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Communications, Brand, and Creative Director
Creative leader with a track record of building brands, shaping authentic voices, and directing multidisciplinary teams. Skilled at inspiring creatives, developing award-winning campaigns, and blending storytelling with strategy to connect with audiences at scale.
About
Leading Communications and Creative for a Mission-Driven Organization
As Communications and Creative Director at AIA Colorado, I amplify the voice of the architecture profession across the state. I lead initiatives that support 2,600 members—architects, licensure candidates, and industry professionals—through storytelling, advocacy support, and creative strategies. My work helps elevate the profession to design a more equitable, sustainable, and beautiful Colorado, aligning communications with our mission to inspire and empower.
Driving Creative Success Across Industries
With an entrepreneurial mindset and a passion for storytelling, my former creative agency, Company Bell, delivered over 500 creative projects for 82 clients, helping businesses and organizations elevate their brands and achieve measurable growth. Highlights include rebranding Tooling Systems Group—Midwest’s largest tool and die company with 13 subsidiaries—and designing Immerse, winner of the 2022 EPCA Best Book Award.
Innovating for Impact
I developed MI Recovery, the first interactive directory of 1,635 substance abuse recovery resources in West Michigan, funded by the State of Michigan. This tool, now utilized by seven Health Departments, meets critical State and Federal requirements, demonstrating how thoughtful design can make a real difference.
Entrepreneurship and Startups
I created and grew MichiganAwesome, a DTC apparel company that was one of Shopify’s first 500 stores, sparking Michigan’s state-love apparel trend. Earlier, I co-launched HeartSupport, a nonprofit offering late-night, online chat counseling for teens, an innovative solution to address mental health challenges.
Global Vision, Local Expertise
From producing film projects in Burundi, Ethiopia, and Honduras to leading speaking tours across the US, Canada, and UK, my work has spanned continents and cultures. I also collaborated with Charity: Water to launch their first ever text-to-donate campaign, amplifying their global impact.
Building Brands from the Ground Up
My career kickstarted with a mission for growth through strategic marketing and creative excellence. Partnering with a speaker and author Rob Bell, my work managed his global tours, produced conferences attended by thousands as well as studio films and live event films, contributing to his success with multiple New York Times Bestselling books, helping to secure his place on TIME’s 100 Most Influential list in 2011.
Skills
- Creative Leadership & Direction – Inspiring and guiding cross-disciplinary teams in copy, design, video, and digital storytelling.
- Brand Voice & Storytelling – Defining and maintaining authentic brand voices; leading copywriting teams across campaigns, advertising, editorial, and digital.
- Integrated Campaign Development – Concept-to-launch leadership for multi-channel campaigns spanning social, digital, experiential, and print.
- Mentorship & Team Growth – Developing creative talent and fostering collaborative teams.
- Strategic & Performance Creative – Translating business objectives into creative concepts; partnering with performance marketing to deliver measurable impact.
- Creative & Production Tools – Proficient in Adobe Creative Suite, Figma, Sketch, WordPress, and production for film, web, and print.
- Executive Communication – Public speaking, client presentations, and stakeholder collaboration with clarity and vision.
Education
B.B.A. Marketing, Sales Emphasis, Grand Valley State University, Seidman College of Business
Kendall College of Art and Design, Continuing education courses in print and graphic design, 2009-2013
Experience
2022 – Present
AIA Colorado • Denver, CO • aiacolorado.org
Communications Director & Creative Director
In Colorado, we serve 2,619 licensed architects as well as 450 industry allied members as a Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA). My communications and creative roles are essential to informing and equipping Colorado’s architecture community, serving as the voice of the industry. I plan and execute all external and internal communications for the organization and programs utilized by membership, political advocacy, direct volunteer engagement, as well as develop all design and web based creative.
- Programs include the annual Design + Honor Awards, Colorado’s most prestigious architectural awards, and the Practice + Design Conference, an annual 3-day conference attended by 500
- Publish the twice-monthly industry newsletter, enjoying a 70+% open rate and have doubled social media following
- Expanded financial opportunities by creating new sponsorship programs, launched ‘Find an Architect’ program, and overhauled all website and member communication outlets
- Launched relationship with Architecture ByDesign TV show to feature Colorado architects in upcoming episodes
2012 – 2022
Company Bell • Denver, CO (previously Grand Rapids, MI) • companybell.com
Owner & Creative Director
My creative agency, Company Bell, designed logos, brand guides, print marketing collateral, website development, UX wireframes, digital advertising, product packaging, trade show experiences, customer personas, direct mail, photography and film shoots
- Managed 3 employees and 8 freelancers, conducting the business and directing all production
- Served 82 individual clients, delivering over 500 projects
- Industries served include publishing, CPG, real estate, manufacturing, food Service logistics, education, apparel, roofing and home remodeling, insurance, financial services, author/speaker, and nonprofit
2009 – 2012
Michigan Awesome • Grand Rapids, MI • michiganawesome.com
Founder
Against the backdrop of the auto industry bailouts and general economic hardships of 2008, I began implementing my ideas as a celebration of hometown love disguised as an apparel company, pioneering new ways for Michiganders to be Smitten With The Mitten™. After 3 years of exponential growth, I sold the business above 3x valuation.
- One of the first 500 Shopify stores worldwide
- Created print-on-demand system to support an innovative matrix of 40+ trademarked designs screen-printed on 16+ types of clothing items
- As part of organic PR activities, was a frequent guest on local TV news outlets and print media
- Created apparel designs, performed paid and organic advertising campaigns, produced event retail experiences, and oversaw all printing and product fulfillment
2008 – 2010
The Image Group • Holland, MI
Account Manager
My experiences at The Image Group shaped my understanding of the design and advertising industry. At the agency staffed by about 30 employees, I practiced a range of agency services, including workshop facilitation, photo and video production, budgeting, product launches, website development, and mapping customer personas.
2007 – 2008
Heart Support • Grand Rapids, MI • heartsupport.com
Co-Founder, Director of Operations
Started a nonprofit organization to address the spiking rates of teen depression and suicide by connecting those in need with counselors through online chat. At the time, we were the only provider of such services in USA. I spoke publicly over 40 times to audiences up to 2,500, leading to 10,000 unique visitors in the first month and averaged 250 counseling experiences each month thereafter.
2006 – 2010
Self-employed • Grand Rapids, MI
Event Producer, Film Producer
Produced over 100 live events across USA, Canada, and UK featuring Rob Bell, New York Times Bestselling author and recipient of TIME 100 Most Influential People. The tours and events were attended by over 150,000. I produced 2 live tour films as well as 5-disc DVD curriculum box set. Several of the events were multi-day conference experiences where I oversaw every aspect from marketing and promotion, to ticketing, venue selection and management, and on-stage production.
Additional Experiences
- Leadership Grand Rapids, Class of 2014, Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce
- Business Advisory Committee Member, Kent Innovation High School, 2014 – 2015
- Community Advisory Member, Downtown Market, Grand Rapids, 2013 – 2014
- Two time Start Garden Business Grant Award Winner, 4/2012
- Winner, 5×5 Night Business Pitch Competition, 6/2011