DeMario Phipps-Smith
Chicago
Summary
Results-driven product thinker and storyteller experienced in dynamic environments that offer complex challenges. Passionate about work that connects people, uplifts marginalized communities, and challenges the status quo. Skilled in user research, cross-functional collaboration, and stakeholder communication.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
Work History
Junior Product Manager
Daily Kos
06.2024 - Current
- Assists in managing Agile software development processes.
- Oversees requirements gathering, acceptance criteria formulation, success metric definition, and liaising with design teams.
- Strategizes and drafts user stories and story maps, while closely monitoring issue progression and providing timely solutions to the development team.
- Collaborates to refine the product backlog and facilitate daily standup meetings and other essential team gatherings.
- Collaborate with remote teammates and execute meticulous product acceptance tasks. Proficient in documenting business requirements and conducting thorough business analysis, leveraging market data to inform product strategies aligning with both user and business needs.
- Actively engage with the user community on dailykos.com to ensure a thorough understanding of user perspectives and needs, fostering company-wide success through stakeholder alignment.
Senior Manager, Community Learning
The News Literacy Project
09.2022 - 02.2024
- Developed and facilitated professional learning sessions, in-person and virtual, on a variety of news literacy concepts for audiences of adult learners.
- Constructed feedback surveys and other tools that assess learning and provide data for reporting key metrics relevant to team objectives and specific donor and grant requirements.
- Collaborated on the design, development, and implementation of a digital education platform for on-demand, self-paced professional learning for educators and adult learners.
- Organized the design, development, and publication of related resources to supplement our programs for community partners.
News Writer
Blavity Inc.
01.2020 - 07.2021
- Wrote over 700 news, features, and profile stories on subjects of interest to the Black community.
- Secured over 10 million page views and more than 10,000 social media interactions on digital content.
Communications Coordinator
Breakthrough Urban Ministries
04.2018 - 11.2019
- Breakthrough partners with those affected by poverty to build connections, develop skills, and open doors of opportunity.
- Supported the creation and implementation of annual communications plan, which includes social media, monthly newsletters, and all constituent communication
- Created and edited all content for print appeals, e-communications (social media and online newsletter), blogs, events, and other communications to engage all Breakthrough audiences (donors, volunteers, participants, EGP residents)
- Oversaw social media strategy and implementation
- Enhanced Breakthrough’s local and national reputation through securing media placements in print and digital news outlets
- Assisted with external presentations and equip Breakthrough staff to communicate effectively by providing story materials and coaching
- Spearheaded communications analytics and provides regular reports to larger development team
Senior Writer
National Football Foundation
10.2014 - 04.2017
- Wrote feature, spotlight and human interest stories about the various levels of football practiced in America.
- Curated high school football highlights for weekly "Top Plays of the Week."
- Collaborated on the creation of "Captain's Corner" - an editorial series that delved into the leadership of college football's most successful programs.
Digital Content Editor
Chicago Sun-Times
02.2015 - 01.2016
- Assisted in managing content for the national Sun-Times Network. Contributed to digital network that garnered more than 30 million page views per month.
- Wrote 12+ articles per week on local community, sports and news events.
- Manage social media interactions that total hundreds per month on each site.
- Utilized proper SEO, interlinking techniques to maximize exposure for content.
Education
Masters of Science - Journalism, Media Innovation and Content Strategy
Northwestern University
06.2022
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) - Radio, Television and Digital Communication
Southern Illinois University, Carbondale
01.2014
Skills
- Product development
- Product backlog management
- User story creation
- Product metrics tracking
- Stakeholder management
- Editing
- Product documentation
- Problem-solving
Timeline
Junior Product Manager
Daily Kos
06.2024 - Current
Senior Manager, Community Learning
The News Literacy Project
09.2022 - 02.2024
News Writer
Blavity Inc.
01.2020 - 07.2021
Communications Coordinator
Breakthrough Urban Ministries
04.2018 - 11.2019
Digital Content Editor
Chicago Sun-Times
02.2015 - 01.2016
Senior Writer
National Football Foundation
10.2014 - 04.2017
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) - Radio, Television and Digital Communication
Southern Illinois University, Carbondale
Masters of Science - Journalism, Media Innovation and Content Strategy
Northwestern University
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