Résumé CV

FREELANCE

2004-present: Executive Creative Director/Writer | Starkwords
Leading teams on digital, design, advertising, and experiential campaigns that require broad vision, simple ideas, meticulous execution, and collaboration

Pro Bono Non-Profit Clients
T.U.N.E. Camp MN | Read Indeed | 180 Degrees

FULL-TIME

2013-2017: Viewpost
Fractional ECD, Brand & Communications: Provided executive coaching, brand strategy, creative direction, and brand content creation as a senior leader, collaborating on all aspects of successfully bringing a financial services start-up to market. Helped raise $100M of investment capital, develop strategic partnerships with top-10 financial institutions and leading payment innovators, and build an award-winning B2B FinTech company and SaaS brand.

1999-2004: Fallon & Duffy (simultaneously worked for two sister agencies)
Copywriter: Improved brand consistency and elevated the quality of work across multiple office locations and media by bridging the gap between advertising, design, and digital campaigns.

1997-1999: Betty
Copywriter: Collaborated with multiple creative disciplines to advance brand consistency and elevate the quality of work across all media.

1996-1997: Rapp Collins Communications
Junior Copywriter: Developed campaigns in traditional and digital media for local and regional accounts while collaborating with designers and art directors to advocate for the idea within any medium.

1995-1996: Sietsema Engel & Partners
Junior Copywriter: Cut my teeth on retail TV, radio and print advertising for a major airline and won my first industry award.

1992: BBDO Minneapolis
Intern Copywriter: Wrote the first and only radio spots for Hormel that imagined a contest featuring miniature statues carved from SPAM bricks.

Teaching

2002-2006: Miami Ad School, Minneapolis
Instructed, creative directed and mentored copywriters, art directors, and designers on the four creative principles of Truth, Intelligence, Wit, and Charm

2001: Brainco, Minneapolis
Introduced students to the strengths and limitations of the digital medium while reinforcing the importance of a consistent brand experience across all media

Giving Back

2024–present: 180 Degrees
Writing to support programs and shelters for homeless youth, sex-trafficked teen girls, and community re-entry for formerly incarcerated adult males. Creating videos to support the annual gala, brand awareness and marketing for resident communities. Leading a pilot program to connect quilters and Brittany’s Place shelter for girls who have experienced sex trafficking, to deliver 10 handmade quilts a month so residents have a tangible sign of love and support to call their own.

2019–2022: Read Indeed | 501(c)(3) | Board Member
Collaborated with the teenage founder and adult board members to develop strategies for scaling Read Indeed from an ambitious and time-consuming warehouse operation to a farther-reaching and solely online operation in its mission to unite at-risk children with books they can call their own. Provided creative direction and led a partner agency in designing and developing an updated brand and new website.

2016–present: T.U.N.E. Camp MN | 501(c)(3) | Board Member
Led the creation and development of this conservation and ecology program’s digital presence, including its first online registration capabilities for youth campers (girls and boys ages 11–16) and adult volunteer guides and instructors. Improved awareness, reach and registration volume while streamlining operations for the camp’s Director and Administrators. Manage the website and online registration process on a seasonal basis, helping to grow participation and simplify processes.

Education

1988-1992: University of St. Thomas | St. Paul, MN
BA Journalism/Advertising | Division III Hockey Defenseman | Student Newspaper Photo Editor