Susan Thurston-Hamerski

**** **** ***. *. ~ St. Paul, Minnesota 55108

Cell 612-***-**** ~ Email adrd1v@r.postjobfree.com

Seasoned and strategic communicator who takes pride in creating engaging, user-centered content. Nurtures relationships with stakeholders, including students and donors, to realize value-based goals. Thrives through collaboration in a team that believes in the transformative power of constant curiosity and inclusivity. Recent highlights:

● Established rewarding relationships with key prospects and donors while creating content for College webpage and electronic publications that support development colleagues’ stewardship and cultivation goals.

● Through fresh redesign, increased open rate of college alumni and donor newsletter from 18.59 percent to almost 35 percent (and growing) within three years.

● Produced special edition Liberal Arts magazine that involved one-to-one engagement with key stakeholders and resulted in a beautiful asset designed for repurposing across all communication and cultivation channels.

EXPERIENCE

Assistant Director of Alumni and Donor Communications University of Minnesota College of Liberal Arts ~ 2019-Present Talented writer and strategist with seasoned experience envisioning and executing user-centered content and communications that meet the needs of alumni and donors. Responsible for the design and execution of comprehensive alumni and donor communications and marketing to advance CLA’s goals and advancement priorities. Helped achieve greater levels of alumni engagement and increased giving through well-executed publications, e-newsletters, collaboration in writing senior leadership communications, and College-wide strategy creation. Steering student team members toward fully realizing their career prospects and value-driven lives.

Senior Communications Manager/Senior Writer

University of Minnesota College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Sciences ~ 2016-2019 Presented a savvy, forward-thinking approach to internal and external storytelling focused on revealing the person behind the innovation. An award-winning, cogent writer who effectively leveraged content across all platforms to gain the optimum traction for a compelling message. Effectively orchestrated multiple audiences and expectations, from highly-focused faculty to deadline-pressed media. Wrote speeches for senior leadership and high-profile events to inspire pride and loyalty among alumni, donors, and constituents. Senior Copywriter ~ Marketing and Communications Creative Team CRC Marketing Solutions, Eden Prairie, MN ~ 2015-2016 Conceived, wrote, developed, and delivered marketing messages for robust portfolio of clients, including UnitedHealthcare, Ecolab, and Thomson Reuters across print, web, and social media channels. Managed and upheld high messaging standards for multiple voices and visions. Established and fostered productive account and creative team collaborations. Manager of Adult Education/Curator of Sculpture

University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, University of Minnesota ~ 2010-2015 Created and executed strategic communications plans for numerous adult educational programs, including classes, large public policy forums, and summits. Curated world-class sculpture collection for key donors and connected the collection to the public and key stakeholders. Established and managed integrated development relationships linked to special events and marketing campaigns. Regularly presented to conferences to engage adults with content. Motivated and managed paid and volunteer program staff. Established budget goals and met revenue expectations.

Associate Program Director of Personal Enrichment Programs University of Minnesota College of Continuing Education ~ 2001-2010 Leadership for lifelong learning educational programs. Refined, recalibrated, and created new and dynamic programs for a changing life-long learning constituency. Part of team that built the Curiosity Camp program, awarded the North American Association of Summer Sessions Creative and Innovative Program Award for Overall Most Outstanding Program for a Large School, 2007. Created and managed nearly 20 annual Elderhostel programs. Maximized university resources and relationships. Led strategic integration and redesign of programs to meet trends and demands.

Assistant Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations Carleton College, Northfield, MN ~ 1998-2001

Crafted numerous successful grant proposals to corporate, foundation, and government funders including the National Endowment for the Arts, National Science Foundation, Fulbright Program, Bush Foundation, and Lilly Endowment, and ensured sterling reporting of results and compliances. Nurtured rewarding relationships between the college and funding agencies and secured substantive award amounts to the college. Enhanced college relationships with foundation leadership through thoughtful and ongoing interactions during a capital campaign. Director of Continuing Education and Academic Outreach St. Olaf College, Northfield, MN ~ 1990-1998

Expanded number and scope of continuing education programs attracting more than 1,264 participants annually. Further developed multi-disciplinary continuing education programs sensitive to issues of ethnicity, gender, age and social classification. Created, marketed, and implemented numerous programs for youth and adults, including evening short courses, residential programs, and large-scale weekend conferences. Administrated 20 programs yearly, realizing more than $600,000 in revenues.

