Technical Writing Clients
My technical writing clients includes these fine international, US, and Canadian companies, past and present:
- Bloomberg LP
- Biomerics
- Carpenter NY Development (Grasshopper Bank)
- RF-CUNY (Mental Health Service Corps)
- Enica Engineering
- Chenoa Information Services
- HOCHTIEF AG
- NRECA
- A&W Canada
- Sysco Canada
- Chevron Canada
- BC Hydro
- Design Maintenance Systems Inc.
- Engineers and Geoscientists BC
- ICBC
- Tervita
- Able Irrigation Ltd.
- Inventure Solutions Inc. – A Vancity Company
- Coast Capital Savings Credit Union
- Rockwell Automation Inc.
- Rockwell Software Ltd.
- Dynapro Systems Inc.
- Chancery Software Ltd. (now PowerSchool)
- Xinex Networks Inc.
While I am based in New York, much of my technical writing experience has involved working with development teams located in multiple geographical regions in the US, Canada, and throughout the world, including Europe, India, and China.
Wide Range of Industry and Subject Matter Experience
- financial services * banking and credit unions
- insurance * taxation * accounting
- computer software * client-server, network, SaaS, and cloud operations
- IT and service management * telecommunications
- business operations * project management * libraries
- construction * oil and gas * power generation
- fashion * vintage clothing * retail sales
- medical devices, health care, and mental health services
- engineering and geoscience * irrigation * environmental remediation
- food warehousing and delivery * quick service restaurants
- automated manufacturing processes
Photojournalism
I began writing news stories for my college paper in 1992. Since then I’ve published news, feature articles, photography, reviews, and style columns in these fine newspapers:
- The Village Sun
- WestView News
- Vancouver Sun
- Merritt Herald
- Discorder (University of British Columbia/CITR Radio)
- The Other Press (Douglas College)
Leadership and Awards
In addition to being the team lead for writing teams from Bloomberg to Xinex, I have also served the Society for Technical Communication in numerous leadership roles. Here are two examples.
I was Competition Judging Manager and Judge for the STC’s International Summit Awards in 2016. I managed a team of 20 judges throughout North America to assess entries for a prestigious international technical writing competition.
I was the president of the STC’s Canada West Coast Chapter for 2008-2009. It was a very vibrant and exciting year for the chapter, which had been faltering the year before due to lack of volunteers to keep things running. The year ended on a high note, with the chapter winning the STC Pacesetter Award for using technology to serve our members.
The chapter also won a Pacesetter Award in 2012 for its information interview service, an idea that I pioneered and that other chapters (including the New York Metro Chapter) have emulated. I’ve won personal awards for my writing as well, but it’s the teams I’ve worked with and these awards for leadership that I’m proudest of.
Rahel Bailie, STC Fellow and Chief Knowledge Officer at Scroll, said:
“I’ve worked with Karen as an STC volunteer for two terms, and both times she has shown a level of dedication and professionalism that is admirable. She revitalized the chapter during a time when, due to recession factors, volunteerism had dipped badly, and chapter operations were compromised. Karen stepped in, created a strategic plan, and socialized her vision throughout the membership. The crowning accolade was the chapter winning an award for creative use of technologies. Karen has shown herself to be a people person. Her leadership style shows how she values human relationships and works hard at ensuring that the volunteers are appreciated for their contributions.” Read more…
Literary Service Work
I have also served as a volunteer on the editorial team of these highly regarded literary publications:
- Event Magazine: The Douglas College Review
- Room Magazine: Canada’s oldest literary journal by and about Women