Brand Consultant

FEB 2024 - PRESENT · 2.5 years

25+ years as an in-house & agency-side brand invigorator has positioned me to take on the most rewarding role of my career: consultant, coach, and brand whisperer for marketing leaders inside businesses of all shapes and sizes. From gourmet ice cream to photonic line systems, I've yet to meet a brand I can't help reach its highest potential.

Vice President, Global Brand and Corporate Marketing

OCT 2017 - AUG 2023 · 5.9 years

Recruited to put Ciena’s brand on the map—leading the company’s first-ever integrated brand and marketing practice across seven major corporate growth initiatives. Tenure spanned a corporate rebrand and reputation building, as well as product and portfolio marketing—shifting customer, investor, and employee perception to help Ciena meet its growth goals. Highlights included reorganizing Ciena's fast-growing product portfolio into a single, organizing brand platform, the Adaptive Network (TM) and developing Ciena’s first-ever company purpose and employer brand—partnering with the C-suite to build narrative, clarify values, and craft a new communications plan for internal and external audiences. Also, overhauled Ciena’s global visual brand system and ethos, and supported the company’s international expansion into four new product areas. Simultaneously, held responsibility for the creative studio, global events, and companywide content strategy. [Impacted by layoff]

Lead Strategist, Google BrandLab

MAY 2015 - APR 2017 · 2 years

Responsible for transformational brand-strategy development for Fortune 500 brands through Google's prestigious BrandLab. Tapped by the GM to evolve the Google BrandLab practice from media and advertising guidance to a fully integrated brand development approach—working closely with C-suites across more than eighty companies (e.g., Adidas, Chevrolet, PepsiCo, Sony Pictures, Unilever) to rearchitect their brand strategies.

Marketing: Google App

JUL 2014 - MAY 2015 · 11 months

Led B2C growth marketing communications and consumer acquisition for Google App. Shaped brand communications and creative driving Google's "search 2.0" narrative. Built and shipped google.com/search/about/ from scratch.

Google Agency Partnerships

DEC 2012 - JUL 2014 · 1.7 years

Brought brand credibility into Google’s largest media relationships; opened new brand-led incremental revenue via agency relationships; and served as brand marketing and digital communications advisor to WPP leadership (e.g., Chief Creative Officers, Chief Content Officers, Global Presidents).

Head of Client Services

NOV 2006 - NOV 2012 · 6.1 years

Created and directed B2C and B2B brand strategy for some of the world’s most recognizable energy, packaged goods, technology, media / entertainment, and finance brands. Promoted to London-based leadership running 22-member department and partnering with 12-member team spanning insights, design, and copywriting. Deep brand-strategy expertise – played significant role in creating positioning strategies for Windows, Xbox, Disney Parks & Resorts, T-Mobile/Verizon mobile payments (joint venture), Mattel corporate brand, Chevron, Barclays, and others. Exceptional track record for strategy sell-in. Led and closed multi-million-dollar engagements requiring frequent pitching to clients' C-suites and Boards.

Director of Beauty and TV Spokesperson

JAN 2005 - DEC 2006 · 2 years

Originally hired on in a marketing capacity, Benefit CEO tapped me as the company's spokesperson within 5 weeks of my employment. I hosted live, unscripted shows on QVC for the Benefit Cosmetics brand, averaging on-air sales of $12,500 *per minute*. Additionally managed Benefit's business relationship with QVC, and oversaw pre-production for each show, including all strategic brand narratives, product positioning, casting, and sales forecasting.

Senior Product Manager

JAN 2004 - DEC 2006 · 3 years

Responsible for 360-degree product management of Platinum Debit Card, a $64-billion product.