Associate Editor of Publications - Editorial Assistant Office of Information Services - St. Olaf College ~ 1986-1989 Identified communication and marketing needs and desires of various departments on campus. Developed a suite of publications that enhanced the recruitment efforts of the college. Contributed to the early development of a video communications program. Managed team of student workers and encouraged their interest in public relations and communication careers. Created theme and supporting materials for a $42 million fundraising campaign. ADDITIONAL RELEVANT EXPERIENCE

● Editing

- Calumet Editions, content and copy editor of non-fiction and fiction, 2020-present.

- Editor, Northern Tier, industry trade magazine for cold-climate grape growers and winemakers (Minnesota Grape Growers Association), 2013.

- Associate editor, Tremors Vibrations Enough to Rearrange the World, Northfield Women Poets Anthology, Heywood Press, 1995.

- Coordinating editor, Northfield Women Poets Chapbook Series, 1992-1994. - Voiceprint; poetry editor, Hamline University – Volume II, Number 1, Winter/Spring 1993; Volume I, Number 2, Summer/Fall 1992; Volume I, Number 1, Winter/Spring 1992.

● Teaching

- Global Marketing, Suffolk University Sawyer School of Business, Boston, Spring Semester 2020-21.

- Creative Writing – Blessing House Retreat Center, Victoria, MN, 2013. - “The Journal: Creative Source and Life Mirror.” – University of Minnesota, Compleat Scholar, April-May, 2002.

- "The Emerging Poet: A Poetry Writing Workshop." - St. Olaf College Interim, 1998, 1996, 1995, 1994, and 1993.

- "Women's Studies Senior Seminar: Resilient Women" - St. Olaf College, Spring Semester 1994-95.

- "Exploring Lake Superior's Environs through Writing" - St. Olaf College Elderhostel at Lutsen Lodge, Oct. 1993, 1994, and 1996.

- "The Personal Journey - Journals and Journal Writing," St. Olaf College Continuing Education, Feb. 19-Mar. 19, 1991.

- Instructor and adult literacy tutor, licensed Laubach tutor, 1990-1995.

● Advancement – J. Murphy & Associates, Minneapolis ~ 2016-2017 – Ensured agency position as a leading provider of development, executive communication, and event management for Minnesota nonprofits.

● Copy and News Editor – Red Wing Republican Eagle, Red Wing, MN ~ 1984-86 ●

● Editor and Writer – The Land Magazine, Mankato, MN ~ 1980-82 ASSOCIATIONS

● Illusion Theater, Board Member, Minneapolis, 2010-present (President 2017-2019)

● Minnesota Landscape Arboretum

● Everytown/Moms Demand Action, social media lead, 2015-2021 EDUCATION

● Postgraduate coursework at Hamline University and University of Minnesota ● MALS, Hamline University, high honors in art and literature, synthesis: “Voices for the Unattended: Meridel LeSueur, Carol Bly, and Patricia Hampl”

● BA, Minnesota State University, cum laude honors, English with creative writing concentration and mass communications minor

ADDITIONAL SKILLS

Seasoned experience with Drupal, Salesforce, social media (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram), Word Press, and Excel

PUBLICATIONS AND CREATIVITY

Prose

- Numerous Reviews with Los Angeles Review,

https://losangelesreview.org/?s=Thurston&x=0&y=0, 2013-2020.

- Numerous Reviews with Minneapolis Star Tribune:

The Favored Daughter by Fawzia Koofi, January 21, 2012. Touch by Alexi Zentner, April 19, 2011.

The Report by Jessica Francis Kane, September 26, 2010. Mrs. Darcy and the Blue-Eyed Stranger by Lee Smith, Minneapolis Star Tribune, March 21, 2010.

- Entries on Alice Munro short stories Royal Beatings and Walker Brothers Cowboy, The Facts on File Companion to the American Short Story, Second Edition, ed., Abby H.P. Werlock, Checkmark Books, New York, 2009.

