Experience

S&A Communications

• United States
• Public Relations and Communications Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Creative Director

  • Jan 2017 - Present

  Creative leadership:➤ Identify and solve problems for diverse audiences through Design Thinking➤ Manage simultaneous deadline-driven projects for multiple internal and external clients➤ Create concepts and implement strategies that deliver measurable results in print and online➤ Participate in business development, including writing proposals and leading pitch meetings➤ Communicate with technical and non-technical colleagues, partners and clients➤ Integrate new technologies into the project management and design processes➤ Track current interaction and design aesthetics and incorporate them when appropriate➤ Collaborate on marketing/branding campaigns, ads/promotions and events/conference➤ Write and/or edit content for publications and websitesDepartment leadership:➤ Coach and mentor a nine-member team of designers and developers➤ Foster collegial environment in which people are respected, valued and challenged➤ Prioritize and distribute workload and verify milestones are met➤ Establish standards of quality and excellence and ensure they are achieved➤ Initiate and manage talent acquisition Show less

• Director, Digital Strategy & Design

  • Oct 2012 - Dec 2016

  ➤ Design user-centered, responsive websites from research through post-launch evaluation➤ Follow best practices for UI, UX (scenarios, wireframes, flows, sitemaps, personas, prototypes)➤ Assist developers in defining information architectures and site functionality

• Graphic Designer

  • Mar 2012 - Dec 2012

  Design print and digital collateral, including publications, display ads and email newsletters.



any location

• Advertising Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Creative strategist/Information Designer

  • Aug 2011 - Present

  Create compelling visual content for books, ebooks, magazines, posters, presentations, newsletters, invitations and programs for clients in health care, government, consulting, business and the arts. Create compelling visual content for books, ebooks, magazines, posters, presentations, newsletters, invitations and programs for clients in health care, government, consulting, business and the arts.



University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

• Research
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Adjunct lecturer, School of Journalism

  • Jan 2014 - Apr 2014

  Instructor for JOMC482: Newspaper Design, an in-depth look at the techniques and tools used for producing well designed newspaper pages. Also taught Fall 2011. Instructor for JOMC482: Newspaper Design, an in-depth look at the techniques and tools used for producing well designed newspaper pages. Also taught Fall 2011.



The News & Observer

• United States
• Newspaper Publishing
• 200 - 300 Employee

• Design Editor

  • 2003 - 2011

  As a member of the newsroom’s management team, I ensured The News & Observer’s design complemented and strengthened the quality and impact of its content and brand. I steered the design team through change by helping members adapt quickly to new work practices and ensuring they have the skills and tools to succeed. In addition, I consulted with and coached designers on how they could help the organization achieve its objectives. I also managed budget, productivity, staffing and personnel development issues.Skills• Combine design, writing and editing expertise to produce content for diverse audiences.• Collaborate with writers, artists and photographers to create award-winning designs• Adapt quickly and seamlessly to rapidly changing priorities and situations.• Keep a level head and a steady hand in high-pressure environment.• Manage multiple projects to meet “can’t-miss” daily deadlines.• Assess complex challenges quickly; identify and execute steps for successful outcome.• Foster environment in which people are respected, valued and challenged.• Cultivate a climate of ideas, working to bring ideas forward from others.• Coach team members to strengthen design and management skills.Selected accomplishments• Reduced operating and production costs• Integrated design of four newspapers into existing N&O workflow.• Redesigned multiple sections to decrease newsprint demand.Increased efficiencies during intense organizational change• Redeployed staff after department cuts.• Boosted staff versatility through ongoing cross-training program.• Trained staff on CCI, an Oracle-based content management system.• Strengthened online brand as part of newsobserver.com redesign team. Show less

• Assistant Director/News Design

  • 1998 - 2003

  • Contributed to a creative environment by producing superior original work.• Planned and designed pages, largely free from supervision and direction.• Conceptualized and executed visual coverage for enterprise stories.• Coordinated workload, including special projects and prototypes.• Communicated across departments on coverage needs and priorities.• Trained and mentored junior staff to promote success and progress.• Provided feedback to supervisor for staff performance reviews. Show less

• Lead Sports Designer

  • 1995 - 1998

  • Designed pages to provide a compelling, comprehensive sports report.• Conceived creative, fresh ways to display content.• Planned and executed special sections.• Coached other Sports staff on best design practices.

• Copy editor/Designer

  • 1988 - 1995

  • Ensured accuracy in spelling, punctuation or grammar.• Wrote strong, clear, conversational headlines and captions.• Met multiple daily deadlines.• Proofed pages and graphics.• Exercised strong news judgment.