I have an abnormal origin story
I grew up in New Jersey, on the border of NYC. If you walked down my block you could clearly see Manhattan's old skyline, and when my parents drove us by it my brother and I would gleefully crow "I can see the United States of America!!" We were homeschooled as children, which (long story short) led me to working professionally by the age of 12. I gained employment at The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey, where I earned my stripes for an entire decade. No I was never into acting, I can't act for shit, but in my childhood years there I took up all odd jobs like cleaning, painting set pieces, setting lights, ushering, etc. You know, living the dream, I thought life was pretty good!
When I turned 18 I was finally granted full-time employment in their Box Office; where I greatly enjoyed having health insurance and wormed my way into a second position as a Creative Intern in their marketing department.
I lived on cheese sandwiches and reading plays, then coming up with unique ways to visualize their themes and concepts for marketing materials. Along with the quintessential intern jobs of getting coffee and alphabetizing files, back in the days when we had physical files to sort. I found out that storytelling through visual means is something that feeds my soul, and I felt incredibly lucky to have such a creative (if unpaid) opportunity. Of course I insisted on holding both jobs at the same time, working 9am to 11pm 6 days a week, paying my dues for what seemed like an eternity. Did you know that Mondays are the only days off in the theatre world? No lines at the grocery store or movie theater!
Eventually I grew into my mentor's role when he left his position; and then I was the Resident Graphic Designer mentoring my own interns, coming full circle. When my 10 year mark there had passed, I decided it was time to try out another industry. So I did what any eager 23 year old would have done– got a job at an agency, and held on for dear sweet life.
Not to toot my own horn, but at this agency I rose to Creative & Art Director after a year. Surprising no one who has ever worked at an agency, this is where I formed my desperate animalistic hunger for process and organization to swaddle my designers so they were protected and could let their imaginations run wild safely.
I missed my background in the non-profit space, so I made another hairbrained move to the startup world in New Yahk, New Yahk. Close enough, right? Wrong. As it turns out, startups are only akin to non-profits in chaos. Though like a true career masochist, I instantly became addicted to the fast paced and high stakes life of a New York City startup Creative Director. The freedom to be honest, experimental, and boundless (I based a brand off of that photo of The Ramones outside of CBGB's, where else can you do shit like that) was truly exhilarating. I worked in Herald Square from 2014 to 2022 when I felt too tired and old to rely on the subway. So naturally I decided to move halfway across the country to Denver!
I've been taking on contract roles and freelance work while I shop for the right landing pad here. At the end of the day, I feel that I need to work for companies that I genuinely believe in. So if I directed you to this site, surprise! It means I believe that am aligned with your mission.
When I turned 18 I was finally granted full-time employment in their Box Office; where I greatly enjoyed having health insurance and wormed my way into a second position as a Creative Intern in their marketing department.
I lived on cheese sandwiches and reading plays, then coming up with unique ways to visualize their themes and concepts for marketing materials. Along with the quintessential intern jobs of getting coffee and alphabetizing files, back in the days when we had physical files to sort. I found out that storytelling through visual means is something that feeds my soul, and I felt incredibly lucky to have such a creative (if unpaid) opportunity. Of course I insisted on holding both jobs at the same time, working 9am to 11pm 6 days a week, paying my dues for what seemed like an eternity. Did you know that Mondays are the only days off in the theatre world? No lines at the grocery store or movie theater!
Eventually I grew into my mentor's role when he left his position; and then I was the Resident Graphic Designer mentoring my own interns, coming full circle. When my 10 year mark there had passed, I decided it was time to try out another industry. So I did what any eager 23 year old would have done– got a job at an agency, and held on for dear sweet life.
Not to toot my own horn, but at this agency I rose to Creative & Art Director after a year. Surprising no one who has ever worked at an agency, this is where I formed my desperate animalistic hunger for process and organization to swaddle my designers so they were protected and could let their imaginations run wild safely.
I missed my background in the non-profit space, so I made another hairbrained move to the startup world in New Yahk, New Yahk. Close enough, right? Wrong. As it turns out, startups are only akin to non-profits in chaos. Though like a true career masochist, I instantly became addicted to the fast paced and high stakes life of a New York City startup Creative Director. The freedom to be honest, experimental, and boundless (I based a brand off of that photo of The Ramones outside of CBGB's, where else can you do shit like that) was truly exhilarating. I worked in Herald Square from 2014 to 2022 when I felt too tired and old to rely on the subway. So naturally I decided to move halfway across the country to Denver!
I've been taking on contract roles and freelance work while I shop for the right landing pad here. At the end of the day, I feel that I need to work for companies that I genuinely believe in. So if I directed you to this site, surprise! It means I believe that am aligned with your mission.
Want some not work related facts about little ole me?
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I love punk/emo/metal music– Spotify tells me that my favorite bands are Against Me!, Linkin Park, Green Day, System of a Down, My Chemical Romance, and yes– Slipknot. Not in that order.
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I love video games. I'm not a fan of first person shooters but I love games like Civilization, and swinging through my beloved NYC as Spiderman. I am of course an elder millennial, so I'm a sucker for those good ole pokémans and have all the Banjo Kazooie soundtrack on vinyl, so yeah.
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I am an activist in animal rights/rescue, human rights, environmental justice, prison reform, et. al. I believe in being an active constituent, and doing my part to leave the world better than when I found it.
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I am also a ceramicist! I make mostly usable objects and art by squishing and spinning wet clay. FAQ: yes it is an expensive hobby, yes I will teach you to do it as well, and no I do not do commissions because I don't want it to feel like another job.
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In my spare time I make battle vests that I usually give to my friends. If you don't know what they are, well they are not what they sound like– look 'em up.
- Books. I love books. Fiction, non-fiction, mysteries, thrillers, you name it. I have been known to read a physical copy of a book WHILE listening to the audiobook just for that extra oomph. I'm grateful for this nerdiness because there are some really great books out there on management and creativity without which I would not be the CD I am today.