Passionate about making an impact through communications, I’m a writer and editor with years of experience crafting compelling English content for websites, socials, and print products.
As an award-winning journalist, I have worked for multiple companies and publications around the world, including:
- Metabolic, a systems change agency striving to transition the global economy to a fundamentally sustainable state where people and nature thrive. As the Science Writer/In-House Journalist, I lead editorial production for external communications, including website articles, social media, and newsletters.
- The San Diego Daily Transcript, a daily business newspaper for executives (under new ownership by the Los Angeles Daily Journal).
- The San Diego Daily Transcript / San Diego Source, a daily business newspaper for executives.
- Cypress Magazines, a magazine publishing company where I was managing editor for the National Jurist and preLaw magazines, and a contributor for Golf Inc., Club Management and Our City San Diego.
- The Free Lance-Star, a daily newspaper and website in Fredericksburg, Virginia.
- The Breeze, the twice-weekly Juniversity newspaper, where I was editor-in-chief.
- Tulip Talk, a Mailchimp e-newsletter that I designed and edited for members of the American Women’s Club of Amsterdam.
“The late 60 Minutes producer Don Hewitt used to tell his famous correspondents: Tell them a story. Do the research, get the facts, but tell the audience a story in its presentation. Katie Thisdell knows how to follow Hewitt’s credo. In each entry, she tells a human story while explaining a scientific or medical technique. Through her stories, one understands why these techniques are important.”
– Judges in the 2013 Virginia Press Association competition
The most recent examples of my work from Metabolic are featured here. (You can find a small selection of my journalism work below. Please contact me for more clips, which may be inaccessible online due to privacy and subscriptions.)
Measuring HEMA’s carbon footprint: This project portfolio page highlights the work we did with a client, helping HEMA start its climate neutrality journey. We tied this successful project to the launch of a new service offering, a carbon footprint assessment. I wrote accompanying LinkedIn posts for the campaign, including these two here, which I coordinated with to coincide with the release of a news article in the NRC. Additionally, I featured this project in our monthly newsletter.
From polluted shipyards to a green district: 10 years of circularity in Amsterdam Noord: This long-form article explores our journey towards a circular built environment, starting with De Ceuvel in Amsterdam Noord and scaling up to a new mixed-use development, including all the learnings, partnerships, and innovations along the way. (The campaign around this article included a newsletter and social media posts, including these about De Ceuvel’s beginnings, the company’s birthday, and the newest project.)
The Interconnected City: This was our vision for the cities of 2050, an inspiring and interactive series of webpages that I managed, co-wrote, edited, and coordinated visuals and website design.
LinkedIn post: I developed and wrote one of Metabolic’s best-performing posts of 2023, which featured an engaging gif demonstrating data flows. I also edited the accompanying article that was written by our subject matter expert, keeping it slightly on the technical side since it was being used to showcase expertise at an event.
Spectral to scale its operations with significant new investment: This news article shares an important update about our sister company, Spectral, which works towards transitioning the energy sector.
Our hopes for COP28: This webpage details why Metabolic was attending COP28 despite the global criticisms of the event, what we hoped to achieve in Dubai, and where our teammates would be speaking.
The Missing Trillions: This landing page was shared with potential partners to explain Metabolic’s event series focused on unlocking climate finance solutions.
Metabolic Newsletter Archive: Here are the archives of the Metabolic newsletter, which features inspiring articles, exciting projects, and important updates. This newsletter issue from November 2023 focused on the areas where Metabolic aimed to make impact in order to transition our global economy.
Journalism Clips (prior to 2020)
Dear Tiffany: Here’s how you can succeed in law school
President Trump’s youngest daughter is the first first-daughter to enter law school while her father is in the White House, so we’ve put together a primer to help her get started.
Awarded 3rd place in Education Writing in 2018 by the San Diego Society of Professional Journalists
Best Schools for Public Service
preLaw magazine, Winter 2020 issue
We identify outstanding law schools for those interested in pursuing careers in public interest and government or working as prosecutors, public defenders or clerks.
Read this article by downloading the pdf or opening the digital magazine.
Small farm operators discuss challenges at conference
The (San Diego) Daily Transcript/San Diego Source, March 12, 2015
“I’ve had a whole roller-coaster ride in my farming experience,” farmer Dennie Giles said at a panel on the economics of small-farm survival at the 28th California Small Farm Conference, held in San Diego, home to 5,732 farms. More than 600 people convened for the conference, which connected farmers, ranchers and farmers market managers, as they addressed the ongoing drought, farm bill, specialty crops, changing laws and marketing.