- Entries on Dorothy Allison, Meridel LeSueur, and LeSueur’s short story Annunciation, The Facts on File Companion to the American Short Story, ed. Abby H.P. Werlock, Checkmark Books, New York, 2000.

- Chapter from Voices for the Unattended: Patricia Hampl, Carol Bly, Meridel Le Sueur—A Response to the Works and the Writers, Liberal Studies Journal, A Journal of the Graduate Liberal Studies Program, Hamline University, St. Paul, Spring 1989. Poetry

- Daily I Fall in Love with Mechanics, The Writer’s Almanac with Garrison Keillor, American Public Media, August 18, 2021 and February 8, 2011.

- Blue Moon During a Pandemic, Poetry Quarterly, Winter 2020.

- How to Love a Mountain and Map of Longing, Poetry Quarterly, Summer 2019.

- How to Love a Mountain, Ithaca Lit, 2019.

- A Boat Called Leaving, Open to Interpretation: Water’s Edge, edited by Anastasia Faunce, 2011.

- Sows I Have Known, Low Down and Coming On: A Feast of Delicious and Dangerous Poems about Pigs, edited by James Lenfestey, Red Dragonfly Press, 2010.

- Solstice, Flurry, vol. 2, online journal, December 21, 2008.

- Multiple poems in Penchant, Heywood Press, 2007.

- Restoration Work in Provence, Sidewalks-On-Line, Number 1, 2005

- Rocking My Son, Fox Cry Review, Autumn 2004.

- Essence of Desire (an ode to chocolate), Speakeasy On-Line, March 2004. - In Praise of Seafood and A Poem As Retreat, Sidewalks No. 20, Grand Finale Issue, spring/summer 2001.

- Inventing Father, Rag Mag, Vol. 15, No. 1, 1998.

- Photosynthesis, Minnesota 1997 Poetry Calendar, Black Hat Press.

- Mother-Daughter Seasons, Sing Heavenly Muse! Animal Spirits Issue, Summer 1996. - For Lake Superior, Going to the Lake, anthology, Loonfeather Press (anthology nominated for Minnesota Book Award) 1996.

- Multiple poems in Tremors Vibrations Enough to Rearrange the World, anthology of work by Northfield Women Poets, Heywood Press, 1995.

- The Attic and Class Photo, Sidewalks No. 6, August 1994.

- The Heart in Its Wisdom Can Melt Stone, Rag Mag, Vol. 11, No. 2, 1993. - At Last the Maps Are Right and Metonic Cycle for My Father, Sidewalks No. 5, 1993. - Wild Bone Season, a chapbook, Heywood Press, Northfield, MN, 1992. - Saffron Is Worth More than Their Lives, Hurricane Alice, Summer/Fall 1992. - Mourning a Friend's Lost Children, Sidewalks No. 3, August 1992.

- Beauty to the Beast, Minnesota Monthly, July 1992.

- Sometimes When Two Strangers Pass While Climbing the Stairs, Icon, Spring 1992. - My Mother's Body, One Thing to Watch Out For, and JoAnne's Birthday Breakfast, Rag Mag, vol. 9, no. 2, 1991.

- Catalpa Ghazals and Wild Bone Season, Sidewalks, vol. 1, no. 1, August 1991. - During a Walk in Old Frontenac Along the Mississippi River, Minnesota Monthly, vol. 25, no. 8, August 1991.

- Threat of Winter 15 Nov. 1990, Hunger Moon, and Loon, Loonfeather, vol. 12, no. 1, 1991.

- Principle of Complexity, Liberal Studies Journal, A Journal of the Graduate Liberal Studies Program, Hamline University, St. Paul, spring 1990.

- The Last Nun, Rag Mag, vol. 7, no. 2, spring 1990.

- Blue People, Ophelia's Pale Lilies, vol. 1, issue 7, 1990.

- Yellow Teeth, Abbey #63, September 1990.

- Dish Towels and Father in White Knickers, Liberal Studies Journal, A Journal of the Graduate Liberal Studies Program, Hamline University, vol. 1, no. 1, spring 1988. Fiction

- Sister of Grendel, a novel, second edition forthcoming 2022, Calumet Editions; 2014 first edition, The Black Hat Press.

- The Age of Missing, a novel, on submission.

