Creative Director – Product Development Expert – Empathic Leadership
Hello & Welcome!
I’m a visionary Creative Director and strategic Product Development Expert with extensive experience in brand building, storytelling, and team leadership.
I specialize in crafting compelling brand narratives and bringing products to life across diverse categories—including greeting cards, toys, books, home décor, stationery, calendars, dinnerware, paper goods, fabric, wall décor, soft goods, candles, and more.
LET’S WORK TOGETHER!
HERE’S WHAT I BRING TO THE TABLE…
- A career spent shaping beloved consumer brands—including The Franklin Mint, Bath & Body Works, Kathy Davis Studios, Primitives by Kathy, and Just Play, LLC—leading product development, brand storytelling, and creative strategy.
- 20+ years of experience in product development and brand building—managing end-to-end milestones to transform innovative ideas and brand stories into successful products across diverse industries.
- 18 years in greeting card leadership, creating cards, content, and retailer presentations for beloved brands including American Greetings, Recycled Paper Greetings, Kathy Davis Studios, Papyrus, Oatmeal Studios, and Biely & Shoaf.
- Proven strength in building trusted relationships with manufacturing partners across industries—including ACCO, Demdaco, CR Gibson, Trends International, and Whitmor—to drive product development from concept to shelf.
- Expertise in managing overseas manufacturing—from vendor partnerships and cost negotiations to sample development and delivery coordination—ensuring efficient production and quality outcomes.
- Experience collaborating with top retailers and buyers, including Walmart, Target, Hobby Lobby, Barnes & Noble, Paper Source, TJ Maxx, Marshalls, Burlington, Five Below, Dollar Tree, and Dollar General.
Creative Leadership
I guide projects from concept to production—building partnerships, streamlining communication, and delivering results with both strategy and heart.
Team Collaboration
I thrive on cross-functional collaboration, working with designers, writers, engineers, photographers, retailers, manufacturers, and marketers to bring products to life.
Strategic & Detail-Oriented
I combine big-picture thinking with aesthetic excellence—always aiming to inspire, innovate, and exceed expectations.
Empathy-Driven Leadership
I lead with empathy, creating a culture where creativity thrives and people feel valued, empowered, and motivated to do their best work