Photo courtesy of Stearns Images.
SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS
2020
Loyola University Chicago – Women’s Leadership Forum
Learn from regional and national leaders about what it takes to be a female in the workplace and the skills to navigate today’s environment in an all-day workshop.
Speakers include Tracie Morris the chief human resource officer of BMO Harris, Amy Augustine, director, business strategy at U.S. Cellular, Gabrielle Buckley, director at Gannon Center for Women and Leadership and Sarita Connelly, COO of Bunker Labs.
My speaker session will be on “How to Talk to Anyone About Anything.” April 24, 2020.
2019
Chicago Breast and Lymphedema Symposium at University of Chicago.
Invited to speak at annual event held at Ida Noyes Hall. '
Gave 40-minute presentation to physicians and therapists about primary lymphedema based on article published in Chicago Tribune.
October 18-19, 2019
Invited to speak at TedxUIC: Edge of Extinction at University of Illinois-Chicago. April 12, 2019.
Talk: “Why Context Matters.”
2017
"Careers in Writing." Indiana University. Bloomington, Indiana. November 2017.
Spoke on a panel with Carrie Schedler, then food editor of Chicago magazine and Tammy Letherer, author of The Buddha at My Table.
2016
"Balancing Act: How to Purse Passion Projects and Big Payouts." American Society of Journalists and Authors (ASJA) Annual Conference. The Roosevelt Hotel, New York. May 2016.
2013
"Getting the Gigs: Working with Content Clients." Content Connections Conference. American Society of Journalists and Authors. Chicago. November 2013.
2012
"Miss Representation" on-stage interview of Jennifer Siebel Newsom who wrote, directed and produced the American documentary film that premiered at Sundance Film Festival in 2011. The film explores how mainstream media contributes to the under-representation of women in influential positions by limiting access and often disparaging portrayals of women.
One-on-one "Oprah-style interview" conducted in front of a live audience at Glenbard West High School. Glen Ellyn, Illinois. May 2012.
2011
"How to Freelance in Chicago." WBEZ 91.5 Chicago Public Radio. Uncommon Ground. Chicago. November 2011.
2010
"Telling Stories in the News." Making Media Connections Conference. Community Media Workshop. Chicago. June 2010.
2009
"Using Social Media Networks." Chicago Social Media Club. Chicago. May 2009.
"How to Pitch Journalists" Community Media Workshop, Chicago. February 2009.
2008
"Freelancing: Liability, Performance and Pay." Chicago Women in Publishing. Chicago. February 2008.
2007
"How to Freelance in Chicago." Chicago Headline Club. Chicago. October 2007.
2004
Organized and moderated three panels at Society of Professional Journalists National Convention in New York. May 2004.
"How to Break into Freelancing"
"The Business of Freelancing"
"Writing for National Outlets"
TEACHING
STORYSTUDIO
January 2019
Pitch Perfect with Dawn Reiss
In this workshop, you’ll:
1) define and discuss what makes a good story idea and how to generate story ideas to find unique angles from a topic;
2) how to tailor and target specific publications;
3) how to craft a query you can use to try and pitch a story idea that you want to see published.
Ideally, come to class with three potential story ideas you’d like to see published and media outlets you’d like to target. We’ll discuss the editorial process of how stories are selected, how to find and connect with editors, and discover through discussing story ideas how you can hone in your pitch. We’ll end the workshop by pitching at least one idea that hopefully shows, why this story should be professionally published.
Register for the class here.
AMERICAN SOCIETY OF JOURNALISTS AND AUTHORS
April 2016
Taught month-long class Special Interest Group (SIG) for American Society of Journalists and Authors.
Course description:
This class was for all levels of writers—newcomers and experienced writers. Participants learned how to target an industry or trade publication, discover new markets, trends and niches while developing a plan to increase their trade publication income in 2016.
ADJUNCT PROFESSOR: DEPAUL UNIVERSITY
J366. Launched inaugural magazine writing and reporting class for senior-level students.
Class included in-person visit from Time Out Chicago then editor in chief Amy Carr and SKYPE guest lecturers with Chris Anderson, WIRED's then editor in chief, as well as veteran freelance reporter Patrick Symmes.
Guest Lecturer: columbia College
Freelancing 101. How to get started, what to pitch, cultivates sources and tell stories."
Reporting & Writing II. Where to go, how to query, how to use technology-based reporting techniques, research and use social media sites."
How to Get a Job in Journalism. Job interviewing techniques and tips, mock interviews and resume critiques.
Feature Writing. The art of storytelling, narrative writing, how to background sources and build a report."
Introduction to Journalism. The basics about reporting, writing, editing and cultivating sources."
Guest LectuRer: Loyola University
Writing and Marketing News. Spoke to C266 class about how to break into freelance, how to pitch ideas, interview difficult subjects and market yourself using multimedia tools.
MENTORING
Created editorial internship program
Launched and managed editorial internship program at CSP Businesss Media/Winsight for Restaurant Business and FoodService Director magazines.
Held week-long training course to introduce interns to company culture, history and expectations, followed by weekly meetings and training sessions.
Interns helped to contribute to multiple cover stories for national monthly B2B magazines.
Overhauled in-house writing program
Supervised in-house writers and stable of freelancers while working as an editor at Imagination, a custom publishing house in Chicago.
Held weekly meetings to improve interaction and communication between editors and in-house writers.
Developed content guidelines including weekly AP style tests to improve quality and performance.
Cost-benefit analysis: $120,000 saved annually.