With AWAI, You Have an Entire Team Cheering You On — Delivering World-Class Copywriting Training with Heartfelt Support

Hi. I’m Katie Yeakle. As one of AWAI’s Co-Founders, I’ve been around since our beginnings in 1997. (We have a great “how we got started story” which I’m always happy to share … especially over a cocktail at Bootcamp!). In the 27+ years since we started asking, “Can You Write a Simple Letter?”, AWAI has had a bigger impact on the industry and has changed more lives for the better than we could have ever dreamed.

And, for me personally, being part of this always evolving organization, made up of smart and fun and caring people … where we start each meeting with “how can we help our members get more, do more, be more?” … has given my life purpose, drive and so much fulfillment. Prior to AWAI, I held just about every job within a direct marketing publishing company … from proofreader to fulfillment manager to publisher. (Trivia: my first interview after graduating from the University of Florida 40 years ago was with Mark Ford, who hired me as a copyeditor.) When I’m not AWAI-ing, I’m enjoying life with my husband Alan and our Goldendoodle, Billie.

Rebecca Matter here — copywriter, marketer, FSU alum (Go Noles!), mommy of two, and wife of the most supportive man in the world. He makes my version of the writer’s life possible. I’ve spent the last 25 years in the publishing industry, and my superpower is getting writers — really anyone — unstuck. I’m a big believer in going after the things you want in life, and also believe the things in life that scare you the most are usually the things worth doing.

I’m a lover of all things AWAI … I love the company, love the team, love our members, and love what I get to do each and every day. Yep, I’m one of “those” people. But I LOVE AWAI! (I see a bumper sticker in my future.) I basically spend my day helping writers live the life they’ve always dreamed of. That’s my job! So, whatever you need to succeed … whether it’s a hug, a high five, or a kick in the pants, I’m your girl.

Hey! I’m Jaclyn, but I’m mostly known around the AWAI offices as Jax. And at home as “Mommm!!”. My husband and I live in Orlando with our two AMAZING little boys; with the occasional help from Mickey & Minnie … and an iPad, sorry not sorry?

I joined AWAI back in 2006 as a Member Services rep and quickly realized the pure magic that is AWAI. There’s no greater more rewarding feeling to help our members get closer to achieving their dreams, goals and living their ultimate writer’s life … I knew then, I was a lifer!

I later joined the marketing team and became a sponge soaking up everything and anything I could learn, helping to create new marketing channels, new product divisions and develop relationships with experts in the industry. I then took over the Marketing Department, hiring, training and managing a talented team of individuals promoting our programs. Throughout my career I’ve had the great pleasure of working alongside my mentors, AWAI’s CEO, Katie Yeakle and President, Rebecca Matter learning every aspect of this business.

Recently named, AWAI’s Chief Business Officer, I oversee the priorities of the company … offering clear communication and direction so that all teams are working towards the same goals. In my spare time you’ll find me singing, swimming, binge-watching anything Real Housewives (my guilty pleasure!) and spending time with my boys!

Hi, I’m Josh. I was born here in South Florida, and only strayed as far as Gainesville, where I majored in Systems Engineering at UF before returning to my hometown. My favorite thing to do is to tag along with my wife, son and dog on their adventures, and pretend that I’m as outdoorsy as them. I also enjoy playing guitar and basketball. At AWAI I do all the computer stuff that makes people throw up their hands and say “never mind” when they ask me what I do. I’ve been here over 15 years. I love all the different challenges, and along with everyone else here, I really love hearing the success stories from people who have used our company to make their future into what they wanted it to be.

Hi — I am Shantek, I was born and raised in South Florida, I moved to Michigan for a little while, but came back home (there’s no place like home)!

My favorite thing to do is to spend time with my son, who I affectionately call “Pooh bear” … warning, only I am allowed to call him that.

I enjoy travelling, reading and cooking/baking.

I joined the AWAI family as a Member Services rep in 2015 and realized I had found my forever home with this company. I love helping people and AWAI allowed me to do this every day. I get so much joy out of helping our members grow as writers and achieve their writing goals. I love celebrating their wins with them!

I recently became the Manager of the Member Success Team and love every second of it. I love training new reps and watching them grow within their roles. My day is always different and there is always a new training document to create or more training opportunities to take advantage of … I love it!

And I get great satisfaction when our members tell me how good their experience was with one of the Member Success team members!

I’m Barbra Hume, and I’ve spent more than 20 years making sure members here at AWAI receive the ultimate member experience. I started out in Member Services and transitioned from Director of Member Success to Director of Premier Memberships — and now I’m in Guidance where I’m able to continue assisting members with anything and everything. No day is ever the same! Being part of such a passionate group of players here at AWAI is a huge plus, however being hands on in helping members grow and develop their writing careers is priceless.

I was born in NJ, went to college in NC, decided to give the FL beaches a try (for 14 years) checked out life in the Colorado Rockies and now back to NJ. I guess you can say I’ve gone full circle.

All three of my children have become amazing young adults who are striving. I have two granddaughters (another on the way!), and a grandson. I am blessed.

Hello, I’m Shane! I was born and raised in South Florida, and before joining AWAI I went to Full Sail University in Orlando, Florida where I graduated with a BFA in Creative Writing. I first joined AWAI in early 2019 and was living in Delray Beach, Florida at the time, where I was able to work out of the AWAI office and get to know so many of my wonderful co-workers! Since transitioning to remote work, I was able to move to Athens, Georgia in early 2021.

As a Member Success Representative, I’m here to help any members who reach out to us with questions or need for assistance. The few years I’ve been at AWAI have been incredibly fullfilling, both professionally and personally. I’ve even been utilizing AWAI’s resources to learn copywriting myself!

