Resume
Platform Developer and Digital Design Strategist
7305 West Clinton Ave #2
Cleveland, OH 44102
(216) 246-2447
betseymerkel@gmail.com
SUMMARY
Passionate designer and innovative strategist. Experienced consultant to businesses who want to amplify purpose, reposition value for social markets, and accelerate enterprise.
Skills: project manager, team collaborator and talent coordinator, technology architectures, social brand identity, data management and publishing, e-commerce and Store construction, interviewer and story archivist, recruiter, creative digital media production, content marketing, SEO, metrics & analytics, program development and media relations, coach, mentor and trainer.
EXPERIENCE
Western Cuyahoga Audubon, Cleveland, OH — Platform Architect and Digital Strategist
JULY 2015 - NOVEMBER 2021
Orchestrated technology upgrade and digitization of organization materials, creation of cloud based workspace, led the design of a new social brand identity, copywriting, integrated e-commerce tools and created a portfolio of information products to populate an online Store, produce popular multimedia content, built expansive media libraries, initiated publishing, protocols and launch of a content marketing schedule to grow public awareness and citizen science research contributions, and coaches, mentors & trains technology adoption and best practices.
Western Cuyahoga Audubon is a chapter of the National Audubon Society based in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, USA that connects and educates the public about bird species and habitat conservation.
BRUCE BUCHANAN DESIGN, LLC Cleveland, OH — Web and Marketing
APRIL 2017 - DECEMBER 2020
Collaborated with design and brand talent to construct an online system of web, collaborative technologies, content marketing, and e-commerce tools to support the growth of creative business Bruce Buchanan Design, LLC, "a small Cleveland company making stained glass and decorative objects of the highest quality for people who appreciate enduring craftsmanship and real materials." Coaching, mentoring, and training services are provided to support owner self-sufficiency.
Council of Ohio Audubon Chapters (COAC) Ohio USA — Digital Strategist and Network Coordinator
NOVEMBER 2017 - JUNE 2019
The Council of Ohio Audubon Chapters Network, or "COAC Network", is an initiative of the Council of Ohio Audubon Chapters to grow conservation education activity in the State of Ohio. The COAC Network acts entrepreneurially, communicates, seeks collaboration, and in alignment with National Audubon Society strategic investments, builds public-private partnerships to sustain, restore and protect birds and habitat in Ohio. The Network seeks to leverage funding, build environmental conservation capacity, and focus partners and resources toward key ecological issues. Western Cuyahoga Audubon (WCAS) is hosting COAC web and network communications until COAC tools are operational. As one of the first steps toward developing the COAC Network, we have organized a schedule of conference calls and workshops to grow connectivity amongst existing and new Ohio Audubon Chapters. Activities are open to Audubon Chapter representatives, members, and interested participants.
‘LAKE ERIE LEGENDS’, Cleveland, OH — Director and Producer
MARCH 2017 - APRIL 2017
‘LAKE ERIE LEGENDS’, is a 12-part mini-series that offers a bird’s-eye view into the lives of citizen scientists, ecologists, artists, and municipal and government officials dedicated to Lake Erie environmental conservation. ‘LAKE ERIE LEGENDS’ is about how Lake Erie has been altered by humans and similar to the water spirits that took care of the water folk in ‘TALE OF A LAKE’, this story collection explores how those living along Lake Erie are the water stewards and care takers of the Lake. Native American Indian legends, traditional music, and photography of Lake Erie’s iconic shoreline, waterways, landscapes and animals combine to complete the story of today’s Great Lake Erie.
Blight Survey 2016 v1.4, Cleveland, OH — Design Strategist
NOVEMBER 2016
The Blight Survey is a Near West Cleveland neighborhood social utility commissioned by the late Honorable Judge Raymond Pianka. Blight is defined by incidents of unsightliness and public hazard that may be detrimental to the health and wellbeing of near-west Cleveland, Ohio residents. This online mapping tool increases transparency and facilitates resident and visitor blight reporting. Project phases two and three launch a collaborative, social process to scale public, government and utility solutions to urban blight.
