WORK EXPERIENCE
2023 - Present
Crocs, Inc Denver, CO
Global Design Director - Personalization
Leading global design for Personalization and Accessories, creating opportunities to grow the personalization brand while focusing on execution and aesthetics. Work with a global multidisciplinary team to drive strong storytelling moments and collaborations with impactful partners. Present design presentations at all levels of the organization.
Recruit, mentor and inspire a team of 9 talented creatives that emphasizes creating an emotional connection with Crocs to broaden demand for personalization and continue growth the of a 150 million dollar business
Translate consumer data into targeted product collections that speak to seasonal trends, strategic partnerships, align with cross-category assortments footwear and packaging while meeting margin
Manage multiple design projects and priorities to ensure the design teams functions at optimal strength, budget and capacity for speed to market
Create concepts and visual storytelling presentations to guide and impel marketing in the creation of work and assets
Travel to meet with global partners, scout and forecast market trends
Optimize and improve design process for best practices
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Design Advocate
2015 – 2023
Fossil Group Dallas, TX
www.fossil.com , www.skagen.com and www.michaelkors.com
Global Associate Creative Director
▪ Inspire and lead a talented creative team that emphasizes creating an emotional connection with the Fossil brand to broaden demand for our products
▪ Manage the creative development and execution for the jewelry brand identity
▪ Create brief-driven and brief-adhering concepts and conceptual presentations -inspire marketing in the creation of work and assets
▪ Collaborate with key stakeholders including Brand & Product Development, Packaging, and Marketing to set the strategy of how design brings the brand to life and use this strategy to guide the priorities and output of the creative team
▪ Create targeted product lines and collections that speak to seasonal trends
▪ Manage logistics and expectations with overseas factories via Google hangouts and Product Lifecycle Management (PLM)
▪ Serve as point of contact between the Dallas creative, sales, marketing, and product development and the New York executive team
▪ Manage and review manufacturing samples to ensure quality and standards are met
▪ Create trend and style boards to communicate styling and inspiration for seasonal development
2014 – 2015
Saint Vintage Atlanta, GA
Director of Design and Marketing
▪Directed all phases of creative work from concept through product launch
▪ Created brand-on product lines and collections
▪ Defined and executed company objectives to ensure volume and sales goals
▪ Managed and communicated with staff, contractors and factory production
▪ Presented new collections through various marketing opportunities including national tradeshow presentations, special award presentations and digital marketing campaigns
▪ Sourced new product development opportunities that meet cost and quality guidelines
▪ Managed and reviewed manufacturing samples to ensure quality and standards exceeded expectations
▪ Communicated and strategized with designers to create on-brand images for digital marketing campaigns
2006 – 2014
Spectragem, Incorporated. Atlanta, GA
Creative Director (2009-2014)
▪ Served as creative lead and managed major accounts
▪ Directed all phases of creative work for international clients from concept through production
▪ Inspired and motivated creative teams and was accountable for developing and directing creative work of the highest caliber
▪ Created compelling creative product lines and collections for leading television retail clients that were brand specific and aligned with strategic marketing goals
▪ Developed creative staff through mentorship and peer review to maintain consistent quality
▪ Solicited new business by establishing common goals and a unique vision
Senior Jewelry Designer (2006-2009)
▪ Designed and sketched original product ideas for multiple brands including but not limited to Macy’s, Home Shopping Network (HSN), and Quality Value Convenience (QVC)
▪ Reviewed and technically corrected first prototypes, and all samples stages in order to achieve final approval samples
▪ Reviewed previous merchandising data as it relates to upcoming production
▪ Designed 85+ SKU’s for classic brand design type per month
▪ Attended international and national trade shows to identify emerging jewelry trends
2006
Liz Claiborne Inc. New York, NY
Freelance Designer
▪ Designed collections for upcoming markets for multiple brands including but not limited to Marvella, Marvella Studio, Villager and Trifari
Boards
▪ Fossil Group - Works of HeArt Committee
▪ Fossil Group Culture Team - board member
▪ Fossil Group Lean In Circle -moderator
Skills
▪ Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Rhino CAD, Project Lifecycle Management
▪ Technical Drawing, 3 View Drafting
▪ Proficient in MS Office, Excel
▪ Production and Stone Sourcing
▪ Knowledge of 3D printing technology
▪ Writing and editing experience; public relations materials, speech writing and blogs
▪ Proficient in various social media platforms and engagement including Wordpress, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, SnapChat, Hoot Suite
▪ Inventory management
▪ Staff and team training
Independent Work
Heart The Stones by Halle Millien 2020 - Present
Launch Fine Jewelry Collection in collaboration with the Natural Diamond Council
H.A.R. Jewelry 2008 – 2016
Consultant
LemonDrop Media 2017 - 2019
Founder, Podcast Host, Content Consultant
Romancing The Stones 2009 – 2015
Blogger
International Travel
Belgium, China, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Spain, Switzerland
Brands
Fossil, Skagen, Michael Kors, Saint Vintage, Jade of Yesteryear, HSN, QVC, Macy’s, Trifari, Monet2, Marvella, Villager
Education
2021
Stanford Graduate School of Business
Executive Education - Innovative Product Leadership: The Emerging Chief Product Officer
2021
Harvard Business School
Executive Education - Reimagining Strategy with Design Thinking
2005-2006
Fashion Institute of Technology, Associate of Applied Science
Jewelry Design - Cum Laude
1996-2000
Simmons University, Bachelor of Science
Biology
Professional Development
2015
General Assembly
▪ Retail 3.0: Cultivating The Customer Experience ▪ Coding for Beginners: HTML and CSS