Life's twists and turns have taken me to many places in Latin America and the Caribbean, beginning with my childhood in Venezuela. After getting a master's degree in journalism, I spent 15 years working for wire services and newspapers, including stints in Caracas and Mexico City. At the Organization of American States (OAS), where I worked for a decade, I became even more steeped in issues from around the Americas. Now I’m based in New Mexico, where I work as a freelance writer and independent consultant. I’m also a Spanish-to-English translator and state-certified interpreter.

EDUCATION

  • Master of Science in Journalism, Columbia University, New York, 1980

  • Bachelor of Arts, summa cum laude, Wheaton College, Wheaton, Illinois, 1979

EXPERIENCE

  • Freelance Writer & Independent Consultant (2007-Present). Contribute feature stories to the New York Times for special sections on jewelry, craftsmanship, and watches (sample titles: “The Bluest Stone,” “The Tale of a Clock and the Family That Cares for It,” “From the Sea and Desert to Silver Creations”). Write in-depth articles on energy and climate for a monthly newsletter published by the Organization of American States (sample titles: “Emissions on an Industrial Scale,” “U.S. Bets on Clean Hydrogen,” “Too Hot to Handle”). Other projects have included writing case studies and editing reports on issues related to Latin America and the Caribbean for the OAS, the World Bank, and the Inter-American Development Bank Group (IDB, IDB Invest, IDB Lab), as well as translating documents for the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights.

  • Organization of American States (1997-2007), senior public information specialist, Department of Press and Communications. Coordinated daily coverage of OAS events and provided media support for numerous events around the Americas, including presidential summits, ministerial meetings, conferences, and electoral observation missions.

  • Sun Healthcare Group, Inc. (1995-97), director of editorial services. Wrote, edited, and managed creative production of award-winning annual report, marketing brochures, and employee newsletters for publicly traded company in New Mexico.

  • Albuquerque Journal (1987-95), reporter. On features desk of New Mexico’s largest newspaper, covered social trends and wrote profiles, travel pieces, and other stories. Won New Mexico Associated Press Managing Editors Award, Features, Best in Show, 1991. Earlier, worked for the paper’s business section, covering such beats as oil and gas, energy, and the maquiladora industry in Mexico.

  • Business Latin America (1985-86), assistant editor, Mexico City. Wrote about the national economy, business, and politics for New York-based analytical newsletter.

  • The Associated Press (1984-85), reporter, Mexico City. Covered daily news and wrote features for leading international wire service. Also translated and edited copy from Central America.

  • The New York Times (1982-84), stringer, Boston bureau. Wrote regularly for the national section and contributed stories on travel, education, and business. Assisted correspondents in reporting on Boston news.

  • The Associated Press (1980-82), correspondent, Caracas. Covered daily stories, including breaking news about the oil industry, and wrote features on Venezuela for U.S. and worldwide audiences.