Awarded 3rd place in “Daily newspapers and websites, Business & Financial” in 2015 by the San Diego Press Club.
Tulip Talk
Using Mailchimp, I managed the entire production of the 2019 monthly e-newsletter for members of the American Women’s Club of Amsterdam, including soliciting contributions and ads, writing content and creating layout.
For examples, please contact me.
Technology changes roles of real estate agents
The (San Diego) Daily Transcript/San Diego Source, September 30, 2014
Carol Farrar wants to connect with her real estate clients and meet them where they already are: online. Internet platforms have become critical in all aspects of the real estate industry over the past few years: social media for marketing and communication, new applications for managing transactions, and national private MLS for searching, previewing and reviewing.
Awarded 3rd place in “Daily reporting & writing, Real Estate” in 2015 by the San Diego Society of Professional Journalists.
Legoland considers building theme park in Stafford County
The (Fredericksburg) Free Lance-Star, October 22, 2013
Legoland is considering building a new family-friendly theme park in Stafford County that would be only the third of its kind in the nation.
Government officials are in the preliminary stages of considering an incentives package to woo the park to the Centreport Parkway area off Interstate 95. The decision could hinge on the financial impact the interactive, child-oriented theme park could bring.
In an Oct. 2 letter to to Legoland’s general manager of development John Ussher labeled “confidential,” County Administrator Anthony Romanello confirmed the county is committed to meeting the company’s needs, pending the outcome of a financial analysis.
Angel food cake turns out heavenly on second try
The (Fredericksburg) Free Lance-Star, April 18, 2012
And this is where I really screwed up the first time around: I sprayed the pan.
I’m so used to always giving my baking pans a quick spritz of nonstick spray that I didn’t think it might be harmful.
But with angel food cake, you actually want it to stick to the sides of the pan. This gives the cake support, keeping it tall and proud rather than stubby and squat.
With all that hard work, the last thing you want is for the final step to end up being your downfall!
Urban Plantations grows business on corporate campuses
The (San Diego) Daily Transcript/San Diego Source, October 17, 2014
Thanks to Karen Contreras’ growing company, the lush green space that was once a parking lot in Torrey Pines is an oasis for employees, a nature classroom and a supplier for a campus restaurant.
Awarded 1st place in “Daily newspapers and websites, Gardening” in 2015 by the San Diego Press Club.
Employment Honor Roll: Which Schools Outperform Expectations
preLaw magazine, Back to School 2020 issue.
A robust job market pushed graduate-employment figures to new highs last year, with some schools performing better than others. Those leaders are now focusing on helping students land jobs during a pandemic.
Read this article by downloading the pdf or opening the digital magazine.
‘War Zone’
The Breeze, April 12, 2010
I hadn’t been on the job as editor-in-chief at our university newspaper for two weeks when a riot broke out at an annual block party. Immediately, I led my team of student photographers, editors and reporters to produce an issue that was sought after across campus. Our award-winning photographs were later seized illegally by the local commonwealth’s attorney, setting off a national legal controversy and media storm. Ultimately, I negotiated for sharing a small selection of photos (none of which were used to charge anyone), and the commonwealth’s attorney issued a public apology.
The Washington Post editorial board weighed in, saying the raid was an affront to the First Amendment: “Ms. Thisdell, a JMU junior majoring in journalism, had a better sense of the law in this instance than Ms. Garst, who’s been chief prosecutor since 2000.”
The Virginia Press Association presented me the First Amendment Award in 2010.
How to Prepare for Law School
preLaw magazine, Spring 2020 issue.
For those making the big leap soon, here is some key advice on how to make the transition over the summer. For instance: Can you read the bottom line of an eye chart?
Read this article by downloading the pdf or opening the digital magazine.
High-tech success stories
Club Management magazine, September/October 2017 issue.
From scheduling apps to systems that provide instant feedback, here are some of the latest products that help smooth private club operations.
6 Most Important Lessons about America’s Judicial System
International Jurist magazine, 2020 issue.
The U.S. is a nation of laws, but the way the legal system is structured can perplex a foreign attorney. Here’s a guide to help understand it.
Read this article by downloading the pdf or opening the digital magazine.
Katie Thisdell 