About / Connect
Melaina Cecilia de la Cruz (she/her)
I’m a storyteller by heart and by trade. I’ve spent the last decade writing and publishing articles, essays, poems, and short stories; producing radio documentaries and mixing soundscapes; interviewing industry experts across most fields and functions; and editing everything in front of me, whether it’s a book, magazine, op-ed, or random subway sign.
Now as the senior editor at Guerrero Media, I work on five business magazine brands and manage the content strategy for four of them. I also am working on the launch of a Substack newsletter dedicated to travel, culture, and linguistics.
If you’re in need of a copyeditor, contributor, or have some other interesting idea, feel free to reach out below.
Fine Print
I earned a BA in creative nonfiction writing from Columbia College Chicago with a minor in radio production. I’ve also studied graphic design and illustration at the School of Visual Arts, the Art Institute of Boston, and the School of the Museum of Fine Arts at Tufts University. After graduation, I worked in the healthcare industry, handling compliant communication for Johnson & Johnson and completing administrative projects for Alight (then ConsumerMedical). I pivoted to a creative-focused editorial role at a media company in 2018.
- Skills: Content Creation, Copywriting, Copyediting, Proofreading, Creative Writing, Developmental Editing, Project Management, Data Visualization, Research, Marketing and Editorial Strategy, Brand Development, Audio/Podcast Editing, Emotional Intelligence, Empathy, Conflict Resolution, Adaptability, Mentorship, Linguistics, Interviewing, Chicago Manual of Style
- Software: Adobe Creative Suite, Figma, Frame.io, Asana, Monday.com, Hubspot, Mailchimp, Salesforce, Microsoft Suite, Google Suite, Canva, WordPress, ChatGPT, Gemini
- Topics: Tech and AI, Architecture and Design, Sustainability, Accessible Design, Mental Health and Wellness, Hair and Beauty, LGBTQ+ studies, Culture, Fintech, Legal and IP, Film and Entertainment
- Languages: English (native proficiency), Spanish (limited working proficiency), Norwegian (elementary proficiency)
- Favorite Things to Write About: Travel guides, sociolinguistics and culture, the horror genre, the possibilities and pitfalls of AI, sustainable architecture, women in leadership, beauty and skincare
- On Air: Independently wrote, recorded, and produced “I Hate Clowns,” an audio documentary aired on Chicago and Minneapolis radio stations
- On the Shelf: Opened the 7th edition of the Ink Stains Anthology with my debut horror short story, As We Rot
- Onstage: Conducted a live, onstage interview with philanthropist and tech executive Marcelo De Santis
- Onsite: Invited to visit a high school nonfiction writing class and host a discussion at ChiArts that was studying my 2016-published essay, Herschel Street Playlist