Susan Balding is a writer and communications professional dedicated to creating engaging and easy-to-understand products for a variety of audiences.

Resume

Japan Exchange & Teaching Programme (JET)

Assistant Language Teacher (November 2021–Present)
Aomori Association of JETs Chapter President (March 2022–Present)

Child Trends

Media Relations Director (November 2018–September 2021)
Communications Manager (September 2017–November 2018)

  • Increased coverage of products in major news outlets (including the Washington Post, New York Times, and PBS NewsHour) by creating and executing content and promotion strategies

  • Increased performance of top-performing content during the first week of release from 5,000 to 250,000 pageviews by creating and executing headline, SEO, content, and promotion strategies

  • Increased media hits by 250% year-over-year by collaborating with researchers to create strategic content on topics related to the news and organization priorities

  • Standardized discussions of race, gender, sexuality, and disability equity across products by supporting the creation of equity guidelines and updating the organizational style guide

  • Improved consistency, quality, and SEO of products by developing release processes and writing guidelines

  • Led the compilation and analysis of the yearly content audit to help the team develop and execute digital, social, and traditional media goals for the upcoming year

  • Managed two staff members (Media Relations Manager and Communications Assistant)

The Onigiri Miya Unofficial Cookbook

Project Manager/Editor (May 2020–January 2021)

  • Sold 1,700 units of product through organic engagement on Twitter, Tumblr, Instagram, and Reddit, grossing roughly $80,000 and netting $35,000

  • Led management, design, social media promotion, and sales of a 74-page book featuring 16 original recipes

  • Recruited and managed 11 contributors to ensure adherence to timelines, style guides, and quality guidelines

Rebirth Dilemma: An Evangelion Zine

Project Manager/Editor (June 2019–February 2020)

  • Led the creation of a 120-page publication from conception to promotion to delivery

  • Sold 224 units to roughly 200 purchasers through organic engagement with fans on Twitter, Tumblr, Reddit, and Facebook

  • Created and executed timelines, tone guidelines, and visual style guide across 36 collaborators

  • Branded and marketed product on social media and Big Cartel through the creation of logos, gifs, graphics, memes, and videos

  • Developed, designed, and coded custom WordPress theme for product website

NARAL Pro-Choice America

**Communications Manager ** (May 2016–August 2017)

  • Created and executed an op-ed strategy to establish organization executives as leading voices on women’s rights, resulting in placement of 6 op-eds in major media outlets

  • Developed, drafted, and released a cross-departmental style guide to ensure consistent messaging and brand identities across external and internal communications

  • Development and oversaw regular updates of an organizational talking points database

  • Served as on-the-record spokesperson and first point of contact for press inquiries

  • Hired, trained, and managed 2 department interns

Economic Policy Institute

**Media Relations Specialist ** (March 2015–May 2016)

  • Created and implemented a press strategy and social media toolkit to promote the Women’s Economic Agenda, resulting in major media coverage, a nationally trending hashtag, and an event on Capitol Hill

  • Elevated 3 organizational hashtags to national trending status by developing, distributing, and executing social media campaigns in collaboration with external stakeholders

  • Oversaw the creation and distribution of the weekly Economic Snapshot, a flagship piece of content that regularly drove national news and organically reached up to 120,000 Facebook users at a time

  • Improved the readability and accessibility of online reports by recommending and implementing key design changes in collaboration with internal team members

U.S. House of Representatives

Press Intern (January–March 2015)

  • Developed, designed, and delivered a brand book to establish consistent appearance of graphics and other marketing materials

  • Created and executed a public health campaign on social media and via press conference in collaboration with external and internal stakeholders

Education

The University of Chicago (Graduated 2014)
Master of Arts in Religious Studies
University of Massachusetts, Amherst (Graduated 2013)
Bachelor of Arts in the Cognitive Science of Religion
Certificate in Buddhist Studies

Portfolio

Select Publications

"Fragments of Narcissus," Rivet, July 2021.

How Stars Align offers a fresh model for LGBTQ+ characters,” Anime Feminist, February 2020

"Why You Should Watch Sports Anime (And Where to Start),” The Dot and Line, January 2020

"Prose Poems for the Angels," Rebirth Dilemma: An Evangelion Zine, November 2019 (Print)

The Witness Teaches Us to Treat Our Books Like Video Games,” MAGES Blog (Super MAGFest), November 2019

Neon Genesis Evangelion: Frequently Asked Questions,” Rebirth Dilemma website, November 2019

More protected bike lanes are coming to Pennsylvania Avenue,” Greater Greater Washington, July 2017

Marshall Heights’ library is closed, and residents say they’re missing more than just books,” Greater Greater Washington, May 2017

The sky won’t fall when new homes come to St. Joseph’s Seminary in Michigan Park,” Greater Greater Washington, April 2017

Pope Francis reminds us that our economic systems should reflect our moral values,” Working Economics Blog (Economic Policy Institute), September 2015

The Onigiri Miya Unofficial Cookbook

From May 2020 to January 2021, I oversaw the creation of The Onigiri Miya Unofficial Cookbook, an 80-page print and PDF cookbook featuring 11 original recipes, over 20 original illustrations, and other writing. I also oversaw the creation of a merchandise package featuring a tote bag three sticker sheets, and three prints.The final book featured contributions from 12 artists and writers, with whom I collaborated to execute my overall vision for the project.I designed the final cover in collaboration with an artist and designed all the promotional materials for the product. I also laid out the entire publication in Adobe Illustrator.Samples of the final product are below. For more information, visit the product website.

Rebirth Dilemma: An Evangelion Fanzine

From July 2019 to February 2020, I oversaw the creation of Rebirth Dilemma, a roughly 120-page print and PDF fanzine dedicated to the 1995 Japanese anime Neon Genesis Evangelion. A merchandise package featuring three stickers, three postcards, and a poster was also available.The final fanzine featured contributions from 36 artists and writers, all of whom were selected through an anonymous application process designed and managed by myself.I designed the final cover, branding guidelines, website, and all graphics for the fanzine. The website was created through a custom WordPress template using CSS Grid and SASS.In collaboration with designer Hazen Wilcox, I managed the design and production of the physical fanzine.Samples of the final product are below. For more information, visit the product website.

Prose Poems for the Angels

I wrote and designed the text for the following prose poems as part of my contribution as a writer to Rebirth Dilemma. The final publication was laid out by Hazen Wilcox. The illustrations were created by Emily C. Martin.