I’ve played guitar since I was nine. I’m very outdoorsy (a bit of a beach boy in my Florida days, but more of a mountain man here in Georgia.) I go to lots of concerts, I’m obsessed with movies, I was involved with theater in high school. I usually have a beard, and yes, I am familiar with the cowboy movie (& book) Shane … in fact, I was named after it.

Hi, I’m Sandy Franks. Although I officially started with AWAI in 2015 as Copy Chief, I’ve been a fan and admirer of AWAI for years. I’ve been in the direct response marketing field for over 35+ years. In 2015, I retired from Agora, Inc., the largest newsletter publisher in the country. That’s where I cut my teeth so to speak on marketing and copywriting.

Now I’m able to bring those years of experience to AWAI, working with their already talented team of copywriters and marketers. My children are all grown up (well I like to think so) and my husband Mark and I are empty nesters. But we’re filling the nest up with animals … right now we have 2 cats, 2 dogs and a new puppy is joining us in a few weeks. Some people say we’re crazy for having so many pets. I’m a little worried they might be right.

Hi, I’m Lisa Bruette. I live in Hagerstown, MD with my husband, two kids and whoodle. I’ve had the pleasure of being a part of the AWAI family and watching it grow for the past two decades. I originally came into the family from Agora as Early to Rise’s marketing manager. (Thank you, Katie!)

I am naturally curious, seem to always question why/how things work, and love helping others. The combination of those characteristics is what I find so thrilling about direct response marketing. Direct response gives us a measurable way to connect with people and learn how we can best help them with new products or different offers to solve a problem. When successful, it compels someone to take immediate action and begin their customer journey with us. The best part for me is knowing it’s the chance to make a positive change in their world.

Jade Trueblood here! I joined the AWAI Family in January 2016. As the Director of Training, I get to work with the incredible training team as they work to make it all happen! It’s very important to me to work somewhere I can make a difference, and at AWAI, your contribution and work every day means something. I get the greatest joy from hearing all our Member success stories, and there are so many success stories, so there is a lot of joy!

I have an extreme weakness for anything salted caramel and love a good winery. I’m originally from South Africa (I recommend Cape Town, if you’re visiting); I came to the U.S. many years ago and immediately felt at home. I found an even more compelling reason to stay when I met my husband while working at a country club in North Carolina. We’re now happily living in the Appalachian region with our little family.

Greetings, fellow copywriters! I’m apt to burst into song at any moment, and I try to find the humor in most situations and make people smile. I became an AWAI member in 2005, when I learned about The Accelerated Program for Seven-Figure Copywriting. Hooray! Finally, I could see a way out of corporate-cubicle-land and enjoy the freedom of working from anywhere!

Since then, it’s been my mission to be the best web/SEO content writer I could possibly be — and this turned into a second mission to teach others how to live their writing dreams as well.

I joined AWAI full-time in November 2015 and I also work with freelance clients, mainly in the pet industry. When I’m not creating training programs, teaching, speaking, and writing, I enjoy being with family, friends, and dogs, and pursuing hobbies (singing, movies, travel, trivia, knitting, hunting vintage treasures, and more). While I’m happily based in my home state of Maine, I also work from North Carolina and even England whenever I want.

Hi, I’m Helen. I’m a direct response marketer, theater maven and learning enthusiast. I returned to AWAI in November, 2016 after eight years working on my own. My whole career has been in the direct response industry. My diverse background includes marketing management, direct mail strategy, list building, direct mail production, joint venture negotiations, and product development.

I get to bring my experience with AWAI in the “early days” —when I was working with the “gurus” on creating their products — as well as the new and exciting insights and strategies I’ve learned in my eight years as a successful marketing consultant for Sears Wellness Group, Premier Direct, and more. It’s a joy to be back at such a wonderful company. The care that the staff has for the members — and the joy we all take in celebrating successes — makes every day feel like a holiday. I’m looking forward to helping more members create successes!

After 10 years of listening to my wife, Rebecca, talk about the writer’s life, hearing all of the success stories, and seeing first hand her love of all things AWAI, I decided to jump in and join the team. I work on bringing our programs online, and a lot of the “behind the scenes” technical stuff that would bore you to tears if I described them. I was born and raised in Iowa and I’m a diehard Iowa Hawkeye fan. (GO HAWKS!) I’m the father of two incredible little kids who, when they’re not driving me nuts, are busy cracking me up and warming my heart. And when I’m not playing dinosaurs or building Lego towers, I love to travel, work in the yard, and watch an unhealthy amount of football.

Hi there, I’m Jared! I started with AWAI in 2015 as a Web Designer, but I now manage and oversee our marketing production at AWAI. I work with our copywriters and marketers to turn their copy and campaigns into functional, and beautiful web pages and graphics across our website.

I also work with our web developers and designers to advise (and implement), design and user experience changes on our website to improve your online experience with us. I hope that you find our website very useful in your pursuit of the writer’s life!

Outside of AWAI, I love playing video games and board games, swimming, exploring nature, trying new restaurants and experiences, and most of all, enjoying time with my best friend, my wonderful wife, and our little Cavachon named Pooka.

Hey there, I’m Ann. I was born and raised in Massachusetts and earned my BS in Business Administration at Bryant College before moving to South Florida. In 2016 I was hired as the Accountant, in charge of AWAI’s Accounts Payable and other financial matters. Before joining AWAI, I was a Project Manager in the financial industry and prior to that I was in the hospitality industry for over 20 years. I love numbers, solving financial puzzles for people and helping to make sure things are running smoothly.

I’m grateful to be a part of the AWAI family which has such passion for their members and is dedicated to an amazing company culture! Outside of work, I enjoy family and a great group of friends, as well as developing my creative side with designing jewelry and producing video presentations of family adventures. I’m currently working on a genealogy video, going back to 1876, to pass onto future generations.