UX Writer & Content Strategist
Professional Summary
UX Writer & Content Strategist with 15+ years’ experience in tech, education, and engineering. Expert in designing inclusive content systems, accessibility writing guides, and scalable UX strategies. Prompt-engineering certified (Coursiv) with generative AI side projects. Proven success leading cross-functional initiatives and presenting to executives. Passionate about shaping trustworthy, high-quality AI experiences at scale.
Selected Professional Experience
English Today Now, LLC (2023 – ) — Literacy and language tutoring business
NWEA / HMH (now HMH) — Portland, Oregon, Hillsboro, Oregon, and Port Angeles, Washington
Senior Copyeditor | May 2019 – Oct 2023
- Led creation of Accessibility Writing Guide (screen reader/alt text), adopted org-wide by 200+ writers/designers
- Co-chaired Inclusivity Checklist development with 15 SMEs; guided ombuds-style content audits (2× annually), resulting in 10 actionable improvements
- Developed consistency system across UI components (buttons, tooltips, modals), writing design system guidance integrated into HMH’s Ed platform
- Managed content governance lifecycle—style guides, Help Center rules, tone & voice docs—to maintain clarity and brand alignment
- Collaborated directly with PMs, designers, engineers, and legal on cross-functional projects; hosted stakeholder workshops and office hours
- Drafted microcopy for platform used by millions (error messages, alerts, tooltips, buttons), with A/B testing for UX impact
- Conducted site visits in area schools to uncover user pain points and drive iterative content improvements
- Participated in multiple cross-functional and cross-departmental teams, employee interviews, and product naming projects
Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc. (SEL) — Pullman, Washington, and Beaverton, Oregon
Senior Technical Editor / Marketing Lead | Aug 2015 – Jan 2019
- Led content marketing initiatives and produced technical case studies, ghostwriting for executive leadership
- Supervised technical editors (5+), designed in-house style guides and QC checklists to ensure brand consistency
- Proofread/edited technical papers on the electric power engineering sector
- Wrote articles, case studies, and success stories; published internally
and externally
Education
Prompt Engineering, Coursiv, 2025
UX Writing Fundamentals Certification, UX Content Collective 2022
Oxford Seminars Business TESOL Certification, 2016
Oxford Seminars TESOL/TESL/TEFL Certification, 2015
M.S. Writing, Technical Option, Portland State University, 2007
Selected Publications
Watt, Steven, Joanna Hofer, and Shankar Achanta. “Building a Better Protection Scheme.” Electric Power & Light, Mar 2018.
Bell, Jordan, Normann Fischer, and Joanna Hofer. “Tackling the Challenges of Hybrid Transmission Lines: New Methodologies.” PAC World, Dec 2017.
Jaykumar, Anaisha, and Joanna Hofer. “Combination Conservation.” Water & Wastes Digest, Aug 2017.
Flerchinger, Bill, and Joanna Hofer. “Distribution Automation, Reducing Energy Losses and Improving Reliability.” Electroindustry Magazine, April 2017.
Achanta, Shankar, and Joanna Hofer. “Considerations for Developing Resilient, High Accuracy, Time Synchronization Systems.” UTC Journal, Dec 2014.
Joanna Hofer 