Bringing Ideas to Life

For more than fifteen years, my work has thrived at the intersection of design and entrepreneurship catalyzing transformation. I partner with innovators of all stripes—the rebels, the prophets, the empaths—to serve, build and lead cross-disciplinary teams as we create preferred futures.

From building consulting agencies to coaching internal design teams and projects with tech startups to manufacturers, I have enjoyed the privilege of collaborating with more than fifty entrepreneurial endeavors, large scale corporations, countless brilliant designers and creatives, and many non-profits to develop positive, long-term outcomes.

More than Thirty Years in the Making

I am proud of my blue-collar background. Growing up in my father’s makeshift wood shop, I had autonomy over the scrap box and power tools that could quickly remove digits or even limbs. Worked in manufacturing during high school and college years — sandblasting and in-booth painting, load-balancing 40,000 pounds onto semi-trailers, running plastics extrusion, clearing scrap metal from 50 gallon drums, and more. The first, and only time, I tipped over a fork truck I was sixteen years old.

Learning is an undercurrent that drives much of my personal and professional motivation. Therefore, I’ve always sought to be the “dumbest guy in the room” — those are great rooms to find oneself. My diverse background and constant desire for exploration has led to a simple, ever-present question.

Featured Career Highlights

CURRENTLY

Fractional leader driving growth for agencies, helping startups start and evolving established organizations. Currently engaged with multiple agencies on strategic growth and four early/mid stage technology companies.

PREVIOUSLY

Leading the integration of 14+ agencies with five interdisciplinary, globally-distributed design teams. Growing from its infancy with the goal to scale to a world-class, industry-shaping, outcome-driven design organization that transforms digital and customer experiences for the world’s greatest brands.

RECENTLY

Served as Managing Director at one of the world’s most creative agencies with a mission to get good things inside people’s brains. We’re a group of creative humans making the most breakthrough, tested, high-performing brands that are creating a better future.

Tech Startup

Catalyzed an early-stage technology startup, building all aspects of the brand, messaging and marketing; close investment capital and secured strategic partnerships; drove business development and CRM implementation; as well as recruitment, hiring, and leading a multidisciplinary team.

Agency + Venture Studio

Built a design-centric, strategic agency focused exclusively on entrepreneurial endeavors to develop brands and digital products to bring ideas to market. Grew the team to 20+ full and part-time staff. Exited the agency after setting it up for a merger/acquisition.

Created a venture portfolio through the agency, partnering with entrepreneurs at the pre-seed/pre-product stage to multiple early-stage endeavors.

Talent Ecosystem

Established a network of global talent including thousands of creatives, photographers, content producers, social influencers and agency partners. Developed new business opportunities, scoped projects, negotiated contracts, etc. for individuals and teams throughout the network.

Advisory

Advised seven early-stage endeavors supporting and coaching leaders across strategy, brand, marketing, roadmap, planning and forecasting, sales, client service, user experience, and more. Also, served on an advisory panel with Adobe’s digital ecommerce platform solution Business Catalyst.

Greenfield Research

Developed a greenfield research project on the future of the creative economy, interviewing thought leaders across industries — entrepreneurs, creatives, investors, artists, agencies, professors, and more. Continue to research the future of work and the creative economy, with a strong focus on talent-centric needs and opportunities rather than the priorities of firms.

Article Series: Featuring the leaders of the creative economy.

I have been fortunate to meet agents of change all over the U.S. and am consistently amazed at the ambitions of those crafting our collective future. Throughout my travels, I am meeting new individuals, telling their stories and how their efforts are shaping a developing thesis on the future of the creative economy.

Speaking Engagements

Whether part of a panel, speaking to large groups or facilitating a workshop session, it is always a privilege to connect with a group. Over the years, I’ve had the honor to speak at conferences, events and companies around the world including cities such as New York, Los Angeles, Saigon, Krakow and more, as well as esteemed institutions such as the Yale University, Rhode Island School of Design, Parsons New School, and Brown University.

Talks cover a range of topics with a common theme of passion, risk, and grit: entrepreneurship, go-to-market, brand, strategic narratives, pitch development, design, the future of work and the shifting economics for the growing creative class.