Category: Our Team

Elizabeth Weiss has been a professional freelance writer, editor, and web content developer for over 10 years. She’s been with the GLES team for more than a decade and, in that time, has edited and proofread hundreds of pages for print and online publications.

Elizabeth has written articles, blog posts, press releases, and all manner of promotional materials in subject matter ranging from parenting to education. She is a contributing writer to BeachsideeRehab.com and has written in the past for GL accounts, SeniorsForLiving.com, Mint.com, and The CollegeBound Network, with features appearing on MSN, AOL, and Yahoo HotJobs.

Elizabeth has an MFA in creative writing from George Mason University and a bachelor’s degree in English and communications from Saint Francis University. She believes that one of the most important elements of a business is an eloquent mouthpiece, and that every good or service deserves to be presented through competent, creative writing, both online and offline.

Fun facts about Elizabeth:

• She develops blogs, e-books, and web content for a boutique inbound marketing agency and website solution provider.
• She edits everything she reads, even when she doesn’t want to, and isn’t shy about letting people know that they’ve erred in the use of “your” or “you’re.”
• Her favorite scent is fresh paper and, while she reluctantly sees the value in e-readers, she will never possess this piece of technology.
• She is the mother of two very mischievous young children.
• Find Elizabeth at WeissWords.com, @WeissWords, or on Contently.

Ashley Keegan is a Brooklyn-based freelance writer, virtual assistant, and social media specialist. She has worked with LaGuardia Media since 2016, contributing to BELLA NYC Magazine in print, and crafting web, e-mail, and social media content for numerous clients including 5arch, BankPurely, Jacuzzi® Hot Tubs, and Sundance® Spas.

She also acts as Gina’s go-to gal for any odd jobs and loose ends that inevitably arise. (GL’s edit –> She’s the best!)

In addition to her work with LaGuardia Media, Ashley curates and writes about a wide variety of products (i.e., window shopping for the greater good) for AskMen and BestGifts.com.

Fun Facts about Ashley:

• She’s a lifelong—and long-suffering—fan of the New York Mets.
• She loves taking road trips and is in the process of visiting and photographing all the national parks and baseball stadiums across the United States.
• She’s an avid cook and baker, always on the hunt for a new recipe to try.
• She can be found on Twitter @AshleyMKeegan.

Suzanne Vidal is a freelance graphic designer who has been working with Gina LaGuardia Editorial Services (GLES) for many years. With more than 20 years of experience in the design industry, she has developed a strong background and superior skills in media arts, as well as a keen eye for leveraging smart design to meet goals and objectives.

Working with GLES,  Suzanne has worked on a variety of projects, including print design, website design, banner ads, email blasts, PowerPoint presentations, and more.

Suzanne also works at Casa Belvedere, The Italian Cultural Foundation as the Director of Development. In this role, she is involved in marketing, donor relations, managing fundraising initiatives, and special events. She works closely with the team to design and develop marketing material and strategies for all programs and special fundraising events. She also maintains the organization’s website and social media presence.

Fun facts about Suzanne:

• She is a native Staten Islander and currently lives there with her husband and two daughters.
• She is a 200 Hour Registered Yoga Teacher, and  loves to practice yoga and meditation daily.
• She appreciates all design and has a knack for decorating interiors.
• Her daughters play basketball and she treasures the time she spends in various gyms watching them play a sport they love.

 

 

Lori Johnston is a former Associated Press writer and magazine editor who contributes daily to newspapers, magazines, and websites. She has nearly 20 years of print and online journalism experience, working closely with editors, photographers, art directors, graphic designers and social media divisions, to create compelling content.

Working with Gina LaGuardia Editorial Services, Lori has produced pieces on a diverse lineup of topics, from tips on applying to college, paying for school, and enjoying college life via The CollegeBound Network, to making human resources professionals and job seekers more savvy with blog posts on FindTheRightJob.com. Through her partnership with Gina, she also has contributed stories on personal finance, careers, small business strategies and even senior adult health to a range of websites including AOL.com, Mint.com, Experian.com, ReadersDigest.com, and Amex OPENForum.

Each week, Lori also writes about trends in home design and real estate for newspapers and websites including the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and HGTVGardens.com.

Her in-depth interviews and well-researched stories also have appeared in the Wall Street Journal, People magazine, the Atlanta Business Chronicle, Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles, Robb Report Vacation Home, Arthritis Today, Georgia Trend, Green Builder, Charlotte (N.C.) Magazine, Gulfshore Life and Biz941 magazines. Online publications include USNews.com, MSNMoney.com, YahooFinance.com, WebMd.com, Bankrate.com and InsuranceQuotes.com.

