A.wordsmith

Founder & President

Ann is founder and owner of A.wordsmith, a boutique writing and public relations firm in Portland, Oregon. She is passionate about a lot of things, including her family, loud country music concerts and San Francisco 49ers football. At work this energy centers on building strong relationships with her clients, team and partners. With more than two decades worth of strategic communications experience Ann has worked in both agency and corporate settings, providing a broad range of support to clients. Prior to founding A.wordsmith in 2009, Ann worked at PR agencies Weber Shandwick Worldwide and Standing Partnership – managing accounts for large global companies – and served as an internal marketing manager for an international consultancy.   Ann holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism with an emphasis in public relations from the University of Oregon. She is an active member of PRGN, Public Relations Society of America’s Counselors Academy, PDX Leadership Assembly, Oregon Entrepreneur Network and Technology Association of Oregon. She has served on the board of directors for Opal Creek Ancient Forest Center, Portland’s iconic Hollywood Theatre, Girls on the Run of Portland Metro, Willowbrook Arts Camp, Business for Culture & the Arts and Abilities at Work. She founded and hosted the podcast "All Shine, No Flash®" from 2020-2023 where she interviewed influential leaders around the country.   Ann is a graduate of the Portland Metro Chamber’s Leadership Portland program and the author of the first and second editions of the book "100 Things to Do in Portland Before You  Die."