Sarah Lee
American Conservative, TownHall, RedState, Foundation for Defense of Democracies, Conservative Intelligence Briefing, The Hill, The Washington Examiner, Daily Caller, Daily Signal, etc.
Snellville,Ga.
27
years of professional experience
Strategic communications professional, journalist, and researcher with extensive experience in crafting engaging material for diverse audiences. Leverages skills in SEO, social media strategy, and multimedia content development to drive results and enhance collaboration. Meets evolving project demands with precision and creativity.
Work History
Content Contributor/Account Manager
3 Months- Wrote engaging magazine content aligned with editorial voice and audience expectations.
- Researched topics thoroughly to support accurate, relevant article development.
- Collaborated with editors to refine drafts and strengthen final publication quality.
- Proofread submissions to ensure grammar, clarity, and style consistency.
Communications and External Relations Director
6 Years 9 Months- Managed external and internal communications at investigative free market think tank focused on political funding and conservative policy issues, enhancing organizational visibility.
- Responsible for guiding the direction of communications and media messaging and, to a lesser degree, the policy issues the organization chooses to address.
- Wrote and pitched organizational op-eds while serving as media relations coordinator.
- Managed a small digital media team that produces all videos and podcasts for CRC
- Coordinated legislative appearances for the President related to policy issues in battleground states.
- Guided the direction of communications and media messaging, along with influencing policy issues addressed by the organization.
Freelance editor/content contributor
16 Years 8 Months- Authored original pieces, both under byline and as ghostwriter, on policy issues including Middle East policy, roots of Al Qaeda, terrorism, interventionism vs. neocon policy, Pentagon funding, net neutrality, Affordable Care Act, and current news events during 2016 election and Trump administration.
- Edited opinion and news copy for clarity, grammar, tone, and consistency.
- Verified facts, sources, and attribution to maintain editorial accuracy.
- Coordinated with writers and contributors to meet publication deadlines.
Health Care Research Fellow/Managing Editor, Health Care News
1 Year 3 Months- Health care policy research fellow and managing editor of Health Care News newspaper, The Heartland Institute’s monthly news publication subscribed to by every state and federal legislator.
- Wrote 1 health care-related op-ed and produced 1 podcast each week.
- Managed 50+ freelance writers.
- Assigned, edited, and produced monthly health care newspaper, improving clarity and engagement for readers.
- Worked as a Heartland coalition member of the Health Care Choices group out of The Heritage Foundation and Galen Institute.
Communications/Political Consultant & Strategist
3 Years 3 Months- Media Booking/Press Consultant
- Consulted for Republican National Lawyers Association (April 2017 – present), American Conservative Union (Feb. 2016 – Nov. 2016), Illinois Policy Institute (Oct. 2014 – May 2015), and Ayn Rand Institute (Jan 2015 – Aug 2015) as communications consultant and political messaging strategist.
- Wrote and placed op-eds in various media outlets to promote key messages.
- Assessed communications needs, booked policy experts on radio/TV, general communication outreach and analysis, implemented best practices and strategies, worked with policy experts on media training, tracked media hits and press contacts.
- Assessed communications needs and booked policy experts for radio/TV, conducted outreach and analysis, implemented best practices, provided media training, and tracked media hits and press contacts.
- Cultivated relationships with national media outlets, advising experts on framing organizational messaging to secure media coverage.
Weekend Editor
4 Months- Managed and monitored The Blaze news site on weekends, contributing original reporting and curating outside news content to enhance audience engagement.
- Wrote over 300 articles in 3 months for The Blaze news site.
- Facilitated editorial decisions to align content with audience interests and organizational goals.
- Procured press credentials for Blaze reporters to cover Capitol Hill, the 2016 Presidential Inauguration, and CPAC 2017, establishing pathways for future White House press briefings.
- Appeared on several radio shows in support of The Blaze.
Account Associate
2 Years 9 Months- Managed general public relations accounts and coordinated, organized, and ran Radio Row at CPAC 2012, 2014, 2015.
Communications Director
2 Years 1 Month- Directed communications for the Center and managed the Digital Media Manager in all communications efforts, both traditional and digital.
- Revamped website and upgraded IT infrastructure to cloud computing; oversaw redesign and publication of quarterly newsletter to donors; increased media presence by promoting founder to reporters and editors, facilitating op-ed placements in national publications, and establishing thrice-weekly blog postings.
- Increased visibility of organization through strategic outreach efforts.
- Managed daily office operations during a staff shortage.
- Cultivated and maintained relationships with Beltway press, media members, Hill staffers, and think tank/non-profit employees across conservative advocacy spectrum.