- “Silhouettes,” Open Faces - Short Stories, Fall 1985. Cookbook

- Cooking Up the Good Life, with Chef Jenny Breen, University of Minnesota Press, Minneapolis, 2011.

Performance

- “Twisted,” co-authored and produced with JoAnne Makela, staged at Mixed Blood Theatre, Minneapolis, as part of the Minnesota Fringe Festival, August 2007

- “Dinner with Medusa,” co-authored and produced with JoAnne Makela, staged at Mixed Blood Theater as part of the Minnesota Fringe Festival, August 2005. PRESENTATIONS

- Numerous group readings following the publication of Penchant, including Crossings Gallery, Zumbrota and Nina’s Café, St. Paul, 2007-2009.

- 19th Annual Minnesota Book Awards, Final Judge for Poetry, Spring 2007. - 18th Annual Minnesota Book Awards, Selection Judge for Poetry, Spring 2006. - Poetry Reading, Minneapolis Women’s Club, September 19, 2005.

- A Place at the Table Art Exhibit, Poetry Reading, United Theological Seminary, New Brighton, Minnesota, September 16, 2005.

- MedusaHead Productions, First Tuesday Cabarets, Marysburg Books, Minneapolis, 2004-2006.

- 17th Annual Minnesota Book Awards, Judge for Anthologies and Collections Category, Spring 2005.

- “Certificate Level Workforce Center Training,” Ninth Annual Minnesota Development Conference, October 6, 2004.

- Northfield Women Poets at the Kitty Cat Klub, Minneapolis, first Tuesdays of each month, 2003-2004.

- Juried reading “The Green Fuse: Anarchy and Arbor Day,” Northfield Arts Guild, Northfield, MN, April 25, 2003.

- “What We Need,” Northfield Women Poets with David Means, Northfield, MN, April 17, 2003.

- Guest Presenter and Reader, Advanced Creative Writing, February 18, 2003, Metropolitan State University, St. Paul, Minn.

- Journal Workshop, January 22, 2003, Carleton College, Northfield, Minn. - Workshop presentation, “What’s Next for Us?: Vital Aging!,” November 8, 2002, Minnesota Association for Continuing Adult Education, Holiday Inn, Burnsville, Minn. - Group reading, Northfield Women Poets, November 7, 2002, Bound to Be Read, St. Paul, Minn.

- Judge for the Minnesota Book Awards, Anthology Division, 2001 and 2002. - “The Journal: Creative Source and Life Mirror,” short course for Compleat Scholar, April-May 2002.

- Group reading, Northfield Women Poets, April 25, 2001, St. Olaf College, Northfield, Minn. - "Journal Writing: The Personal Journey," American Association of University Women, Northfield, Feb.10, 1997.

- Workshop presentations, "Journal Writing: The Personal Journey" and "Writing Across Genres: Exploring Your Written Voice," American Association of University Women, Minnesota State Convention, May 4, 1996.

- Workshop presentation, "The Journal as Steward," National Association of Women in Education, Chicago, Mar. 2, 1996.

- Group reading, Northfield Women Poets, Publication Reading, American Association of University Women, Northfield, Minn., Dec. 11, 1995.

- Group reading, Northfield Women Poets, Publication Reading, Northfield Arts Guild, Northfield, Minn., Dec. 10, 1995.

- Group reading, Northfield Women Poets, St. Olaf Women's Events, Faculty Lounge, St. Olaf College, Northfield, Minn., Apr. 25, 1995.

- Group reading, Northfield Women Poets, Courtyard Series, Rochester, Minn., June 16, 1994.

- The Personal Journey of Journaling, First Tuesday Series, Women's Resource Center, Owatonna, Minn., Apr. 5, 1994.

- Group reading, Northfield Women Poets, St. Olaf Women's Month, Steensland Gallery, Mar. 9, 1994.

- Group reading, Northfield Women Poets, St. Olaf Women's Month, Steensland Gallery, Mar. 24, 1993.

- Writing workshop - From Journaling to the Next Dimension, Northfield Arts Guild, Northfield, MN, Jan. 16, 1993.

- Poetry reading for Small Press Conference, Goodbye Blue Mondays Coffeehouse, Northfield, MN, Oct. 23, 1992.

