Kickstart Instructors

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The World's Top Content Marketing School

Meet Your Instructors

Meet our fabulous coaches, instructors, and support staff.

Kickstart Coaches

Marsha Stopa

I’m Smart Blogger’s senior instructor and primary coach. I joined Jon Morrow as his first employee after nearly 20 years as a newspaper reporter and editor. I’ve worked with hundreds of students over the last 10 years on blogging, writing, digital marketing, content writing and SEO. I’m gratified to help Kickstart students learn the training and shape the next chapter of their lives.

Karen Kanakanui

Hi, honored to be part of the Smart Blogger instructor team. After 14 years in freelancing as a copywriter and then content writer, it’s great to be able to share my “in the trenches” experience with our students. You’ll mostly see me in the Email Marketing Certification space but I’m also no stranger to CMC and Kickstart.

Robert van Tongeren

Hi! I’m one of Smart Blogger’s course instructors. I started out as a student in one of SB’s courses, just like you. About seven years ago, the Smart Blogger team offered me a job, and ever since I’ve been helping our students hone their writing and SEO skills through constructive feedback.

Barbara Sturm

I started my relationship with Smart Blogger several years ago as a student of the Freedom Machine course, and fell in love with writing for the web. My naturally-curious techie background wanted more, so I dove into the Content Marketing Certification 5K program and fell in love with SEO writing, which is a lovely blend of art and data that satisfies both sides of my brain! Having some real-world freelance writing experience under my belt, I’m excited to guide students through their journeys into the world of Content Marketing and SEO Strategy.

Kevin J. Duncan

I’m Smart Blogger’s Chief Content Officer (aka “Head of Content” or “Editor-in-Chief”). My department oversees the company’s blog, social media profiles, affiliate programs, and the “Work Experience” phase of Kickstart. You also have me to thank (curse?) for Kickstart’s in-depth SEO Strategy material.

Pat Blakely

What’s up friends? I’m Pat, Smart Blogger’s Assistant Editor (and resident potato chip expert). I keep the blog going, and help our Head of Content/CCO/Editor-in-Chief/All-Around-Good-Guy, Kevin J. Duncan with all sorts of fun and funky stuff. Fun fact #1: I was also Kickstart student before getting called up to Content Marketing Majors and joining the best team in the league, Smart Blogger! Fun fact #2: You get to hang out with me during the Work Experience phase of Kickstart (and that alone is worth the tuition).

Kickstart Support Staff

Felicity Fields

Hi! I’m Smart Blogger’s Operations Manager and Product Team Manager. I do a lot of project management and inter-departmental coordination (and run a ton of meetings). I also support our amazing team of coaches and instructors. You may see me over email or in Circle posting announcements or taking care of other admin tasks.

Meghan Cox

Hey there! As the Smart Blogger’s Product Team Tech Admin I spend my time working on tasks to help our awesome team run smoothly and efficiently. I’ve spent the last few years working on tech projects to help businesses with their next steps. You’ll find me through email and our community helping with posts and keeping things organized!