Mary Jo Draper has helped dozens of non-profit, government and business clients develop strategic media plans, execute public relations projects, and deliver messages through web pages, electronic newsletters, white papers and other written materials.

Draper served as a reporter, news director and talk show host at Kansas City’s Public Radio station, KCUR, from 1984 through 1999. Draper won numerous awards for her reporting on city government, health care and other issues.

She founded Draper Communications in 1999. Since then, Draper has helped numerous non-profits, governments and businesses assess their media strategies, development media relations plans and get media coverage of their work. She has also written feature articles, white papers and by-lined articles for local and national clients.

Draper also teaches workshops on media relations and writing for non-profits, libraries and associations.

She is an adjunct faculty member at Rockhurst University, where she teaches community engagement to students in the Nonprofit Leadership program.

Draper is active in community issues in Kansas City, MO., where she serves as co-president of the Valentine Neighborhood Association.

Education

• BS, journalism, Ohio University, Athens Ohio
• MA, journalism, University of MIssouri/Columbia
• Skills: computer programs including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Photoshop, audio and video editing