- Artist in Residence - Quadna Resort, Hill City, MN, Aug. 17-21, 1992.

- Group reading, Northfield Women Poets, St. Olaf College, April 1, 1992.

- Journal presentation - Adult Forum, Cross of Glory Lutheran, Brooklyn Center, MN, March 22, 1992.

- Winter Writers Conference - Northfield Arts Guild, Jan. 6, 1992.

- Group reading, Ophelia's Pale Lilies and Northfield Women Poets, Coffee Gallery, Minneapolis, MN, Jan. 5, 1992.

- Group reading, Northfield Women Poets sponsored by Take Back the Night, Northfield Arts Guild, Northfield, MN, Nov. 8, 1991.

- Publication reading with writers from Sidewalks, Coffee Gallery, 715 W. Franklin, Minneapolis, Oct. 13, 1991.

- Individual poetry reading sponsored by Automne Bleu, A Covenant for the Arts, May 21, 1991, University of Minnesota.

- Group reading, Northfield Women Poets, April 11, 1991, Loring Bar and Bohemian Cafe, Minneapolis.

- Individual poetry reading, The Lyric Muse Conference, sponsored by the Melodious Accord, March 10, 1991, Central Presbyterian Church, N.Y.C.

- Group poetry reading, Northfield Women Poets, sponsored by St. Olaf College Women's Week, Steensland Gallery, March 8, 1990, Northfield, MN.

- Presented paper Voices for the Unattended: Patricia Hampl, Carol Bly, and Meridel Le Sueur - A Response to the Works and the Writers, Graduate Liberal Studies Program Colloquium, Nov. 19, 1988.

AWARDS/HONORS

- 2019 University of Minnesota Communicators Forum (UMCF), Maroon Award for Campaign or Series (Promotional), First Kiss® Apple Launch.

- 2019 Association for Communication Excellence Gold Award, Best Media Relations Campaign, First Kiss® Apple Launch.

- 2019 UMCF Maroon Award for Writing (Short Feature), “Through scholarship Haasnoot’s family supports sharing knowledge,” published October 2018.

- Poem Cerddi Mewn Triawd, set to music and premiered at the North American Festival of Wales 2019 by the Cor Cymry Goggledd America.

- 2017 Poetry Winner, San Miguel Writers' Conference & Literary Festival, "Rapunzel Takes a Stand."

- Finalist, Cambria Eistefood, MN, June 24, 2012.

- Juried Show: Exposure Photography/Written Work Exhibit, “Villanelle for Big Mac,” Pump House Art Center, LaCrosse, Wisconsin, October-November 2011.

- Collaboration VII: Poets and Artists, Crossings at Zumbrota, MN, April 18, 2008.

- Finalist, Cambria Eistefodd, MN, June 24, 2007.

- Collaboration VI: Poets and Artists, Crossings at Zumbrota, MN, April 13, 2007.

- 2007 North American Association of Summer Sessions Creative and Innovative Program Award for Overall Most Outstanding Program for a Large School for Curiosity Camp, UMN College of Continuing Education, 2007

- Hats Off Award for Great Conversations on the Road Program, University of Minnesota Alumni Association, autumn 2004.

- Collaboration III: Poets and Artists, Crossings at Zumbrota, MN, April 17, 2004. - Collaboration II: Poets and Artists, Crossings at Carnegie, Zumbrota, MN, April 12, 2003 - Nominee for Pushcart Prize in Poetry, 1993.

- Winner of the Hart Crane Poetry Award, Kent State University, spring 1992. - Poetry winner, The Lake Superior Writers Series Regional Writers Competition, sponsored by The Depot United Campaign, St. Louis County Heritage and Art Center, Duluth, MN, spring 1991.

- Fiction finalist, The Loft Children's Literature Contest, spring 1991.

- High Pass for master's degree thesis Voices for the Unattended: Patricia Hampl, Carol Bly, and Meridel Le Sueur - A Response to the Works and the Writers, Hamline University, St. Paul.

- Cum laude graduate, Mankato State University, Mankato, MN, 1980.

- Inducted into Sigma Delta Chi, Society of Professional Journalists, 1977.

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