Greetings! My name is Kirsten McIlvenna, and I’m thrilled to join the ICC USA office as the new Communications Director. I am a 2011 graduate of Saginaw Valley State University with a BA in Professional & Technical Writing as well as Creative Writing.
I’ve stepped into many roles in narrowing down my career—writing mentor, journalist, editor-in-chief, designer, web content writer, crossword puzzle designer, audience development manager, publications manger, review editor, blog writer, and social media guru. I’m excited to wrap up this vast variety of experiences into one bundle to bring a fresh perspective to the communications efforts at ICC.
Growing up, my mother always said she thought I would be happy in a role where I could help others, and—as mother knows best—she was right. But at first, my passions for writing, editing, and design took me in another direction, or other directions. Upon completion of my degree and upon starting my career, I quickly realized that working at a for-profit company was just not my thing. I felt like I wasn’t contributing to anything larger; I wasn’t helping people as my mother so easily saw that I needed.
In my move to Kalamazoo, I sought out a job for a non-profit where I could put my communications skills to work while also feeling like I could contribute more substantially. This job with ICC is an incredible fit. I feel so blessed to now be able to use the talents I was gifted with to make a difference in my own way and to be associated with the great work ICC is doing to make an impact in the daily lives of children and families in Haiti and the Dominican Republic.
I am anxious and excited for the eye-opening experiences I’ve come to expect as I travel down to Haiti and the Dominican Republic this May for the first time. When I return, I look forward to sharing with you both the stories of need and the stories of success that come from the daily life there. As I transition into my new and exciting role at ICC, I want to know what you want to hear about. What news do you want to stay updated on? What types of stories peak your interests? I’d love to hear from you; you can reach me at Kirsten@internationalchildcare.org.
