WHO WE ARE
Our small team of high-caliber journalists have written award-winning pieces for some of the most renowned and recognized publications in the world. Now we’re using those same reporting, writing and editing skills to deliver magazine-quality content that’s tailor-made for your brand.
Behind our close-knit team is a network of professional freelance writers, who have authority writing on topics from healthcare policy to technology trends to the business of food. They allow us to stand by our commitment to delivering superlative content on time, every time.
Kate Rockwood
Founder and Managing Director
A former senior editor at Fast Company and Oprah magazines, Kate Rockwood has decades of experience in story ideation, editorial management and content execution. She founded Rock Top Media in 2015 with a relentless curiosity for business and brand management, and a deep love of crafting stories that connect with end readers. Kate has traveled to 47 of the U.S. states and is a die-hard fan of regional desserts. Visiting her hometown of Chicago? She can point you to the best brownie in town.
Jen Thomas
Executive Editor
Jen is an award-winning journalist with more than 20 years experience as a writer and editor. Prior to joining Rock Top Media, she was a longtime reporter and editor in the Chicago Sun-Times and Chicago Tribune companies, covering local government, business, lifestyles and the arts. She loves to dive into research and find compelling ways to tackle technical content from finance and cybersecurity to healthcare and the business of food. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, blogging about TV and spending time with her family, including on CTA adventures plotted out by her son.
Katie Arnold-ratliff
Executive editor
Katie Arnold-Ratliff has worked in media for more than fifteen years, as an editor at O, The Oprah Magazine and Parents and as a writer for dozens of publications, including Time, Slate, New York, Wired, and the New York Times. She specializes in stories that capture the cultural moment and make the highly complex crystal clear--a skillset invaluable to her work at Rock Top Media. Katie is also the author of the novel Bright Before Us, and lives in New Jersey with her husband and son.
brigid sweeney
executive Editor
A former Boston magazine and Crain’s Chicago Business staffer, Brigid Sweeney spent 15 years exploring everything from New England bed and breakfasts to the strategic direction of Chicago companies, while also writing for publications including New York and Women’s Health. She then joined Advocate Aurora Health as a communications executive, lending obsessive research skills and crisp writing to thought leadership and crisis management plans for the $14 billion organization’s C-suite. She lives in Chicago with a lovable dingbat of a doodle named Birdie.
landers
Senior Content manager
Landers is a communications and digital marketing professional with 15 years experience. Prior to joining Rock Top Media, they contributed to the strategic direction at Crucial Detail, affiliated with The Alinea Group, acting as business liaison, media relations specialist and digital marketing director. Their work focuses on high-quality content across B2B and B2C strategies. When they're not working, they enjoy hiking, music and spending time with their children.
novid parsi
senior staff writer
In his 20 years as a writer and editor, Novid has worked in arts, business, consumer, and nonprofit media. He’s written for Chicago Tribune, Crain’s Business, Wall Street Journal Magazine, and many other publications, as well as organizations including AMA, IBM, and Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors. Along the way, Novid has developed a knack for interviewing subject-matter experts from a wide range of backgrounds and turning their professional language into clear and engaging content. When he isn’t writing, Novid is writing—plays. He lives in St. Louis.