The Institute for Open Economic Networks (I-Open), Cleveland, OH — Co-Founder, Director and Platform Architect
JUNE 2005 - MARCH 2017
Design and development of www.i-open.org, an online educational resource platform that connects and serves a global social entrepreneur network.
Architect of digital strategy and content syntax, copywriting, installation of SEO, metrics and analytic tools, construction of metadata libraries, brand identity integration, established publishing protocols and standards, produced “evergreen” and multimedia content, design of information products, e-commerce and construction of an online store, media relations and online community development. Producer of civic entrepreneur multimedia story libraries.
Betsey served as Co-Founder and a Director of The Institute for Open Economic Networks (I-Open), a 501(c)(3) economic development organization established to develop and deploy new practices and tools in Open Source Economic Development.
COINS-Collaborative Innovation Networks Conference, Savannah, GA -- Global Media Strategist and Online Community Manager
MAY 2010 - OCTOBER 2010
Betsey was unanimously cited by colleagues for performance excellence across multiple roles positioned to influence and grow global research-industry social networks. During this five month project Betsey represented the Institute for Open Economic Networks, a conference co-sponsor, and served as a member of the Organizing Committee for the 2nd International Conference on Collaborative Innovation Networks COINs 2010 hosted by the Savannah College of Art & Design (SCAD) in collaboration with Massachusetts Institute for Technology’s (MIT) Center for Collective Intelligence, Wayne State University College of Engineering - Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, and Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD). She authored/presented the peer-reviewed paper, “COINS: An economic development tool for education, economic and workforce development in Open Source Economic Development” and served as conference digital architect and social media strategist.
The Center for Regional Economic Issues (REI) at Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH — Marketing and Network Strategy
MAY 2002 - JUNE 2005
Successfully established innovation and entrepreneurial networks across academia, business, civic and government leadership with University constituents and off-campus organizations as a Center team member at the Weatherhead School of Management, Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) in Cleveland, Ohio.
During this time, Betsey also created a civic forum process that engaged 3,000 social entrepreneurs over 17 months (pre social media) accelerating collaborative enterprise for regional economic development.
Especially notable was her marketing and public engagement efforts for National Deliberation Day, an initiative of MacNeil/Lehrer Productions, the Public Broadcasting System (PBS), and By the People: America and the World for the 2004 U.S. Vice Presidential Debate hosted in partnership with 90.3 WCPN ideastream and CWRU. Betsey’s creativity and follow through had a direct impact on the event’s distinction of engaging a 5.74 times greater attendance than any other seventeen national convening sites, which led to the producer attending the full-day event and featured national television documentary coverage.
EDUCATION
Cleveland Institute of Music, Cleveland, OH — Bachelor of Music; Master of Music in Harp Performance
SEPT 1977 - MAY 1983
TECHNOLOGY SKILLS
RECOMMENDATIONS
7305 West Clinton Ave #2
Cleveland, OH 44102
(216) 246-2447
betseymerkel@gmail.com
SUMMARY
Passionate designer and innovative strategist. Experienced consultant to businesses who want to amplify purpose, reposition value for social markets, and accelerate enterprise.
Skills: project manager, team collaborator and talent coordinator, technology architectures, social brand identity, data management and publishing, e-commerce and Store construction, interviewer and story archivist, recruiter, creative digital media production, content marketing, SEO, metrics & analytics, program development and media relations, coach, mentor and trainer.
EXPERIENCE
Western Cuyahoga Audubon, Cleveland, OH — Platform Architect and Digital Strategist
JULY 2015 - NOVEMBER 2021
Orchestrated technology upgrade and digitization of organization materials, creation of cloud based workspace, led the design of a new social brand identity, copywriting, integrated e-commerce tools and created a portfolio of information products to populate an online Store, produce popular multimedia content, built expansive media libraries, initiated publishing, protocols and launch of a content marketing schedule to grow public awareness and citizen science research contributions, and coaches, mentors & trains technology adoption and best practices.
Western Cuyahoga Audubon is a chapter of the National Audubon Society based in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, USA that connects and educates the public about bird species and habitat conservation.
