Award-winning art director and designer specializing in strategic, visually compelling solutions for government and private sector clients.
Summary
Creative and strategic art director and designer with nearly a decade of experience leading creative work across federal government, nonprofit, and private sector clients, delivering high-impact visual communications for mission-driven initiatives. Skilled in brand identity, digital and print design, and accessible design practices. Adept at translating complex concepts into clear, compelling visuals that engage diverse audiences and support measurable outcomes. Known for cross-functional collaboration, attention to detail, and a thoughtful approach to solving design challenges across various sectors.
Contact
Ankeny, IA
515.344.5181
Education
Grand View University (Des Moines, IA)
Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design
Minor in Interactive Media
Certificate in User Experience Design
Graduated Summa Cum Laude
Awards
MarCom Platinum Awards (3), Gold Awards (8), and Honorable Mentions (7)
Ragan's PR Daily Awards (2)
Ragan's Video, Visual, & Virtual Awards (1)
VA's CX Innovation Award for Exceptional Experience for Veterans (1)
Accenture's Truly Bold Award (1)
View all accolades on LinkedIn.
Skills
Adobe Creative Cloud Suite
Art Direction
Brand Identity & Strategy
Interactive Media
Leadership & Team Collaboration
Microsoft Office Suite
Print & Digital Design
Project Planning & Execution
Section 508 Compliance & Digital Accessibility
Social Media & Content Creation
Website Design & Development
Experience
DCG Communications (Remote, Washington, DC)
Art Director (2024–Present)
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Digital GI Bill Initiative; U.S. Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs Office of Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning, and Innovation; Corporate Growth and Marketing
Direct creative strategy and direction, managing high-level concept development for high-profile federal initiatives, including large-scale brand systems, award-winning campaign materials, and digital experiences, ensuring consistently high design standards and accessibility compliance are met.
Serve as a subject matter expert in Section 508 compliance, providing accessibility remediation support, team training, and integrating new tools such as CommonLook to strengthen inclusive design practices.
Manage and mentor designer(s), support recruitment efforts, and lead team-building initiatives to foster a collaborative, inclusive design culture that prioritizes growth and innovation.
Support creative development for high-priority government proposals and DCG’s corporate marketing efforts, supporting multimillion-dollar new business acquisitions and brand growth through strategic design leadership, visual direction, and cross-functional content development.
Lead DCG’s social media marketing efforts, overseeing creative direction and ensuring consistent brand presence across all platforms.
Senior Graphic Designer (2022–2024)
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Digital GI Bill Initiative; U.S. Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs Office of Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning, and Innovation; Corporate Growth and Marketing
Led design and production of multi-platform campaign assets including toolkits, emails, animated videos, and print collateral recognized with multiple MarCom Gold and Platinum awards.Created a comprehensive brand resource guide to support internal and external teams in aligning with visual brand standards, creative capabilities, and asset usage.
Championed accessibility, providing Section 508 remediation and guidance for digital and print products across projects.
Played a lead creative role on high-value federal proposal efforts, helping shape design strategy and brand presentation for new business pursuits.
Delivered visual strategy presentations and developed design education tools to strengthen brand alignment across stakeholder teams.
Graphic Designer (2022–2024)
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Digital GI Bill Initiative
Designed print, digital, and video assets for GI Bill campaigns recognized with multiple MarCom Gold Awards, Ragan’s PR Daily and Video, Visual & Virtual Awards, and the VA CX Innovation Award.Developed visual materials supporting major VA education benefit rollouts distributed to schools, Veterans, and stakeholders nationwide through toolkits and outreach efforts.
Collaborated with strategy and content leads to build cohesive, on-brand campaign executions.
Applied Section 508 standards to all deliverables, laying the foundation for accessible design practices across the team.
Led the evolution of the GI Bill's visual identity and internal asset library.
Anderson & Anderson, LLC (Ankeny, IA), formerly DBA as "Alt Kreativ"
Co-Owner & Creative Director (2016–Present)
Oversee all creative strategy, client relations, and business operations for a growing design firm serving clients across the government, healthcare, nonprofit, and small business sectors.
Drive end-to-end development of brand identity systems, websites, and digital experiences that align with business goals, user needs, and accessibility standards.
Partner directly with founders, executive directors, and internal teams to position brands for growth through strategic visual storytelling and digital innovation.
Deliver impactful, standards-compliant designs that prioritize usability, inclusivity, and long-term brand equity.
Lead proposal development, project scoping, and creative execution across multidisciplinary projects, ensuring high-quality outcomes and client satisfaction.
Compass Healthcare Collaborative (Des Moines, IA), formerly DBA "Iowa Healthcare Collaborative"
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
Graphic Designer (2019–2021)
Designed and produced branded materials, infographics, and digital campaigns supporting nationwide healthcare quality improvement efforts.
Created user-friendly educational tools and interactive resources for hospitals, clinics, and public health professionals nationwide.
Led UX-focused redesign of the organization's website and eLearning platform, enhancing navigation, accessibility, and overall user engagement.
Digital Media Specialist (2017–2019)
Supported the design and development of branded communications, visual content, and outreach materials for national healthcare initiatives.
Developed interactive training tools and digital products for healthcare providers and community partners, including the first Comfort Scale — a redesign of the outdated Visual Analog Pain Scale — promoting a comfort-focused approach to pain assessment.
Contributed to website and platform usability improvements, incorporating accessibility best practices and user-centered design strategies.
City of Alleman (Alleman, IA)
Web Developer & Designer (2016–2019)
Led the city’s first comprehensive rebrand, creating a visual identity system, municipal website, and digital communication strategy to establish legitimacy, increase transparency, and promote civic pride.
Designed and developed a modern, mobile-responsive website and content management system with built-in accessibility features, improving access to public information for all residents.
Collaborated with city officials to craft user-focused content and streamline digital services, enhancing community engagement and operational efficiency.
Created branded social media templates and visual campaigns to boost local awareness and promote city-sponsored events and initiatives.
Maintained and updated site architecture, design assets, and platform integrations to ensure long-term functionality and relevance.