Hi, I'm Melissa!
My goal is to work with thoughtful people and solve big problems with design.
Design isn't just about aesthetics; it's about tackling complex challenges and crafting impactful solutions with thoughtful people. From my early days advocating for panda conservation to co-founding a company spreading mental health awareness in athletics, I've always been driven to use design for positive change. With over a decade of experience, I've honed my design skills while leading diverse teams and projects.
What gets me truly excited about design?
It is unraveling the user experience puzzle, breathing life into brand identities, and collaborating with passionate individuals to build brands that resonate deeply and cultivate loyal communities.
When I'm not sipping homebrewed chai,
I coach field hockey goalkeepers, play pickleball, binge podcasts and audiobooks while running, and hike with my wife and two pups.
Ready to transform your brand and create something truly remarkable? Let's chat!
My Collaborative Design Process
I believe in a user-centered approach that prioritizes understanding your needs and target audience. We'll work together to define the problem, explore creative solutions, and land on a strategy that aligns with your business goals.
Define & Discover
I've found a problem clearly stated is a problem half solved. We define the project goals, target audience, and desired outcomes.
Ideate & Explore
I explore as many ideas on medium, message, and visuals as possible, pushing past expected ideas to get to unique and impactful solutions.
Pitch & Align
I share multiple design options, refine based on feedback, and ensure everything aligns with the project goals, budget, and timeframe.
Finalize & Launch!
I partner with you through launch and beyond, ensuring successful implementation and addressing any post-launch needs.
Past Clients & Colleagues
Melissa's a thoughtful, skilled, and versatile design talent, excelling across all media, from branding to video. She seamlessly blends design and project management, collaborating with stakeholders to achieve goals. Highly recommend!
​
Tracee,
CMO Scrum Alliance
Melissa excelled as our creative director. Her clear communication and ability to handle multiple projects made her a reliable asset. She built a cohesive brand identity while incorporating diverse feedback. A supportive teammate, I'm grateful for her leadership.
Tess, Copywriter
Scrum Alliance
Working with Melissa on our Global Scrum Gatherings was a dream. Her creativity, can-do attitude, and openness made collaborating with her a joy and her design skills and ideas absolutely elevated our brand. We're lucky to have her!
Candice, Events
Scrum Alliance
When my company launched, Melissa was instrumental in shaping our brand strategy and identity. She took the time to understand our values, resulting in a logo, website, and overall brand that perfectly reflects who we are and sets us apart in the financial services industry. A true asset!
Chris, CEO Full Circle Financial Group
Melissa went beyond simply creating a design; she took the time to understand the essence of our farm and what makes it special. This deep understanding shines through in the timeless logo she crafted, perfectly capturing the vision we had for our family farm. We couldn't be happier with the results!
Jay, Lucky Dimes Farm
Melissa's professionalism and collaborative spirit made creating our brands for Flour & Fields Baking Co., The Mix, and The Lobster Pit a breeze.
Her problem-solving skills ensure we'll be back for future projects.
Sammy, Restaurant Entrepenuer
Resume
Education
​
Savannah College of Art & Design
Master of Arts, 2022
Graphic Design & Visual Experience
​
Monmouth University
Bachelor of Fine Arts, 2010
Graphic Design​
Bachelor of Arts, 2010
Photography
​
Division 1 Field Hockey Goal Keeper
Experience
​
Creative Director | Scrum Alliance
Jan 2022 – November 2023 | Remote ​
-
Spearheaded the redesign of Scrum Alliance’s brand system and strategy; crafting a new digital brand standards guideline including refined mission, vision, voice, messaging, logos, photo and video style, badges, and icons. Ensured consistent adoption across internal and external stakeholders.
-
Led and managed the 6-month project of the UX/UI overhaul of the website by working with 4 cross-functional teams, outside contractors, and stakeholders.
-
Collaborated with cross-functional teams to elevate visuals across all brand touchpoints, managing creative contractors, and designed a new flexible and joyful visual language for global and regional gatherings.
Co-Founder + Creative Director | ALL IN Athletes
May 2022 – Nov 2023
-
Co-founded a company dedicated to raising awareness for mental health in athletics through meaningful conversations and community.
-
Led comprehensive initiatives encompassing brand strategy, visual identity, website design and build, apparel design, social strategy and engagement, marketing campaigns, podcast development and editing, and events.
Design Manager | The Port of Virginia
Nov 2019 – Jan 2022 | Norfolk, VA
-
Led visual branding initiatives for America’s fifth-largest port, directing strategies and campaigns across earned, owned, and paid media channels.
-
Defined, protected, and elevated the brand by creating a comprehensive digital brand standards guideline and implementing a digital asset management system.
-
Successfully managed end-to-end execution of diverse creative projects including State of the Port address, AAPA National Convention, four annual reports, two sustainability reports, mission and vision roll-out, and a new website.
Graphic Designer | The Port of Virginia
Sept 2016 – Nov 2019
-
Designed all visual communications for the port; earned recognition from the maritime industry with 30 communications awards, spanning diverse materials such as annual reports, websites, and special events—marking a notable achievement after previously receiving zero awards.
Graphic Designer & Marketing Manager | Jody’s Popcorn
Oct 2015 – Sept 2016 | Virginia Beach, VA
-
Designed and built a cutting-edge e-commerce website, enhancing UX, enabling seamless large-scale corporate ordering, and driving business growth.
-
Crafted and implemented a cohesive visual design strategy, including digital, print, and in-store materials, ensuring a consistent presence across platforms.
Graphic Designer | McDonald Garden Center
Feb – Sept 2015 | Hampton, VA
-
Crafted a unified visual identity, elevating brand presence as top local garden shop across emails, in-store signage, ads, mailers, packaging, website, and events.
Portrait Photographer | Knox Studios
Feb – June 2014 | Chesapeake, VA
-
Ran elementary school individual and class photo shoots from start to finish: equipment selection, set up, shooting, selecting, editing, and presenting photos
Pambassador | Giant Panda Research Base
March – Nov 2013 | Chengdu, China
-
Traveled to 19 countries, speaking on behalf of pandas and conservation
Division 1 Field Hockey Coach | American University
June 2012 – Nov 2013 | Washington DC
-
Goalkeeper specialist coach responsible for the videography and coding of games, recruiting, scouting, travel arrangements, and team practice and workouts.