About Me
I have spent the last two decades leveraging words to make clients’ dreams come true. Trained at Columbia University in Journalism & Public Policy, my writing and advocacy have elected presidents, won grants for nonprofits, passed ballot measures, and landed dream jobs for applicants in multiple fields.
I’ve worked as a political campaign strategist & writer, a journalist for NYC papers & the Voice of America, taught community college students political science & writing, and performed as a professional actor for films, TV, and stage. I look forward to using my passion for crafting the exact right words to tell your unique and vital story.
My relationship with words started when I was five years old when my father found a stack of poems written in red ink on a yellow legal pad in my mother’s desk drawer. He wanted to publish them, but eleven major publishing houses said no. The eleven rejection letters said the same thing: “We don’t publish poetry, and poetry doesn’t sell.”
Instead of giving up, my Dad published the book in our basement, before the internet, before the personal computer. As our friends packed the books, I sat on our green pool table, playing with my Raggedy Ann.
My parents drove to bookstores, offering the books free. The poems struck a chord, and The Roses Have Never Wilted, by Paula Morgan, sold 75,000 copies-a a best seller for poetry. The first book led to a hardback book of poetry, Say Yes!, published by the NY Times Book Company.
I was working as a political consultant in Washington, DC, when I got the call that would change my life. It was my Mom, and she needed me, so I made the difficult decision to return to Los Angeles and become her live-in caretaker. Often, I’d end the day feeling emotionally black and blue. After being a caregiver, other jobs feel like a Hawaiian vacation.
I still needed an income, so I started Maverick Consulting to do customized writing projects (in between my caretaking tasks.) Was this even possible? I didn’t know.
I’ve always known how powerful art can be but watching my Mom write and produce a mini-series for HBO in her eighties made me fall in love with words all over again.
I know how valuable your story is, and I can’t wait to take this magical journey with you!
Resume
Lisa-Beth is a passionate & seasoned writer, editor, political pro & college instructor. After work, she is an actor, storyteller, & Jazz dancer!
Education
Columbia University - New York, NY | Dual Master's Degree
Journalism & Public Policy
Graduate School of Journalism & the School of International & Public Affairs
American University - Washington, DC | Bachelor of Arts
International Relations & Theatre
Cal State Northridge
Teaching Credential, English
Maverick Consulting, Strategic Communications
2010-current
Writing & editing: resumes, speeches, grants, biz writing, books, etc.
Selected clients
United Nations, The Walt Disney Company, Greenpeace,100+ reviews Thumbtack.com
Caregiver for my Mother, concurrently
2010-2015
Condensed Political Experience
Biden for President & Legislative Advocate
2023-24
Communications & Field
Lead Strategist & Writer, Rick Thomas for LA City Council, CD15
2021
Hillary Clinton for President
2016
Communications (Southwest)
Alliance for Climate Protection
2009
Campaign Director
California Bond Measure Q
2008
Campaign Director, Bond Measure Q
SEIU Home Healthcare Union
2008
Communications Director
Obama for President
2008
Field Manager
Janet Chin for School Board
2007
Director of Communications
Gore for President (Headquarters, Nashville, TN.)
2000
Speech Writer, Scheduling Manager
Los Angeles Anti-Sweatshop Campaign
2000
Campaign Director
New York City Council
1998
Investigator, Office of Oversight
Reauthorization of Welfare Legislation
1997
Campaign Director
Overseas Private Investment Corporation, Washington, DC
1997
Workers’ Rights Analyst/Advocate
Voice of America, NYC Bureau
1997
International Workers' Rights Analyst
Clinton for President
1996
Director of Communications, Los Angeles
International Human Rights Law Group, Washington, DC
1994
Intern
Writing/Editing
Memoir Writer, Story Terrace.com
2021-current
Teaching Experience
Summer Institute for the Gifted, UCLA
Summer, 2019
Public speaking course
Designed & taught a course on creating & presenting TED TALKS to international students.
Los Angeles Community Colleges, Los Angeles, CA
9/2004-12/2008
Political science course
- Adjunct Instructor
- Taught online and traditional courses at 10 campuses.
Pepperdine University, Malibu, CA
Summer, 2013
Curriculum Design/Instructor, Pre-college program on Community Service
- Designed a class on the context of hunger and homelessness in Los Angeles.
- Created a volunteer program for students at food banks, shelters & community gardens.
Community Service
Navigator
Karsh Social Service Center, Wilshire Blvd. Temple
Teacher
LA Family Housing
Food Bank Volunteer
SOVA Food Pantry
Services
Resumes & cover Letters
Grants
Requests for proposals
Website writing
Press releases
Developmental Editing
Copy Editing
Books, articles, papers, etc.
Edit & collaborate
on college essays
Academic Writing
on college essays
Political writing & legislative analysis
Lesson Planning
Samples
Contact
Dear Inspiring clients:
I begin each project with a REAL phone conversation. Only the best communication will do.
- First, please call or text me with a good time to reach you. I will confirm our call and block the time for you in advance.
- Second: Please send your current resume, the draft of your project, or project notes to [email protected]
I will reply within one day with a specific plan for your project.
For more information, please see my 95 reviews on Thumbtack.com.
Gratefully,
- Lisa-Beth Harris
- Maverick Consulting
- 323-574-5812
- [email protected]