- Read More: http://www.wcaudubon.org
BRUCE BUCHANAN DESIGN, LLC Cleveland, OH — Web and Marketing
APRIL 2017 - DECEMBER 2020
Collaborated with design and brand talent to construct an online system of web, collaborative technologies, content marketing, and e-commerce tools to support the growth of creative business Bruce Buchanan Design, LLC, "a small Cleveland company making stained glass and decorative objects of the highest quality for people who appreciate enduring craftsmanship and real materials." Coaching, mentoring, and training services are provided to support owner self-sufficiency.
- View Bruce Buchanan Design, LLC at: www.brucebuchanandesign.com
- View the Journal at: https://www.brucebuchanandesign.com/journal
- View a Store item at: https://www.brucebuchanandesign.com/store/p1/Bar_Code_Blocks_.html
Council of Ohio Audubon Chapters (COAC) Ohio USA — Digital Strategist and Network Coordinator
NOVEMBER 2017 - JUNE 2019
The Council of Ohio Audubon Chapters Network, or "COAC Network", is an initiative of the Council of Ohio Audubon Chapters to grow conservation education activity in the State of Ohio. The COAC Network acts entrepreneurially, communicates, seeks collaboration, and in alignment with National Audubon Society strategic investments, builds public-private partnerships to sustain, restore and protect birds and habitat in Ohio. The Network seeks to leverage funding, build environmental conservation capacity, and focus partners and resources toward key ecological issues. Western Cuyahoga Audubon (WCAS) is hosting COAC web and network communications until COAC tools are operational. As one of the first steps toward developing the COAC Network, we have organized a schedule of conference calls and workshops to grow connectivity amongst existing and new Ohio Audubon Chapters. Activities are open to Audubon Chapter representatives, members, and interested participants.
- Articles
- Minutes of Council of Ohio Audubon Chapters (COAC) Meeting of Sunday, March 4, 2018
- Council of Ohio Audubon Chapters (COAC) Bird Walk Sunday, March 4, 2018 at Novak Audubon Sanctuary Report
- Council of Ohio Audubon Chapters (COAC) Workshop, Sunday, March 4, 2018 Schedule and Registration
- Council of Ohio Audubon Chapters (COAC) Conference Calls and Workshop Details for Jan-Mar 2018
- Revitalizing the Council of Ohio Audubon Chapters (COAC) to Create Bird-Friendly Communities
- Making a Better Future for Audubon Chapters in Ohio by Mary Anne Romito
‘LAKE ERIE LEGENDS’, Cleveland, OH — Director and Producer
MARCH 2017 - APRIL 2017
‘LAKE ERIE LEGENDS’, is a 12-part mini-series that offers a bird’s-eye view into the lives of citizen scientists, ecologists, artists, and municipal and government officials dedicated to Lake Erie environmental conservation. ‘LAKE ERIE LEGENDS’ is about how Lake Erie has been altered by humans and similar to the water spirits that took care of the water folk in ‘TALE OF A LAKE’, this story collection explores how those living along Lake Erie are the water stewards and care takers of the Lake. Native American Indian legends, traditional music, and photography of Lake Erie’s iconic shoreline, waterways, landscapes and animals combine to complete the story of today’s Great Lake Erie.
- View 'WATER SPIRITS' - The Magic and Science of Freshwater Lakes at: https://www.wcaudubon.org/waterspiritscampaign.html
- View ‘LAKE ERIE LEGENDS’ by creating a new account at: https://www.wcaudubon.org/lakeerielegends.html
Blight Survey 2016 v1.4, Cleveland, OH — Design Strategist
NOVEMBER 2016
The Blight Survey is a Near West Cleveland neighborhood social utility commissioned by the late Honorable Judge Raymond Pianka. Blight is defined by incidents of unsightliness and public hazard that may be detrimental to the health and wellbeing of near-west Cleveland, Ohio residents. This online mapping tool increases transparency and facilitates resident and visitor blight reporting. Project phases two and three launch a collaborative, social process to scale public, government and utility solutions to urban blight.
