Strategic Marketing Consulting & Professional Development
- 20+ Years Industry Experience
- Design & UX Expert
- Performance Analytics
- AI-Forward Practitioner
Marketing Doesn’t Have to Be Complicated—Just Strategic
My strategic thinking comes from doing the work—not just directing it. From 2001–2015, I ran every aspect of marketing projects: designing, coding, managing vendors, meeting deadlines, solving production problems. Since 2015, I’ve led marketing strategy at the executive level, but that hands-on foundation shapes every strategic decision I make.
I work with organizations that need strategic clarity grounded in practical reality—not theoretical frameworks that fall apart under real-world pressure. Whether restructuring digital approaches, building team capabilities, or navigating how AI is reshaping the industry, I bring experience that comes from actually doing the work, managing the crises, and refining the systems.
This combination of deep execution experience and strategic leadership means I understand what’s feasible, what will break, and what teams actually need to succeed. I stay current with emerging tools while maintaining the perspective that only comes from years of hands-on problem-solving.
How I Work With Clients
Strategic Leadership Informed by Execution
My strategic thinking is strong because of 20+ years doing the hands-on work—design, development, vendor management, production. As current Director of Marketing, I make better strategic decisions because I understand what’s actually feasible, what will break, and what teams need to succeed. This combination is rare and valuable.
Continuous Learning & AI Integration
Despite leadership roles since 2015, I stay hands-on with emerging tools. I use AI daily—not because it’s trendy, but because I’ve tested what works and what doesn’t. I attend industry meetups, experiment with new platforms, and maintain technical fluency. My strategic advice is current because I continue learning and adapting.
Customer-First Frameworks
The biggest marketing mistakes come from assumptions. I teach organizations how to listen, research, and design with empathy—building strategies around what customers actually need, not what you think they want.
Strategic Thinking Over Tools
Platforms change. Strategic frameworks don’t. I help teams develop thinking skills that transcend any specific channel, technology, or trend.
Design Meets Performance
With 20+ years creating award-winning design work, I bridge visual communication and marketing strategy—showing how design decisions directly impact performance and outcomes.
Professional Development & Capability Building
I don’t create dependency—I build capability. From mentoring emerging designers to training marketing teams to developing educational content, I help people think strategically and execute confidently. My hands-on experience provides credibility; my commitment to growth makes the work effective.
Consulting Approach
Strategy → Capability → Execution
Effective marketing consulting starts with understanding the real constraints—budget, team capacity, market reality. Many organizations are overwhelmed by conflicting advice, trendy tactics, or tools that promise more than they deliver. My role is to bring clarity, build internal capability, and create frameworks that support sustainable growth.
I emphasize strong foundations in customer behavior, performance measurement, and strategic thinking. Then I work with your teams through implementation, refinement, and ongoing optimization. The goal isn’t just better campaigns—it’s building organizations that can think critically about what works and adapt when circumstances change.
Navigating an AI-Augmented Industry
AI is reshaping marketing faster than most organizations can adapt. Rather than fear it or blindly adopt every new tool, I help clients:
- Integrate AI strategically for research, content generation, and performance analysis
- Recognize where human judgment, creativity, and emotional intelligence remain essential
- Understand that strategy, audience insight, and ethical decision-making cannot be outsourced to algorithms
- Maintain respect for the humans they’re marketing to—AI doesn’t understand empathy, trust, or long-term customer relationships
Building Customer-Centered Organizations
The most dangerous assumption in marketing is believing you know more than your customer. I help organizations approach every decision with curiosity rather than certainty. Success comes from understanding who you’re serving, what they actually need, and designing experiences that respect their intelligence and time.
This mindset applies whether you’re a Fortune 500 brand or a local nonprofit. Put the customer first, build systems around their reality, and the results follow.
Professional Background
Director of Marketing
Alabama Symphony Orchestra | 2023–Present
Lead marketing strategy, performance analytics, and creative direction. Present quarterly to the board, manage large advertising budget, and oversee multiple concurrent campaigns across digital, print, and events.
Founder / Principal Consultant
Slate Design Inc. | 2001–Present
20+ years advising 50+ organizations on marketing strategy, brand development, UX design, and performance optimization. Built client capability through coaching and enablement, not dependence.
UX/Creative Manager
Motion Industries | 2020–2022
Led customer research, journey mapping, and conversion optimization. Trained cross-functional teams on applying user insights to improve digital experience and campaign performance.
Design Mentorship & Training
Ongoing | 2001–Present
Work with emerging designers, marketing teams, and career-changers. Develop training content focused on professional practice, client communication, and building sustainable creative careers.
Author
Published Work
An Introduction to UX Research: Become a User Experience Expert and Get a Great Job! — Practical guide on user-centered design and research fundamentals.
Let’s Talk Strategy
If you’re looking for strategic marketing guidance that balances vision with practical execution, let’s connect.