About

After years as a writer, editor, and CD working with top nonprofits, I've gotten pretty good at using words and images to tell compelling stories that inspire change: My work has helped animal shelters find new homes for pets, protected Alaska’s grizzlies, led to the designation of national parks, and supported people returning home from prison.

Current obsession: Urban design—everything from housing density and public transit to better parks and bike lanes. I’m convinced we can make our surroundings more engaging and address climate change in one fell swoop… or many tiny swoops.

When I’m not at the keyboard, I’m usually biking through Rock Creek Park, watching a documentary, reading nonfiction, or strolling around Navy Yard with my pitbull mix, Luna.

EXPERIENCE

Freelance

Copywriter
7.16-Present
Washington, DC

Freelance word-arranger for design firms including Briteweb, Eighty2Degrees, Mission Minded, Phinney Bischoff, Teal, and Threespot. Conducting competitor research; interviewing stakeholders; drafting brand guidelines; and writing headlines, taglines, and web copy for do-gooders and government agencies. Clients  include D.C. Office of Urban Agriculture, FarmStand, Food Bank of the Rockies, Home Planet Fund (Patagonia), International Rescue Committee, and Smithsonian Institution.

Also writing for The Washington Post’s “The Home You Own” department and profiling leading architects, designers, photographers and illustrators for outlets including Adobe Create, Communication Arts, and Modern in Denver. 

Teal

Sr. Copywriter + Sr. Messaging Strategist
10.22-3.24
Washington, DC

Started working with Teal as the freelance copywriter for Home Planet Fund, the conservation nonprofit launched with revenues from Patagonia. Joined full-time summer of ’23, collaborating with Teal’s art directors and clients to interview stakeholders, create brand messaging guides, write web copy, write blog posts, draft video scripts, write and edit emails, review social-media posts and more.

Clients include Abigail Disney, Abundant Futures Fund, American Film Showcase, The Shorenstein Center at Harvard-Kennedy School, and United Way of Central Maryland.

National Geographic Society

Content Director, Creative
5.21-5.22
Washington, DC

Oversaw writing, research, copyediting and fact-checking at the National Geographic Society, including museum exhibits and NatGeo’s reimagined HQ and public space, to open in 2026.

Partnered with the design director to streamline and standardize production processes, including the introduction of Spanish-language translations for all exhibits. Museum work included the creation of “Pristine Seas” exhibit launched Summer 2022 and Ronan Donovan’s “Wolves,” which premiered in Jackson, Wyoming, Fall 2022.

Friday

Creative Director
10.19-5.21
Denver, CO

Wrote copy and oversaw design for clients focused on improving college-graduation rates, helping kids learn to read, fighting for the responsible use of chemicals, and much more. Researched competitors, interviewed stakeholders, crafted mission/vision, and drafted foundational language for organizations including Aspen Institute, Hybrid College Network, Lumina Foundation, and Words in the Wild.

Vermilion Design + Digital

Creative Director
6.15-7.16
Boulder, CO

Oversaw the work of five killer graphic designers focusing on nonprofit clients, civic organizations, and “green” companies like the city of Boulder, the town of Vail, University of Colorado, Mott Foundation, and Rudi’s Organic Bakery. Teamed up with brilliant developers and savvy social-media folks to advance causes like civil rights, clean energy, literacy, safe sex, and many more. Copywriting focus on messaging guidelines, content strategy, print ads, taglines, and brand identity.

National Parks Conservation Association

Creative Director
8.13-6.15
Editor In Chief: National Parks Magazine
10.05-6.15
Senior Editor: National Parks Magazine
8.04-10.05
Washington, DC

Inherited a quarterly membership magazine and turned it into one of the premier publications produced by an environmental nonprofit. Brought on a talented graphic designer, a budding writer, a newbie photo editor, and some stellar freelancers, who helped us earn awards for writing, photography, design, and illustration. Increased circulation from 290,000 to 330,000 readers who wrote letters that we were proud to publish while silencing all the cranky, overzealous fact-checkers just waiting to pounce.

Launched a wildly successful internal PR campaign to persuade co-workers to leverage our design capabilities for advertisements, infographics, reports, and videos. Oversaw creative for a campaign that persuaded Congress and the president to create a dozen new national parks including Valles Caldera and Manhattan Project National Historical Park.

EDUCATION

University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
BA Psychology

Pursued a degree in Psychology because friends and family wisely told me to do whatever interested me the most. Best advice ever. I use it every day. (The advice AND the degree.)

Contact

scottkirkwood.dc [at] gmail.com
Washington, DC