Experience

Creative Director, Copy 2024–Present

Plan B · Chicago, IL · Permalance/Contract

  • Senior creative partner across brand, campaign, and go-to-market work in complex B2B and consumer categories.
  • Develop brand platforms, campaigns, and integrated work across automotive, industrial, built-environment, and senior living brands.
  • Balance creative leadership with hands-on copy and concept development.
Creative Director / Writer 2023–Present

Independent · Chicago, IL · Freelance & Fractional

  • Created full-scale new business pitch campaigns for Florida Power & Light and Home Instead at FCB Chicago — both resulted in multimillion-dollar agency wins.
  • Led development of a Series C funding presentation for a global renewable energy company. Secured desired capital.
  • Created end-of-year fundraising campaign for Education Through Music Colorado, exceeding donation projections by 300%.
  • Naming, packaging language, and brand ID for first-to-market nicotine innovation products targeting 2026–2027 launch.
  • Contribute to high-stakes new business pitches and growth initiatives across agencies and brands.
Creative Director 2022–2023

Leo Burnett · Chicago, IL

  • Led all creative for Copenhagen / U.S. Smokeless Tobacco — over $1B in annual revenue. New brand campaign raised equity scores 30% and generated over $1M in incremental fee scope.
  • Brand program for active servicepeople and veterans increased web traffic and click-through rate 25%.
  • Led product launches resulting in 2% share growth. Mentored junior through senior creatives with a 100% promotion rate.
  • Created first-ever brand campaign and logo redesign for PF Holdings, a $2.4B green energy company — including social campaign and Nasdaq ticker reveal. Campaign manifesto now used in employee onboarding.
  • Partnered on two first-to-market Altria tobacco innovations from naming through investor presentation.
  • Built and maintained senior client relationships; presented weekly to C-Suite stakeholders.
Associate Creative Director 2018–2022

Leo Burnett · Chicago, IL

  • Day-to-day creative lead on two Altria brands, team of ten. New brand campaign raised equity 8%. Annual planning event drove nearly 200% ROI.
  • Spearheaded new product launches resulting in market share growth and a bump in stock price.
  • Created campaign for Blue Moon new business pitch. Led summer seasonal for Diageo's family of spirits.
Senior Copywriter / Copywriter 2013–2018

Leo Burnett · Chicago, IL

  • Created and executed global Samsung home appliances campaign across OOH, digital, print, and film.
  • Wrote seasonal campaign winning $2M Jameson Irish Whiskey project. Supported full-scale Harley-Davidson pitch.
  • Established the voice for Black & Mild cigars across digital, print, direct mail, film, and retail — helping make it the category leader.
  • Selected brands: Samsung, Harley-Davidson, Jameson, General Motors, The Beef Council, Marlboro, Copenhagen, Casa del Sol Cigars.
Freelance Copywriter 2010–2013

Robinson & Maites · Y&R · Chicago, IL

  • Hotels.com, FedEx, FedEx Office, Harley-Davidson, Verizon, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Kaplan College, FTD.
Adjunct Professor, Literature & Creative Writing 2005–2011

Kendall College · Loyola University · Roosevelt University · Story Studio Chicago

  • Taught composition, creative writing, and literature across four Chicago institutions.
  • Partnered with another professor to build the Kendall College English department from scratch — developing rubrics, curriculum, syllabi, and lesson plans.

Education

Master of Fine Arts

University of Florida

Bachelor of Arts

University of Wisconsin

Full resume also available as a PDF.

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