I've always been more interested in understanding people than persuading them.
Creativity just happens to be the way I share what I find.
I believe the best creative work creates moments of recognition. The kind that makes you pause because you've just seen something differently. Sometimes it's seeing yourself. Sometimes it's seeing someone else. Sometimes it's helping an organization recognize what it has been all along.
Creativity just happens to be the way I share what I find.
I believe the best creative work creates moments of recognition. The kind that makes you pause because you've just seen something differently. Sometimes it's seeing yourself. Sometimes it's seeing someone else. Sometimes it's helping an organization recognize what it has been all along.
EDUCATION
Brandcenter - Virginia Commonwealth University M.A. in Business, Track: Art Direction
University of Maryland College Park B.A. in Art Studio, Track: Graphic Design
EXPERIENCE
EXECUTIVE CREATIVE DIRECTOR – Ogilvy
September 2021 - Present
Led multidisciplinary creative teams across brand, social, digital, experiential, and AI-driven work for global brands, nonprofits, and public sector organizations.
Helped win more than $20 million in new business while leading award-winning campaigns, including Dove's #BlackHairIsProfessional and work for UL Standards and Engagement, The Washington Post, the American Chemistry Council, and the National Museum of the American Latino.
Integrate generative AI into research, narrative development, prototyping, and creative decision-making.
Build creative cultures rooted in curiosity, trust, and collaboration, helping teams produce stronger work together than they could individually.
CREATIVE DIRECTOR – SmithGifford
March 2021 - September 2021
Created advertising and brand communications across print, digital, and interactive media.
Worked closely with clients and creative teams to develop thoughtful, strategic design solutions.
Learned the value of listening first and letting strong ideas lead the work.
CREATIVE DIRECTOR – Ogilvy
December 2020 - March 2021
Led integrated creative development across consumer, healthcare, and public sector clients, partnering closely with strategy, design, and technology teams.
Helped grow existing client relationships while contributing to successful new business pitches and major brand initiatives.
Mentored designers, writers, and emerging creative leaders while raising the quality and consistency of the work.
SENIOR ART DIRECTOR & ASSOCIATE CREATIVE DIRECTOR – Ogilvy
Developed campaigns, brand systems, and digital experiences across advertising, social, experiential, and emerging platforms.
Turned complex business challenges into clear, human-centered creative ideas for a wide range of clients.Brandcenter - Virginia Commonwealth University M.A. in Business, Track: Art Direction
University of Maryland College Park B.A. in Art Studio, Track: Graphic Design
EXPERIENCE
EXECUTIVE CREATIVE DIRECTOR – Ogilvy
September 2021 - Present
Led multidisciplinary creative teams across brand, social, digital, experiential, and AI-driven work for global brands, nonprofits, and public sector organizations.
Helped win more than $20 million in new business while leading award-winning campaigns, including Dove's #BlackHairIsProfessional and work for UL Standards and Engagement, The Washington Post, the American Chemistry Council, and the National Museum of the American Latino.
Integrate generative AI into research, narrative development, prototyping, and creative decision-making.
Build creative cultures rooted in curiosity, trust, and collaboration, helping teams produce stronger work together than they could individually.
CREATIVE DIRECTOR – SmithGifford
March 2021 - September 2021
Created advertising and brand communications across print, digital, and interactive media.
Worked closely with clients and creative teams to develop thoughtful, strategic design solutions.
Learned the value of listening first and letting strong ideas lead the work.
CREATIVE DIRECTOR – Ogilvy
December 2020 - March 2021
Led integrated creative development across consumer, healthcare, and public sector clients, partnering closely with strategy, design, and technology teams.
Helped grow existing client relationships while contributing to successful new business pitches and major brand initiatives.
Mentored designers, writers, and emerging creative leaders while raising the quality and consistency of the work.
SENIOR ART DIRECTOR & ASSOCIATE CREATIVE DIRECTOR – Ogilvy
Developed campaigns, brand systems, and digital experiences across advertising, social, experiential, and emerging platforms.
Collaborated across disciplines to shape concepts from early strategy through execution and launch.
JUNIOR ART DIRECTOR – Pappas-DMI
Designed integrated marketing campaigns, visual identities, and brand communications for regional and national clients.
Helped bring brands to life across print, digital, and experiential touchpoints.
COORDINATOR OF GRAPHIC DESIGN & MARKETING -
University of Maryland College Park – Adele H. Stamp Student Union
April 2006 - August 2013
Led the design and production of marketing communications across print, environmental graphics, digital, and campus events.
Supervised and mentored student designers, freelancers, and part-time creative staff.
Partnered with campus stakeholders to deliver creative solutions while managing budgets, schedules, and vendor relationships.
COMPUTER GRAPHICS INSTRUCTOR -
University of Maryland College Park – Adele H. Stamp Student Union: Art & Learning Center
2009-2010
Taught Adobe Illustrator, InDesign, and Photoshop to undergraduate design students.
Developed coursework that balanced technical skills with creative problem solving and visual communication.
SPEAKING & FACILITATION
Making the Wrong Choice – Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA), 2026
Explored why the "right" career choice is often less important than making intentional ones.
Shared lessons on navigating uncertainty, building a creative career, and leading without losing yourself.
Seeing Without Bias — Nike, 2019
Led a workshop on how unconscious bias influences the way we create, collaborate, and tell stories.
Gave teams practical tools to recognize blind spots and build more thoughtful, inclusive creative work.
COORDINATOR OF GRAPHIC DESIGN & MARKETING -
University of Maryland College Park – Adele H. Stamp Student Union
April 2006 - August 2013
Led the design and production of marketing communications across print, environmental graphics, digital, and campus events.
Supervised and mentored student designers, freelancers, and part-time creative staff.
Partnered with campus stakeholders to deliver creative solutions while managing budgets, schedules, and vendor relationships.
COMPUTER GRAPHICS INSTRUCTOR -
University of Maryland College Park – Adele H. Stamp Student Union: Art & Learning Center
2009-2010
Taught Adobe Illustrator, InDesign, and Photoshop to undergraduate design students.
Developed coursework that balanced technical skills with creative problem solving and visual communication.
SPEAKING & FACILITATION
Making the Wrong Choice – Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA), 2026
Explored why the "right" career choice is often less important than making intentional ones.
Shared lessons on navigating uncertainty, building a creative career, and leading without losing yourself.
Seeing Without Bias — Nike, 2019
Led a workshop on how unconscious bias influences the way we create, collaborate, and tell stories.
Gave teams practical tools to recognize blind spots and build more thoughtful, inclusive creative work.