Photography by Kelly Drake Photography.
EXPERIENCE
Creative Director
Next Door State Farm, Chicago, Illinois, 2018 - 2021
Creative Director at Next Door State Farm, State Farm’s consumer learning lab and financial wellness center in Chicago, Illinois.
Directed refresh of Next Door’s business model and creation of its strategic business plan through facilitating and contributing to design thinking workshops for the management team.
Rebranded business and implemented easy to follow brand standards for financial industry professionals.
Co-created Next Door’s first ever strategic marketing plan.
Produced an average of 20 events per month.
Drove volunteer instructor base growth by 400%.
Managed team of five employees.
Co-Founder and Experience Curator
Fête Esthète & The Art Party, Chicago, Illinois, 2016 - 2020
Fête Esthète & The Art Party specializes in creating dynamic, personalized fine art installations for public, private, and corporate events.
Co-founded the art and entertainment business.
Created business’s brand identity and brand standards.
Designed company’s e-commerce website.
Produced large and small scale corporate, public, and private events.
Gallery Director
Matthew Rachman Gallery, Chicago, Illinois, 2015 - 2017
Led operations, marketing, and sales for a gallery specializing in contemporary artwork and mid-century modern home furnishings.
Spearheaded inventory management process for multiple e-commerce platforms.
Established business’s standard operating procedures.
Led website redesign efforts.
Managed team of four employees.
Achieved promotional advancement from earlier positions.
Senior Product Development Manager
The Ashton-Drake Galleries, Niles, Illinois, 2013 - 2016
Designed collectible figures, dolls, and plush products that contributed to the overall Ashton-Drake Galleries product line.
Directed branding for a new product line.
Promoted following superior performance and demonstrated ability to quickly master complex concepts.
Product accolades include:
• 2016 “Dolls Awards of Excellence: Industry’s Choice Awards” for You Are So Beautiful Doll
• 2017 “Dolls Awards of Excellence: Industry’s Choice Awards” for Ava Doll
• 2017 “Dolls Awards of Excellence: Industry’s Choice Awards” for Perfect in Pink Annika Doll
• 2017 "Dolls Awards of Excellence: Public's Choice Award" for Ava Doll
Graphic Designer and Social Media Specialist
Hafkey Business Solutions, Carol Stream, Illinois, 2012 - 2013
In-house graphic design specialist.
Created new product offerings including brand consulting, logo development, and social media marketing.
Launched company’s social media strategy and accounts.
Collections Department Intern
Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center, Skokie, Illinois, 2011 - 2012
Worked closely with registrar and curator to gain knowledge of non-profit management, museum and exhibition practices, database management, and artifact handling.
Assisted with the installation of exhibitions.
EXHIBITIONS
Curator
Matthew Rachman Gallery, Chicago, Illinois, 2016 - 2017
“The Fantastic Nest” featuring artwork by Kate McCarthy • “Paintings by Jeffrey Cortland Jones + Sara Pittman” featuring artwork by Jeffrey Cortland Jones and Sara Pittman • “SERIOUS/play” featuring artwork by Amanda Gentry and Maura Segal • “Tangent Planes” featuring artwork by Jean Alexander Frater, Krista Svalbonas, and Pamela Staker
Assistant Curator
Matthew Rachman Gallery, Chicago, Illinois, 2015 - 2016
“For The Love Of Farnsworth” featuring various artists • “peace on eARTh” featuring various artists • “I Saw You At My Funeral” featuring artwork by Mike Egan • “Intuition” featuring artwork by Greg Dickerson • “Jungle Boogie” featuring artwork by Ben Tinsley and Walter Fydryck • “Paintings by Ruben Aguirre + Victor Lopez” featuring artwork by Ruben Aguirre and Victor Lopez
KEY PROFICIENCIES
Agile methodology • Art direction • Artist and client relations • Brand identity and strategic development • Brand management and activation • Community outreach • Concept generation • Creative strategy • Curatorial arts • Customer experience design • Design thinking methodologies and workshop facilitation • Digital illustration • E-commerce development and management • Event planning and coordination • Exhibition installation • Graphic design for digital and print media • Integrated marketing • Logo creation • Package design • Product development and licensor compliance • Product styling • Proficient in Adobe Creative Cloud, Google Applications, and Microsoft Office • Project management • Strategic business planning • Team leadership • UI/UX design
EDUCATION
Master of Arts, Arts Administration
Savannah College of Art and Design
Bachelor of Fine Arts, Industrial Design
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
COURSEWORK & HONORS
Principles of Arts Administration • Legal Issues in the Arts • Arts Financing and Money Management • Raising Funds for Non-profit Arts Organizations • Promoting the Arts • Design Innovation Development and Marketing Strategies • Business and Professional Writing
James Scholar Award • Dean’s List • Campus Merit Award
ASSOCIATIONS
Board Member, Design Chair
Infinite Chance, Lebanon, Ohio, 2019 - Present
Board Member
The Wabash Lights, Chicago, Illinois, 2018 - Present
Volunteer
Little Brothers - Friends of the Elderly, Chicago, Illinois 2021 - Present
Board Member, Art Director
Art of Freedom, Chicago, Illinois, 2016 - 2017
Volunteer
The Louis L Valentine Boy’s and Girl’s Club of Bridgeport, Chicago, Illinois 2017 - 2018