Highly organized and decisive brand leader with 8+ years of team leadership and 20+ years of graphic design experience, skilled in strategic vision, brand management, and developing creative concepts. Detail-oriented individual who values directness and champions solutions that remove obstacles, push boundaries, and exceed expectations. Intimately familiar with collaborating across departments. Lover of classic cars, rock n’ roll, Bob Ross, and Marshmallow Peeps.

CORE COMPETENCIES

• Strategic planning

• Analytical thinking

• Delegation

• Organization

• Communication

• Rapport and relationship building

• Problem identification

• Problem solving and decision making

• Developing strong, independent designers

• Creative direction

• Idea development

• Brand and identity development

• Project management

• Team leadership, mentoring, and providing feedback

• Graphic design, photo-editing, and illustration

• Event design, floor plans, and wayfinding design

• Space planning and interior design

• Adobe Creative Suite

• Microsoft Office Suite

• HTML/CSS, CMS, and web frameworks

Brand Governance

University Communications and Marketing

Manager of Creative Direction

IT Communications Office, University Communications and Marketing

• Brand identity promotion for the university as well as state, national, and international initiatives

• Address client challenges with creative and elegant ideas

• Develop the strategic vision for marketing campaigns, websites, social media, events, conferences, and trade shows

• Manage the success of marketing solutions with print and digital design deliverables for large and small-scale events with budgets ranging from $200-$200K

• Translate complex ideas into innovative print and digital materials for both tech-savvy and lay audiences

• Foster a highly communicative and collaborative team culture on over 100 projects a year

• Mentor designers to strengthen skills and support career development

• Provide design feedback to improve deliverables, clarify creative ideas, strengthen design, and keep projects on schedule

• Manage all aspects of production for print and electronic publications, including concept development, estimation of costs, design, digital production, content and advertising placement, and photography

• Manage multiple projects simultaneously

• Collaborate closely with project managers, writers, designers, photographers, videographers, and front-end developers to achieve quality results

Design Team Lead for Print and Events

IT Communications Office, Office of the VP for Information Technology

• Oversaw the work of the creative team to ensure goals were met across departmental units and divisions

• Developed a forward-thinking culture of collaboration, inclusion, and creativity

• Reviewed the work of the creative team and provided constructive feedback

• Supported client growth through creative vision and a focus on excellence

• Developed and implemented creative strategies to achieve goals

Project Manager

IT Communications Office, Office of the VP for Information Technology

• Collaborated with stakeholders and the creative team to assess the communication needs and goals

• Created communications and/or project plans

• Estimated timelines and budgets

• Outlined the creative brief to the team and assigned tasks using project management software tools

• Built production schedules for individual deliverables within the plan or brief

• Monitored the progress of the creative team to meet or exceed milestones

• Managed expectations among the team and stakeholders as issues or changes arose

• Delivered projects on time and on budget

• Designed as needed (25% time allocation for design)

Visual Communications Specialist

Creative Services, Office of Public Affairs and Government Relations

• Collaborated with the project team about the creative brief and brainstormed as needed

• Prepared and produced print and digital layouts, presentations, and event deliverables

• Developed designs based on client requirements; proposed new ideas to exceed client expectations

• Worked in tandem with clients based on requirements, modifications, and feedback

• Updated project manager or client on progress, changes, and adjustments as needed

• Tracked time for accurate billing using project management software

• Maintained project schedules and completed work on time

• Ensured the final project was reviewed and edited for accuracy and quality

• Mentored student interns

Visual Communications Specialist

Office of the President

• Implemented the first coded monthly email updates from the President using simple HTML

• Worked closely with the presidential speech writer and press secretary to coordinate designs and presentations for ceremonies and overseas trips

• Prepared and produced reports, handouts, programs, and PowerPoint presentations for the President and First Lady

• Developed designs based on client requirements, modifications, and feedback

• Created collateral for special events, including invitations, tickets, holiday cards, programs, and specialty promotional items

• Designed and produced the archival journal documenting the presidential trip to Sweden, celebrating Elinor Ostrom’s Nobel Prize win in Economic Sciences

• Worked closely with the manager of events to coordinate print collateral with event decor and florals

Bachelor of Arts

Purdue University

West Lafayette, Indiana