Lukas Velush

425-785-8459 | lukas.velush@live.com | LinkedIn profile

SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS

Engages and empowers with compelling and authentic storytelling. Innovative leader, strategic thinker, program builder, project manager, content director, editor, writer, and noticer.

• Spurs action, informs, and surprises and delights with powerful and strategic content.
• Creates continuity and structure with tactical, long-range content planning.
• Generates results within corporate walls with effective collaboration at all levels.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Freelance Writer, Editor, Researcher, Seattle, WA (2014 – Present)

Reports, researches, writes, and edits a wide range of content for high-visibility clients.

Senior Editor, Employee Communications, Microsoft, Redmond, WA (2008 – 2014)

Tripled readership by strategically and credibly covering topical Microsoft news on the company’s internal storytelling blog. Increased employee confidence and pride in Microsoft by raising support and favorability of blog to 95 percent.

• Conceived, planned, negotiated, assigned, edited, and published daily content (text, slideshows, video, and infographics).
• Managed writers, graphic artists, designers, and copyeditors. Tripled traffic by improving quality, relevancy, and credibility of content, and by cultivating and challenging a writing and publishing team that delivered.
• Created and project managed long-range and daily editorial calendar and ensured it reflected the corporate cadence of news and alignment goals.
• Promoted content via weekly highlights email sent to the entire company (160,000 reach) and internal advertising campaigns (video broadcast into cafeterias).
• Crafted internal social media strategy to promote content and engage employees. Built new blog channel that used storytelling to spur conversation on social media.
• Applied traffic metrics and feedback via social media (comments, likes, and shares) to flexibly evolve all programs.
• Managed vehicle for executives to engage directly with employees around external media coverage of the company.
• Authored quarterly reports, all-company emails, and executive statements. Wrote book honoring retiring CEO and a guide for holding companywide events.

Senior Editor, Microsoft News Center, Microsoft, Redmond, WA (2010 – 2013)

(Served on two teams during this span – continued on the Employee Communications Team.)

Brought Microsoft to life for media and influencers with compelling news and content packages.

• Brainstormed and negotiated with stakeholders and business owners across the company, advising them on the strongest ways to tell their stories.
• Conceived, assigned, managed, and edited stories. Secured and developed visual assets such as video, photos, screen shots, and graphics to support news packages.
• Planned and delivered SEO-optimized signature content packages.Built and implemented social media and cross-promotion content plans.
• Built and implemented social media and cross-promotion content plans.

Reporter, The Herald, Everett, WA (2002-2008)

Wrote award-winning news stories on science, environment, energy, politics, and transportation. Tracked and translated government and private-sector actions, guarded the public’s interests, and informed readers with compelling, engaging storytelling. Served as acting assistant city editor. 

PREVIOUS RELEVANT EXPERIENCE

Reporter, The Desert Sun, Palm Springs, CA

Chronicled the battle between growth and environmental protection in Southern California’s disappearing desert. Covered water wars, endangered species, and public-land management. Wrote outdoors column. Also covered American Indian affairs, transportation, and energy.

Reporter, Arizona Daily Sun, Flagstaff, AZ

Covered environment, science, tribes, regional politics, and county government. Wrote stories on public-land issues, species protection, and controversial development proposals.

AWARDS

Won more than 10 awards at Microsoft honoring leadership, collaborative work style and strong coverage of Microsoft news.

Received more than two dozen journalism awards for coverage and content.

EDUCATION

Bachelor of Science in Journalism, minor in Environmental Science, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ

Completed Rand Fishkin’s “Making Content Discoverable through Search” and Gerry McGovern’s “Creating Customer-Centric Web Sites” web site training.

Served as president of Microsoft Redwest Rhetoricals Toastmasters club. Earned advanced communicator silver, bronze, and competent leader status. Mentored club members.