hey! I’m mandy.

designer

strategist

team leader

A brand and creative strategist with two decades of experience assessing and translating the needs of Fortune 500 stakeholders, and leading multi-disciplinary creative teams to bring these visions to life. Cross-industry brand experience includes Ally, CBRE, JLL, McDonald’s, SOM and United Airlines.

Director, Experience Design

Ally // Charlotte, NC
Mar. 2021 - Present

Consumer insights and innovation creative strategist for Ally, the nation’s first and largest digital bank. Connecting the dots between Ally’s solutions and its purpose-driven brand through holistic consumer experiences and strategic initiatives.

• Leading cross-functional design team to assess business and consumer value and improve stakeholder experiences.

• Partnering with leadership team to identify gaps and opportunities; and concept, test and execute strategic programs and initiatives.

• Translating human-centered design concepts into clear, compelling and actionable narratives for executive stakeholders and agency partners.

Senior Director, Brand and Web Strategy

Premier // Charlotte, NC
Jan. 2016 - February 2021

Defining and crafting the brand voice and visuals, setting the tone for our member’s, customer’s and prospect’s experience and relationship with Premier through content, ads, video, motion graphics and digital experiences 

• Leading the development and execution of comprehensive brand and web strategies that align with the business’ overarching goals and values.

• Partnering closely with executive leadership and agency partners to translate business objectives into impactful creative initiatives that drives brand gowth.

• Leading multi-disciplinary team of designers, writers and photographers in creation of innovative campaigns that elevate the brand.

• Overseeing coordination and hand offs between creative and web teams and working with traffic manager to provide guidelines for delivery time, monitoring workflow and ensuring high-quality output.

• Partnering cross-functionally in implementation and deployment of SEO best practices, heat mapping, real-time optimization, integration of acquisitions and decommission of legacy websites.

• Managing vendor partners, freelancers, budget and technology integrations.

Principal & Creative Director

705 Design // Chicago, IL
Jan 2006 - Jan. 2021

Graphic Design / Communication
Strategy Consultant

Marquardt+ // Chicago, IL
May 2006 - Jan. 2016

Leading client procurement, overall business strategy and creative direction for initiatives of all types including brand development, advertising, environments and interior spaces. Consulting with a broad range of clients from major airlines and global real estate firms to boutique retail.

Responsible for design and implementation of print and environmental graphics which supported strategy and design continuity of branded environments for a multitude of clients. Directly managing the creation of NeoCon World Trade Fair tradeshow exhibits in Chicago and environmental graphics and communication design integration work for permanent showrooms in Chicago and New York. Worked with designers, architects, fabricators, and contractors ensuring design consistency and adherence of client’s visual identities across all platforms. Client and project management of projects for The HON Company, Basyx, and Atlas Carpet Mills, Inc.

Senior Graphic Designer

CBRE // Chicago, IL
Feb. 2003 - Jan. 2006

Responsibilities included advertising and marketing collateral, email campaigns, pitch materials, signage systems and property way finding for leased and managed properties. Interacted directly with executive team, brokers and property managers on overall business strategy in five Chicagoland offices. In Chicago downtown office managed project intake and delegation, internal marketing of creative team and direction of junior designers.

Graphic Designer

McDonalds // Oakbrook, IL
Jun. 2002 - Jan. 2003

Collaborated with art director and designers on the creation of both internal and external communications, advertising and tradeshow exhibits, while upholding strict corporate standards.