Kristin Gourlay | Content Creator  

My story
I’m an accomplished content producer, journalist and editor with more than 15 years’ experience in media and communications. I conceptualize and tell brand stories across channels. I excel at a range of content, from thought leadership to social media campaigns, from video and audio production to long form web and reporting projects. I make the complex approachable and the story unforgettable. My superpowers are finding and telling stories that center real human beings and engage audiences. My content expertise is in health care, but my journalism chops help me come up to speed quickly in new industries.

Skills
Brand storytelling | Journalism | Content creation: digital, social, long form, thought leadership | Content strategy | Collaboration | Editing | Interviewing | Research | Audio editing and production | French | Spanish | Creative briefs | Paid, earned, social, owned strategies | Voracious learner | Published creative writer | Video production

Education

M.S., Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism
B.A., Lewis & Clark College

Experience

Manager, Storytelling, Blue Cross Blue Shield Association — 2017-present

I inaugurated the role of brand journalist at BCBSA, where I am responsible for elevating the health care expertise of one of the biggest brands in the country. I develop creative, multi-channel campaigns that align with corporate goals and write long form stories, create social campaigns, develop video and audio scripts, policy papers, reports, executive communications and more. I’m plugged into and respected by executive subject matter experts and known for my ability to identify stories with impact and heart. Accomplishments include creating two of the company’s most successful social media campaigns: 1) our health equity policy platform roll out and 2) an homage to Black Maternal Health Week. I also launched the company’s first branded podcast, which garnered thousands of listens. I work closely with internal stakeholders, such as metrics and brand, to ensure content hits the mark.

Health Care Reporter and Interim News Director, The Public’s Radio  — 2012-2017

As interim news director, I led a diverse newsroom in planning coverage, editing features, daily news, live coverage, panel discussions and digital stories. As a member of the newsroom, I produced award-winning features, investigative series and documentaries. In-depth projects included the impact of the opioid addiction crisis on front-line workers and investigations into Rhode Island’s child welfare system. I was honored to be asked to manage interns and fulfilled by mentoring junior reporters. Accomplishments include winning a fellowship with the USC Annenberg School of Communication and being chosen as an NPR/Kaiser Health News Collaborative reporter. I also reported national stories for NPR, including a series on opioid use.

Environment reporter and editor, Louisville Public Media — 2007-2010

I developed the region’s first environmental news network, the Ohio River Radio Consortium, uniting reporters and public radio stations throughout the Ohio River Valley. I set the Consortium’s editorial agenda and commissioned and edited features from contributing reporters. I also produced weekly environment and science feature stories, news spots and interviews.

Host and reporter, Wyoming Public Radio — 2005-2007

Produced weekly features, daily news spots and interviews, focusing on the environment, energy, science and social issues. Helped conceive, launch, produce and co-host the station’s first national award-winning weekly news magazine, Open Spaces.

Accolades
2021 “Leap” award for exceptional contribution to BCBSA’s national health equity strategy; 2019 BCBSA President’s Award for Innovation; 2016 Regional Edward R. Murrow award for news documentary; 2016 Metcalf Diversity in Media award; 2013 Regional Edward R. Murrow award for news series