Fun facts about Lori:

• Her feature stories for Gulfshore Business magazine (in Naples, Fla.) and Naples Realtor magazine have won Silver Awards in the 2012 and 2013 Florida Magazine Association’s Charlie Awards.
• She’s a 1995 graduate of the University of Georgia (bachelor’s degree in journalism), where she also serves as an adjunct professor.
• She loves journalism and writing so much that she married a journalist. Her sportswriter husband, Andy, a sportswriter, is the College Football Insider for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, in addition to writing regularly for the AJC and contributing to other publications and websites.
• She and her 8-year-old son, Ty, create videos for his YouTube channel all about Legos.
• She wants you to visit content development firm’s website and follow her on Twitter: @FastCopy.

Linda Abbit is a California-based freelance writer, editor, and eldercare content specialist who joined the GLES team in 2015.

Spending over 10 years as sole family caregiver for her parents, Linda was inspired to share caregiving lessons learned with her friends and fellow baby boomers, “because no one teaches us how to be caregivers!” This led to the creation of her award-winning blog, TenderLovingEldercare.com, in 2007 and kick-started her freelance writing career.

She also serves as a contributing writer for the online publication, SeniorPlanet.org, and works as a marketing consultant for several in-home care and assisted living facilities in California.

Linda has a BS in Education from Adelphi University in New York and an MS in Education from Lesley College Graduate School in Boston.

Fun facts about Linda:

• Along with writing, one of her passions is swing dancing (aka Lindy hop). She has competed in swing dance competitions and been a member of a performance swing team.
• She loves all of the arts (except for opera), especially live performances.
• She’s lived on both Coasts but never in the middle of the country. She and her husband are adjusting to an empty nest with the help of their loving dog, Shyanne, a Bichon Frise poodle mix.
• She’s barely 5’2”, and her motto is: “I’m little but I’m mighty!”
• Living in California leads to unexpected, celebrity meetings. Peter Yarrow (of Peter, Paul & Mary) took a nap on her living room couch. Other celebrities she’s met include Steven Spielberg, Paula Abdul, Howie Mandel, John Stamos, and the Beach Boys. Linda still hopes to meet George Clooney.
• Want to know more? Connect with her on Twitter.

Melissa A. Kay is a writer, editor, and content strategist with more than 15 years of experience in the publishing field in the areas of family, beauty, health, employment, lifestyle, and more. She is an active contributor to P&G’s website, PGEveryday.com, Pampers.com, Understood.org, DailySyndrome.com, The Employment Network, and a variety of additional lifestyle- and health-related sites.

Melissa lives in Manhattan with her loving husband and inspiring cat, and enjoys reading, fitness, cooking, music, and the amazing experiences New York has to offer.

Fun facts about Melissa:

• Melissa attended Pennsylvania State University for her communications degree but also attended culinary school for an intensive pastry arts program. (She stuck to baking and cooking as a hobby).
• Melissa loves to write poetry and music lyrics. Her first song was written at age 4 with silly lyrics about her father.
• Melissa adores her cats and often pens “odes” to her new cat, Louie.
• Since childhood, Melissa has entertained friends with humorous limericks and fun plays on words in the workplace.

 

During her 10 years as a freelance writer and editor, Nancy LaFever has published thousands of magazine articles, blog posts and web pieces on the topics of fine crafts, emotional health, business, humor, popular culture and issues affecting baby boomers/seniors. She is currently a lead blogger for GLES’ SeniorsForLiving.com, has written for GLES on The CollegeBound Network, BELLA NYC Magazine, the American Express OPEN Forum and ReadersDigest.com.

Nancy’s work has also appeared on Orbitz.com, Huffington Post, FoxBusinessNews.com and The Crafts Report magazine, where she was a senior columnist for three years.

Fun Facts:

• Nancy is currently enjoying collaborating with talented authors as a book editor.
• As a former master’s-level psychotherapist and substance abuse counselor in private practice for 16 years, Nancy often draws on her clinical background to inform her writing.
• People are surprised (with her Jaguar tastes!), Nancy drives a 13-year-old F-150 pickup.
• Visit Nancy on LinkedIn.

