Professional Experience

SPECIAL PROJECTS EDITOR, GENTRY MAGAZINE -- October 2004 to present

Responsible for three special issues a year for Gentry, a northern California glossy. Includes developing concept, creating article roster of sidebars, Q&A interviews and front-of-the-book, and writing entire feature well of three to four full-length features. Special issues include “Leading Peninsula Women”, featuring profiles of more than 35 prominent women in business, technology, the arts and philanthropy; "Life at C-Level", a round-up of Silicon Valley's CEOs, COOs, and CFOs, and “Gala”, featuring party coverage of major fund-raising and philanthropic events.    

BOOK REVIEW, SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE -- September 2003 to December 2005

Regular reviewer for San Francisco Chronicle, specializing in children's literature,
education, parenting and related fiction.

COLUMNIST, "PERSPECTIVES," GENTRY MAGAZINE -- October 2001 to present

"Perspectives", formerly "Peninsula FYI," is a monthly front-of-the-book section in Gentry, a northern California glossy. Each month it includes a first-person column, with recent topics including the true meaning of philanthropy, sportsmanship in the age of high-powered parenting, the pleasures of handmade stationery, the decline of manners among the upwardly mobile, and the fine art of hostess gifts. In addition, I am a regular contributor of feature work, including interviews with author Lalita Tademy, author Lemony Snicket, Genentech President Myrtle Potter, food writer Amanda Hesser, Gourmet editor Ruth Reichl, jewelry designer Elsa Peretti and ProActiv founders Dr. Kathie Fields and Dr. Katie Rodan,. I also do event coverage, including galas such as Cure Autism Now, and athletic events, such as the Menlo Charity Horse Show. .

WRITER AND FREELANCE JOURNALIST -- July 1985 to present

General feature work and reporting on topics ranging from women's issues and parenting to food writing and Olympic sports training. Work has appeared in newspapers such as the Chicago Tribune, the Los Angeles Times, and the San Jose Mercury News; and magazines including Parenting, Self, Home & Design, Chicago, Commerce, and West

OTHER JOURNALISM EXPERIENCE

  • Intern, Public Relations, Federal National Mortgage Association, January 1975 to May 1975
  • Staff Reporter, Worcester Telegram and Gazette, Worcester, Massachusetts, summer 1974
  • State House Reporter, Associated Press, Boston, 1973
  • Associate Editor, Daily Free Press, 1973 and 1974
  • Reporter, Sterling Daily Gazette, Sterling, Illinois, 1969, 1970, and 1971

Volunteer Experience

MEMBER, BOARD OF DIRECTORS, INSTITUTE FOR RESEARCH ON WOMEN AND GENDER, STANFORD UNIVERSITY -- Palo Alto, California, 2000 to 2004

The Institute is the oldest feminist institute and think tank in the country, supporting research into women's changing economic and social roles with the mission of contributing to policy-making and leadership on issues such as women's health, aging, and workplace discrimination.

MEMBER, BOARD OF SPONSORS, PLANNED PARENTHOOD GOLDEN GATE -- San Mateo, California, 2000 to present

The Board is responsible for attracting new avenues of support, providing areas of expertise to the acting Board of Directors, and providing links to outside communities.

MEMBER, CASTILLEJA SCHOOL, CENTENNIAL ENDOWMENT CAMPAIGN -- Palo Alto, California, 2003 to present.

Castilleja School was started at the request of the first president of Stanford University and today is a prestigious, nationally known girls-only middle and high school program. The campaign is charged with raising an approximately $40 million endowment in celebration of Castilleja School's Centennial anniversary in 2008.

MEMBER, ADVISORY BOARD, STANFORD UNIVERSITY RED BARN EQUESTRIAN CENTER -- Palo Alto, California, 2006 to present.

The Advisory Board is charged with the management of the university’s 13-acre equestrian center, including land use, facilities, development, marketing and community outreach.

Additional Business Experience

VICE PRESIDENT, EQUIS, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS -- 1984 to 1985.

LEASING SPECIALIST, FULLER COMMERCIAL BROKERAGE COMPANY (NOW ROYAL LEPAGE), CHICAGO -- 1979 to 1984.

ASSISTANT TO DEPARTMENT HEAD, BAIRD & WARNER, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS -- 1978 to 1979.  

COMMERCIAL LENDING ASSOCIATE, MANAGEMENT TRAINING PROGRAM, FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF CHICAGO, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS -- 1975 to 1978.

Education

Boston University, Bachelor of Science in Journalism, Summa Cum Laude, 1975

Copyright 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006 Christine VanDeVelde. All rights reserved.