Work Experience
Creating stories that help brands connect with people and the world they live in.
Extensive experience running global design agencies and internal marketing creative teams. I use behavioral psychology, human-centric design thinking, data analysis, cross-functional collaboration, journeys, curiosity, and innovative design to develop and nurture meaningful brands.
I also strive to incorporate ethical and sustainable strategies which benefit both consumers and long term growth.
Software Skills
Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, Premiere, XD, InDesign)
Figma, Sketch
Workfront, Asana, Basecamp, Trello, CoSchedule, Slack
Hubspot
G Suite (Google Drive)
MS Word, Excel, Power Point
Wordpress, Wix
Well Said AI
AVP Senior Digital Art Director for Global Atlantic
Financial Services
Hartford, CT // May 2022 - present // globalatlantic.com
Leading a team of 5 designers within the larger marketing department with the mission to improve the overall customer experience. Early accomplishments include leading Design Thinking work sessions with cross-functional teams, auditing the digital experience, exploring new software solutions including AI and interactive solutions, building more efficient processes, leading strategy and executing design for a variety of marketing campaigns, and iteratively updating the primary website design, content and navigation.
Creative Director for The Shed
Building the circular economy through rental
Remote // 2020 - 2022
view case study
When the goal is to change how people consume things, it’s more than just a visual brand solution. Using behavioral science, data analytics, and a host of tools from influencers to experiential retail stores, managed to re-position product rental into a modern consumer and B2B solution benefitting the environment, customers, and merchandiser partners. Teamed with cofounder/CMO to lead strategic experience design and build a marketing team while executing 90% of all brand assets.
Planned and executed retail environmental design, website design/content, landing pages, paid and organic social content, automated flows and promotional emails, seasonal campaigns, environmental marketing, loyalty and membership programs, gift card program, mailers, event materials, integration of data analytics feedback, and more.
-
Hired and managed creative team
-
Ensured work excellence and adherence to brand standards
-
Created customer journey models including inspire and delight opportunities
-
Lead customer focus group sessions
-
Lead flagship experiential store design: Expanding from 1 to 4 storefronts throughout the US in 2022
-
Managed agency partnerships: E-Commerce analysts, store architects, web development, printers, Hubspot
Creative Director for United Bank
Purchased by People’s United Bank // Hartford, CT // 2019
view case study
Joined United Bank to help build an internal marketing department and bring B2C best practices into the financial sector and create more customer-centric brand experiences. Included repositioning the master brand, working with divisions to unify and introduce design thinking into the product innovation process, building an internal creative department, and supporting marketing efforts.
Trusted to lead the largest product launch in five years. From initial creative to short and long format video of actual customers, was ready to launch an omni-channel campaign in 4 weeks and called the best launch creative in bank's history. Hours before going live, the organization was acquired, campaigns cancelled, and all marketing efforts moved to the home office.
-
Creative Lead for largest omni-channel product launch in five years
-
Supervised short and long format video of actual customers in 4 weeks
-
Leadership called the “IQ Business” campaign the best creative launch in bank's history
Chief Creative Officer for Wearsafe Labs
IoT Personal Safety Software & Devices
Hartford, CT // 2013 - 2018 // wearsafe.com
view case study
As an early member of the company executive team, created, launched and guided the Wearsafe strategic and creative vision. Through constant evolution and evaluation, managed the brand experience as well as outside agencies to collaborate on a variety of work from Kickstarter campaign to structural design.
Building this brand from scratch included positioning, naming, product development, packaging design, websites, digital marketing campaigns, trade show exhibits, collateral, sales materials, training kits, videos, image libraries, etc. With the lean resources of a start up, was able to create and maintain the story of a modern, trustworthy, socially responsible global brand.
-
Executed creative for website/landing pages, paid and organic social media, email campaigns, trade show exhibits, collateral, sales materials, affiliate programs, training kits, videos, a successful Kickstarter campaign, built brand and image libraries, and more.
-
Designed structure and packaging for wearable consumer products and accessories
-
Facilitated interdepartmental ideation sessions
-
Managed agency partnerships: Film, web development, printers, packaging
-
Writing/Content generation and design for key investor decks including successful presentation to Amazon Alexa Team
Principal/Designer for KKG Design
Remote // 2006 - 2013
Worked with branding agencies in the New York area as packaging designer and brand consultant for consumer goods, service, and non-profit sectors. Brands included Pepperidge Farms, Duracell, Dannon, Sabra, Earth's Best, Power Bar, Skinny Cow, CTCU, and more.
US Founder/Creative Director for Dragon Rouge NYC
New York, NY // 2004 - 2006 // dragonrouge.com
Partnered with CEO and leadership in Paris, France, to plan, open and manage first US office of Dragon Rouge while building the team including designers, project management and support staff. Complete brand services for global and local clients with a focus in packaging design. Built and managed creative team of six designers.
Design Director for Interbrand
New York, NY // 1999 - 2004 // interbrand.com
Designed and directed multiple branding and packaging design projects from initial briefings, concept generation, execution, print runs, client relationships, and continued brand management. Primarily packaging focused with clients such as Clorox, Ambien, Febreze, American Cancer Society, Tropicana, Pepsi, Course Technology, and more. Lead creative for Clorox brand ID and full packaging line redesign. Helped introduce sustainable practice initiatives for clients as well as implemented 20+ story building recycling program.
Interbrand is a global brand agency, and publisher of the highly influential annual Best Global Brands and Breakthrough Brands reports, the Webby Award winning brandchannel.
Designer for HMS Design
Metro NYC area // 1996 - 1999
Designed and helped manage packaging projects from conception to execution including Rolling Rock Light, Snapple, Global Prestone Automotive Products, and more.
HMS Design was a nimble, innovative, award winning design firm delivering solutions to a broad range of clients, from small startups to established CPG companies.
Syracuse University
BFA Communications Design, Cum Laude
Dual Minors Painting and Psychology
Internships with Richard Hollant Design (Currently Co:Lab) and Mintz and Hoke Advertising
Special Interests
Sustainable Design Practices
I began my design career with the intention of reducing the amount of packaging waste in our consumer stream, and continue to promote low impact design practices whenever possible. Considering "upstream" (e.g., suppliers) and "downstream" (e.g., waste management) processes associated with the production, use phase, and disposal of products, I strive for solutions that are beneficial for the consumer, business, and the planet.
Call To Care Uganda
Board Member: 2007 - 2021 // calltocareuganda.org
Bringing health, safety and education to the people of Uganda through clean, safe water. Created the brand, and over the last decade have helped over 45,000 people through the building of schools, health initiatives, and the drilling of over 60 wells.