A writer, editor, social media strategist, and senior care content specialist, Michelle Seitzer joined the GLES team in 2008 and became a full-time freelancer in 2010.

Spending her early career years in senior housing and Alzheimer’s policy opened many writing doors in that niche: Michelle’s GLES work has been published on AARP.org, ReadersDigest.com, USNews.com, and she has had thousands of articles appear on SeniorsForLiving.com and other related sites. As part of her social media management duties for a GLES client, she co-moderates #ElderCareChat on Twitter, a consistently well-attended forum that has hit trending status several times since its launch in November 2010.

Though senior care is her area of expertise and greatest passion, Michelle has written and edited branded content, blog posts, feature-length magazine articles, company profiles, and more on a wide range of topics.

Michelle has a BA in English Writing from Eastern University in suburban Philadelphia.

Fun facts about Michelle:

• Writing is her favorite thing to do, but she also loves traveling, the arts, and interior design.
• She has interviewed Jerry Mathers (“The Beaver”), Dorothy Breininger from the A&E show, Hoarders, and Jane Fonda (yes, the Jane Fonda!)
• An adoptive mama and the oldest of five girls, she loves writing about her parenthood and family adventures on com.
• She was born in Brooklyn, NY, and currently lives in Quakertown, PA, with her husband and daughter.
• Want to know more? Visit com and follow her on Twitter: @MichelleSeitzer.

Susan Johnston has a decade of experience writing, researching and developing content. She has written for numerous GLES clients, including American Express, The CollegeBound Network, Epson, Experian, and many others.

Susan’s specialties include articles about personal finance, small business and lifestyle topics. Her articles have appeared in TheAtlanticCities.com, The Boston Globe, Bankrate.com, Learnvest.com, Parade Magazine, Self Magazine and others. She’s also a weekly contributor to the money section of USNews.com and has live-tweeted conferences and other events for clients and under her own Twitter handle.

Susan holds a Bachelor of Science in Communication from Boston University and a Certificate in Writing for Professional Communication from Emerson College.

Fun facts about Susan:

• She’s the proud mama of an adorable 9-pound chihuahua named Sebastian.
• She helped cofound a food swap and loves to bake cookies, granola and other goodies
• She’s also an accomplished singer who’s sung the national anthem for numerous events, including a Boston University hockey game (go, Terriers!) and the rodeo at the New Mexico state fair.
• She’d love for you to visit Susan-Johnston.com and follow her on Twitter: @UrbanMuseWriter.

Vicki Salemi is a New York City-based multimedia career expert, speaker, author, and journalist, and a frequent contributor to BELLA NYC Magazine, a GL Editorial Services (GLES) client that produces a popular women’s service magazine in NYC. She’s contributed to SeniorsForLiving.com and ParentSociety.com, and previously served as a regular contributor to CollegeBound Teen Magazine and ClassesUSA. She also served as ClassesUSA’s national spokesperson. She’s been with GLES since its inception and penned her first byline for Gina in the late 90’s.

Vicki also writes a column for Metro newspapers and contributes to Forbes, U.S. News & World Report, and The New York Post. She is Mediabistro’s resident career expert and pens the MediaJobsDaily blog on a daily basis and created and hosted a show for them called Score That Job.

She is the author of Big Career in the Big City and The ABC’s of College Life. Vicki previously worked for 15+ years in corporate HR and recruiting while moonlighting as a journalist; inspired to share her wisdom with the masses, she walked away from corporate life to pursue multimedia endeavors and speaking engagements/consulting projects to organizations, companies, and campuses about the inside scoop from the hallowed halls of HR.

Vicki appears frequently on-air to empower people by talking about trends in the workplace and career topics. She’s appeared on Fox Business, The Better Show, ABC News, SIRIUS, PBS Radio, Dateline Australia and more programs here and overseas.

Fun facts about Vicki:

• Vicki rocks out to interviewing icons, celebrities, and notable names in business and sports about their careers. Highlights include Gloria Steinem, Judy Blume, and Angelina Jolie (her first celeb interview back in 2003, courtesy of a GLES assignment for College Bound Magazine)!
• Vicki stumped Madonna at a press conference at the Toronto Film Festival (yes, another career question).
• Four years ago in Sicily, Vicki randomly met a second cousin she didn’t know she had! Now she’s met the entire family and has an army of 50+ incredible, wonderful cousins overseas.
• For both a physical workout and mental release, she thrives on playing cardio tennis weekly (pulse-pumping non-stop tennis to dance music).