Global Communicator- Creative Provocateur
- PR Specialist
Most people wouldn’t likely consider television a formative tool in their basic education – but Vera Dordick does. In fact, that’s where she learned to speak English. Perhaps not surprisingly, Vera has turned her early years of struggling to speak English into a 25-year career as a prolific communicator.
Growing up the daughter of WWII immigrants who spoke Latvian and Russian at home, Vera’s first real exposure to a fully English-speaking environment was kindergarten. Being an immigrant family in a small Indiana farming community was also socially difficult. Living as a child with one foot in each world led her to develop an interest in languages and international affairs, speaking Latvian, Russian, and French.
Although neither of her parents attended college, Vera earned a degree in journalism and Russian. She then launched her career working for the U.S. Government. After a stint in London and the Middle East, she moved to the Midwest and decided to broaden her communications experience. She transitioned into higher education, serving as assistant director of University Relations at the University of Iowa and then as director of communications at Albany Law School.
Throughout her career, Vera found time to pursue a variety of creative passions and in a career reinvention, she earned a culinary degree and opened her own small business. The Queen of Tarts custom cake bakery in Guilderland allowed Vera to let her creativity go wild, fashioning unique 3-D and wedding cakes for clients throughout the Hudson Valley and New York City. She also taught baking and pastry at Schenectady County Community College.
With the launch of Tangible Development, Vera hung up her toque (and rested her feet), reviving her passion for culture and business. Now, with the founding of Avant Garde Global Communications, Vera has come full circle, returning to writing, telling business stories, and creatively communicating for clients. Vera has blogged on the Albany Times Union website about marketing and creativity and as a columnist for UpMarket Magazine. She serves as managing editor for Hidenet Publications, reporting on price trends and market directions in the hide and leather industry, and serves as a Contributing Editor for Homedit.com.
Vera’s formal education includes a BA in Journalism with a Russian minor from Indiana University and an AA degree in Culinary Arts from Schenectady County Community College. She garnered numerous awards from Women in Communications and the Association of American Medical Colleges for her work at the University of Iowa, and a Unit Citation from the U.S. Government. She is also trained in specialty pastry work, particularly sugar flowers.
Certifications and Training
Cultural Orientations Approach TM certified practitioner
Focus on Indonesia web training
Blogs & Websites
Marketing and Design, Albany Times Union
Selected Print Publications
This Week in Leather, Hidenet Publications, www.Hidenet.com
“Forensic Molecular Biology: Using DNA Technology to Track Down Crime,” UAlbany Magazine, Spring 2002, Vol 11, No. 3
Research @ UAlbany, 2001, writer, multiple articles
“The Holistic Practice of Medicine,” Albany Law School Magazine, Summer 2000, Albany Law School, Albany, NY
“Real People, Real Problems, Real Experience: The Disabilities Law Project,” Albany Law School Magazine, Summer 1999, Albany Law School, Albany, NY
“The Right Stuff: The Lawyering Program at Albany Law School,” Albany Law School Magazine, Summer 2000, Albany Law School, Albany, NY
Realize the Future: The Campaign for Albany Law School, 2000, Albany, NY
University of Iowa College of Medicine Viewbook, 1995 & 1997, Iowa City, IA
University of Iowa College of Medicine 1995 Executive Report, Iowa City, IA
“The Science Behind Medicine…Lay People Go to Medical School”, Iowa Medicine, Journal of the Iowa Medical Society, April 1997, Volume 87/4, Des Moines, IA
Speechwriting
Dr. Shirley Ann Jackson, President, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
“Transportation: Research and Education in the New Century”, Volpe Transportation Center, Cambridge, MA,
“Encouragement, Access, and Accountability: Challenges and Solutions for Women in Science and Engineering”, GE Research & Development Center
“A Celebration of Success”, Dinner for the Albany Chapter of 100 Black Men
“Science and Engineering Education of Women in the 21st Century”, Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory Colloquium
“Women in Discovery: Celebrating the Legacy of Marie Curie”, Texas A&M University
Capital District Business Review
“A straight shooter: New Director of VA hospital faces challenges as budget constraints hamper ability to meet demand”
“Reducing stress and strain: Ergonomic furniture industry sitting pretty”
“Quasi-legal eagles: Albany Law graduate program lets working professionals explore specific areas of law”
“Virtual learning center helps Troy train workers for future”
“Architects expand and sharpen scope of business”
Newsletters (Editor)
Medicine, News for alumni from the University of Iowa College of Medicine
News from the University of Iowa College of Medicine, for College Faculty and Staff by the Dean’s Office
Parent Times, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA,
BIOCAT, Center for Biocatalysis and Bioprocessing,