Data driven product and marketing leader, who strikes a balance between business and user needs. Demonstrated ability to drive and manage complex initiatives across multiple functional and business teams, from ideation to go-to-market, with a keen focus on execution and delivery. Demonstrated success utilizing consumer data to identify opportunities, develop innovative strategies, map user journeys, and manage multi-disciplinary projects across diverse industries. Proven ability to leverage creative and analytical skills to build programs that achieve a positive ROI and remain within scope.

Project management | User journey mapping | Strategic planning | Relationship management
Consultative problem solving | Marketing analytics | Digital and offset printing | Media relations | New business development | Online, email, direct mail marketing | Social media | Marketing communications | Public relations
Advertising strategy | Microsoft Office | Microsoft Dynamics (CRM) | Adobe Creative Suite

Flavorit
Co-founder and Chief Operating Officer (COO)
September 2015 - Present

Manage daily operations and all company functions, including business development, product/project management, strategic planning, funding, marketing, and staffing. Conduct extensive research and collaborate with subject matter experts as needed to find solutions or resolve issues.

• Identified a gap in the marketplace and partnered with an outside vendor to develop an iPhone application, website, and associated tools that leverage restaurant reviews and recommendations.
• Performed extensive market research to build detailed user journey maps. Used these findings to analyze and build user flows and compulsion loops.
• Implemented test and learn practices to improve product offerings and adoption rates.
• Managed contract developers to keep projects on schedule and within project scope.
• Attained financing through investor meetings. Secured incorporated status and trademark acquisition.
• Built company infrastructure to allow for continuing growth. Sourced, interviewed, and hired Chief Marketing Officer.
• Designed and launched all creatives for comprehensive marketing campaign consisting of advertisements, emails, and push notifications, as well as online and print media outreach. Increased users by 80%+ in most recent push. Coverage included Betapage, The Startup Pitch, Product Hunt, and Killer Startups.

Paper Lion Co., Chicago, IL
Founder & Creative Director
July 2012 - Present

Designed, produced and brought to market a unique product for the pet industry. Created a process that enabled cardboard to be formed into an aesthetically pleasing and environmentally conscious cat accessory. Oversee design, material sourcing, production and distribution.

• Establish relationships with retailers, both physical and ecommerce, as third party sellers.
• Manage relationships to expand business and increase product sales.
• Manage all material sourcing and production of product and packaging to ensure we meet or exceed cost targets and quality standards.
• Manage warehousing, inventory, and distribution schedules to guarantee on time delivery.

Elanders Americas
Senior Marketing Manager and Global Ambassador
June 2009 - June 2016

Directed all internal and external corporate communication strategies to generate sales leads and further the company brand. Designed and executed marketing strategies, such as multi-step print and digital outreach to key decision makers. Built and managed social, web, and internal communications to expand brand awareness and increase sales. Worked with senior management to identify opportunities and develop organizational strategies. Supported global sales team through research, proposal writing, and new business acquisition; built detailed prospect profiles and used information to create targeted campaigns.

• Established marketing department and created messaging to support the company. Gained senior management approval by holding weekly training sessions and addressing questions. After six months, the department functioned autonomously.
• Managed internal and external relationships through two corporate rebrands, ensuring projects remained on schedule. Both rebranding initiatives involved the development of new content collateral, corporate style books, and fully redesigned websites. Focused branding on global footprint expansion, enhanced capabilities, consistent messaging, and legal updates.
• Tailored marketing efforts to support the sales team, increase close rates, and shorten the sales cycle. Sales increased year-over-year and the sales cycle decreased from ~18 months to less than 12 months.

United Way of the Quad Cities, Davenport, IA
Donor Relations Program Manager
August 2008 – May 2009

Oversaw and supported fundraising efforts of 57 corporate accounts. Gained in-depth information on each company, fundraising expectations, fund usage, and partnership details. Served as a United Way community spokesperson by conveying the needs of community impact, addressing questions, and providing details on donation allocation.

• Program manager for United Way’s first Imagination Library 5k Run & Family Walk. Secured $24K in sponsorships. Implemented and managed a workplace campaign by meeting with area employers. Raised an additional $24K in race registration fees and individual donations in the first year.
• Extended reach of the United Way message and increased donations substantially by aligning organizational goals with community needs.
• Visited supported organizations to observe the usage of funds, allowing for more comprehensive external communications.

Iowa Farm Bureau Federation, Des Moines, IA
Marketing and Communications Specialist
Jun 2007 – Oct 2007
Supported internal marketing department in the development, implementation, distribution, and tracking of the “Join the Ride Iowa” campaign. Wrote press releases, tracked online activity, and planned events. Coordinated event spaces, promotion team, and road crew. Monitored campaign’s market value and media exposure.

• Demonstrated ROI of “Join the Ride Iowa” campaign by tracking web and print mentions through extensive web searches and automated alerts. Assembled, cleaned, and assigned values to data. Partnered with outside firm to pull TV and radio impressions. Evaluated data, articles, and circulation/viewership to estimate impression value and calculate campaign ROI.
• Contracted with Orange County Choppers to build the first E85 ethanol motorcycle and coordinate a full press tour, including a dedicated episode of “American Chopper” and a series of events across the state of Iowa concluding with the Iowa State Fair. 

Drake Magazine, Des Moines, IA
Head Photographer
Jan 2005 – May 2006
Managed the production schedule for the magazine’s quarterly print issues and monthly online versions/updates. Supervised team of 10 college-age volunteer and employee photographers.

• Ensured team met all deadlines for print and online magazine by leveraging members’ strengths and delegating large projects and tight-deadline assignments accordingly. Provided encouragement and support to team members and reassigned projects as needed.
• Eliminated need to rephotograph or scratch a story or purchase stock images. Focused team on taking the correct photos the first time, explained the story and what was to be conveyed, and described an ideal image, thereby improving photo quality on the first attempt.

Education

Masters of Business Administration
Kellogg School of Management, Chicago, IL, 2018
Dean’s List

Bachelor of Science
Marketing Major
Advertising Minor 
Drake University, Des Moines, IA, 2008
Graduated cum laude | Presidential Scholar

Volunteer

Steppenwolf Theater
President -  Steppenwolf Associates
Mange a board of 25 and an associates group of 100+ to support Steppenwolf for Young Adults, an education arm focused on arts education and outreach to youth in the Chicago area.

Drake University
Regional Alumni Board
Plan and coordinate regional events to promote Drake University to past, current and prospective students.