On a professional level…
I’m a designer first and foremost, but a marketer as a close second. Armed with skills ranging from UI/UX design, graphic design, website development, and digital marketing—I bring more of a well-rounded, holistic perspective to the table than the average designer or marketer. My diverse background and constant user-centered thinking has equipped me to be both a strategic “always-five-steps-ahead” type of thinker, as well as a creative thinker and constant problem solver.
I’m a team player, a self-starter, a culture-creator, a goal-driven jill-of-all-trades and make a great addition to any time looking for intelligent creativity, growth, and a healthy dose of humor and wit.
On a personal level…
I captain a local kickball team, which scratches my competitive itch most weeks. I’m also passionate about the outdoors and sports (in general) such as snowboarding, wakeboarding, mountain biking, golfing, pickleball, basketball, and pretty much anything else athletic. Fun fact: I was ranked #15 nationally as a freshman JUCO golfer.
Beyond sports, I have a close-knit friend group that loves getting together regularly. I’m a fan of board games, video games, coffee shop bars (caramel macchiatos are life), breweries, traveling, and live music—especially if it’s an 80’s cover band.
Skills
User Interface Design
90%Branding & Identity
90%Apparel Design
90%User Experience Design
85%Social Media Strategy
85%Digital Marketing
80%Website Development
75%Dad Jokes
20%“Good design is actually a lot harder to notice than poor design, in part because good designs fit our needs so well that the design is invisible, serving us without drawing attention to itself.”
— Don Norman
Certifications & Education
Education & Design Foundation
My education provides a solid foundation in creative strategy and user-centered design that guides my approach and adherence to industry best practices.
Augusta University
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Communications + Graphic Design
My Bachelor’s degree in Communication from Augusta University provided a solid grounding in effective media practices, digital communication, and strategic messaging. During my studies, I served as Vice President and later as President of Lambda Alliance, developing leadership skills and promoting inclusivity on campus. Additionally, I held the role of Media Chair for the Augusta Furies rugby team, where I managed team communications and enhanced community engagement. This blend of academic and hands-on experience strengthened my ability to communicate effectively across diverse platforms and audiences.
The University of Georgia
Master of Arts (M.A.), Mass Communication/Emerging Media
At UGA’s Grady College, my master’s program centered on the ideation, innovation, and implementation of emerging technologies to address real-world challenges. This program provided a comprehensive foundation in project management, user-centered design, UX/UI, marketing strategy, and content creation. Emphasizing practical, creative problem-solving with new media, it equipped me to develop strategic, impactful solutions in an ever-evolving digital landscape.
Professional Journey
With a foundation in communications, design, and user experience, my journey from marketing to UX reflects a versatile skill set crafted to blend creativity with strategy for impactful, user-centered solutions.
UI/UX Designer
July 2019 – Present
Augusta, GA
As a UI/UX Designer at TaxSlayer, I create pixel-perfect visual assets that enhance our customers’ experience on both mobile and desktop platforms. Collaborating with a dedicated team of UX designers, developers, product managers, and business stakeholders, I provide high-quality artistic direction and ensure all designs adhere to our brand and style guidelines. My role involves capturing and understanding design requirements through team interactions, customer engagement, and data analysis. I advance the design process by presenting options using storyboarding, wire-framing, and prototyping, and I maintain a comprehensive style guide that reflects our master brand, including icons, color palettes, and other visual assets.
Creative Director
November 2018 – June 2019
Athens, GA
Marketing Manager
November 2014 – October 2018
Athens, GA
At the UGA SBDC, I led impactful creative marketing strategies and initiatives, overseeing both traditional and digital campaigns. I excelled in guiding communication strategies and implementing innovative solutions that drove engagement and efficiency. My achievements include managing and enhancing the UGA SBDC brand, managing large-scale projects and teams, developing successful hiring strategies, and creating award-winning publications.
Some of my responsibility and achievements are:
- Led the direction of the organization’s marketing efforts, brand management, innovation, and user experience, ensuring cohesive and impactful brand messaging.
- Guided organizational messaging for both internal and external audiences through social media, email marketing, and other channels. Collaborated with faculty and professional staff to meet their communication needs with clients, prospects, stakeholders, and partners.
- Indirectly managed and led a team of 18 Program Coordinators (PCs) in marketing efforts, which involved brand management, legal compliance, brand strategy, and conducting internal training workshops. Also supervised two Graduate Assistants, ensuring they contributed effectively to the team’s goals.
- Oversaw both print and digital marketing initiatives at a statewide level, including the organization’s website and user experience. Managed the annual production of the “Small Business and Its Impact on Georgia” publication, which won multiple awards in 2018.
- Developed a new hiring strategy that saved over $2k per job posting, identified higher quality candidates, decreased onboarding time, and increased employee retention.
- Created several digital dashboards using Google Sheets to track custom digital metrics across all 18 offices. Established benchmarks and showcased growth quarter-to-quarter, which enhanced digital marketing engagement and conversions.
- Implemented various culture-building activities that boosted employee workplace happiness and retention.
