I’m Kara. 🤝
Human, mom, designer and art director; film, tv, pop culture and barefoot enthusiast.
I’ve worked as a creative for 17 years, specializing in building brand identities and helping organizations reach their audiences.
Resume
Senior Director, Creative
National Geographic SocietyJanuary 2025 - Present
Design Director
National Geographic SocietyMay 2022 - December 2024
Creative lead for all marketing, events and fundraising across digital, print and multimedia.
- Lead creative strategy, concept and execution of fundraising and marketing campaigns, digital products and marketing collateral
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Drive creative vision, develop key art and oversee creative implementation for biannual signature events attended by more than 1,000 attendees
- Manage staff designers, freelancers and external vendors
Design Director
Burness CommunicationsApril 2016 – April 2022
Managed the design practice, including creative direction and concept development for projects across various mission-driven and nonprofit clients, as well as day-to-day management of a team of designers.
- Presented and pitched creative work to clients, managed client relationships and developed new business proposals
- Led design development and creative campaigns for various clients including the American Heart Association, the Gates Foundation, Heifer International, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, PATH and the World Health Organization
Art Director
Brand Architecture, IncApril 2013 – February 2016
Art directed and designed brand identity systems, campaigns and marketing materials for hospitality clients including Burger 21, World of Beer and
Outback Steakhouse
Graphic Designer
Checkers Drive-In Restaurants
2010 – 2013
Graphic Designer
Quest Corporation of America
2008 – 2010