Meet SPJ Cleveland Board Member... Claudia Taller

Claudia J. Taller joined SPJ Cleveland, in her words, "to build a broader networking base and to gain knowledge about issues in the press that may affect my writing markets and the content of what I write."  She became a chapter board member because of her interests in growing SPJ Cleveland's membership and developing programs on the craft of writing and... "Because of her ability to juggle assignments successfully and her winning personality," adds immediate past president Steve FitzGerald, who recruited her to the board.

Employed full-time as a Senior Paralegal with Squire, Sanders & Dempsey LLP, Claudia also manages to take on a freelance writer's workload that includes contributing to CoolCleveland.com, Legal Assistant Today, Agape, Northern Ohio Live and West Shore magazines.

Programming and leadership are nothing new to Claudia.  She is currently president of the Skyline Writers group and coordinates its conferences.  She has also led the Cleveland Association of Paralegals and edited its newsletter.  She has created and led various retreats and workshops, including Artist's Way, Ancient Flow Yoga & Spiritual Retreat, and the Word Lover's Retreat.

Claudia earned her Bachelor's Degree in English with a Writing Certificate from Kent State University, where she edited the English Department's literary magazine.  In addition, she worked with then department chair Robert Tener to develop KSU's Writing Certificate Program.  Claudia is now working on both a novel and memoir.

Writing, be it a paid assignment or for personal expression, is clearly what Claudia's about.  And SPJ's ideals are important to her, she notes, and why she agreed to serve as our chapter's membership chair...  "SPJ provides a forum for journalists, and those concerned with freedom of speech and the media, to share information."

To learn more about SPJ Cleveland membership, email Second Vice-President & Membership Committee Chair Claudia Taller by clicking here.  Photo is courtesy of LakewoodBuzz.com.