Technical Writer and Editor

I excel in simplifying complex concepts and organizing information in a way that's easy to scan and understand. I believe in the power of plain language—writing should be straightforward and help readers quickly understand the essential information they need.

I developed a training about plain language to help the Utah Division of Finance adopt a new communication standard. My goal was to explain why clear communication matters and to build confidence in applying the standard. This sample includes 2 pieces: a brief video explaining the training and a supplemental checklist.

Software: Google Slides for the presentation, Canva for the checklist
Approach: For the slides, I used a minimal design paired with simple animations to keep viewers focused and engaged. I included simple exercises to encourage participation, enhance memory, and allow practical application of the covered concepts. For the checklist, I mirrored the design of the slides and reinforced the key concepts to encourage participants to apply what they learned.

• Received the highest feedback rating from all participants.
• Invited to present training to another division after positive results in my own division.

The Utah Division of Finance launched new travel and expense software. We anticipated the transition to this software would feel complicated to many users. To make the transition easier, we developed a series of how-to guides and other helpful reference documents. This sample shows the first 8 pages of a how-to guide and a quick reference document.

Software: Canva for design, WordPress to create webpages
Approach: I worked with a subject matter expert to develop step-by-step instructions. I included a table of contents and links throughout the guide to help users find the information they need quickly. I included screenshots to help users visually confirm they’re in the right place and to reduce confusion. The reference document helped users get familiar with common icons, building their confidence in navigating the software. I originally used Canva to create the documents as PDFs. When the division’s website was redesigned, I used WordPress to convert the documents into web pages.

• Received user feedback that highlighted the clear instructions, helpful images, and easy-to-navigate website.
• Enhanced ADA accessibility by converting the guides to ADA compliant webpages.

When I was hired at the Utah Division of Finance, the division didn’t have a writing style guide. Without a clear standard, communication was inconsistent and often confusing. This problem affected not only division employees, but also other departments the division worked with. To address this problem, I developed a writing style guide with clear standards for grammar, tone, and formatting. This sample shows the first 8 pages of the style guide.

Software: Google Docs, Canva
Approach: Because the federal government uses a plain language style of communication, I chose to align the division’s guide with federal guidelines. I used headings, subheadings, and bold text to make the guide easy to scan. To help readers understand quickly, I wrote in short, clear sentences.

• Received positive feedback from different departments that our communication and documentation had improved.
• Style guide was adopted department-wide for all 9 divisions.

My client was a massage therapist opening a new practice. He asked for an infographic to explain what clients can expect when getting a massage. One goal for his practice is to make massage feel friendly and accessible to people who are new to massage, so he asked that the infographic feel warm and friendly.

Software: Canva
Approach: I balanced shades of green and soft orange to evoke feelings of warmth, comfort, and positivity. I chose design elements that felt approachable and relaxed instead of the more traditional, formal design many spas use. I wrote the text at a 6th-grade reading level to make sure it's clear for most readers, including those who speak English as a second language.

• Reinforced the brand of the practice through simple language and an approachable design aesthetic.
• Reduced uncertainty or anxiety for people new to massage.

I acted as the administrative rules coordinator at the Utah Division of Finance. In this role, I edited administrative rules to reflect policy changes and to follow the rule-writing style guide. This sample shows a section of a rule before my changes and after my changes.

Software: Microsoft Word
Approach: I removed redundant language and outdated information to shorten the text. I also shortened sentences to increase reader speed and comprehension. I split the text into smaller sections and reorganized the sections to create a better flow. And finally, I made sure the text followed the rule-writing style guide.

• Improved document structure to support quick scanning—helping users find information quickly which increases compliance.
• Brought the rule into compliance with an executive order.