Kathleen O'Hara
Email: kathleenohara@yahoo.com
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Publishing:
Author, Lost and Found in London2009 - Present
- Wrote 65,000-word memoir; oversaw copyediting, interior and exterior design. Responsible for distribution and promotion, including public readings, media interviews, blog, Facebook and Twitter
Print Journalism:
rabble.ca2009 - 2010
- Write freelance opinion columns for progressive, online news service
The Issues Network
Contributing Writer/Editor, Canada/France/Mexico/UK1994 - 2010
- Researched, wrote, and edited opinion columns on local, national, and international affairs for distribution by the country’s largest independent syndication service.
- Client papers included: Winnipeg Free Press, Charlottetown Guardian, Peterborough Examiner
The Toronto Star
Freelance Columnist, Canada/UK2007 - 2008
- Contributed regular opinion columns to Canada’s largest urban daily newspaper
Canadian Press(CP)
Correspondent, Cannes, France2004/2005
- Conducted interviews, wrote film reviews and news items on the Cannes Film Festival for CP, Canada’s largest wire service, distributing to 500 media outlets
Canadian Parliamentary Press Gallery
Freelance Writer, Ottawa, Canada1994 - 1998
- Researched and wrote feature articles for newspapers and magazines, including The Globe and Mail, Canadian Forum (formerly Canada's premier progressive magazine) and the CPPA Monitor
Inter Press Service
Canadian Correspondent, Ottawa, Canada1993 - 1994
- Managed Canadian bureau, covered conferences and media events on a variety of development issues for international news service with a network of journalists in 100 countries
Communications/Public Relations:
Canadian Action Party
Director Communications & Strategy, Toronto, Canada1999 - 2000
- Responsible for communications and public relations strategies for national political party headed by Paul Hellyer, former Deputy Prime Minister of Canada; participated in two federal campaigns
Action Canada Network
Head of Communications, Ottawa, Canada1992 - 1993
- Developed communications strategies for lobby group representing 50 national organizations, including unions, artists, and First Nations; wrote/edited media releases, articles, newsletters, speeches, and special issue magazine; liaised with media; organized press conferences
Government of Ontario, Ministry of Northern Development
Communications Assistant to the Minister, Toronto, Canada1990 - 1992
- Oversaw all communications and PR for minister’s office; managed ministry staff of 25 people; developed communications strategies; wrote/supervised writing of press releases, speeches, weekly newspaper column, and ministry reports; liaised with other ministries and policy staff
Broadcast Journalism:
Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC)
Producer, Toronto, Canada1989 - 1991
- Proposed story ideas, compiled background research, pre-interviewed guests, wrote scripts, briefed hosts, and edited tapes for two of Canada’s leading national public affairs shows, “The Journal” (CBC Television) and “As It Happens” (CBC Radio)
Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) and Canadian Television Network (CTV)
Associate Producer/Story Editor, Toronto, Canada1985 - 1989
- Participated in all aspects of story production for radio and television public affairs shows, including “Metro Morning”, “Ontario Morning”, “Radio Noon” (CBC Radio) and “Canada AM” (CTV Television)
“Radio Noon”, Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) Radio
Co-Host, Windsor, CanadaSummers, 1987/1988
- Developed story ideas, produced and conducted live/taped interviews, wrote and read on-air scripts
EDUCATION
Journalism Studies, Carleton University, Ottawa, Canada1978/1979
Bachelor of Arts, Queen’s University, Kingston, Canada1974 - 1977
RELATED INTERESTS AND SKILLS
- Founding Member of Transition Kingston, environmental organization
- Committee Member of Save Our Prison Farms Campaign
- Speak reasonable French, some Spanish