CAREER PROFILE

• Proven writing and publishing success in business and education arenas
• Excellent communication skills – writing, speaking, presenting, persuading, influencing
• Motivated, innovative, creative thinker
• Thrive on leadership of multi-faceted group activities as well as collaborative teamwork relationships
• Delight in working with lively international projects that bring diverse cultures together

Writing & Editing

• Educational Writing: Author of two books, contributor to six books, and co-writer of children’s and family activities. (See publication list.)
• Business Writing: Develop and write business materials including brochures, ads, letters, business plan, incentive travel/merchandise programs, newsletters, and marketing campaigns. Clients include: JADE, World Travel & Incentives, Anderson-Sorenson Custom Homes, Science Museum of MN, Quicktrips International, Inc., and National Association for Interpretation
• Editing: Edit six newsletters and corporate and educational materials. (See publication list.)

Publishing

• Founded Night Owl Press to write and publish critically-acclaimed The Organic Puppet Theatre: Children’s Health Activities (Night Owl Press, Homelight Press) and additional innovative educational materials. 1983-present.

Speaking, Teaching & Training

• Design, market and train adults to use Organic Puppet Theatre wellness activities at schools, institutions, workshops, and churches in U.S. and Canada. (See client list.)
• Design, market, and present Organic Puppet Theatre activities to motivate and empower children at schools, churches, health fairs, and workshops in U.S. and Europe. (See client list.)
• Create, lead, and co-lead lively interactive programs, retreats, classes, and camps for hundreds of adults, children, and families on global awareness, nature, wellness, team building, communication, and creativity. (See client list.)
• Presented over 1,000 interactive Organic Puppet Theatre shows to inspire and empower 17,000 St. Paul inner city children at Road to Wellness Health Fairs. 1986-1997.

Multicultural Global Projects

• Advise, strategize, research, write, proofread, and consult with president for vibrant new global charity mega-events and publishing venture in Milan, Italy. Co-wrote/edited business plan, researched, and consulted for Italian film project. Team has English as second or third language.
• Worked extensively with Peace Child, first-ever U.S.-Russian musical theatre collaboration, in Mpls., Washington, DC, and New York. Publicity Coordinator and an activity leader for Mpls. tour stop. Experienced intercultural activities on 1988 Peace Child Family Tour in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Kiev, and Tbilisi. 1986-1988.
• Speak on relishing world cultures and peacemaking for clients including Montessori Education Project Intl., Camp Fire, Society of Intercultural Education, Training and Research (Amsterdam conf.), and Georgetown University AIESEC, Washington, DC. 1986-present.
• Researched expatriate children’s issues and co-presented U.S. Third Culture Kids: A Model for Constructive Intervention at SIETAR conference in Amsterdam. May 1986.

Work Experience

• Night Owl Press, White Bear Lake, MN (1983-present)
  Freelance writing, editing, publishing, sales/marketing at trade shows in U.S, and Europe, and speaking on varied subjects in U.S., Canada, and Europe. Owner and President.
• NOW/JADE, Milan, Italy (Freelance, 2003-present)
  Advise, strategize, research, write, proofread, and consult with international team on global charity mega-events and publishing venture.
• Lennartson Consulting, Stillwater, MN (Part-time—1996-present)
  Assist international speaker/author with materials preparation, editing, research, proofreading, correspondence, client contacts, and speaking engagements.
• St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church, Mahtomedi, MN (Part-time—1992-1996). Led and co-led wide variety of programs, camps, and retreats to inspire and energize multi -generational audiences. Edited, co-wrote, and produced weekly newsletter. Co-wrote curriculum. Assisted with teacher training programs.
  Varied contract office positions to accommodate speaking and travel schedule. (1989-1992)
• Varied contract positions to accommodate speaking and travel schedule, including World Travel & Incentives (3M clients), Unisys, and First Bank. (1979-1980, 1989-1992)
• Science Museum of MN, St. Paul, MN (Full-time - 1981-1983)
  Part of four-member team that created and led first year of Opportunities in Science Project for northern Minnesota science teachers. Created and wrote The Bog Hopper, quarterly newsletter for Opportunities in Science Project.

Education

• B.S. in Communication Media, Core in Environmental Interpretation, Bemidji State University, Bemidji, MN.
• Overseas study in Oxford and Vienna with side trips to six European countries.
• Additional study: University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN and Macalester College, St. Paul, MN.

