Resume

Professional Summary

Creative and strategic design leader with a proven track record of driving innovation, elevating brand identity, and leading high-performance teams. Passionate about blending strategic thinking with compelling design to create engaging brand experiences that drive business growth. Experienced in collaborating with top agencies and brands to deliver impactful campaigns across digital and traditional platforms. Adept at building and mentoring teams, optimizing creative workflows, and aligning design strategies with business objectives.

Areas of Expertise

Brand Strategy | Creative Direction | Visual Storytelling | Digital & Traditional Marketing | Omni-Channel Campaigns | UI/UX Design | Team Leadership & Mentorship | Art Direction | Concept Development | Cross-Functional Collaboration | Advertising | Photography & Video Direction | Adobe Creative Suite | AI-Driven Design | Motion Graphics | Luxury Branding | Social Media & Email Design | Presentation Design | Project Management | AI Tools (ChatGPT, Adobe Express, Adobe Firefly) | Brand Asset Management | Project Management Tools

Professional Experience

Associate Creative Director, Fingerhut/Bluestem
Eden Prairie, MN | May 2014 – Present

  • Direct a cross-functional in-house agency team of designers and creatives, fostering a high-performance culture that improved design efficiency by 50%, navigating corporate brand strategy and stakeholder expectations across all touchpoints.

  • Developed compelling creative solutions within a highly regulated environment, navigating compliance restrictions and approval processes to deliver effective, brand-aligned products and experiences.

  • Led the creative direction for Fingerhut Perks, designing a comprehensive brand identity and rewards program, including teaser and launch campaigns, UI experience, and digital and email marketing materials that enhanced customer engagement and loyalty, resulting in an immediate 24% increase in engagement.

  • Oversaw multimedia content creation, including video, photography, and digital media assets, ensuring alignment with marketing and brand objectives.

  • Implemented a data-driven design strategy, optimizing the user experience and aligning creative execution with business goals, leading to a 140% increase in add-to-cart rate and a 72% lift in revenue per order.

  • Managed agency partnerships and vendor relationships, ensuring brand consistency and high-quality deliverables across all customer touchpoints.

  • Applied AI-powered design solutions, leveraging ChatGPT, Adobe Express, and Firefly to streamline workflows and enhance creative output.

  • Provided mentorship and professional development opportunities for the creative team, increasing employee satisfaction and retention and fostering a culture of innovation.

Head of Marketing - Volunteer Role, Waterset Social Committee
Apollo Beach, FL | February 2024 – Present

  • Developed and led multiple interactive community campaigns that transformed engagement through strategic branding, experiential marketing, and digital activation.

  • Designed and executed a full-scale marketing strategy, including branding, content development, and multi-channel promotion, resulting in a 9.23% organic social media engagement rate—surpassing industry benchmarks.

  • Elevated community participation and brand loyalty, driving record-breaking engagement through interactive resident participation and local business sponsorships.

  • Directed creative content and campaign assets, ensuring a cohesive visual identity across social media, email marketing, print collateral, and event experiences.

  • Transformed a grassroots initiative into a scalable, repeatable marketing model, positioning it as a blueprint for future community-driven activations.

Senior Graphic Designer, Lakewinds Food Cooperative
Eden Prairie, MN | November 2006 – March 2014

  • Transformed the company’s brand identity system, evolving it from a grassroots aesthetic to a competitive and authentic visual identity, expanding brand reach and market positioning.

  • Developed and executed marketing campaigns that increased brand recognition by 25% and strengthened customer engagement.

  • Directed high-impact brand photography for editorial features, seasonal campaigns, and in-store promotions, elevating visual storytelling and brand consistency.

  • Designed and executed compelling marketing collateral, including print advertisements, digital assets, and promotional materials, ensuring a cohesive brand experience across all touchpoints.

  • Managed multiple creative projects from concept to execution, collaborating cross-functionally to align brand strategy with business goals.

Education

Hennepin Technical College – Associate of Applied Science, Advertising Design

Anoka-Ramsey Community College – Associate of Applied Science

Professional Development & Certifications

HubSpot Social Media Marketing Certification (2023)