Copy Editor, Proofreader

Michael Mendonsa

Seattle, WA ***** 206-***-****

*****************@*****.*** www.linkedin.com/in/michaelmendonsa

Copy Editor, Proofreader

Writing Expert Enhancing Content Quality Through Meticulous Editing & Proofreading

Precise and detail-oriented senior-level professional with expertise in all facets of producing dynamic, persuasive written communication. Highly proficient collaborator within creative, marketing, and advertising environments, adept at providing insightful editorial feedback and achieving impactful content that consistently reflects care and helps the company articulate, strengthen, and market its brand. Organized self-starter skilled at verbal communication, research, and proactively addressing project needs, including working independently and remotely, and managing tight and shifting deadlines.

Core Competencies

Basic & Advanced Grammar Rules

Punctuation & Spelling

Word Usage (Diction & Syntax)

Writing Structure

Error Correction & Revising

Fact Checking & Accuracy

Style Guide Compliance

AI Research Tools

Professional Experience

STARBUCKS COFFEE COMPANY (Starbucks Support Center), Seattle, WA

Copy Editor Manager, Proofreader, Copywriter 2006 – 2025

Collaborated to shape creative vision and goals for marketing, promotions, and advertising as member of writing/editorial team and brand ambassador inside Starbucks Global Creative Studio.

Proofread, edited and finessed all Creative Studio marketing and promotional collateral, ensuring stylistic and technical correctness, clarity, accuracy, and brand “voice” consistency across average of 50 or more projects weekly.

Safeguarded and strengthened company’s brand identity (trademarks, precise product names, accepted vernacular, etc.) on all coffee and food packaging, ensuring compliance with in-house style and parameters dictated by Starbucks Regulatory teams and Law and Corporate Affairs (Legal).

Served as chief copy editor for Starbucks Entertainment (2006–2010), editing and proofing compilation-CD booklets and liner notes for 200+ titles sold in Starbucks stores worldwide.

Acted as principal writer on Global Coffee team special assignment (2018 – 2019), creating five volumes of Starbucks Coffee Academy training materials used in online courses reaching 100K+ employees worldwide.

Wrote and edited award-winning coffee packaging for Starbucks Reserve®, high-end sub-brand of rare, small-lot coffees available in Roasteries and specialty stores globally.

Managed Creative Studio’s in-house style guides, implementing changes in direct coordination with Starbucks Intellectual Property group within the legal team and companywide Starbucks Glossary.

Managed quality and uniformity of translation tasks by third-party vendors to maintain content consistency across multiple languages (French, Spanish, and others) on international coffee packaging and various other Creative Studio projects. Facilitated efficiency and consistency by organizing in-house translation database.

Additional Experience

DDB SEATTLE, Advertising and Public-Relations Agency, Seattle, WA

Copy Editor, Proofreader, Copywriter

Served as copy editor and proofreader, regulating consistency of style and voice in advertising pieces and marketing collateral for such clients as Holland America Line, Amtrak, and McDonald’s. Conceived and wrote brochures for Amtrak, the Washington Department of Transportation, and others.

ING NORTHERN ANNUITY (Northern Life Insurance Company), Seattle, WA

Copywriter

Wrote, edited, and proofread marketing collateral and technical writing pertaining to tax-sheltered annuities and financial products—training and assisting agents in the field and informing consumers. Managed two educational newsletters as editor-in-chief and principal writer, reaching a national field force of 7K+ agents.

Education

Master of Fine Arts (MFA), The Writers’ Workshop, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA

Master of Arts (MA), The Writing Seminars, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD

Bachelor of Arts (BA), Theatre Arts (English Minor), California State University, Fresno, CA

Teaching Experience

Writing Tutor, Academic Advising – Loyola College, Baltimore, MD; Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD

Writing Skills Instructor – The Center for Talented Youth, Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, MD

Graduate Teaching Assistant, Department of English – University of Iowa, Iowa, IA

Graduate Teaching Fellow and Adjunct Faculty Instructor, Writing Seminars – Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, MD

Adjunct Faculty Instructor, Remedial Writing and Freshman Composition – Fresno City College, Fresno, CA

Publications

A Published Poet with Work Appearing in National Journals, including The Paris Review, Indiana Review, Antioch Review, Carolina Quarterly, and Gertrude

Technical Skills

Microsoft Office Suite: Word, Excel, SharePoint, PowerPoint; Adobe Creative Suite; Adobe Workfront; Google G Suite; The Chicago Manual of Style (CMOS); The Associated Press (AP) Stylebook

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