Marketing Consultant
August 2018 – November 2018
Athens, GA
Contributed to directing the company’s marketing efforts, brand management, and user experience. Provided strategic guidance to the marketing department, focusing on inbound marketing, website experience development, and strategies. Identified and resolved website usability and accessibility issues, improving overall user experience. Developed and implemented inbound marketing strategies that boosted engagement and click rates. Introduced creative, cost-effective solutions to optimize budgets.
Marketing Coordinator
September 2012 – November 2014
Atlanta, GA
Managed and enhanced brand, marketing, public relations, branding, and digital efforts for 65+ residential real estate agents. Provided design and marketing material support for web, print, and digital platforms. Oversaw social media optimization and visibility for the Forsyth/Lake Lanier Office. Conducted monthly workshops to educate agents on HNR provided resources. Achieved significant growth in social media following and audience reach: 1400% increase in Facebook following, 3500% increase in Facebook audience reach, and 700% increase in Twitter followers. Created and distributed a monthly Real Estate Magazine both digitally and in print, reaching 17,250 in print and 2,000+ online views. Identified advertisers for the magazine and organized successful charity events such as Red Cross Blood Drives, Community Wide Yard-Sales, Chili Cook-Offs, and Benefit Horse Shows.
Creative Production Assistant
October 2010 – June 2012
Augusta, GA
During my tenure as a Creative Production Assistant at Augusta University’s Office of Public Relations, I collaborated with the Graphic Designer and Web Master to develop and maintain departmental web pages. I successfully produced a variety of graphic design projects, including brochures, flyers, posters, certificates, invitations, newsletters, handbook covers, and campus maps, meeting design specifications and deadlines. My role also involved ensuring all projects were printer-ready and printed correctly.
Graphic Designer
May 2006 – January 2009
Blue Ridge, GA
In this role, I created custom screen-printed t-shirt designs and developed logos for various projects. I acquired proficiency in Macromedia Freehand and Streamline to enhance my design capabilities. Additionally, I designed separate embroidery patterns and executed screen-printing processes for t-shirts. I also played a key role in devising marketing campaigns to successfully launch new products. Furthermore, I managed inventory selection and ordering processes to ensure smooth operations.
Freelance Projects & Expertise
From website development and UX consulting to branding and digital marketing, my freelance projects keep my skills sharp and ensure I stay current with the latest marketing trends, all while delivering fresh, creative solutions tailored to my clients’ goals.
Owner & Co-Founder
April 2023 – Present
Blue Ridge, GA
As the Co-Founder and Owner of Mountain City Apparel + Roosters of Blue Ridge, I lead the creative and operational direction of the brand. My responsibilities span the full spectrum of brand management and growth, from designing rooster and mountain-themed apparel to curating our product lineup and crafting engaging digital content.
I develop and execute a targeted digital marketing strategy, including a monthly inbound email campaign that keeps our community connected and informed. Additionally, I manage digital advertising to enhance brand visibility and drive customer engagement. I built and continue to maintain our e-commerce website, handling all SEO initiatives to boost online reach.
Beyond marketing, I oversee branding, analytics, and overall business strategy, managing everything from accounting to growth initiatives to ensure Mountain City Apparel stands out as a distinctive, all-American brand embodying the spirit of the North Georgia mountains.
Freelance Designer
February 2021 – Present
Atlanta, GA
As a Freelance Graphic Designer for ParkMobile, I created engaging website and social media assets that aligned seamlessly with the brand’s identity. This role required a deep understanding of ParkMobile’s branding guidelines, ensuring each design captured the brand’s voice while resonating with its target audience. I developed a range of digital elements, including promotional graphics, banners, and social media visuals, crafted to enhance online engagement and support marketing campaigns.
Collaborating closely with the marketing team, I delivered high-quality, on-brand assets that strengthened ParkMobile’s digital presence. My role involved balancing creativity with precision, meeting deadlines, and adapting designs based on feedback to ensure all elements contributed effectively to ParkMobile’s marketing goals.
Freelance Designer
June 2019 – Present
Boston, MA
As a Freelance Graphic Designer for HubSpot, I crafted visually compelling slide deck presentations and social media assets that adhered closely to HubSpot’s branding guidelines. This role required a keen eye for detail and a strong understanding of brand consistency, ensuring each design not only looked professional but also enhanced audience engagement.
In creating slide decks, I focused on clear, engaging layouts that communicated complex information in an accessible, visually appealing way. For social media assets, I developed graphics tailored to HubSpot’s audience, designed to drive engagement and support broader marketing objectives. Working collaboratively with the marketing and design teams, I balanced creativity with adaptability, delivering high-quality digital assets that strengthened HubSpot’s online presence and kept audiences connected with the brand.
Freelance Designer
June 2016 – June 2022
Atlanta, GA
As a Freelance Designer for GO Kickball, I provided strategic consultation on various marketing initiatives, focusing on enhancing the user experience and optimizing website structure. My role involved advising on ways to improve site engagement and deliver a seamless, enjoyable experience for users.
I led the design and development of custom jerseys for multiple kickball seasons and leagues nationwide, ensuring each design reflected the unique energy and community spirit of GO Kickball. Additionally, I created event logos and promotional materials that captured the excitement of GO Kickball events, bringing a fresh, cohesive look to each campaign. Through this work, I contributed to GO Kickball’s brand presence and helped elevate its visual identity across marketing channels and touchpoints.