Dear Sara and the CMSF Team,

Throughout my career, I've been most drawn to work that helps people connect with the natural world and places worth protecting. Photography and storytelling have always been a big part of that, and the opportunity to use those skills to support marine conservation is what makes the Senior Communications Coordinator position so appealing to me.

The ocean has been an important part of my life for decades, particularly through surfing. I've also spent much of my photography career exploring the outdoors, photographing wildlife, and swimming with my camera in the water. Living on the Monterey Peninsula has strengthened my connection to the ocean and given me a greater appreciation for the remarkable marine environments and conservation efforts along this part of the California coast.

At Bok Tower Gardens, I led the organization's social media strategy and content creation, while also contributing to communications across email, web, print, and video. My work involved everything from developing ideas and finding stories to photographing, filming, writing, editing, and publishing the finished content. Working closely with staff across departments helped me uncover interesting perspectives on the Gardens' beauty, history, conservation work, and the people behind it. I especially enjoyed bringing those stories to life in ways that connected with our audience.

More recently, as Science Communications and Content Manager with Pacific Forest Trust, I've focused on communicating conservation work through newsletters, annual reports, website content, and other materials. Working with scientists, stewardship staff, and organizational leadership, I've helped translate subjects like forest health, restoration, wildfire, and conservation policy into stories that are accessible and engaging without losing the science behind them.

I'd be excited to bring my experience in communications and storytelling, along with my lifelong connection to the ocean, to the California Marine Sanctuary Foundation. The opportunity to work with a team dedicated to protecting California's marine environments, while continuing to do the creative work I enjoy most, is especially appealing to me.

Thank you for your consideration. I'd welcome the opportunity to discuss how I could contribute to your team.

Keith Novosel
keith.novosel@gmail.com

Experience

Pacific Forest Trust—Science Communications and Content Manager

March 2026 - October 2026

• Lead content development and communications across digital, print, and media channels.

• Translate complex conservation and science-based topics into clear, accessible stories for newsletters, annual reports, donor communications, and other materials.

• Manage website content, email communications, and digital publishing systems.

• Collaborate with scientists, conservation and stewardship staff, philanthropy, leadership, and external communications partners to support consistent messaging across programs and outreach.

"Keith has been an asset to Pacific Forest Trust, combining technical skill, creativity, and a deep commitment to conservation to strengthen our communications. His professionalism, initiative, and ability to produce engaging content—from our Forest Flash newsletters to annual report articles and website improvements—have made a meaningful impact in a short time.” —Laurie Wayburn, President and Co-founder

Bok Tower Gardens—Social Media Coordinator and Content Creator

2021 - 2025

• Worked closely with the Director of Business Development in a small marketing team, helping guide digital communications strategy and content direction.

• Led social and digital marketing efforts across platforms, including planning, content creation, and execution.

• Collaborated with executive leadership and departments including philanthropy, membership, horticulture, and education to support organizational goals.

• Increased organic Facebook reach by 225% and Instagram reach by 100% through consistent storytelling and visual strategy.

• Grew the Gardens' Facebook audience by more than 25,000 followers over four years, with additional growth across other platforms.

• Coordinated media coverage, video productions, and outside creative partners, including designers and filmmakers.

• Produced photography, video, livestreams, and written content for campaigns, events, fundraising, and institutional storytelling.

• Helped modernize and unify the organization's visual identity across digital and print channels.

• Built and maintained a centralized photo and video library used across the organization.

“Keith is extremely respected by his peers and many departments depend upon his creative skills to accomplish their goals. He has consistently provided strong content that has increased our brand awareness. Keith projects self-confidence, authority, and enthusiasm for new tasks and responsibilities. His positivity is very much appreciated and he is a strong team member.” —Erica Smith, Director of Business Development

Keith Novosel Photography and Marketing—Founder and Photographer

2006-Present

• Serve a variety of individuals and businesses to direct and create images, content, and marketing materials to help define their culture and grow their audience.

