howdy!

My name is Courtney and I’m a projects editor on the interactive storytelling team at National Geographic. I split my time between designing & developing large-scale interactive feature stories and project managing across the organization.

Before Nat Geo, I was a designer for The Washington Post and my previous work spans audience editing, design & development, social media management and reporting.

I completed a graduate program for an advanced certificate in GIS & spatial design from the Pratt Institute and now am back in Washington, D.C.

I’m obsessed with storytelling, data and exploring a variety of visual formats.

Outside of work, you can find me running, finding new coffee shops, drinking natural wine or otherwise frolicking.

resume —

experience

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC

Projects editor, Interactive storytelling | Sept ‘24 — current
I design and develop interactive story features and products as well as
oversee the project management and editing of interactive stories across
the organization. I’ve built a first-of-its-kind interactive video archive
over the course of six months and produced award winning feature
articles. I wear many hats, including prototyping, designing, writing and
managing deadlines across multiple teams. I’m also responsible for
instituting streamlined internal systems to improve communication,
operations and project management access throughout the organization.
Tools & skills used: CSS, Javascript, VS Code, Illustrator, Photoshop, Figma, print design, art direction, project management, project editing, strategic editorial planning

THE WASHINGTON POST 

News Designer | June ‘23 — Sept. '24
Designer and front-end developer focused on visual storytelling in digital and print. Responsible for project management and design of custom-templated, interactive stories. Art directs and illustrates for story toppers and spot art. Designs the Saturday A1 for the print paper weekly.
Tools & skills used: CSS, Javascript, VS Code, Illustrator, Photoshop, Figma, print design, art direction
Social Media Editor | April ‘21 — June ‘23
Wrote, edited and developed more than 8,000 pieces of content for the @washingtonpost Instagram. Built the internal data analytics strategy and grew the account by more than 2 million followers. Increased subscribers from off-platform audiences. Managed the team of six editors, designers and copy-editors. Operated as the lead project editor for social projects throughout the newsroom.
Tools & skills used: data analytics tools, social media, project management, editing, curation

C-SPAN 

Digital Producer | Aug. ‘19 - April ‘21
Cut and edited social video, developed a social presence across platforms and wrote and edited a daily newsletter about Congress and The White House. Developed an internal social strategy, grew the social following by more than 80% in a year and increased subscriber newsletter traffic by 40%. Used data reporting to augment C-SPAN’s traditional coverage.
Tools & skills used: data analytics, video editing, social production, newsletter writing/editing
Production Assistant | Feb. ‘19 — Aug. ‘21
Built graphics, assisted with on-air production and researched and edited stories for air. Booked and assisted guests in the newsroom before and after live appearances.
Tools & skills used: studio production, news editing, on-screen graphics

education

PRATT INSTITUTE 

Advanced Certificate in GIS | Jan. ‘23 - May ‘24
Coursework in geospatial analysis and design, infographics and data viz and in programming languages like r, html and css.

ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY 

B.S. Interdisciplinary Studies | Aug. ‘16 - May ‘18
Bachelor's degree with concentrations in media analysis and public service and public policy. graduated magna cum laude.

skills

  • adobe creative suites (indesign, illustrator, photoshop)
  • ArcGIS, QGIS, MapBox
  • art direction & illustration
  • CSS, HTML, Javascript
  • data analysis
  • Layout, print design
  • Project management
  • Social Media editing, planning
  • VS Code, R, python

awards & honors

  • 2025 Society of Publication Designers - Gold: Web/App Information Graphics for What's the tallest mountain on Earth? (Designer, editor)
  • 2025 Society of News Design - Gold: Story page design for What's the tallest mountain on Earth? (Designer, editor)
  • 2025 Webby Awards - Finalist: Best Editorial Feature for What’s the tallest mountain on Earth? (Designer, editor)
  • 2025 ASME - Finalist: Best News & Information Design for What’s the tallest mountain on Earth? (Designer, editor)
  • 2025 OJA Awards - Finalist: Excellence in Visual Digital Storytelling for What’s the tallest mountain on Earth? (Designer, editor)
  • 2024 Webby Awards - Winner: Best Social Account for News/Politics - The Washington Post (account editor)
  • 2023 Webby Awards - Winner: Best Social Account for News/Politics - The Washington Post (account editor)
  • 2022 Webby Awards - Nominee: Best Social Account for News/Politics - The Washington Post (account editor)
  • 2021 National Press Foundation Paul Miller Fellowship