Case Studies
Building capacity, not just content
The work I’m most proud of isn’t just what I’ve written — it’s the systems I’ve built, the organizations I’ve helped launch, and the strategic frameworks that allow teams to communicate effectively long after our engagement ends.
Below are examples of how I’ve partnered with organizations to build their communications capacity, clarify their strategy, and amplify their impact.
Featured Case Study
Botanical Belonging: From Idea to Thriving Nonprofit
My Role: Founding Board President and communications lead (2021-2024)
The Challenge: A passionate plant educator wanted to launch a native plant nonprofit but had no organizational infrastructure, communications systems, or operational frameworks.
What I Built:
- Strategic plan and organizational structure
- Website, email systems, and social media presence
- Statement of Need for fundraising
- Educational materials and event support
- Job description and hiring support for first staff member
- All operational systems and workflows
The Result: A thriving organization with consistent programming, growing membership, sustainable systems, and a founder who can focus on education while an operations manager handles day-to-day functions.
“Anna’s editorial, social media and website talents are indispensable! As a nonprofit, we couldn’t exist without engaging people in our mission, and having a skilled writer and strategist on our team makes community engagement happen.” — Patti Ragsdale, Executive Director
Read the full case study →
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Strategic Partnerships
Holden Forests & Gardens: Embedded Science Communications
The Partnership: 4 years as Science Communications Specialist (ongoing)
The Challenge: Holden Forests & Gardens has excellent Marketing and Science departments, but needed someone who could bridge both worlds — understanding the research deeply enough to communicate it effectively while collaborating with marketing professionals and PR consultants on strategy and execution.
What I Do:
- Serve as liaison between Research and Marketing departments
- Collaborate with marketing team and PR consultant to amplify research stories
- Maintain strategic content calendar for research communications
- Write blog posts, press releases, and newsletters about scientific research
- Create web pages for research programs and lab groups
- Manage external publication relationships
- Write for member magazine and collaborative initiatives
The Impact: Research communications now reach broader audiences, with consistent messaging that connects scientific work to public engagement and institutional priorities.
“The results of our work together have been impactful, and we are reaching a much larger audience than ever before.” — David Burke, Ph.D., Vice President for Science and Conservation
Selected work:
- Beech Leaf Disease landing page
- Holden Seed Bank homepage
- Blog post: Holden researchers put forest management strategies to the test. Here’s what they found
- The Lab & Field newsletter (ad hoc research updates)
Compost Man Stan: Digital Presence Refresh
The Challenge: An environmental educator with decades of experience had an outdated website that didn’t showcase his available speaking engagements, his extensive music catalog, or his educational resources effectively.
What I Did:
- Strategic communications planning
- Complete website redesign and rebuild
- YouTube channel launch showcasing decades of unreleased music
- Reorganized educational resources for better discoverability
- Updated materials for modern use (e.g., printer-friendly coloring book)
- Streamlined online store
The Result: A modern, navigable digital presence that makes Stan’s work discoverable and accessible, with all his music finally available online and resources organized for easy purchase and use.
Association for Advancing Participatory Sciences: Rebrand Launch
The Challenge: The Citizen Science Association rebranded as AAPS and needed to launch new branding with a completely reorganized website, ensuring valuable resources weren’t lost in the transition.
My Role: Information architecture and resource organization (as part of Lunaris Creative team)
What I Did:
- Audited every page and resource from the old website
- Made archiving decisions for outdated content
- Reorganized and resurfaced valuable materials
- Created navigable resource page structure
- Ensured smooth transition to new branding
The Result: A successful rebrand launch with well-organized, accessible resources that serve the participatory science community.
Writing & Content Work
While the case studies above focus on strategic and organizational work, I also create standalone content for clients who need expert science communication. Examples include:
University Magazine Features
Long-form reported features for Marquette University Magazine, Colgate University, and others — profiling researchers and translating complex science for alumni audiences.
Selected stories:
- Targeting PFAS: Marquette research aims to make forever chemicals less permanent — and more manageable for communities
- Babs knows best: How the Marquette alumna became the internet’s favorite mom
- How senior engineering student Elise Raschke leads: intentionally with a heart for service
Science Journalism
Hundreds of articles across publications including Scientific American, Discover, Smithsonian, and more.
- How Pools of Genetic Diversity Affect a Species’ Fate (Quanta Magazine)
- A Swarm of Cyborg Insects Might Save You From Disaster (Discover magazine)
- A Single Gene in One Species Can Cause Other Species to Go Extinct (Scientific American)
- Great Migrations (Midwest Living)
See full writing portfolio →
Browse story archive →
Editorial Projects
Former Associate Editor at Discover magazine, where I edited features, coordinated multi-contributor content, and managed editorial workflows. Notable editing projects include The Nature Conservancy’s Natural Climate Solutions Handbook and ongoing script editing for the In Defense of Fandom podcast.
Ready to work together?
Whether you need strategic leadership, organizational development, or expert science writing, let’s talk about how I can help.