalism Center on Children and Families at the University of Maryland, created a strategic plan that re-evaluated programming, web presence, marketing and fundraising.
- Created the blueprint, then wrote and edited copy for a start-up magazine’s first issue for The Magazine Group, Washington, DC.
- Overhauled marketing campaign materials for USA WEEKEND Magazine’s volunteerism project, Make A Difference Day.
- Print/digital graphic and design experience includes creating newsletters, mail and marketing materials; collaborating on web architecture and design decisions at NPR.org, techies.com and womenconnect.com; working with artists and photographers at USA WEEKEND Magazine, and with artists, photographers and videographers at NPR.org.
BOOK COLLABORATIONS
- With HIV/AIDS expert Dr. Michael Saag, MD, was developmental editor/ghostwriter on POSITIVE: One Doctor’s Personal Encounters with Death, Life, and the U.S. Healthcare System, published in 2014.
“A wonderful, intimate, daring and poignant memoir by a physician whose name is synonymous with the battle against HIV in this country. This book will surprise, entertain and challenge your notions about healthcare in America.” – Abraham Verghese, MD, author of My Own Country and Cutting for Stone.
- With new media entrepreneur Byron Reese, was developmental editor on INFINITE PROGRESS: How the Internet and Technology Will End Ignorance, Disease, Poverty, Hunger, and War, published in 2013.
“This is a valuable book – an antidote to the harmful gloom and moralizing that pervades most discussions of the future, and a beacon showing us the paths we should take.” – Steven Pinker, professor of psychology, Harvard University, and author of The Better Angels of Our Nature.
- With surgeon Dr. Glenn Geelhoed, MD, co-authored GIFTS FROM THE POOR: What the World’s Patients Taught One Doctor about Healing, a book on his life in international medical service. Greg Mortenson, bestselling author of Three Cups of Tea, wrote the introduction for the book, published in 2011.
“Glenn Geelhoed’s humor, humility, and ardent commitment to the world’s poor have inspired innumerable physicians to join him in working in the most difficult conditions. The remarkable stories he shares in Gifts from the Poor will likely have the same effect on many more.” – Paul Farmer, M.D, Ph.D.; Co-founder, Partners In Health, and subject of the international bestseller Mountains Beyond Mountains by Tracy Kidder.
- With Martha Mayhood Mertz, founder of the leadership organization ATHENA International, ghost-wrote BECOMING ATHENA: Eight Principles of Enlightened Leadership, her book about women and leadership published in 2009.
“Through personal narrative, accumulated wisdom, and engaging stories, Mertz’s book captures the essence of leaders. No matter your position, experience, or gender, it is worth reading from cover to cover.” – Marie C. Wilson, President and Founder, The White House Project.
CAREER SUMMARY
Principal, Patricia Edmonds LLC. January 2012-present
Executive Editor, Short Form Editorial, National Geographic Media; previously Deputy Editor, Director, and Senior Director, Short Form Editorial, National Geographic.
Consultant at RTM Ltd., New York, NY
Senior Consultant, Greystone Global LLC, Annandale, VA
Contract Consultant, Writer, Editor, Annandale, VA
Assistant Managing Editor for News/Online, NPR, Washington, DC
Editorial Director, techies.com, Minneapolis, MN
V.P./Content and Executive Editor, womenconnect.com, McLean, VA
Associate Editor, USA WEEKEND Magazine, Rosslyn, VA
National Staff Reporter, USA TODAY, Rosslyn, VA
Washington Reporter, City Hall Bureau Chief, Reporter, Detroit Free Press
Editor/Reporter, National Catholic Reporter, Kansas City, MO
Correspondent, Kansas City Star and Times, Kansas City, MO
ACTIVITIES
Freelance articles in publications including AARP.org, interest.org, Reader’s Digest, Washingtonian, Preservation, USA WEEKEND, The Children’s Beat, Southern Accents and Woman’s Day.
Moderator, seminar series educating journalists about health insurance reforms, sponsored by National Press Foundation
Workshop presenter, Council of Graduate Schools annual conference; trainer, Casey Journalism Center seminar on immigrant family issues
Guest lecturer, Masters in Writing Program, Johns Hopkins University
Fellowship, American Press Institute
Trainer/lecturer, seminar for Baltic journalists, Riga and Jurmala, Latvia; sponsored by International Research and Exchanges Board and Pew Charitable Trusts.