Solving Problems through Storytelling:
My Journey from Graphic Design to Strategic Leadership
Born and raised in Sacramento, California I’ve been a curious maker since before I could walk. By the time I was six, I was writing and illustrating my own stories. Life had twists and turns and I stopped creating art for almost ten years.
In 2015 I was introduced to the field of design. My brain lit up as my cells remembered my love of making. In 2017 after completing the Graphic Design program at Sacramento City College, I became entrenched in the Maker Movement. My favorite instructor and mentor, Tom Cappelletti, convinced me to help launch a Makerspace. Hoping to land a full time job as a Graphic Designer, he sold me by saying, “It’ll be like running your own design studio — you’ll have complete creative freedom.” How could I say no?
In the two years as Creative Director at SCC Makerspace, we built something pretty magical. It morphed from a room full of equipment into a buzzing hive of engineers, artists, and designers.
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In 2020 I was hired as a Design Lead for Citizen Schools where we partnered with different organizations to create storytelling assets. From there I thought about how I might gain experience as a leader in design thinking.
The Dual Masters MBA + MFA program at CCA was a perfect fit — blending strategy with pushing creative boundaries. At CCA I worked with teams to analyze and optimize businesses, and I fell in love with solving problems at scale, sharpening my skillsets in communication and product management.
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Excited about the next chapter of my career — I hope to work with motivated and talented teams to design and build products that solve problems.
Outside of work, I love discovering new breaks to surf along the coast of California and dragging my Australia Shepherd, Benny, along for the ride. I love to travel, cook, read, and learn new things.
In 2015 I was introduced to the field of design. My brain lit up as my cells remembered my love of making. In 2017 after completing the Graphic Design program at Sacramento City College, I became entrenched in the Maker Movement. My favorite instructor and mentor, Tom Cappelletti, convinced me to help launch a Makerspace. Hoping to land a full time job as a Graphic Designer, he sold me by saying, “It’ll be like running your own design studio — you’ll have complete creative freedom.” How could I say no?
In the two years as Creative Director at SCC Makerspace, we built something pretty magical. It morphed from a room full of equipment into a buzzing hive of engineers, artists, and designers.
Students and faculty in SCC Makerspace
Like many students who worked in the Makerspace, I found my niche. During this time I launched my freelance career, documenting stories of young entrepreneurs, designing brand identities, and building websites.
My career began in graphic design and transitioned into production, UX, and Product Management
In 2020 I was hired as a Design Lead for Citizen Schools where we partnered with different organizations to create storytelling assets. From there I thought about how I might gain experience as a leader in design thinking.
The Dual Masters MBA + MFA program at CCA was a perfect fit — blending strategy with pushing creative boundaries. At CCA I worked with teams to analyze and optimize businesses, and I fell in love with solving problems at scale, sharpening my skillsets in communication and product management.
Pitch Day: ShopDoc, The Modern Way to Book Your Mechanic
Excited about the next chapter of my career — I hope to work with motivated and talented teams to design and build products that solve problems.
Outside of work, I love discovering new breaks to surf along the coast of California and dragging my Australia Shepherd, Benny, along for the ride. I love to travel, cook, read, and learn new things.
Have a question or an opportunity to share? Don’t hesitate to get in touch.