Awards

• 2001 Meritorious Service Award - National Association for Interpretation
• Publicity Chair on NAI Spring Training Workshop: Interpreting Sacred Places and Native People in Honolulu, HI, April 2001.
• Named one of The Outstanding Young Women of America (1983).

Affiliations

• National Association for Interpretation, Editor of The Traveler, quarterly Interpretation and Tourism Section newsletter, for global audience. Co-designing/updating Interpretation and Tourism Section website. 2000-2004.
• Served as Publicity Chair on multi-state Planning Committee for global multicultural Spring Training Workshop: Interpreting Sacred Places and Native People in Honolulu, Hawaii. 2000-2001.
• Pine Tree Apple Tennis Classic. Wrote funding-raising letters for Classic, largest U.S. non-celebrity charity tournament, to benefit Mpls. Children’s Hospital’s cancer research, 1991-1993.
  Mpls./St. Paul UNICEF Campaign for Child Survival
  Promotion Committee Member. Co-wrote Campaign for Child Survival brochure. 1987-1988.
• Have led activities for visiting professionals from overseas through the Minnesota International Center and various business and education contacts. 1980-present.

Publications

Books—Author

• Celebrate Your Super Body: More Fun with the Organic Puppet Theatre (Night Owl Press, 2004)
• The Organic Puppet Theatre: Children’s Health Activities (Night Owl Press, 1983, Homelight Press, 2004)

Books—Contributing Writer

• Creating Emotionally Safe Schools: A Guide for Educators and Parents, Dr. Jane Bluestein, (Health Communications, Inc., 2001) Topic: Impact of large schools. Copy-edited first draft.
• Daily Riches: A Journal of Gratitude and Awareness, Dr. Jane Bluestein, Judy Lawrence and S.J. Sanchez. (Health Communications, Inc., 1998) Topics: Berlin Wall visit and wilderness appreciation.
• When School is Off Church Is On: Exciting Ideas and Plans for Extended Hours of Ministry, Susan Lennartson (Lutheran Brotherhood, 1998) Topic: Creating global awareness camps.
• The Parents Little Book of Lists: Do’s and Don’ts of Effective Parenting, by Dr. Jane Bluestein (Health Communications, Inc., 1997). Topics; Art, global, environmental, and literature appreciation.
• Mentors, Masters and Mr. MacGregor: Stories of Teachers Making A Difference, compiled by Dr. Jane Bluestein (Health Communications, Inc., 1996). Topic: Danny On, Montana outdoor photographer mentor. Also read and rated story submissions.
• Using Your Spiritual Gifts (St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church, 1996). Topic: Using talents in community.

Newsletters—Writing

• “Baskets of Diversity Heaped High at STW in Hawaii,” NAI InterpNews, Summer 2001, Interpretation Australia newsletter, 2001, and www.interpnet.com.
• “The Powerful Gift of Family Stories,” The Traveler, Summer 2001 and Westwinds, Fall 2001.
• “Survivor-ing on the Frozen Steppes of Russia,” The Traveler, Winter 2000.

Newsletters—Editing & Co-writing

• The Traveler. Edit, co-write, research, and assign stories for quarterly newsletter of Interpretation & Tourism Section of National Association for Interpretation. 2000-present.
• The Spirit Jam and The Son Sailor, St. Andrew's Lutheran Church. Co-wrote, edited, designed, and produced weekly family newsletter, 2000-2001. 1994-1996.
• World Travelgram, World Travel & Incentives. Wrote monthly travel newsletters. 1984-1985.
• World Traveler: For the Business Traveler, World Travel & Incentives. Wrote monthly business travel newsletter. 1984-1985.
• Times, World Travel & Incentives. Created and wrote new incentive travel newsletter. 1985.
  The Bog Hopper. Created and wrote newsletter for Science Museum of Minnesota. 1982-1983.

Speaking/Training

• Organizations: MN Dept. of Ed., Mpls. Dept. of Health, U of MN Hospital, St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church, Artist-in-Residence programs at MN elementary schools, Holden Village (WA), Prince of Peace (Mpls.), and Twin Cities area churches, 1984-present.
• Workshops/Conferences include: Society of Intercultural Education, Training, and Research Conf. (Montreal); Midwest Head Start; MN Gifted and Talented Conferences; MN Naturalists Assn.; Montessori Education Programs Int’l. (SC); Children’s Ministries Assn.; Mpls. Day Care Assn.

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