Professional Summary
Mission-driven writer and editor with over 15 years’ experience transforming complex ideas and evidence into compelling narratives that inspire action and advance equity for marginalized populations. Expertise in establishing and adhering to voice, tone, and style across communication pieces and messaging. Thrives independently and as part of a team.
Skills
- Quickly develops and applies subject matter expertise across a wide range of issues and funding priorities
- Proven ability to enhance narrative structure, clarity, and argumentation
- Coaches writers through thoughtful feedback that improves both the draft and the underlying thinking
- Chooses words for maximum impact
- Adept at managing project timelines, coordinating with multiple stakeholders, and meeting tight deadlines
- Collaborative spirit and excellent communication across functions and seniority
- Proactive, resourceful, and self-motivated
Experience
Editing and Writing
Editor and Writer, BUILD Initiative
Remote, 07/2009–Present
- Edit, write, and ghostwrite compelling content for blog posts, proposals, reports, presentations, resources, and website, email, and social media that advances equitable outcomes for diverse children and families.
- Provide constructive feedback to writers to enhance their conceptual clarity and ensure messages are conveyed with precision and conciseness.
- Elevate draft narratives by ensuring robust structure, syntax, grammar, organization, and argumentation.
- Collaborate effectively within and across internal teams and with external stakeholders, including state leaders.
Program Management
Program Manager, Manhattan Center for Early Intervention
New York, NY, 04/2006–02/2007
- Managed and marketed programs for children with autism.
- Recruited, hired, and oversaw supervision of service providers.
- Built collaborative working relationships with city officials, teachers, providers, families, and outside service organizations.
Associate Director, Institute for Urban Education, Barnard College
New York, NY, 04/1996–10/2002
- Oversaw daily operations of a grant-funded program preparing teachers to teach in urban public schools.
- Managed a $3 million grant budget and reported to funders.
- Oversaw data collection for program evaluation.
Teaching
Writing Teacher, Manhattan Center for Early Intervention
New York, NY, 04/2006–02/2007
- Delivered in-service writing instruction to foreign-born service providers preparing for the NYS teacher certification examination.
Director of English Program, Altos de Chavón
Dominican Republic, 08/1993–08/1994
- Designed and implemented a comprehensive curriculum for six levels of English language instruction, including advanced writing courses.
Adjunct Instructor, Writing, City University of New York
New York, NY, 06/1988–01/1990
- Taught expository writing to first-generation college students and adolescent male inmates in two New York City correctional facilities.
English Teacher, Junshin Women’s College
Nagasaki, Japan, 08/1987–08/1988
- Taught English as a Foreign Language.
Education
B.A., Spanish Literature
City University of New York, New York, NY
M.S., Education
City University of New York, New York, NY
Ruth Trombka 