Professional Experience
Founded an award-winning graphic design studio in the nation's capital, focused on interdisciplinary design and expert collaboration. Focus on brand strategy and creative execution across identity, content, and digital systems.
- Launched Workhorse with a pioneering distributed talent model, leveraging a network of elite specialists
- Engineered strategic merger in 2018, creating a comprehensive digital marketing and social media agency
- Positioned Workhorse as a key collaborator during the 2020 pandemic, guiding clients in digital transformation
- Designed and developed interactive websites, applications, and exhibitions across multiple mediums and ecosystems, combining no-code tools, CMS frameworks, and hand-coded solutions
- Led digital transformation for advocacy organizations including Giffords, ADL, and the American Immigration Council, converting their traditional galas and events into professionally produced online experiences
- Led exhibition design for 'Up From the People: Protest and Change in DC', a permanent installation at the MLK Library. Awarded by Core77 for Design for Social Impact
- Directed brand identity and campaigns for Double Exposure and DC DOX film festivals, recognized by AIGA50 and Core77
- Directed social media and digital marketing strategy for The National Women's History Museum
Developed cutting-edge web design and UX/UI classes & workshops, integrating industry best practices.
- Designed and taught courses on Web Design, Usability, and UX/UI principles
- Created interdisciplinary curricula connecting theory, history, and contemporary digital practices
- Led workshops on HTML, CSS, JavaScript, version control, iterative design, and more
Supported course development and led weekly studio discussion sessions on design principles, theory, and techniques.
- Conducted lectures and prepared lessons as the Design for Advertising and Electronic Media and Culture graduate assistant
- Acquired a Design Teaching certificate through coursework and practice focused on pedagogy, theory, design thinking methods, and research
Brand building, product design, and marketing for seed-stage e-commerce startup.
- Designed and developed an integrated brand, product, and content system from zero to launch for a floral business startup based out of the 1776 incubator
- Created the viral 'My Fake Valentine' campaign, leveraging product features to drive national press and brand recognition (NPR, The Washington Post)
Joined the founding team during Series A growth to help shape a brand at the forefront of culture and technology.
- Led early product and brand design as Genius evolved from a niche lyrics site into the internet's annotation platform
- Collaborated with artists and creative partners to develop viral content and branded experiences that fueled viral moments and cultural relevance
Design on a fast-paced creative team at a top-tier agency, contributing to high-profile work for Microsoft, AmEx, and Kraft.
- Shaped visual concepts for large brands and enterprise products like Microsoft's Windows 8 pitch that helped win the account and industry recognition
- Developed branded campaign ideas and collateral for American Express's Small Business Saturday, which received the Grand Effie and became a national shopping event
Design and strategy for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and other transportation agencies and initiatives.
- Collaborated with engineers and scientists from the Federal Aviation Administration on communication and design projects related to the Global Positioning System (GPS) and new technology initiatives
- Produced high-resolution photography and designed high-quality, detailed, and accurate technical designs, illustrations, catalogs, and exhibition graphics
- On-site collaboration at the Federal Aviation Administration headquarters and surrounding airports, including leading stakeholder meetings and workshops on brand and marketing
Communications, design, and marketing for a non-profit clinic serving the immigrant population in NW Washington, DC.
- Led new campaigns and initiatives to appeal to fundraisers while maintaining a brand that represents unity and strength in the community
- Collaborated across departments and disciplines and partnered with organizations like the Human Rights Campaign for events and fundraisers
Design for behavioral change and public health at a Hispanic media and marketing firm.
- Lead designer for public health marketing campaigns for institutions including the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), and state, county, and city governments
- Built and managed a custom digital asset management (DAM) system to organize and distribute campaign materials across diverse projects and stakeholders
- Produced original creative assets, including photography, illustration, and design templates, tailored to multicultural audiences and public health initiatives
Volunteer and Community Experience
Communications and design for a local non-profit arts council in James Island, South Carolina.
- Standardized brand identity, marketing, and design for a non-profit community arts council
- Created and managed campaigns for community initiatives, including an annual art auction in coordination with area middle and high schools. Student art was exhibited and auctioned alongside established sea island artists
Showcased motion graphics, risograph posters, and zines. Final pieces sold at the yearly studio artist gala.
- Participated in regular Open Studio events, inviting the public to engage with the creative process, fostering community connections, and creating opportunities for art sales and networking
Led digital and interactive design for an award-winning Baltimore City Health Department health marketing campaign.
- Conducted user research by attending and documenting Baltimore Ballroom scene events
- Participated in a panel discussion at Johns Hopkins University to evaluate the collaboration with the city and discuss campaign impact and the role of design in public health
Certificates
Design Teaching Certificate
Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA)
• 2011
Coursework and practice focused on pedagogy, theory, design thinking methods, and research