Award-winning writer with 12 years of experience in journalism, niche media, event planning and marketing. Thorough researcher, active listener and convener of ideas. 

​

areas of expertise

• News, Feature, Technical & Grant Writing

• Copyediting

• Newsroom Management

• Print & Digital Design

• On-Camera Hosting & Interviewing

• Multimedia Journalism

• Organization & Time Management

• Event & Freelance Budget Management

• Speaker Contract Negotiation

• Editorial Coaching

• Research & Content Creation

• Public Relations

• Communications Strategy

• Wordpress & Wix Website Experience 

​

WORK HISTORY

Lessiter Media - Brookfield, WI        

August 2021-Present

Publisher of seven agricultural and equine trade magazines and websites serving farmers, farm equipment dealers and farriers in North America; 8,600 paid subscribers and 52,191 average unique website users each month for No-Till Farmer magazine

 

Managing Editor (August 2022-Present)

Manage print and digital presence for No-Till Farmer magazine, including assigning and writing articles. Plan and emcee annual National No-Tillage Conference, an event attracting 850+ farmers from across the world.

 

Select Achievements

• Received 2024 National Azbee Bronze Award from the American Society of Business Publication Editors for Conservation Ag Operator Fellowship Series published in No-Till Farmer magazine

• Planned speaker program and managed budget for 2022 and 2023 National No-Tillage Conferences, resulting in 9% increase in paid attendance, and 43% under budget for speaker fees and expenses in 2022

• Wrote proposal for and received $26,000 grant from Howard G. Buffett Foundation, spurring the formation of Lessiter Media’s 501(c)3 nonprofit

 

Technology Editor (May 2022-August 2022)

Manage print and digital content for Precision Farming Dealer and Strip-Till Farmer properties, including assigning articles and associate editor responsibilities. Plan and emcee Precision Farming Dealer Summit and National Strip-Tillage Conference.  

 

Select Achievements

• Broke historical attendance record for 2022 Precision Farming Dealer Summit (23% increase over previous year’s event) by booking exceptional speakers.

• Received Honorable Mention in international 2023 Tabbies competition's Focus/Profile category for Precision Farming Dealer Day in the Cab article

 

Associate Editor (August 2021-May 2022)

Write articles for Precision Farming Dealer and Strip-Till Farmer magazines/websites, including hosting podcasts and on-camera interviews for YouTube news shows.

 

Select Achievements

• Increased web pageviews by 46% on Strip-Till Farmer website and 22% on Precision Farming Dealer website in 2022 vs. 2021

• Received National Azbee Silver Award in the Technical Article category from the American Society of Business Publication Editors for "Electrification of Ag" special report for Ag Equipment Intelligence

​

Wisconsin Law Journal - Milwaukee, WI        

September 2019-August 2021

Monthly legal magazine & website serving Wisconsin lawyers; 3,500 print readership and 23,000+ unique website visitors each month

 

Legal Reporter

Researched legal issues and wrote content for monthly print publication; generated and executed initiatives to expand digital presence 

 

Select Achievements

• Shifted print magazine’s focus to offer insight on timely legal issues and emphasize diversity of Wisconsin’s legal community. Resulted in 10% increase in subscriptions from May 2019 to May 2020. 

• Introduced infographics and increased timely content on Wisconsin Law Journal website. Pageviews increased 52% in 2020, compared to 2019. 

 

Michaela Paukner, Freelance Writer  - Mequon, WI          

January 2018-August 2021

Self-employment operation offering marketing and public relations to state, national & international clientele 

 

Freelance Writer & Marketing Consultant

Create broad array of content for clients & manage operations as a small business owner

 

Select Achievements

• Grew small business from an 8-hour-per-week side project to full-time employment that paid a living wage.

• Leveraged networking skills to increase referrals by 200%.

 

Candeo Creative - Oshkosh, WI            

November 2015-March 2018

Boutique marketing agency serving Wisconsin businesses in a variety of industries; $1M valuation during 2018

 

Brand Manager (November 2016-March 2018)

Directed development of Candeo Creative brand and served as brand ambassador for regional educational and networking events

 

Communications Specialist (November 2015-November 2016)

Planned and executed digital marketing strategies, written content and public relations efforts for agency clients

 

Select Achievements

• Received four industry awards for creative concepting and copywriting during tenure.

• Achieved a 28% increase in donations year over year, 17% increase in overall donor base and 15% increase in donor frequency through a digital marketing campaign for a nonprofit blood center client. 

 

WBAY Action 2 News - Green Bay, WI            

July 2013-August 2015

ABC-affiliated TV news station broadcasting across Northeast Wisconsin; Reaches 989,800 viewers ages 12+ in the Green Bay-Appleton market

 

News Producer

Produced at 1.5 hours of newscasts per day, including executing visual elements, writing scripts and editing video, and managed overnight newsroom operations

 

Select Achievements

• Awarded Best Morning Newscast of 2015 by Wisconsin Broadcasters Association for breaking news coverage of 120-mile deadly crime spree.

• Maintained #1 rating for the Green Bay-Appleton market for newscast time slots in all quarterly ratings throughout tenure with the station.

 

WLUK FOX 11 News - Green Bay, WI        

February 2012-June 2013

FOX affiliated TV news station broadcasting across Northeast Wisconsin; Reaches 989,800 viewers ages 12+ in the Green Bay-Appleton market

 

Weekend Assignment Editor (July 2012-July 2013)

Managed staff and newsroom operations on weekends during the day, and wrote content for newscasts and station website.

 

Writer/Editor (February 2012-July 2012)

Write content for morning newscasts, gather news through calls to local authorities and edit video for newscasts using Avid, a non-linear editing system.