Kathy Sheehan

Current

• Managing Editor, SPIE Professional at SPIE
• News, PR and Web Content Manager (Self-employed)

Past

• Managing Editor at PRWeb, a Vocus Company
• Publications Editor and Journalism Instructor at Western Washington University
• Senior Reporter at The Bellingham Herald

• Beat Reporter (Labor, Neighborhoods, general news) at Philadelphia Daily News
• News, business, casino and features reporter at Philadelphia Evening Bulletin
• Features Editor, Copy Editor, Reporter, Business Writer, Features Writer at The Press of Atlantic City

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3 more...

Education

• University of Washington
• Boston University
• Oregon State University

1 more...

Connections

120 connections

Industry

Public Relations and Communications

Kathy Sheehan’s Summary

Seasoned and successful communications professional, managing resources, people and multi-media content for print and Web. Extensive experience in journalism, PR, SEO, digital photography and Web writing and editing. Currently managing editor of SPIE Professional magazine and member-only online content for international organization of optics and photonics professionals.

Kathy Sheehan’s Specialties:

Kathy Sheehan has experience managing resources and people. She is a proven expert in content management; editing; news writing; journalism; search engine optimization (SEO); public relations (PR); blogging; staff development, scheduling, training and supervision; content production, publicity plans

Kathy Sheehan’s Experience

• Managing Editor, SPIE Professional

  SPIE

  (Non-Profit; 51-200 employees; Writing and Editing industry)

  October 2007 — Present (1 year 3 months)

  Managing editor of SPIE Professional, a print and online quarterly magazine for scientists, academics, students, industry professionals and other members of top international society advancing an interdisciplinary approach to optics and photonics, the science of light.

• News, PR and Web Content Manager

  Self-employed

  (Self-Employed; Online Media industry)

  September 1999 — Present (9 years 4 months)

  Experienced in print and SEO communications for news, blogs, PR and customer education. Quality project creation, management and training in multi-media environments for diverse audiences and formats.

• Managing Editor

  PRWeb, a Vocus Company

  (Public Company; 201-500 employees; VOCS; Public Relations and Communications industry)

  February 2005 — August 2007 (2 years 7 months)

  As PRWeb's first managing editor, developed professional staff and editorial policies and procedures. Supervised 16+ editors and support staff working 24/7 in two offices. Developed ongoing training program in online news writing, editing and distribution, SEO, public relations, customer service, media law, effective use of the social media, etc. In absence of a sales, marketing or customer service staff at Ferndale headquarters, stepped in to develop ad hoc CRM system, FAQs and talking points for new features and products. Periodically reviewed promotional and “help” copy on internal and external Web sites to provide regular updates and corrections.
  
  Established and maintained a college internship program with journalism department of Western Washington University, led the company to support two annual scholarships at WWU and had a hand in developing and writing press releases that PRWeb released about its own activities.

• Publications Editor and Journalism Instructor

  Western Washington University

  (Government Agency; 1001-5000 employees; Higher Education industry)

  April 1996 — February 2005 (8 years 11 months)

• Senior Reporter

  The Bellingham Herald

  (Public Company; Newspapers industry)

  1994 — 1996 (2 years)

  Senior reporter covering Bellingham city government for small Pacific Northwest daily. Won several journalism awards.

• Beat Reporter (Labor, Neighborhoods, general news)

  Philadelphia Daily News

  (Public Company; 1001-5000 employees; Newspapers industry)

  March 1982 — June 1994 (12 years 4 months)

• News, business, casino and features reporter

  Philadelphia Evening Bulletin

  (Privately Held; 1001-5000 employees; Newspapers industry)

  1977 — 1982 (5 years)

  also summer intern

• Features Editor, Copy Editor, Reporter, Business Writer, Features Writer

  The Press of Atlantic City

  (Privately Held; 51-200 employees; Newspapers industry)

  September 1977 — September 1980 (3 years 1 month)

Additional Information

Kathy Sheehan’s Honors:

CB Blethen Memorial Award for Distinguished Investigative Reporting; Philadelphia Press Association Award for Spot News; SPJ Excellence in Journalism Award for Government Reporting; Best of Gannett Freedom of Information Award; "Academy Award" from the Teaching-Learning Academy at Western Washington University

Kathy Sheehan’s Contact Settings

Interested In:

• career opportunities
• consulting offers
• new ventures
• job inquiries
• expertise requests
• reference requests
• getting back in touch