Hello
Writer, journalist, death with dignity activist, naturalist guide, sometime dog trainer, outdoors woman, passionate about literature and contemporary art. I never know how to describe myself.
Curious is the simplest word.
My Story
I have just completed my first book, a memoir on dying, grief and wild dogs. The writing required raw honesty and willingness to relive pain. It forced me to tear up many drafts and deepen my understanding of what makes great writing so powerful. It has enriched my appreciation of literature and how to read well.
I continue to write creative non-fiction, exploring what makes us deeply human, a rewarding journey after years as a journalist specializing in economics and politics, human rights and corruption. At Reuters, I reported from all over the world: I was global editor for economics, editor for top news stories in the Americas, and Americas editor of Reuters Financial Television. My articles were published in The Washington Post, The Times of London and The New York Times and many more places. As managing editor for 100Reporters and at the Thomson Reuters Foundation, I edited stories on corruption from journalists in developing countries for major media outlets, including The Atlantic online, The Intercept and newspapers in Africa. I have been interviewed on CNBC, PBS, BBC America, CBC, CSPAN, NPR and Voice of America and moderated panels at The World Bank, the International Monetary Fund and the United Nations.
The death of my wife and life partner of 37 years, Mary, changed everything. I spiraled into despair and only her fierce German Shepherds, trained in a violent sport I disliked called Schutzhund, kept me grounded. Forced to learn how to train wild dogs and then writing of Mary's courage in campaigning for medical aid in dying pulled me back into living. Our story was featured this July on Diane Rehm's podcast, as well as in the documentary When My Time Comes, and in The Washington Post. I continue to advocate for choice in our final days for Compassion and Choices and End of Life Options DC.
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Whenever I am not reading or writing, I spend time in the wilderness, hiking in high mountains, canoeing quiet waters or walking deserted beaches. In the summers, I work as a naturalist guide in South East Alaska, and off season, I spend time on the barrier islands of the Eastern Shore of Virginia. I contribute features on ecology to local media sites. And always, I am training Eiger, my outrageous German Shepherd, the dog I love and had never wanted.
