About

January 2022: I’m currently working as a field rep for US Senator Martin Heinrich, so I’m unable to accept new clients, but I’d still love to hear from you.

Hi, I’m Rita. I live in northern New Mexico, where I have been an independent consultant for more than a decade. I work in development and strategy to help nonprofits, community organizations, small businesses, and leaders do their best work. I am also an adjunct faculty member at UNM-Taos, where I teach grantwriting for the Hive.

Recent clients have included:

My graduate studies were focused on global grassroots social movements, exploring ways people create structural change in the face of unreasonable odds. I’m a union-trained organizer who has worked on campaigns and projects ranging from women’s reproductive rights to climate change to public art. And I’ve helped to raise and manage millions of dollars for nonprofits and advocacy groups around the country.

I’m also a performer, and a writer, and a co-founder of KNCE 93.5FM (a community radio project here in Taos); and I occasionally dabble in voiceover work.

I received my MA in Public Advocacy and Activism from the National University of Ireland, Galway, and my BA in Writing, Literature, and Publishing from Emerson College.  

View or download my current resume here

EDUCATION

M.A., Public Advocacy and Activism

National University of Ireland, Galway; first-class honours

B.A. in Writing, Literature, & Publishing

Emerson College; cum laude

SKILLS

  • Curious and eager analytical thinker, with quantitative and qualitative research experience
  • Trained public speaker and meeting/workshop facilitator, comfortable speaking to crowds of all sizes
  • Experienced event planner and organizer
  • Excellent interpersonal and digital communicator
  • Concise and precise writer/editor, Chicago and AP fluent
  • PC and Mac literate; proficient in Microsoft Office suite, Adobe InDesign and Photoshop
  • Extensive cross-platform social media experience
  • Experienced user of WordPress, Google suite, Dropbox, Hootsuite, Slack, Asana, Mailchimp, Basecamp, Trello, Eventbrite, NVivo, Raiser’s Edge, and more
  • Basic HTML; basic SEO; quick to learn new software/programs
  • Flexible team player with a sense of humor and a positive attitude

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Independent Consultant since 2007

Experienced development and strategy support for nonprofits, small businesses, artists, and individuals.

Strategy: I work with nonprofits and leaders to develop efficient, exciting paths forward for their work. From organizational strategy to executive director coaching to board development, I can help you deepen your connection to your work, reduce organizational chaos and burnout, and design a plan for a sustainable path forward.

Development: I’ve helped raise and manage millions in grant funding from private foundations and federal, state, and local agencies, and I’ve developed and delivered successful crowdfunding and direct fundraising campaigns.

Specialties include strategic communications; community engagement and networking; community organizing; fundraising and grantwriting; grant and program development; event coordination and hosting; and editing and copywriting.

To learn more, or for a more-complete list of my other professional endeavors, find me on LinkedIn!

KNCE 93.5FM, True Taos Radio

Co-founder and Partner

Operating out of a 1978 Airstream Excella on Taos Mesa, KNCE is an independent, locally-owned, community-supported radio station. KNCE has been broadcasting local, grassroots media into the airwaves over northern New Mexico and worldwide at truetaosradio.com since 2014. With over 150 volunteer DJs, KNCE is bringing it back to the old days of radio — with real live people from the community getting on the mic to bring you tunes and talk they love and believe in, all day, every day.