Born and raised among the majestic peaks of Colorado’s Rocky Mountains… I learned early that beauty and resilience often share the same horizon. Alongside my beloved brother, Mark, whose memory continues to inspire me since his passing in 2024, I have cultivated a spirit grounded in courage, creativity, and compassion.
Before finding my voice as a novelist, I lived in the dynamic world of high-fashion modeling, gracing print and runways from Denver to New York City and Milan. I later pursued my Bachelor’s Degree in Interior Architecture Design from Colorado State University, where my passion for purposeful creativity took form in Barrier-Free Zoo Design, a concept that reimagined freedom for the animals rather than the spectators.
My innovative work on the Western Lowland Gorilla Dayroom Project for the Denver Zoological Garden earned Best of Show and Best Senior Project honors at CSU’s Design Expo, and drew expertise from world-renowned primatologist Dr. Biruté Galdikas.
After more than a decade of MAC designing (not Apple) for Hewlett Packard, I shifted focus to the role closest to my heart, motherhood. My two children, now accomplished professionals in Colorado’s tech world, remain my proudest legacy.
In time, empathy and determination found a new outlet, rescuing horses and donkeys from the Bastrop Louisiana kill-pen. My first rescues were my cherished Mirabella and Cheval. They became symbols of love, loss, and the transformative power of compassion. They taught me:
“Passion with purpose never comes without the possibility of great risk, and great loss.”
Writing found me unexpectedly one afternoon at a Colorado State swim meet in Denver, when Garr, the protagonist for my romantic-suspense novel, SIGNPOSTS, arrived uninvited but irresistible. Since then, I am dedicating my craft to exploring the tension between love and danger, redemption and loss-weaving narratives that mirror the depth and duality of my own life’s journey.
Today, I live with my amazing husband, and write from our Zuid Holland home built in 1799, where I am reminded daily that good architecture, whether in stone or in sentences; is built to last. I reflect often on Colorado where the mountains stand as both muse and memory, and I continue to pursue my passion for the written word.
Notice of Intellectual Property & Copyright
© 2026 Christine McCollom-van Bentem. All Rights Reserved.
All content, including the "Architecture of Empathy" framework, the "Circle of Protection" philosophy, characters, concept, and all related narrative arcs, are the exclusive intellectual property of the author.
No part of these works may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic, mechanical, or digital "scraping," without the prior written permission of the author/copyright holder, Christine McCollom-van Bentem. This work is protected under international copyright law and the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA).
Who I amTechnical Skills & Strategic Focus
While my heart is in the narrative, my hands are in the systems. I combine decades of architectural logic with modern digital strategy to build information environments that are clear, compliant, and user-centric.
Expertise & Toolset
Information Architecture: Specialist in technical documentation, project lifecycle management, and streamlining high-friction operational workflows.
Digital Content Strategy: SEO-focused B2B content creation, brand storytelling, and internal communications (HubSpot & Semrush Certification - In Progress).
Systems Proficiency: Advanced Microsoft 365 (SharePoint/OneDrive), SAP (In Progress,) Infor, and CRM workflows (Salesforce-style).
Technical Writing: Expertise in translating complex technical infrastructure into accessible, high-trust documentation (Google Technical Writing framework).
Current Focus
I am currently accepting inquiries for Technical Writing, Internal Communications, and Content Strategy roles within the SaaS, Green Energy, and Global Infrastructure sectors.