Writer
1 Year 4 Months- Ghost wrote, edited, and placed op-eds and blog posts on emerging policy issues, influencing public discourse on net neutrality, anti-ballistic laser testing, Iran sanctions, NewGen aerial refueling tanker, the Deepwater Horizon disaster, and union bailouts.
- Pitched and placed clients on both nationally syndicated radio outlets such as Lars Larson; and on television outlets such as Neil Cavuto, Varney and Company and other Fox Business outlets.
- Facilitated radio row at CPAC 2011.
Administrative Associate, EITS Client Services/Office of the CIO
6 Years 9 Months- Developed communications plan with budget proposal to enhance awareness of campus upgrade to new course management application
- Developed a Communications plan, including a budget proposal, to promote campus upgrade to new course management application
- Crafted press releases to promote Client Services (HTML, Dreamweaver)
- Coordinated schedules for meetings and events, ensuring timely communication among participants., served as first point of contact for Client Services Director
- Provided expertise in strategic communication to enhance departmental initiatives and projects. as expert in field of Communications
- Refined notification process for campus regarding illegal file sharing activities on network, improving communication effectiveness
- Updated divisional Web pages (HTML, Dreamweaver)
- Drafted copy for Chief Information Officer’s Compact Plan (MS Word)
- Edited/compiled UGA’s 2005 Information Security Report
- Conducted peer research, managed cost recovery contracts (MS Access)
- Managed divisional budgets, ensuring alignment with strategic goals and resource allocation
Freelance writer
- Atlanta restaurant reviews
- Business profiles
Music Editor
5 Months- Wrote/published original copy
- Managed over 20 freelance writers
- Contributed to design decisions
Reporter
3 Years 1 Month- Developed local government beat
- Published hard news/feature stories on business, local government, entertainment, etc. as a general beat reporter
- Developed/maintained community contacts, represented ABH within community
Education
BA - English
LLM - International Antitrust
MPA - Public Administration & Policy
Skills
Ghostwriting
Product description writing
Whitepaper writing
Podcast production
Fact checking
Brand voice development
Digital marketing
News writing
Keyword research
Audio content creation
Research report writing
Content editing
Project management
Interviewing
Section name
Short Bio: Highly experienced policy, media and communications professional (more than 30 years) with a developed ability to remain calm under pressure and juggle multiple projects simultaneously. Long career as a journalist and op-ed writer, including familiarity with press secretary duties as both spokesperson and interviewer. Currently serve as communications and external relations director for Capital Research Center (CRC) in Washington, DC, which includes working with Congressional offices on legislation, preparing testimony for legislative hearings at both the federal and state levels, handling media relations (press pitches and interview requests), maintaining large press and legislative contact lists, generating earned and paid media, light marketing and digital graphic design, light web design and web page coding, managing crisis communications for internal and external stakeholders, conducting media training, managing general outreach to and from other external stakeholders (including Congressional and state-level legislators), policy research and white paper creation/editing (AI familiarity, mostly Perplexity), managing a communications team, and identifying and managing communications-related vendor contracts. Additional skills include extensive experience with writing issue-oriented op-eds, including a semi-regular column, managing legacy, digital, and social media, and producing, hosting, and marketing podcasts/media appearances for the organization.
Timeline
Content Contributor/Account Manager
JAMES Magazine
07.2026 - CurrentRead More
Communications and External Relations Director
Capital Research Center
01.2020 - CurrentRead More
Health Care Research Fellow/Managing Editor, Health Care News
The Heartland Institute
01.2018 - 04.2019Read More
Weekend Editor
The Blaze
11.2016 - 03.2017Read More
Communications/Political Consultant & Strategist
10.2014 - 01.2018Read More
Account Associate
Blueskin Solutions
01.2014 - 10.2016Read More
Communications Director
Institute For Free Speech
05.2011 - 06.2013Read More
Freelance editor/content contributor
American Conservative, TownHall, RedState, Foundation for Defense of Democracies, Conservative Intelligence Briefing, The Hill, The Washington Examiner, Daily Caller, Daily Signal, etc.
02.2010 - CurrentRead More
Writer
Advocacy Ink (Alexandria, Va.)
01.2010 - 05.2011Read More
Freelance writer
Southern Distinction Magazine
08.2005 - 08.2005Read More
Administrative Associate, EITS Client Services/Office of the CIO
University of Georgia
03.2003 - 12.2009Read More
Music Editor
Flagpole Magazine
10.2002 - 03.2003Read More
Reporter
Athens Banner-Herald
09.1999 - 10.2002Read More
MPA from Public Administration & Policy
Read More
The American Conservative/Catholic University Constitutional Fellowship
Read More
George Mason University
LLM from International Antitrust
Read More
University of Georgia
BA from English
Read More