Passion and Drive

As a Creative Manager with 20+ years experience, I am successful in defining brands that are authentic, engaging and bring value to the target consumer. I have worked on the agency side with clients in a variety of sectors including manufacturing, construction, real estate, education, healthcare, municipalities, nonprofits, food + beverage, consumer products and professional service companies. I have also worked in the corporate world defining and executing for household brands including Sharpie, Prismacolor, PaperMate, Expo, Elmer’s, Xacto, Krazy Glue, Yankee Candle, Woodwick, Crock Pot, Mr Coffee and Calphalon.   

My other passion in life is my family. I have a thirteen year old son who loves sports, nature and math. I also have a ten year old daughter who loves art and gymnastics. I enjoy exploring vintage markets, practicing yoga, painting, letterpress, kayaking, attending summer music festivals, camping, beaches, nature and baking. 

I wish to continually grow, improve and spread my wings. If you’d
like to know more and see my breadth of work, I would value the opportunity to show you my multiple layers.

 

Expertise

  • Creative art direction

  • Design management

  • Strategic and brand aware

  • Purposeful design thinking + problem solver

  • B2B + B2C experience

  • Collaborative + motivating teammate

  • Visual storyteller and presenter

  • Extensive commercial print knowledge

  • Digital experience (email, web, social)

  • Photo + video creative direction

  • Strong process ideologies

  • Comprehensive project management

Work Experience

Creative Manager, Communication Design, Newell Brands
Kalamazoo, Michigan  |  September 2020 – Current
Creatively manage and lead a team of designers through creation and execution of visual assets for leading consumer brands. Collaboration with brand and cross functional teams to manage projects, adhere to and develop brand guidelines, create action plans to problem-solve and carry out strategic resource planning to meet deadlines. Brands supported: Sharpie, Prismacolor, PaperMate, Expo, Elmer’s, Xacto, Krazy Glue, Yankee Candle, Woodwick and more. Day to day tasks include aligning project goals with the creative brief, creative directing designers, amping inspiration through ideation sessions, art directing photoshoots, mentoring and encouraging design team members, time management and communicating all details and check points to brand partners, project managers, operations and leadership.

Senior Art Director, Sikich Marketing & Design
Naperville, Illinois  |  May 2006 – September 2020 (Merged with Sikich in 2009)
Team player in an agency style work environment (70%) while also assisting Sikich Marketing with internal marketing and design functions (30%). I have proven to be successful in developing and executing compelling brand campaigns for a range of middle market B2Bs and B2Cs with multiple components including, print, web, digital marketing and video. Experience leading and mentoring a small team of creatives on projects from start to finish. (For more detailed work experience, see Professional Skills.)

Graphic Designer, Icon Digital Design 
Naperville, Illinois  |  March 2003 – May 2006
Fast paced, agency work environment where I collaborated with a team of designers and marketers to fulfill and exceed client expectations. I gained experience developing brands for a variety of markets. (For more detailed work experience, see Professional Skills.)

Graphic Designer, McNenly Group 
Lansing, Michigan  |  May 2000 – March 2003
Worked collaboratively with designers and business developers where I learned the importance of balancing great design with building sensible client relationships. In addition to designing on a daily basis, I assisted in art directing photo shoots, attended press checks and commissioned illustrators and photographers for a variety of design projects. 

Professional Skills

  • Profitably retain clients through quality, consistency and timely collaboration to meet goals and deadlines.
    (Having personally worked with several clients for 10-15+ years.)

  • Cohesively launch and maintain strategic brand systems for a wide range of companies from start-ups to established companies. (ranging from basic to comprehensive)

  • Experience defining compelling brands, not only visually, but holistically – covering core values, voice and tone, target personas and more through extensive research.

  • Effective in managing and prioritizing multiple print and digital projects autonomously and collaboratively in a fast-paced work environment. 

  • Experience mentoring a small team of designers where I lead critiques and creative directed their work. 

  • Team player responsible for detailed creative direction and execution of creative strategies for a variety of marketing and design solutions. 

  • Adept at assembling engaging client presentations with well-thought-out design solutions using mood boards, mock-ups and visual storytelling. 

  • Competent in balancing complicated timelines, budgets and strategic resources to fulfill creative objectives with client ROI at top of mind.

  • Strong advocate for attention-to-detail, correct spelling and excellent grammar. 

  • Extensive commercial print knowledge – project lead for all print projects dealing with complex details such as die-cuts, spot finishes, unique folds and variable data.

  • Experience designing websites, including sitemaps, wireframes and design skins in Photoshop for client presentations and seamless design-to-development collaboration. 

  • Strategically creative direct photography and videos with the goal of projecting authenticity and aligning brand intentions.

  • Self-starter attitude with a passion for continuous learning. Always seeking out relevant conferences, seminars and training to stay on top of trends and technology.

  • Passion for positive team collaboration and success, acknowledgments and empathetic support. 

 

Awards

2019 National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA)
Naperville Community Unit School District 203 2018 Community Report – Excellence Award

2019 Government Financial Officers Association (GFOA)
Fox Metro Water Reclamation District 2018 Popular Financial Report – Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting

2016 Graphic Excellence Awards, Great Lakes Graphics Association
Sikich Wealth Network Trifold Pocket Folder – First Place Best of Division Award, Pocket Folder Category

2015 GD USA Awards
Sikich Investment Banking Mixer Invitation
Naper Settlement Outdoor Museum Interpretive Signage System
Naper Settlement "We The People..." Case Statement

2014 GD USA In-House Awards
Sikich InMotion Quarterly Magazine

2013 GD USA Awards
Plymouth Tube Company Engineered Shapes Pocket Folder and Sell Sheets
Naper Settlement Brand Program

2013 GD USA In-House Design Awards
Sikich Branding Campaign
Sikich Elevate Performance Ad Campaign

2012 GD USA Awards
Vela Insurance 15th Anniversary Direct Mail Series
The Conservation Foundation Green Energy Signage
Packaging Design Stationery

2003 ADDY Awards
Lansing School District 2002 Annual Report
ATHENA Foundation Direct Marketing Consumer Campaign

2002 ADDY Awards
Lansing School District 2001 Annual Report
Nylander Engineering Sales Promotion Kit