Managing Creative Director & Freelance Photographer

Grow Design, LLC

As a Creative Director I help small businesses build their brand recognition through strategically-sound, visually-stunning design solutions. Hands-on experience creating print, digital, and experiential designs, directing video and photo shoots, crafting brand awareness campaigns, and developing brand identities for a variety of clients. Collaborated with Upsource (2014), Valeria Marketing, Providence Health, Portland Timbers, Daimler, M Financial, and Pollinate (2017). 

Core Skills: Creative Direction & Brand Strategy | Team Leadership & Development | Integrated Campaign Management | Experiential, Print, & Digital Design | UX Design | Identity Development | Award-winning Photography | Proficient in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Acrobat) | Strong Communication & Presentation Skills | Knowledge of HTML & Google Workspace

Client Experience:

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Additional
Experience

Creative Manager & Director (August 2019–Present) 
Fred Meyer Jewelers, Portland, OR

  • Develop and implement a comprehensive brand refresh (2024), strengthening brand recognition across consumer touch points.

  • Lead creative strategy, design, and content across all communication channels

  • Manage in-house design and freelance teams in on-site, remote, and hybrid settings

  • Find efficiencies and streamline processes

  • UX Design and strategy

  • Lead presentations to senior management and executive staff

  • Design print and digital deliverables 

Senior Design Specialist (January 2018–January 2019) 
Nautilus Inc., Vancouver, WA

  • Developed a new brand guide for Nautilus’ flagship brand, Bowflex, to create brand consistency and unify the brand position, voice and style 

  • Collaborated with internal teams to craft a product strategy and visual theme for launch of Bowflex’s new LateralX machine

  • Designed direct marketing pieces, catalogs, product packaging, social media ads, emails, web layouts, etc. for fitness brands Bowflex, Schwinn Fitness, Octane Fitness, Modern Movement, and Nautilus 

  • Created Point of Purchase (POP) materials and digital advertising for Dick’s Sporting Goods, Walmart, Sears, and others

  • Mentor and buddy with young designers to help hone their skills and fine-tune creative deliverables  

Associate Creative Director (January 2015–November 2016) 
Opus Agency, Beaverton, OR

  • Partnered with the EVP to determine team strategy and project direction for integrated experiential events

  • Fostered a creative environment where designers were pushed to explore, refine, and polish designs

  • Danced within identity guidelines to craft fresh campaigns in a fast-paced environment

  • Developed projects from initial concept through final execution, zigzagging through tight deadlines, and focusing on long-term client goals and ROI

Senior Art Director (February 2014–December 2014) 
Opus Agency, Beaverton, OR

  • Created integrated campaigns for experiential events, marketing collateral, and RFP responses for consumer brands

  • Developed a track record for ownership of large-scale projects and managing business relationships

  • Delivered dynamic, persuasive client presentation

  • Mentored Junior Designers to refine, develop, and enrich their skills

Art Director (October 2009–February 2014)
CMD Agency, Portland, OR

  • Help Creative Directors (CDs) establish the initial visual direction for projects and produce client presentations

  • Lead creative teams to successfully deliver compelling, strategic, and cohesive solutions while retaining brand integrity

  • Collaborate with multiple departments to build successful multichannel campaigns

Senior Designer (2008–2009)
CMD Agency, Portland, OR

  • Support ACDs by flushing out concepts and creating tangible deliverables

  • Oversee and execute designs from initial concept to final file preparation

  • Provide guidance to design and production teams through clear communication

  • Pieces include: Flash trainings, client presentations, websites, storyboards, experiential graphics, and other print collateral

Designer (2006–2008)
CMD Agency, Portland, OR

  • Designed engaging print and interactive collateral by leveraging approved concept creative and brand guidelines

  • Assisted with creating proposals for RFPs and client presentations

  • Prepared final files for printers

Designer (2000—2006)
Con-Way, Portland, OR

  • Created a variety of digital and print collateral for internal clients and external companies including brand development, quarterly magazine layouts, website design and development, built Flash pieces, and newsletters

  • Formed strong relationships with clients to become their solution partner

  • Helped decode client issues and design for KPI goals

Design Internship (Summer 1999)
Hanlon Brown Design, Portland, OR

  • Worked full-time and extended hours designing and assisting ADs and Designerson the Intel Account

  • Projects included designing web banners, static and animated desktop icons, brochures, trade show graphics and other various pieces

College

BA of Graphic Design with an emphasis in Advertising
Drake University, Des Moines, IA (1996–2000)

Division I Softball pitcher, USA Olympic Team Tryouts (2)

Other Activities

Pro bono collateral development for Doernbecher Children’s Hospital, YWCA, and Rose Haven Women & Children’s Shelter • Volunteer at Oregon Food Bank, Lot Whitcomb Elementary and with YWCA

Award-winning photographer • Wilderness wanderer (Tanzania, New Zealand, Alaska, Montana, etc.) • Hiking enthusiast (Kilimanjaro, Carthew-Alderson in Waterton, and local trails) • Retired softball maven (Division I Softball pitcher and 2 USA Olympic Team Tryouts) • Participant and coach, Ad League softball team • Participant Ad League bowling team