Lindsey Novak

Writer / Editor/ Instructor

Core Competencies:

·   Writing expert in all styles and for all media: Websites, Blogs, Print, TV, and Radio.

·   Writing Instructor and Tutor in academic and corporate environments.

·   Knowledge of APA, MLA, and AP Style.

·   Tech savvy.

·   Excels in building relationships to achieve positive results.

·   Meets all deadlines with accurate work product; remains calm under pressure.

 

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

 

ADJUNCT INSTRUCTOR Chicago, IL  2000–Present

Design and develop course curriculums for Business Writing, English Composition, Public Speaking, and Public Relations. Teach various types of student groups.  Clients:  Illinois Institute of Art, DePaul University (SNL), Le Cordon Bleu (CHIC), Harold Washington College (Continuing Education for City of Chicago employees), Columbia College 2, U.S. Department of Education, and private corporate clients. Outstanding evaluations from students and administration.

 

FREELANCE WRITER-EDITOR AND CAREER COACHChicago, IL2000-Present

§ Sole writer:  Annual Educational Publisher’s Catalog, Lifelong Learning Division.

§ Public relations sole writer:  Features, newsletters, press releases – 100% placement.

§ Editor: Motivational book “Awaken the Healer Within by Mark Earlix.

§ Writer: Real estate brochures for 28 residential high-rises and mid-rises.

§ Writer, Researcher: Wrote WBBM-TV editorials: The Opinion of Management.

§ Coach & Resume Writer: Counseled individuals through corporate downsizings;
wrote resumes; delivered workshops.

§ Workplace Resource: WCFC-TV Among Friends; WBBM-TV Morning News;

WGN-AM Radio; WYLL-FM Radio; WKRS-AM Radio; WCBR-FM Radio; WORK Radio.

 

WORKPLACE COLUMNISTChicago-based1992–Present

Created concept and prototype of workplace Q&A column; solely marketed column to
The Chicago Tribune’s Sunday Jobs Section (began 1992; syndicated in 1995).

·   Write weekly At Work (Q&A format) column for newspapers/Websites.

·   Syndicated by Tribune Media Services 1995; transferred to Creators Syndicate.

 

SENIOR EDITOR1993–2000

Practice Development Institute   Chicago, IL

Created agenda, wrote, and edited articles for 5 to 7 bi-monthly and quarterly newsletters for

CPA and law firm clients. Titles include: Employment Law; Family Business Management;

Graphic Arts; Real Estate Investment and Management; Construction; and On-Site.

Also selected and managed freelance writers. Interviewed trade professionals for features.

§ Achieved 100 percent accuracy, met every deadline in publication process.

§ Created and wrote Graphic Arts newsletter, resulting in $20,000 project for CPA firm.

 

 

PARALEGAL 1984–1991

Mayer Brown LLP, (1:3 Top Firms in Chicago; Among Top in US) Chicago, IL and Los Angeles, CA

Assigned to research and writing projects for litigation, banking, workers’ compensation cases, and environmental departments. Worked on securities filings and corporate mergers with team of attorneys. Chosen for one-year special assignment of FSLIC litigation in California; solely responsible for reviewing and uncovering fraudulent real estate transactions from FBI-seized documents.  Accurately traced $40 million in fraud, turned over to senior partner for inclusion in brief.

 

 

 

EDUCATION

 

MASTER OF ARTS

DE PAUL UNIVERSITY, Chicago, IL, August 21, 2009

Focus area: Curriculum Development for Writing Programs

   Additional coursework completed in the following areas:

  Certificate in Educating Adults, September 8, 2008

  Certificate of Achievement in Applied Leadership for Professionals, October 1, 2008

 

BACHELOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN COMMUNICATION, School of Speech

NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY, Evanston, IL

Northwestern Merit Scholarship, GPA in Major: 3.86/4.0

Northwestern University Alumni Association Merit Award, April 3, 2004

Northwestern University:  Chosen by Dean for Northwestern Business/Technical Writing
   Advisory Board to discuss potential certificate programs.

 

 

 

AWARDS, ACHIEVEMENTS, and VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES

 

Wrote and won Illinois Advertising Grant for CHIC Farmers’ Market.

Chosen for “Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers.” 

Chosen for “Today’s Chicago Woman: 100 Women Making a Difference.”

Drake Beam Morin International Outplacement Consultancy: Stellar Performance Award
  for Client Satisfaction.

Mayer Brown: China Business Seminar – Chosen to write introductory speeches
    for foreign, state, and local politicians.

Fourth Presbyterian Church, Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL – Taught “7 Habits of Highly
    Effective Teens” to pre-teens from Cabrini Green Housing Project.

Fourth Presbyterian Church –Stephen Minister - professional counseling certificate. 

The Anti-Cruelty Society – Clean and Preen and Adoption programs.