CV

experienceD in print and digital design, Brand Identity, Creative Vision, strategic communications, Brand Strategy, insight-driven storytelling, Multi-channel integrated ad campaigns, mentorship, DEI, Management, AND Team leadership

9 to 5

APCO Worldwide (Washington, DC), 2010 – Present
Senior Creative Director, North American Creative Practice Lead

Design |  Directed team projects including logos, mood boards, ads, packaging, environmental design and websites; facilitated presentations among multiple stakeholders on client teams and administered questionnaires carefully written to elicit necessary and objective feedback in order to gain consensus and approval on creative, keeping projects on time and on budget

Branding  |  Consulted clients on need to clarify their brand and better align with audiences to meet business objectives; led branding workshops with clients; partnered with research and account teams on corporate rebranding to create positioning, key messaging and architecture recommendations before designing a visual identity and brand guidelines; provided brand trainings to clients’ agencies on implementing new brand standards

Campaigns |  Created campaign concepts, wrote ad copy and helped to plan out multi-channel targeting, working with paid and social media strategists to identify audiences and issues they care about most; helped to promote issues through ads in order to influence voter and/or policy decisions; strategized and executed brand reputation campaigns 

Video + Radio  |  Concepted video series for campaigns; assisted in script writing for brand videos and radio spot; screened and directed actors for comedic video content; directed voice talent; art directed photo shoots involving food stylists and models; provided chosen vision for video PSA; directed editors to produce TV commercial spots

New Biz  |  Provided strategic direction and spec creative; wrote content; and created scopes and budgets for new business proposals and pitches

Leadership  |  Unified the creative team through honesty and positivity after an unexpected reorganization and layoffs; strengthened the team by leading weekly team meetings and one-on-ones with direct reports aimed to improve quality and utilization; encouraged individual development and better recognized hard work which led to a significant spike in team scores on the annual employee engagement survey; assisted in formalizing traffic coordination process; worked with creatives to consistently deliver high-end design which led to a higher demand for creative and a boost in organic growth and revenue; saw nearly a 20% boost in team utilization/productivity since taking on leadership of team and held it steady over the past 4 years

Clients: Airlines for America (A4A), Anthem Inc., Better Medicare Alliance, Consumer Electronics Association (CEA), Contura Energy, Cruise Line International Association (CLIA), CSX, Elanco Animal Health, Every Child By Two, ExxonMobil, Family Medicine for America’s Health, IKEA, Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS), Lilly Pharmaceuticals, National Shooting Sports Foundation, NuTek Food Science, Partnership for A Healthier America, Pepco, UPS, US Travel Association

Freelance Designer, 2009 - 2010

Executed designs for client needs including brand development, marketing collateral, trade show large format banners and informational/invitational postcards.

Clients: APCO Worldwide, Association of Corporate Counsel, National Security Cyberspace Institute, Inc., Oncology/Hematology Associates

Touch 3, LLC (Fairfax, VA), 2005 – 2009
Senior Designer/Art Director

Design  |  Responsible for the conceptualization, design, production and print preparation of numerous publications, newsletters, meeting materials, direct mail campaigns and corporate identities; redesigned all components of publications under self-direction upon researching client’s target audience and desired results

Management |  Directly managed several client relationships; trained and supervised designers, while delegating tasks and projects to staff and freelancers; handled vendor relationships, negotiating estimates and fees; developed editorial/production calendars; commissioned and art directed illustrators; provided in-service training to clients on production and pre-press, which enhanced client knowledge and improved project work flow

Clients: AABB, American Fence Association, American Society of Clinical Oncology, Assisted Living Federation of America, Association of Corporate Counsel, Contact1 Inc., Professional Housing Management Association, SOCAP International, The Endocrine Society, Zero To Three

Where I got the know-how

James Madison University (Harrisonburg, VA), 2001 – 2005
Bachelor of Fine Arts, Graphic Design, Magna Cum Laude

Studied 3-D animation as a second emphasis; awarded the 2004 Junior Graphic Design Outstanding Achievement Award; member and 2003 Rush Chair of Phi Sigma Pi Co-Ed National Honor Fraternity

What it takes

A proficiency in Adobe CC (Photoshop, Indesign and Illustrator), Microsoft Office, Keynote; strong people, presentation and problem solving skills; prioritizing user/audience needs; being detail oriented with an ability to see the forest for the trees; and being a “high influencer” on the DISC Personality Model.

Humble brag

2021 PR Week US Best in Public Sector, 2021 Sabre Finalist, 2020 InSpire Silver in Reputation and Brand Management and Bronze in Social Media, PR News Platinum for Campaign in Education Vertical, Ragan’s PR Daily, and Honorable Mention for PR Week in the Data Insight category for North Carolina Community College System’s Your Hire Education campaign; Best Director in the 2019 Capitol Hill Film Classic; 2017 Platinum PRNews’, Diversity & Inclusion Award for JRS’ Concerts for Refugees; 2014 PRNews Social Media Icon Best Infographic Award for CLIA’s “Cruise Forward” campaign; 2013 PRNews Nonprofit Award in Digital/PR/Marketing for A4A’s “Stop Air Tax Now” campaign; 2012 PRWeek Best Use of Video, PRNews Platinum Award for Best Video Program, two Gold and two Platinum Marcom Awards for a video brochure designed for CEA; 2012 PRNews Digital PR Awards nomination for CEA’s “Declaration of Innovation” campaign in the Digital Marketing category; 2009 Communicator, Gold, magazine cover design; 2009 Communicator, Gold, overall magazine design; 2009 SNAP Excel, Silver, newsletter redesign; 2008 Communicator, Silver, overall magazine design; 2008 Communicator, Award of Distinction for cover design; 2008 SNAP Excel, Silver, direct mail campaign; 2008 APEX, Award of Excellence, media kit; 2008 APEX, Award of Excellence, design of magazine; and 2007 Tabbies, Honorable Mention, opening spread design