backstory
At 17, I volunteered for the military to learn the value of serving something greater than myself. In university, I studied psychology and sociology to understand why people do the things they do (or don’t do). I ran an addiction research lab for a stretch, denying smokers their fix in the name of science. Which doesn’t quite explain why I took a gap year backpacking through Latin America with a bag full of vinyl records chasing a bass-filled dream. Or maybe it does. But by the time I came home, I’d performed in 9 countries, designed a furniture collection in Denmark, and launched my own underground record label. My Danish still needs work, but my Pirate is pitch perfect.
Once I was back in the real world, in this case New York City, I got into advertising. An invitation to use creativity to market science and technology sparked a career built on integrated campaigns that are still delivering ROI today. But it wasn’t until I remembered what it meant to serve that I discovered my creative superpower; empathy. That’s my creative purpose. It's what burns my candle at both ends. It's why I bring people together to find new ways we can use creativity and design to address injustice, inequality, and social empowerment.
Like most creatives, I believe I have to earn the honor of my title every day. Agency life taught me many lessons. Some more forgettable than others. But the one thing I’ve learned for sure is that my greatest strength is adaptability. I’m inspired by complexity. In fact, I’m not only great with change, I‘m enthusiastic about it.
EXPERTISE
Social Impact - Interactive Writing+Design - Concept Copywriting - Campaign Development - Cultural Marketing - UX Writing - Brand Development - Creative Direction - Multi-channel Marketing - Keynote & Pitch Presentations - Team Building & Leadership - Agency+Vendor Management - Music Production & Supervision - Licensing & Partnerships - IP Creation - Advertising
education
MBA / Berlin School of Creative Leadership / 2021 / Completed thesis on the impact of artificial intelligence on the reputation of craft practitioners
BA / University of Connecticut / 2000 / Completed thesis on the impact of birth order on extroversion.
AWARDS
WATCH >
Human Interface Design Patent 2022 / 2023
PRIVACY >
D&AD Shortlist Digital Writing 2020 / One Show Shortlist Website 2020 / Webby’s Shortlist Digital Design 2020
REFUGEE NATION >
Cannes Lions Bronze 2018 / Cannes Lions Grand Prix for Good 2017 / Cannes Lions Titanium 2017 / Cannes Lions Gold, Silver, Bronze 2017 / One Show Gold Pencil Design 2017 / One Show Gold Pencil Cross Platform 2017 / D&AD Yellow Pencil Outdoor 2017 / D&AD Wood Pencil Integrated 2017 / D&AD Wood Pencil PR 2017 / NY Festivals Grand Prize Design 2017 / NY Festivals First Prize Design 2017 / NY Festivals First Prize PR 2017 / One Show Best of Show 2017 / One Show Best of Category Cross Platform 2017 / One Show Best of Category Design 2017
FREEDOM VOICES >
2017 - Webby Winner in Native Advertising / 2017 - Webby People's Voice Winner in Native Advertising / 2017 - Webby People's Voice Winner in Experimental & Innovation / 2016 - Cannes Lions Shortlist in Promo & Activation / 2016 - Clio Awards Finalist in Best Social Media
Conferences
PRESS
The Dots / Forbes / NY Festivals / MAIP
LECTURES
Harvard University, 2019 / Indiana University Kelly School of Business, 2019 / Wenzhou Kean University, 2018 / Kean University, 2017