ABOUT ME
An experienced Creative Services Director, I specialize in guiding creative teams and serving as a liaison between the creative department and sales, IT, and clients, I specialize in increasing efficiency and team cohesion. With an extensive 26-year journey in creative design and production spanning all disciplines, I have honed my skills in managing creative teams and spearheading projects for renowned market leaders like Warner Bros, Disney, Hilton, Petco, AT&T, ESPN, and more. My expertise extends across international packaging, web, and tradeshow projects, navigating the intricacies of marketing, digital, internet, packaging, and print industries.
Currently, I serve as the Director of Creative Services at Dr. Schulze's American Botanical Pharmacy. In this role, I reorganized the creative services department using new processes, innovative solutions, project management software training, and cloud-based file system restructuring. By implementing new workflows and utilizing program timelines and milestones for forecasting and progress tracking, I significantly improved departmental efficiency and output.
Adept in business, engineering, and design, I'm currently pursuing PMP and Six Sigma Black Belt certifications to further augment my capabilities. My experience as a designer and team leader has equipped me with in-depth knowledge of creative software, processes, visual communication, team building, and client management.
In my previous role at QuidelOrtho as a Senior Process Improvement & Creative Project Management Specialist, I collaborated with cross-functional teams, vendors, and clients, leveraging AI and RPA technology to optimize project management workflows. Through strategic restructuring and implementing best practices, I significantly boosted on-time project delivery from 21% to 83%, fostering client satisfaction and team cohesion.
Proficient in project management tools such as Smartsheet, Asana, Workfront, Monday.com, and Jira, I excel in planning, organization, implementation, and execution. My strengths lie in team leadership, time management, and a relentless passion for multi-disciplinary integration and goal-oriented problem-solving.
Developer | Activator | Maximizer | Stabilizer
Experience
DIRECTOR OF CREATIVE SERVICES
American Botanical Pharmacy, Los Angeles, CA — 2024
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Led the project management efforts using Asana, of 125 active products, overseeing packaging, printing, digital asset creation, and new product launches while ensuring consistent brand representation.
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Developed and implemented training programs for creative and marketing teams focused on Asana software utilization and standardized operating procedures, improving workload balance and inter-team communication.
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Spearheaded operational enhancements within the creative department, implementing new processes, quality control checkpoints, and project timelines that extended to marketing and retail deliverables.
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Managed a nationwide network of printing vendors specializing in various production techniques to ensure high-quality output across multiple media formats.
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Led the integration of internal teams and remote creatives/developers, achieving full team cohesion and maximizing department effectiveness.
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Led a 65% improvement in error-free, on-time project delivery by streamlining processes and enhancing efficiency across packaging changes and digital initiatives without requiring additional resources.
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Established and maintained a robust Digital Asset Management (DAM) system for 125 products, ensuring synchronization with change logs and automated backups, thus supporting seamless project execution.
Senior Project & Process Improvement Manager
QuidelOrtho, San Diego, CA — 2023-2024
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Managed 85 concurrent creative projects, empowering project owners and focusing on critical at-risk initiatives to maintain momentum and ensure project success.
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Introduced and rolled out new digital tools, including proofing software and a DAM system, which streamlined the end-to-end project management process from intake to delivery.
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Developed comprehensive training programs that enhanced team members' proficiency in project management software and methodologies.
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Coordinated print and digital campaign deployments, efficiently managing approval processes to meet launch deadlines.
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Increased department productivity by reorganizing workflows and achieving buy-ins, increasing the on-time delivery rate from 21% to 73% through strategic change management.
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Implemented standardized timelines, SOPs, and workload balancing measures, providing transparent reporting on KPIs and program progress through dashboards and data analysis.
Project & Process Improvement Manager
Petco Health & Wellness Company, San Diego, CA — 2019-2022
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Developed a Smartsheet-based project management system for 14 integrated marketing departments, increasing on-time delivery through enhanced tracking via intelligent timelines, capacity planning and heat maps, comprehensive KPI dashboards and automated notifications.
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Restructured email creation processes using templates and intake forms, reducing errors and increasing efficiency of campaign executions.
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Elevated design quality and consistency standards by maintaining compliance with brand guidelines to fortify brand identity cohesion among external ad agencies serving Petco.
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Produced detailed support materials such as FAQs, SOPs, training documents hosted on SharePoint that improved accessibility for stakeholders particularly new hires thereby stabilizing adjustment periods drastically.
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Resolved workflow inefficiencies across multiple channels via targeted research interviews leading to significant procedural optimizations including automations and formatting adjustments.
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Advanced departmental use of both waterfall and agile methodologies enhancing flexibility in project management approaches adopted per project requirements.
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Guided the onboarding of new creatives for both print and digital campaigns. Improved process comprehension and software proficiency.
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Managed medium to large marketing projects, consistently ensuring alignment with initial objectives from intake to delivery phases.
Creative Service Cross-Channel Project Manager
Growing Naturals Plant Proteins, Los Angeles, CA — 2006-2019
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Project managed daily operations of 4 key large company programs: Packaging Lines, Print Initiatives, Annual cycle of International Tradeshows and Web programs, while enhancing outreach for 45 global products, and supported multi-language retail in international markets.
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Developed packaging solutions for multiple product lines in various languages, including advanced 3D renderings to assist marketing campaigns.
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Vetted competitive bids for printing projects employing diverse techniques like digital, offset, and flexographic processes. Managed press checks ensuring final product quality.
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Maintained a comprehensive digital asset library that ensured all branding elements were easily accessible to creative and sales teams while upholding quality standards.
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Championed an annual plan overseeing both US and international tradeshows including end-to-end management of booth designs from conceptualization to setup.
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Increased efficiency by implementing automation tools across departments which streamlined communication and monitored departmental goals effectively.
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Implemented automation tools to monitor progress, departmental goals, key milestones, and delivery schedules.
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Directed the development of multi-language global print, web, and video assets ensuring consistent creative direction from concept through execution.
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Conducted regular updates and system upgrades for corporate websites focusing on e-commerce enhancements via a new shopping cart integration.
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Recruited and led an international creative team, coordinating with various suppliers to ensure high-quality deliverables on time.
Certifications
Smartsheet Core Product Certification
Google AI Essentials Certification
Lucidchart Diagramming Foundations
Education
2000-2003
B.A. Business & Marketing
California State University, Northridge, CA
The business administration and marketing program encompasses a wide range of essential subjects, including marketing plans, business plans, economics, management, and business operations, equipping students with the knowledge and skills necessary to develop effective marketing strategies, drive business growth, understand economic principles, and effectively manage day-to-day business operations.
1998-2000
Design & Visual Communication
University of California,
Los Angeles, CA
The visual communication program offers a comprehensive curriculum with a strong emphasis on web, packaging, and print design and production, providing students with a solid mastery of design principles, production techniques, and proficiency in video and web software. Additionally, the program fosters a deep understanding of creative concepts and client services, preparing students to thrive in diverse creative industries.
1996-1998
Engineering & Applied Sciences
Valley College, Los Angeles, CA
The engineering and applied science Associate degree program, with a focused emphasis on physics, chemistry, and calculus, empowers students to develop essential skills such as logical problem solving, coding, deductive reasoning and analytical analysis, preparing them to excel in various disciplines and contribute to innovative solutions in the field.
