Work History

With all the nitty gritty details

Career Summary

As a person with a heart for the world’s cultures, I’ve always looked for positions where I can increase my skill set by learning new things, meeting new people, and growing my passions.

Communicating solutions to problems is a challenge I hope to overcome every time. Honesty, pro-activeness, a positive attitude, and intellectual curiosity describe my enthusiasm for both culture and technology.

Leadership, marketing, customer service, public speaking, coaching, and team-building; oral and written cross-cultural communication; have studied English, Spanish, and Mandarin Chinese; have traveled extensively around the world; advanced computer user with wide knowledge of hardware and expert user of Microsoft, Apple, and Adobe software; freelance web design in PHP & CSS using content management systems such as Wordpess and Drupal; have lived in China for over 10 years.

Career Experience

Current Position - Since 2007

Freelance WordPress Developer

Develop complete web presences, including graphic design and unique page styling with excellence. This work has taken me all around the world, using my skills at universities, churches, small businesses, consultancies, refugee programs, NGOs, as well as corporations.

WordPress and Photoshop have been my trusty sidekicks throughout. I know how to craft fluid user experiences online.

July 2016 - Covid-19

Owner & Lead Trainer

Culturalbility, LLC - Minneapolis, MN
中国天津市东丽区 - 文化力

Founded a cross-cultural adjustment & orientation technology training brand helping clients acquire knowledge above and beyond just basic language, including: country-specific culture, business culture, software, leadership, career goals, and coaching.

You know how people go overseas and they have no idea what they're doing? That's what we help with.

From one-on-one online trainings to in-person group trainings at various corporations and training centers, including 3M, PayPal, Volkswagen, Caterpillar, BorgWarner, Taylor Corporation, Microsoft, Wago, Komatsu, and the Model G20 Conference, we will strive to guide you in the best direction possible and provide you with the most resourceful training that you need.

March 2012 - July 2016

Sport Culture Program Director

University of Minnesota
Tianjin University of Sport

Started from the ground up and helped make this cross-cultural sports exchange center into a huge success:

Center Administration: Took care of the day-to-day processes of running the office, such as financial reports and budgeting, grant writing and quarterly reviews, partnering with local sponsorships, and website and social media upkeep on Sina Weibo and WeChat.

Program Coordinator: Created and implemented over 20 successful events for Chinese and foreigners to take part in and exchange together, including: Line Dancing & Square Dancing Courses, Sports Film Festivals, Fitness Workshops, Game Nights, Culture Corners, Ultimate Frisbee Tournaments, and American Football games.

Event Marketing: Developed all procedures and print materials for the aforementioned events and activities from initial design to distribution. Conducted surveys to regularly gain visitor feedback.

October 2009 - July 2012

English Teacher

Tianjin Polytechnic University
American China Exchange Society

Taught spoken English to undergraduate and graduate Chinese students in a classroom setting. Using various multimedia and hands-on learning experiences, the students came away from class with a better understanding of the English language, more confidence in speaking with foreigners, and a more creative approach to learning.

September 2007 - May 2009

Technical Support Specialist

Jewish Family & Children’s Service of Minneapolis

Helped in any way technical for this social service agency. Mostly Windows servers with both PCs and Macs.

Help Desk: Ran the call center for computer issues, tracked information, and responded in a timely manner. Set up new computers as necessary. Helped implement VOIP phone system.

Video: Recorded and produced all training sessions for the social workers; created promotional video for the Annual Benefit that raised over $50,000 for the agency.

Web: Helped with company website when needed, and played a part in creating an Intranet with integration to online social networking websites such as Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

Education

Bachelor of Arts - Intercultural Studies

University of Northwestern St. Paul, MN

Study Abroad - Wuhan, China

South Central University for Nationalities
中南民族大学

Charitable Work

Volunteer Web Designer

Help charities and registered non-profit organizations with their websites and digital marketing initiatives.

Volunteer Refugee Helper

Assisted Somali refugees on their arrival to the USA with English classes, career planning, software training, driver’s licenses, and citizenship exams.

Volunteer Team Leader / Project Director

Led teams of North American teenagers to Panama, Costa Rica, Amsterdam, Africa, Thailand, Australia, New Zealand, New York City, Mexico, and Italy, conducting charitable and educational initiatives; oversaw all daily tasks of the projects as well as individual coaching and mentoring of the teens.