About

For the past 20 years, I have brought my experiences as an art director, writer, and counselor into my consulting work with consumer research teams, small businesses and nonprofit and educational organizations to capture, clarify and communicate concepts, insights, initiatives, goals and strategies.

To that end, my work experiences include design and art direction for full-service advertising agency, Ross Roy (Detroit, MI); in-house design for UK-based homestyle retailer, Conran’s (NYC); and in-house marketing and design for iconic jeweler, Tiffany & Company (NYC).

I have consulted to a variety of for-profit and nonprofit organizations in the capacity of a writer and strategist on projects including collateral development for the Heard Museum (Phoenix, AZ); grant-writing and thought leadership development for American Public Media/Minnesota Public Radio (Minneapolis, MN); internal transition strategy for the Bush Foundation (Minneapolis, MN); grant-writing and content development for K-12 St. Paul Public Schools (St. Paul, MN); and strategic planning and leadership facilitation for the University of Minnesota (Minneapolis, MN).

I have also done extensive work as a content strategist for consumer research projects ranging from med-tech to Chex-Mix - clients include 3M, Starbucks, Best Buy, General Mills, L’Oreal, Michelin, Kohl’s, Whole Foods, Hormel, Polaris and others.

As part of my nonprofit work, I founded and ran Artworks Children’s Foundation (mission: “Children helping children through art”), a pilot project designed to build civic, social and philanthropic awareness in children using their artwork as a medium of exchange. Artworks kids helped hundreds of children in the Phoenix and Cleveland metropolitan areas in need of food, clothing, shelter, medical and educational support. Galleries of young artists’ work were displayed at Phoenix Children’s Hospital and The Cleveland Clinic. The Artworks project also provided funding to youth outreach programs at the Minnesota Children’s Museum and the Walker Art Center.

I have a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) from the University of Michigan and a Master’s in Counseling (MC) from Arizona State University. Professional development work includes Design Thinking theory and facilitation (AIGA, Minnesota College of Art and Design); education and knowledge acquisition dynamics (Project Zero, Harvard Graduate School of Education); nonprofit management (Case Western Reserve University); and trial-by-fire in exploration of interests and ideas, e.g., improv (Brave New Workshop), fine arts (Sundance Catalogue), and iPhone app development.