a fresh way forward

A lot of people play the violin. But many make it sound like a screaming cat. The same is true of branding: A lot of people say they do it, but sometimes it’s a painful process with results that are less than you hoped for.

I came to branding and marketing strategy from The New York Times and Random House and years in advertising. Maybe it’s the inquisitive, literary side of me, but I love nothing more than diving in and finding out something I didn’t know before about my client, and then using it to carve out a unique brand position.

When I’m not at work, I’m a mom to two beautiful children and one crazy dog. I take kickboxing classes to maintain my sanity, and I escape into a good book whenever I can.

Oh, and I play the violin.

I am sometimes teased about being the “Doogie Howser” of website development. Not to brag, but I earned a Masters in Information Systems from the University of Buffalo with a 3.94 GPA at the age of 22. As an undergrad, I was a Philosophy minor. So with all my real world work experience, I’ll someday write The Zen and Art of Database Maintenance.

The secret to my success at developing websites? Pizza. There is a direct correlation between how much pizza I eat during every project, and my ability to conquer even the most challenging projects. So far, a(m) has had a sizable pizza expense. And lots of happy clients. Works for me.

I strive to be one of the rare marketing professionals who is able to bring together a wide variety of different skills and attributes. Because a great marketer also has to be a great communicator, strategic planner, analyst, brand ambassador, budgeter, copywriter, and researcher. I think that’s why I love marketing so much – it’s not just one thing. There’s always something you can be improving, especially when the way that people consume information changes almost daily.

I come from the media world that tracked this consumption very closely – first Penguin Group USA, then New York Public Radio, and eventually ended up leading online sales and marketing efforts for USA TODAY. I love bringing the knowledge I’ve acquired from these institutions to our clients and using it to make their marketing efforts better and more effective.

When I’m not figuring out the newest marketing trends, you can find me at home playing with my best friends—my dogs Molly and Roger.

I love music. Ever since I was a kid I would jam out with my dad to Earth Wind & Fire and Michael Jackson. I realized that with the right tools, you can do anything you put your mind to. I rely on this insight in creating both websites and music.

I believe that the internet is like music, with infinite possibilities, and that there is definitely a good and a bad—but everyone has their own preferences. I’m an alchemist of web design, and my philosopher’s stone is making sure the client is just as happy with the end result as I am.

Much like the craft of capturing a photograph, getting the desired results from a campaign is not a passive process. Digital marketing requires intentional planning, creative input, strategic execution, and the desire to make a memorable and lasting experience. With a background in photography and design, and more than 15 years in various marketing roles, I bring a unique approach to my work, with a heavy focus on the user experience and crafting a unified journey across platforms.

When I’m not researching UX best practices or emerging digital trends (scrolling TikTok), you can find me painting in my dining room-turned-art studio, hanging out with my 2 kids and husband, or at the barn riding horses and getting impossibly muddy. I’m not saying I’ve executed digital marketing campaigns from the saddle…but I’m not saying I haven’t, either.

I build things for web, iOS, and macOS. I enjoy the variety and challenge that comes with working across multiple platforms and architectures. The things that make me most excited at work: a pretty typeface, a good debugging session, and getting started on a fresh project.

When I’m not writing code I’m most likely listening to sad songs and musicals, off in my own world learning something new (and probably completely useless?) – or living my best life with my adorable girlfriend and our color-coordinated pets.

My path into web development and marketing started with a fascination for what makes information accessible, meaningful, and engaging. From my time at RIT as a Visiting Lecturer and an IT Strategist for Enrollment Management, I’ve learned that the right blend of technology and marketing can make all the difference in connecting with people.

I’m passionate about crafting user-centered, accessible solutions and leveraging my marketing experience to help brands stand out. Whether diving into a new web project or exploring a digital strategy, I’m always ready for the next challenge.

I grew up in the Rochester area, and always had the urge to travel as much as I was physically and financially able. My undergraduate degree led me to travel abroad to Ireland for a semester, where I specialized in Digital Media and SEO content. This led me to my graduate degree in Scotland where I took part in a Marketing and Brand Management program for a year. These experiences were so valuable to me, and greatly assisted me in my journey to figure out what specific area of marketing I wanted to hone my skills in even further. My past Marketing and IT positions ended up pointing me in the direction of SEO!

When I’m not optimizing your brand, I can be found in planes, trains, and automobiles, advancing in my quest of exploring every state in the United States. You may also find me outdoors, exploring forests or enjoying a nice beach.

Great design is in the details. It’s about little moments of delight that are beautiful and unexpected. It’s about those sparks of delight becoming connections, and drawing in an audience that will return again and again. Through my background in new media and digital design, I bring an ever growing tool kit of creative skills to my work, and it is a privilege to create these connections for clients and their brands in an agency setting. There’s nothing quite like bringing a design to life in delightful ways. 

Even outside of the office, creativity follows me everywhere. Once I’ve peeled my eyes away from design work, I can be found sketching, painting with watercolors, or doing some creative writing. I also adore reading, and playing with my two wild dogs. 

Throughout college I was always busy. I juggled classes, clubs, athletics, and even a few internships. I taught myself to be on top of my work and have transitioned this midset and ethic into my professional career. 

Coming from a customer service background, I am not happy until the client is. I love connecting with people and bringing their visions to life or even just doing things to make their lives easier. 

When I am not at work, I am spending time at home reading a good book or bingeing a TV series. You can also find me out buying plants for my fish tank or buying more toys for my dog. 

I love my job. I really do. Every day brings new ideas, new challenges, and new relationships. A varied background in entertainment, marketing, and management gives me a strong foundation for providing effective solutions. I enjoy taking the time to understand my clients, their businesses, and their goals.

The best part about what I do every day is piecing together the puzzle of each project. I have an incredible team that can do just about anything. And thanks to them we translate our clients’ visions into reality. A job well done, a happy client, and a product everyone is proud of. What could be better?

In my spare time, I do volunteer work and am a familiar face at the local volleyball court—at the beach when possible, but given our weather, inside is okay too.