Nancy Nusser

**** ****** *****, ******, *****

+1-410-***-****

adv61g@r.postjobfree.com; adv61g@r.postjobfree.com

Twitter: @Nancy_Nusser

Accomplished English-language writer, editor, and storyteller with recent experience working for both the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the World Health Organization (WHO). Also spent more than 20 years working for U.S. news media, including as a Latin America correspondent for Cox Newspapers and The Washington Post. Former journalism professor with a PhD in Communications. Fluent in Spanish.

EXPERIENCE

Communications consultant, Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) Washington, D.C., 2022-2023.

Produced donor reports that demonstrated PAHO’s success in implementing a $75 million US Government funding program to mitigate and contain the COVID-19 pandemic. Researched, wrote, and illustrated an annual report, three quarterly reports, and numerous donor visibility stories used to update and engage the US State Department on all aspects of PAHO’s 2022 COVID-19 response, including immunization, clinical management, genomic surveillance, procurement of vaccine supplies and other vital medical products, and development of regional capacity to manufacture vaccines. Collaborated closely with technical teams to research, write, and verify all content for the reports, which ranged from about 30 to 60 pages.

Copywriter/editor, World Health Organization (WHO), Yemen, December 2021 -March 2022

Worked as a consultant for WHO’s Yemen office, researching, writing, and editing press releases, key messages, and talking points. Wrote and produced photo stories and video scripts for government, nonprofit, and private donors on lifesaving WHO programs in Yemen such as feeding stations for severely malnourished children and rural drives to vaccinate against polio. Also responsible for gathering technical information and writing Yemen’s 2021 Annual Country Report.

Communications consultant, PAHO, Washington, D.C., 2020-2021

As a consultant for PAHO’s public affairs team, wrote and edited press releases, remarks, video scripts, and talking points on the Organization’s technical and financial assistance to Member States throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. Covered numerous public health issues, including communicable and noncommunicable diseases, mental health, and health emergencies such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Also coordinated PAHO’s 2021 Annual Report, collaborating closely with technical teams to collect, edit, and fact-check content for the 149-page document. In addition, provided writing and storytelling training to English-speaking communicators working in PAHO Member States.

Communications Director, Texas RioGrande Legal Aid (TRLA), Austin, Texas 2016-2020

Created and implemented media relations and social media programs for a 400-person nonprofit law firm known as TRLA. Pitched story ideas that resulted in coverage in The New York Times, ProPublica, and Politico. Collaborated closely with attorneys to write and publish press releases on complex state and federal court cases in 40 legal areas. Regularly posted TRLA content on Facebook, increasing the organization’s following by about 90 percent in four years. Regularly posted on Twitter, increasing TRLA’s following by about 30 percent. Using the Squarespace platform, completely renovated TRLA’s website and rewrote all content.

Managing Editor, Texas Observer, Austin, Texas 2015-2016

Conceptualized, assigned, and edited news stories, investigative articles, and narrative features for a prominent, award-winning Texas political and culture magazine. Managed editorial staff and collaborated closely with the art director and photographers to design, illustrate, and produce online and print versions of the monthly magazine.

Editor-in-Chief, Chesterfield Observer, Chesterfield, Virginia 2011-2013

Led a team of staff and freelance writers to produce a hyperlocal weekly newspaper and monthly magazine. Conceptualized, assigned, and edited news stories, narrative features, and investigative articles. Collaborated closely with the art director to design and illustrate online and print versions of both publications as well as special sections that targeted specific audiences. Managed a $500,000 annual budget.

Managing Editor, Richmond Magazine, Richmond, Virginia, 2010-2011

Conceptualized, assigned, edited, and wrote award-winning news stories, narrative features, and investigative articles for Virginia’s largest news and culture magazine. Worked closely with editorial staff, the art director, and photographers to manage monthly production of print and online versions of the magazine. Also collaborated with designers and photographers to produce special sections aimed at specific audiences.

Assistant Professor, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, Virginia 2006-2010

Taught news and magazine writing, media ethics and law, and mass communications for the School of Media Arts & Design at one of Virginia’s leading public universities. Played an active role on committees to develop curriculum, hire professors, and award fellowships and scholarships. Oversaw creation of the School’s first student-led online news and features magazine. Also acted as academic advisor for about 20 students annually.

Editor-in-Chief, New Jersey Monthly, Morristown, New Jersey 1999-2003

Led a 12-person editorial and design staff to create New Jersey’s largest news and culture magazine. Conceptualized, assigned, and edited award-winning news stories, narrative features, and investigative articles on health, education, politics, and business. Worked closely with design staff to develop magazine covers as well as illustrations and layouts for featured articles. Managed a $1 million annual budget. Also directed creation of the first online version of the magazine.

Mexico City Bureau Chief, Cox News Service, Mexico City 1989-1997

Covered Mexico and Central and South America for a chain of 30 newspapers in the United States. Covered a broad range of issues including armed conflict, domestic politics, foreign policy, free trade, health care, business and economics, and environmental issues. Traveled extensively throughout Mexico and Central and South America to cover regional issues and events.

Nicaragua correspondent, The Washington Post, Managua, Nicaragua 1984-1989

Worked as a contract reporter for The Washington Post, covering the armed conflict between Nicaragua’s Sandinista government and U.S. backed guerrilla forces. Also covered politics, economics, and daily life throughout Nicaragua, and made reporting trips to Panama, Guatemala, and Honduras.

EDUCATION

Ph.D. in Mass Communications, University of Georgia, Athens

MA in Journalism, Columbia Journalism School, New York City

BA in Anthropology, University of California, Berkeley

LANGUAGES and SKILLS

Native English, fluency in Spanish, intermediate speaking ability in German

Microsoft Office, Squarespace, WordPress, MailChimp

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