- View the BETA Blight Survey Guide 2016 v1.4
- Explore the Near West Cleveland OH Blight Survey 2016 Map
The Institute for Open Economic Networks (I-Open), Cleveland, OH — Co-Founder, Director and Platform Architect
JUNE 2005 - MARCH 2017
Design and development of www.i-open.org, an online educational resource platform that connects and serves a global social entrepreneur network.
Architect of digital strategy and content syntax, copywriting, installation of SEO, metrics and analytic tools, construction of metadata libraries, brand identity integration, established publishing protocols and standards, produced “evergreen” and multimedia content, design of information products, e-commerce and construction of an online store, media relations and online community development. Producer of civic entrepreneur multimedia story libraries.
Betsey served as Co-Founder and a Director of The Institute for Open Economic Networks (I-Open), a 501(c)(3) economic development organization established to develop and deploy new practices and tools in Open Source Economic Development.
COINS-Collaborative Innovation Networks Conference, Savannah, GA -- Global Media Strategist and Online Community Manager
MAY 2010 - OCTOBER 2010
Betsey was unanimously cited by colleagues for performance excellence across multiple roles positioned to influence and grow global research-industry social networks. During this five month project Betsey represented the Institute for Open Economic Networks, a conference co-sponsor, and served as a member of the Organizing Committee for the 2nd International Conference on Collaborative Innovation Networks COINs 2010 hosted by the Savannah College of Art & Design (SCAD) in collaboration with Massachusetts Institute for Technology’s (MIT) Center for Collective Intelligence, Wayne State University College of Engineering - Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, and Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD). She authored/presented the peer-reviewed paper, “COINS: An economic development tool for education, economic and workforce development in Open Source Economic Development” and served as conference digital architect and social media strategist.
- Read More: COINs-Collaborative Innovation Networks 2010 Conference Steering Committee Recommendation
- Read More: “COINS: An economic development tool for education, economic and workforce development in Open Source Economic Development” at ScienceDirect/Elsevier
The Center for Regional Economic Issues (REI) at Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH — Marketing and Network Strategy
MAY 2002 - JUNE 2005
Successfully established innovation and entrepreneurial networks across academia, business, civic and government leadership with University constituents and off-campus organizations as a Center team member at the Weatherhead School of Management, Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) in Cleveland, Ohio.
During this time, Betsey also created a civic forum process that engaged 3,000 social entrepreneurs over 17 months (pre social media) accelerating collaborative enterprise for regional economic development.
Especially notable was her marketing and public engagement efforts for National Deliberation Day, an initiative of MacNeil/Lehrer Productions, the Public Broadcasting System (PBS), and By the People: America and the World for the 2004 U.S. Vice Presidential Debate hosted in partnership with 90.3 WCPN ideastream and CWRU. Betsey’s creativity and follow through had a direct impact on the event’s distinction of engaging a 5.74 times greater attendance than any other seventeen national convening sites, which led to the producer attending the full-day event and featured national television documentary coverage.
- Read More: Cool Cleveland Commentary - “Deliberation Day: The Power of Civic Engagement” by Eric Lutzo
EDUCATION
Cleveland Institute of Music, Cleveland, OH — Bachelor of Music; Master of Music in Harp Performance
SEPT 1977 - MAY 1983
TECHNOLOGY SKILLS
- Social media platforms: Facebook, Twitter, Google+, LinkedIn, and more
- Presentation software: Microsoft Office programs, Omnigraffle; Google Apps, and more
- Google G Suite Apps; Social media library platforms such as SoundCloud, Picasa, Flickr, Vimeo, YouTube; Multimedia curation tools, iMovie, iSkysoft, iPhoto, and more
- Other: Weebly, Joomla, WordPress, MailChimp, SumoMe, AddThis, Paper.li, Hello Bar, and more
RECOMMENDATIONS
- Available upon request
Download: Digital Communications Specialist (PDF)
Betsey Merkel Phone: +1 216-246-2447 Email: betseymerkel@gmail.com
Location: Cleveland, Ohio U.S.A. Site design by Betsey Merkel.
Location: Cleveland, Ohio U.S.A. Site design by Betsey Merkel.
Work by Betsey Merkel is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License.
Based on a work at http://www.betseymerkel.com.
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