• Build and maintain a website (www.keithnovosel.com) to promote my brand and images.

• Published in magazines in the US and abroad, including several cover shots and articles.

• Some clients include Howler Bros, Hurley, Witch’s Rock Surf Camp, Shoot for a Cure, Pilcher Property Services, Eidon, and Moment Surf Company.

"Keith’s photography is organic and unfeigned. His work breathes an elegant sincerity and simplicity that I find refreshing and inspiring." —Nathan Oldfield, Photographer/Filmmaker

S&P USA Ventilation Systems, LLC —Marketing and Sales Specialist 

December 2014 – 2019

• Supported marketing and sales operations across product launches, campaigns, and customer communications

• Created visual content for product catalogs, instructions, and marketing materials

• Managed email marketing, brochures, flyers, and social media content

• Worked with regional sales teams to support customer engagement and communication

“Keith joined S&P as a Marketing assistant to help group our marketing efforts and he quickly learned both new software programs and our product line. When our company was experiencing customer service issues,  Keith stepped up to a new role to help our sales team better support our reps and customers. Keith’s diligence and calm demeanor helped get our support back to a high level. His work was praised by both internal and external stakeholders.” —Leigh Carpenter, Marketing Manager

Lensbaby—Digital Marketing Specialist, Trade Show Representative, Production Team Member

2011-2014

• Managed digital advertising campaigns, social media, and content strategy

• Developed partnerships with photographers, influencers, and industry collaborators

• Supported A/B testing and campaign optimization across digital channels

• Identified inefficiencies in paid advertising strategy, reducing waste by approximately $100,000 annually

• Represented brand at major national trade shows and industry events

• Collaborated with marketing and product teams on messaging and creative direction

“Keith was a dependable, dedicated, unflappable and personable employee who was consistently willing to take on special projects utilizing his unique creative abilities. His work consistently exhibited effort above and beyond the expectations of his position.” —Craig Strong, Chief Creative Officer, Co-Founder 

Es-cent-ial Wetsuits—Creative Assistant, Customer Service, Sales, Marketing

2008-2010

• Supported early brand identity through photography, video, and storytelling

• Built and maintained e-commerce website and product marketing materials

• Worked with athletes and wholesalers to promote the brand

"Keith has been the driving force behind the creation of the Es-cent-ial ‘look’. Keith is one of the few that puts his heart and soul into bettering Es-cent-ial as a whole.” —Carl Keever (Founder)

EDUCATION

Pepperdine University, Malibu, CA

Bachelor of Business Administration | Magna Cum Laude

Case Study

Beyond Promotion: Growing an Audience Through Visual Storytelling

Bok Tower Gardens | Social Media Strategy

The Opportunity

At Bok Tower Gardens, I led the organization's social media strategy, from planning and content creation to daily publishing and interacting with followers. The challenge was to maintain a consistent presence while creating content that would engage longtime followers and reach new people, all while sharing what make the Gardens such a special place.

The Approach

I posted every day, but I didn't want every post to feel like an advertisement. Events, promotions, and other announcements were important at times, but I wanted the majority of our content to give people something interesting, beautiful, or useful to engage with. And when promotion was necessary, it was still executed with the same visual style as the other posts.

I focused on high quality photography and video, along with stories that could spark curiosity, evoke emotion, or help people discover something new. Working with staff across all departments helped me find stories and perspectives that might otherwise go unnoticed. I also engaged directly with followers through comments and messages, making social media a conversation rather than just a place to publish content.

The Results

• 225% increase in organic Facebook reach during my first year

• 100% increase in organic Instagram reach during my first year

• More than 25,000 Facebook followers added over my tenure

The Takeaway

At Bok Tower Gardens, I found that consistently sharing high quality content people genuinely wanted to see was a much better way to grow an audience than taking a more promotion-focused approach, as shown through the significant increase in organic reach from before I started to after my first year.

Portfolio

Symphony on the Sandhill (writing sample)